26 March 2010
On Friday, we prepared to drive back into the mountains to view an ancient medieval castle. Unfortunately, it was very cold, and windy, and was our first taste of poor weather in France. We visited the Castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg, which dates back to 1147, and at one point was owned by the Hapsburg Royal Family, and then Kaiser Wilhelm II. In 1633, the castle was placed under siege and overrun in the Thirty Years' War. It was classified as a monument in 1862.
The castle was very large and beautiful, and it took quite a while for the tour. The rain pouring in through the cracks and the wind coming in through the castle windows, which true to the period did not have any glass, enhanced our experience of the conditions of medieval life. Seeing the way the upper class of medieval society lived was fascinating.
After our tour, we drove to a village called Colmar, also known as Petite Venice. The buildings and landscapes were all very traditional provincial France, and it is one of the most advertised areas of France. We took a mini-tram ride through the streets of Colmar, followed by splitting into smaller groups for lunch and a bit of shopping. After lunch, we drove to the Museum Unterlinden to see the exhibit of medieval iconography and paintings. Our tour was quite enjoyable, and the art was beautiful.
3/29/10
25 March 2010
After the library, we drove up the mountainside to Mont St. Odile. On this mountain is a magnificent monastery, which was dedicated to Sainte Odile, a blind female saint who regained her sight through her faith. We toured the monastery and learned about medieval iconography and other religious art, and then had lunch on the steps of the monastery. We then took a hike down the mountainside in order to view a fountain of water that Sainte Odile had created from the rock in a miracle. Many of us drank from the stream, which dates all the way back to medieval times!
We finished out the day with a tour of the nearby village of Rosheim, which has retained much of its medieval culture. We had snacks from the oldest bakery in Alsace, as well, and toured a typical medieval home. The day ended when we drove back to our families in Strasbourg.
La belle Paris!
24 March 2010
The first thing planned for Wednesday morning was a 5:30 a.m. train ride to Paris, so naturally we were all very tired that morning. Upon arriving in Paris, we were sent on a bus tour through the streets; we saw many amazing and breathtaking sights!
The Paris Train Station, or Gare de L'Est, was a point of interest, as well as The Paris Opera House. The Opera House is also known as "Garnier's Palace" after its architect, and was built in 1862. Other important buildings we viewed on this tour were the Grande Hôtel, and the Ritz hotel, which is famous for being the home of Coco Chanel, and Chopin.
Also a point of interest was a carved column constructed in honor of the Battle of Austerlitz. When the tour was finished, we headed towards the Louvre, the second oldest museum in Paris. The Louvre was amazing. Unfortunately, we could not spend as long as we would have liked inside, but the paintings we did see were wonderful and included the Mona Lisa, as well as many other paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and other master artists.
Some other works of interest were marble sculptures: the Winged Victory at Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo. After visiting the Louvre, we headed over to the park behind the Eiffel Tower for a picnic lunch, and then prepared to go up in the tower. We took an elevator up to the second floor of the tower, and then spent time taking photos of the fantastic view of Paris. Once we were safely on the ground, we headed for another museum; on the way there, we spotted the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Élysées, both of which are symbols of Paris and Napoleonic France.
We then arrived at the Musée Marmottan, which is a museum renowned for its collection of impressionist art, including Monet. We viewed beautiful works, such as “Water Lilies,” as well as many statues and furnishings from the Napoleonic Period. Once we had finished our tour of the museum, we returned to the train station for our ride back to Strasbourg.
The first thing planned for Wednesday morning was a 5:30 a.m. train ride to Paris, so naturally we were all very tired that morning. Upon arriving in Paris, we were sent on a bus tour through the streets; we saw many amazing and breathtaking sights!
The Paris Train Station, or Gare de L'Est, was a point of interest, as well as The Paris Opera House. The Opera House is also known as "Garnier's Palace" after its architect, and was built in 1862. Other important buildings we viewed on this tour were the Grande Hôtel, and the Ritz hotel, which is famous for being the home of Coco Chanel, and Chopin.
Also a point of interest was a carved column constructed in honor of the Battle of Austerlitz. When the tour was finished, we headed towards the Louvre, the second oldest museum in Paris. The Louvre was amazing. Unfortunately, we could not spend as long as we would have liked inside, but the paintings we did see were wonderful and included the Mona Lisa, as well as many other paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and other master artists.
Some other works of interest were marble sculptures: the Winged Victory at Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo. After visiting the Louvre, we headed over to the park behind the Eiffel Tower for a picnic lunch, and then prepared to go up in the tower. We took an elevator up to the second floor of the tower, and then spent time taking photos of the fantastic view of Paris. Once we were safely on the ground, we headed for another museum; on the way there, we spotted the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Élysées, both of which are symbols of Paris and Napoleonic France.
We then arrived at the Musée Marmottan, which is a museum renowned for its collection of impressionist art, including Monet. We viewed beautiful works, such as “Water Lilies,” as well as many statues and furnishings from the Napoleonic Period. Once we had finished our tour of the museum, we returned to the train station for our ride back to Strasbourg.
3/23/10
blog entry
23 March, 2010
This morning, the first thing on the schedule was a guided boat tour of Strasbourg on the River Ill. However, when we arrived, we learned that the workers that controlled the locks on the River Ill were on strike, so we were unable to take the tour!
This morning, the first thing on the schedule was a guided boat tour of Strasbourg on the River Ill. However, when we arrived, we learned that the workers that controlled the locks on the River Ill were on strike, so we were unable to take the tour!
As an alternative, we decided to take the mini-tram through Strasbourg to see many beautiful and historic sights. The tour began with a view of many different styles of architecture in Strasbourg, such as 17th century timber houses and 16th century Renaissance style. We viewed the Chamber of Commerce, and the Tanner's House (1572), and the tower where tortures were once carried out. One interesting place we also viewed was an ancient prison, which is now used as a government institution for training administrators - the ENA (Ecole Nationale d'Administration).
A point of interest that caught the eye of many students was also the historic covered bridges, used for fortification, and the gorgeous St. Paul's Cathedral. After the tour was over, we disbanded for a bit of shopping, and then regrouped for lunch at a restaurant named "L'Ancienne Douanne." We were served a traditional Strasbourg dish called "les tartes flambées," or, very thin, flat bread with cheese, ham, and onions all seared until crispy. It was extremely delicious!
After lunch, we were allowed more free time in the area, and we went around to various shops and "crêperies," stores where crêpes are first on the menu. Then, all of us met up with a tour guide who was going to take us on a walking tour of Petite France, a neighborhood of Strasbourg. We started by viewing a statue of Johann Gutenberg, who historically is responsible for revolutionizing the printing industry, and then went on to view the old home of John Calvin, a protestant minister who is the founding father of Calvinism. We entered a Romanesque style church as well, and got to see an organ that Mozart played during his lifetime.
We finished our tour with a visit to the oldest tree in Strasbourg, as well as a trip down the oldest street in Strasbourg, where many affluent families once lived. We then walked over to the magnificent Notre Dame de Strasbourg, which is a replica of the Notre Dame of Paris, although it is missing one of the two towers because they could not finish. The sheer size and beauty of the cathedral was breathtaking! Inside, we learned about the astronomical clock, as well as a column carved with angels. Everything was exceptionally beautiful. Once our tour of the Cathedral was finished, we returned home to our host families for the rest of the evening.
Nous arrivons
22 March 2010
The American students and French students arrived at St. Etienne's, the high school that the French students attend, for a breakfast before school. Croissants and hot chocolate were served as a typical French breakfast, and they were delicious! Then the students separated; the French to go to class, and the Americans to visit a nearby church, named the Chapelle de St. Etienne!
Our tour guide explained to us that the church was built in the twelfth century, in a style known as Romanesque. We also learned a lot about the Romanesque style of architecture, and about the custom of patron saints; the Patron Saint of this particular church, Sainte Attale, left behind a relic for the church, which was a symbol of religion. In this case, the relic was one of Sainte Attale's hands!
After a while, we headed back to St. Etienne's to meet up with our correspondents for lunch. While a few ate in the cafeteria, many students went out into Strasbourg for lunch to eat baguettes with cheese, or pasta in to-go boxes.
Next, we headed over to the "Conseil de l'Europe", or European Council, for a tour. There are 47 European countries in the Council, and we learned about how they democratically regulate Europe. Our tour guide also instructed us never to confuse the European Council with the EU (European Union); the two are very different. After our tour, we returned to the school to meet back up with our French student (correspondent) and go home.
After visiting the chapel, we were treated to a special performance by a gym class of St. Etienne's 12-year-olds; they performed the Cotton Eyed Joe for us! It is nice to be reminded of our heritage when we are so far from home.
After the performance, we had a little downtime, which we used to change our American dollars into Euros, as well as split into groups and visit the shops and cafés in the area. The Strasbourg natives were very nice and patient as we formed sentences in order to ask for food or directions.
After a while, we headed back to St. Etienne's to meet up with our correspondents for lunch. While a few ate in the cafeteria, many students went out into Strasbourg for lunch to eat baguettes with cheese, or pasta in to-go boxes. After lunch, some American boys and French boys challenged one another to a game of basketball, which was very entertaining! While the French students went back to class, the Americans headed to a park called "l'Orangerie" where we spent time playing on the playground and sitting in the sun, since the weather was exceptionally nice - much warmer than home!
Next, we headed over to the "Conseil de l'Europe", or European Council, for a tour. There are 47 European countries in the Council, and we learned about how they democratically regulate Europe. Our tour guide also instructed us never to confuse the European Council with the EU (European Union); the two are very different. After our tour, we returned to the school to meet back up with our French student (correspondent) and go home. 
One thing that fascinated the American students about the school was the bell that rings between classes; it is not actually a bell at all, but a song! After leaving, many students spent the afternoon getting ice cream with their correspondent, or in the park.
Traveling home was also exciting. Taking a car is actually less common than taking a bus or tram to one's destination. The public transportation system in France is excellent, and it is very easy to make your way around the city. All in all, we enjoyed a fabulous first day in Strasbourg!
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