Window Shopping in Strasbourg

We had a walking tour of Strasbourg, France on Day 2 of our cruise and of course we ended up in a lovely shopping area near the cathedral.  I did a bit of window shopping!

The linen shops had lovely items.

This shop had amazing tableware but I only looked!

And when you come to shop, don't forget your market basket so you can pick up a few items!

The Storks of Alsace

I had no idea that storks nested in the Alsace region of France. They have been  around this area for centuries.  There are nests on rooftops, on chimneys and in trees.  The storks migrate to this region in France for the summer and then head back to Africa in the winter months.  Remember that it will be warmer in Africa during the winter months!  We spotted a few nests and a few storks but they were hard to capture with my camera.  You will have to be happy with my slightly "out of focus" photos!  The first one is a nest and the second is a stork.

Click here or here to check out a webcam of a stork's nest. Unfortunately I was unable to find the webcam in the Alsace region but I did find several in Germany.  Remember there is a time difference of 8 hours!

Stories and folktales abound about storks bringing babies to houses but click here to read a poem written by Shel Silverstein about older people and storks!

The Architecture in the Villages of Alsace, France

I loved the architecture of the homes in our first outing in the small villages in Alsace.  This area bounced back and forth between France and Germany for many years.  The architecture of Keysersberg reflects the German influence with the half-timbered homes and tile roofs.  Notice the steeply pitched roofs and the flowers! Everywhere we looked, we found something beautiful!

Alsace, France

Alsace is a region of France in the eastern part right next to Germany.  Our first stop on our cruise took us to several picturesque towns in this region.  We visited the Alsatian Villages of  Kaysersberg and Riquewihr.  Both were just beautiful with flowers on and around all the homes, a lovely town square, cobble stone streets and a photograph every step of the way. 

Albert Schweitzer, a famous physician, was born on January 14, 1875 in the village of Kaysersberg. He was not just a doctor though.  He studied religion.  He was an organist and studied the music of Johan Sebastion Bach.  He was also a philosopher and received the Nobel Peace Prize.  You can find out more about Albert  Schweitzer by clicking here.

Don't be confused when the information states that he was born in Germany.  At the time of his birth this area was in Germany but it was returned to France.  In fact, it actually switched back and forth between France and Germany several times.

Here are some photos of the Doctor Albert Schweitzer Museum in Keysersberg.  Just look at that building and the flowers!

Cologne Cathedral

Rolex

I bet you know that Switzerland is known for expensive watches.  There were watch shops all over Basel and our hotel had some for sale also.  We didn’t buy any but we did look and drool just a bit!  The display window shown is in our hotel.  Our room has this neat contraption that  keeps the watch “wound” by movement.  You just place your watch on the stand in the middle and turn it on.  Then it moves back and forth.  Well of course I turned it on!!

Outdoor Theater at the Munster Cathedral

What a surprise to find an outdoor theater in the square at the Munster Cathedral.  So sorry it is raining or we would head over to see The Martian.

Das Munster von Basel

The Munster Cathedral was built in the 12th century.  The architecture started in the Romanesque style and finished in the gothic style.  It was built  of red sandstone.  It is a lovely work of art inside and out.

Play Money

Beautiful Swiss Francs!  Tomorrow we switch to Euros so I need to spend it all tonight!!

Jazz in Switzerland

We headed out to dinner last evening and was surprised by a band playing Dixie Land Jazz.  I felt like I was in New Orleans!  The leader of the band came over and talked with us and told us about the festival happening in old town Basel.  We headed around the corner and down the street and found tons of people, heavily armed police and music all over the place.  The market place had a Big Band and down the street a bit we found this group playing jazz.  What fun!  Didn't stay long but long enough to enjoy a bit of music.