Last time I invited you to take a walk with me through the streets of the old town of Strasbourg. However, my walk didn't end there. While taking a lovely stroll through the streets and enjoying the first warmth of the sun this year I was pondering - what makes this city alive? So far I had my fair share of opportunities to visit and even live in different towns and cities. One is certain, each of them, no matter how big or small - has its own very unique vibe. Strasbourg is not an exception. So what gives it the spirit?
The first pleasant thing that really surprised me is that in France various flea markets are a very popular and absolutely normal occurrence. Small ones like this, for an old books, postcards and an old records can be found pretty often all around the city, however, the "serious" ones for the real antiques has a specified dates, times and locations. The fact that people instead of throwing items away - gives them a chance to have a second life, does really impress me . I really salute such behavior. What is more for such a curious being as I am it is always really fun to have a peak to gorgeous valuables that have a long history behind them.
Flowers! A lot of them! Flowers everywhere! It is an inseparable part of Strasbourg even if only in a flower stand at this time of the year.
In the summertime, all city is covered with flowers: starting from bridges and ending pretty much with every window still in the city center.
The street cafe culture. Even if the weather is rainy - people very often rather choose to sit outdoors than indoors. So the little tables lined up along the sidewalk can be seen everywhere.
The gift shops... always colorful and with the very specific decorations. Alsaciens surely loves stuffed things as decorations :)
The Stork - is the proud symbol of Alsace so naturally, it is the first and the most important attraction of every gift shop you'll find in the region.
And bicycles, bicycles, bicycles everywhere. It is a very green city. Not only in a sense that it has a lot of trees and parks but it also has a pretty well-developed infrastructure for cycling and among most of the citizens bicycle is the choice number one (instead of the car) as the main mean of transport. It is pretty usual to see a man with a costume or lady with a beautiful dress and in high heels just riding bicycle casually to work.
The second most popular mean of transport is the tram. Despite its futuristic look it actually blends very well with the rest of the city architecture.
And heading back..... The Marrons Chauds. A cute little train like stands that appears all over the place just at the end of autumn and stays there for the rest of the cold period. The perfect place to get some freshly baked chestnuts and not only....
Finally - the local patisseries and boulangeries inviting you in with a magnificent sent of freshly baked goods from afar.
And well, since I was in town anyway - the obligatory visit to one of the best patisserie/boulangerie in town. Normally there is a queue to get inside but seems that today I've got lucky.
Mmm.... always fresh baked goods...
On the top shelf - the traditional Alsacien cake "Kougelhopf".
Don't get me wrong, I love croissants and pretty much all French-backed goodness but "Pain aux Raisins" is my guilty little pleasure...
