I was told that I would get sick of the church bells but I still look forward to each quarter when they ring.
I was told that once the city becomes familiar it will stop being exciting, but I still smile each step out of my apartment door.
And I came with the intention to walk everywhere, but the discovery of the simplicity of the tram system has me changing my mind.

Ah, yes. That’s a Galleries Lafayette you see in those top photos. Strasbourg has one of it’s own. But that’s really where the similarities of Paris and Strasbourg end.
It’s a much quieter city. It feels safe at all hours of the day. There always seems to be a market happening on some street you walk by. The people are far more patient, polite, and enthusiastic about your presence (whether in a shop, restaurant, or just walking down the street – you get a nod). The tram (as opposed to the metro) is spotless, plays music at each stop, and just seems more organized and accessible (good luck getting on a metro in Paris if you’re handicapped).

Now, don’t get me wrong: I’m not bad-mouthing Paris. I love my city. Yes, my city. It will always be my city. But I’ve said it before – it’s disorganized and can feel unsafe and is tainted in many ways. It’s no less fabulous or fantastic, it’s just different. And as I’ve also mentioned in ye old blog of past, when you live in a city, it’s a totally different experience than visiting as a tourist. I am feeling what that truly means by having lived in both Paris and, now, Strasbourg France.

Here, in Strasbourg, I’m living in France, experiencing clear French lifestyle and culture, but it is all drowning in that provence mentality (much like a Southern Italian mentality that I am very familiar with). It’s a mentality of knowing what it means to live your life, to cultivate happiness, and not letting small problems turn into big worries. It’s about cherishing those apero moments with your loved ones and friends and using the weekends as they’re meant to be used: slow strolls, lazy lounging on terraces, and lots of delicious wine and cheese.

Paris understands all that as well, it’s just moving at a bit of a faster pace and already thinking about Monday on a Friday evening, if you know what I mean!

These are the first pictures I’ve taken of Strasbourg at night. The photos don’t even capture the beauty of it in person. I’m using my phone camera, keep that in mind, and it can only grasp so much. These were taken city-centre on a Saturday night, and you can see how quiet it is. But! Still very much alive! Restaurants and bars are packed – we almost had difficulty getting a seat for dinner.

The past few days have been raining, which is my favourite way to explore a city. Streets are emptier, the air feels renewed, and there is something so calm and beautiful in the sound of rain hitting pavement. This morning was a thunderstorm which is simply the best. It was so cloudy that we had a chance to open up our eastern facing balcony windows, which usually have a hard hitting sun that heats up our place and can’t be opened before 14h. Thunderstorms, a fresh breeze, a delicious cup of coffee, and a good book – who could ask for more?

I hope the universe is treating you as beautifully as it is treating me. Happy Friday! I’m looking forward to an uninterrupted weekend with the love of my life.

xo
C

Just another beautiful few days with my beautiful man, my beautiful dog, in my beautiful city.

I actually walked to city centre and back without a GPS so I’m already getting my bearings! I went shopping downtown yesterday, and today was the market on our street. I headed out early enough and lucked out with fresh, homemade pasta (agnolotti) made by the usual cheese vendor I visit.

I have begun to recognize market vendors and have made it a habit to visit the same ones today, so they start to recognize me, too (though, tattoos always help with this). I went to the same cheese vendor, same fruit stall, same artisnal bread vendor, and same old Greek olive vendor (he always sneaks me in some extra olives). Tonight’s dinner will be an array of cheese and the fresh pasta with leftover sauce that I made on the weekend. But first: apero with fresh olives!

There is a kind old lady who lives on the 4th floor of our apartment who I see every other morning when I bring Rukia out to pee. She is so, so kind! She always greets Rukia with, “SALUT MA BELLE!” and cuddles her, pets her, gives her kisses, telling me how much she misses having a dog since hers died. I have grown rather attached to this woman… I look forward to running into her.

But the best part of living in this city is waking up to my best friend, every morning.

Life is perfect and I am so blessed.

What I love most about weekends is being able to spend them with Jordan. No work separating our time together. Just me, my love, and occasionally the baby (dog) if she is feeling energetic enough to join.

This weekend we went quickly to Kehl, Germany (eight minutes from the apartment) for some errands, and then drove to Colmar which was about 50 minutes from Strasbourg. We drove through the villages along the way, rather than taking the highway, and it was endlessly spectacular. Colmar is so, so stunning. Truly a fairy tale city. It was very much like being in the Beauty & the Beast story. It was absolutely packed with tourists but was no less enjoyable.

We took the trip just the two of us because Rukia was sore and exhausted from a long walk the day before. She did so well on her own – we have a camera to watch her and she slept the whole time she was in the apartment. I am so proud of my baby and how well she is adjusting.

The photos below begin with Friday evening apero by yours truly, followed by dinner at an amazing vegan restaurant around the corner from us. And then progresses through to Kehl, the medieval village (Seleste I think?) and finally a gorgeous castle on the mountain before the Colmar pictures. Jordan is texting my mother in the cell phone photo…Haha buddies!

Outstanding, isn’t it? Honestly, the pictures do this city no justice. It’s even more spectacular in person. Every single corner of this city had me pulling out my phone to take more photos.

Our blue skies turned grey and we left before an afternoon rain, I’m sure, but it was the most lovely day. The restaurant we went to was reasonably priced for a tourist hotspot and was very delicious.

If you’re ever in the Alsace region, a visit to Colmar is very necessary. I understand why Jordan said it was his grandparents’ favourite city. I cannot wait to go back.

Hope you are having a beautiful weekend, wherever you are reading from!

xo
C

Here are a few meals I’ve made over the last few days:

And there is nothing quite like walking to the terrace of a brasserie and relaxing with some Rosé for the evening. Even Rukia has taken to French life, being exceptionally behaved while at the terrace, and walking off leash through the city, trotting along happily. Strasbourg looks good on her.

Honestly, it is still difficult to believe that I’m back in and building a life in France. When I was taking the train from Strasbourg to Paris (to get Rukia), I was reminded of the beauty of Europe. Farm land, beautiful, old farm houses, medieval towns scattered along random hillsides… I fall more and more in love with what this country shows me.

We are planning to go to Colmar tomorrow, which is part of the Alsace region and about an hour drive away. It looks absolutely stunning. I can’t wait for our first family weekend.

As for tonight; dinner out for Shabbat at a vegan restaurant down the block. Shabbat shalom, friends.

xo

C

It hardly seems real that I should be here in Strasbourg, France, reunited with Jordan, and strolling through the most beautiful city. I say to him quite frequently, “Am I dreaming?” The entire first day felt like I was floating on air.

I have already unpacked my luggage and organized the apartment. It really feels like home. It’s spacious, well decorated, has plenty of storage space for both our belongings, but lord, it’s been hot. I’ve already ordered a second mini AC. This heatwave + the top floor apartment + two giant windows – one that gets direct sun in the morning, one in the evening – and hot pot lights… well, you’ve got a sauna. Thankfully, opening up the two balcony doors in the morning let’s the air circulate through which keeps it relatively cool through the day. Jordan is not as sensitive to heat, but very much like the cold, I am like a lizard to my environment. My skin becomes like a radiator. When I read “heatwave” in the news, I did not anticipate this. Thankfully today has been so much cooler, and all windows have been opened to let in the beautiful, fresh breeze (and the sounds of birds and church bells).

Now, our home is complete with the arrival of Rukia. She flew over Sunday night and I picked her up from Paris CDG yesterday. It was a nightmare thanks to the animal neglecting company that is Air France, but that’s another story for another day. But she’s all fine now; catching up on her rest, getting used to her new surroundings (she can already lead me back to “home”), enjoying the market and the produce scraps discarded on the floor (she hates mango!), and sleeps right through all the endless church bells of this city. Again, it hardly seems real that I have my Canadian dog here with me in France. Our little family, our new life, a new chapter… our little home is complete. Papa Jordan is already spoiling his baby.

There are quite a few photos in this post. They’re from the first day walking around Strasbourg and a few from the market with Rukia. I destroyed my feet with a bad pair of sandals but it was hard to focus on the pain when you’re surrounded by endless beauty. This city is truly a dream – and SO different from Paris. It’s quiet (silent – only gets busy in the evenings in the city centre), so, so safe, it’s completely spotless, and every building is different from the one before it. It’s hard not to take a picture of everything.

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My beautiful man opened up a bottle of Rose champagne famous in the Alsacian region once I arrived and it was like JUICE. Absolutely splendid!

Have I mentioned that the market is literally right outside our apartment building? You can see our apartment in the photo I took from across the street. It happens every Tuesday and Saturday. Market stall owners are so friendly, welcoming, they encourage you to try their products, and the prices are absolutely phenomenal – this is a whole different world from my market experiences in Paris. I got eggplant, spinach, onion, peaches, plums, and a mango (that tastes like manna) for 3,40EUROS! Once I realized the prices these people were charging, I went to a few other stalls… Okay, I went a little crazy. But, needless to say, I’ve got a pretty fresh and phenomenal meal planned for tonight and I only spent about 13EUROS.

Even drying my laundry on my balcony of my apartment in France that overlooks a cathedral and the spire of a beautiful church, with a bright blue sky as a backdrop, birds soaring overhead, was such a beautiful experience. I am relishing in everything I can. This place is perfect. Life is simply perfect. And it can only get more beautiful from here on.

I am so happy.

xo
C