pictured: Germain, Jutta, me
wake up in Straßbourg.
Germain has gone to work.
he's left us the keys to his flat and a note suggesting things for us to do during the day.
Jutta and i take our time making breakfast, getting ready, and tidying the place before venturing off.
it takes a while, but things start coming back to me in time.
i forgot how much i love this town.
perhaps it's just the familiarity; i'm not sure.
the narrow streets.
the open squares.
the old cinemas.
the university. dad studied there in '79.
and L'Ill, the old moat, protecting the city's centre.
two major differences stick out for me this time through.
one, i'm wearing a winter jacket.
two, i've got company on my walk to the european parliament buildings.
Matt had stayed back at the hostel in '06, having been too ill to partake in any real sightseeing.
i thought of you especially today, my friend.
you were missed.
Jutta and i had a grand time walking the brisk sidestreets and riding the tram for free before joining Germain for a drink in a cozy and inviting student bar.
he then took us to get a delicious sandwich from Made In France before seeing us off at around 19:00.
thankful for him.
a kind and thoughtful young man with an oversized heart and delightful sense of humour.
21:00 and we're in Lörrach.
Jutta checks into her hotel and we drive up (a ways up) to the lovely home of my lovelier host(ess)(es) for the night, Sarah and Vanessa.
the girls prepare some lemon tea for us and we talk for some time.
Vanessa is recently back from a 2-month stay in vancouver, so there is no shortage of conversational subject matter.
i'm lucky to once again be treated so well.
i have a whole room to myself and i'm told the window offers a beautiful view of Lörrach below.
i'll report back at first light.
first light.
a pretty view indeed.
Sarah will drop me at the hauptbahnhof "downtown" this morning.
from there i'll make the short train trip over to Basel, SUI and enjoy what is shaping up to be another beautiful day.
photos coming.
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