Strasbourg Day One
After Paris our next adventure was on to Strasbourg, the capital of France!
We desperately needed a little bit of a break from the adventure filled days of London and Paris, so this couldn't have come at a more perfect time!
Our travel day to Strasbourg was very relaxed, and to be honest, I don't remember a whole lot!
Before we left Paris we stopped by the Paris Temple site, where we had a presentation from a member of the church involved with purchasing the ground the temple was to be built on.
I was so miserably tired that I was hardly coherent and barely remember the presentation.
Oops!
Once we got to Strasbourg we went to an "American" diner called Franky's.
I was surprised to be craving a hamburger and a milkshake, but I suppose nearly two weeks into the trip I just wanted a little taste of home!
I had the best chocolate banana milkshake and I was satisfied for another few weeks until we were home :)
That night we just spent in the hotel playing catch phrase, chatting, and catching up on some major sleep.
Strasbourg Day Two
The next day we woke up bright and early for a business visit with the European Union.
I was really ridiculously excited for this visit, but unfortunately, I was still so exhausted.
When we were preparing for the trip, our teachers told us that there would be a point that we hit a wall, and this was definitely that point.
Our tour guides for the EU were fantastic and so incredibly knowledgeable.
At one point they took us to a room for a presentation with comfy chairs and dimmed lights, and I can honestly say I don't think I've ever struggled more to keep my eyes open.
I kept looking around and nearly half of our group had their eyes closed.
I felt so bad, and we probably came across as so unprofessional.
Overall though, it was a great visit!
We had the rest of the day to ourselves, so first up on our list was a nice long nap.
Katy and I went back to our room and were out nearly as soon as our heads hit our pillows.
That was the most glorious nap of my entire life...
Until...
The loudest, blaring, fire alarm woke us up.
I am an incredibly light sleeper, but it took me a good minute to realize it was a fire alarm disturbing me.
I thought it was Katy's phone and I was so irrationally angry at her, I was about to yell at her to make it stop.
Then, at the same time, we both realized it was a fire alarm.
I confusedly and sleepily poked my head out the door, half dressed, wondering if we actually needed to go downstairs.
By the time Katy and I were putting on clothes and shoes and grabbing our most important belongings, the fire alarm stopped.
It took us a good while to snap out of our groggy and grumpy state, but once we did we felt refreshed enough to head out for the day!
Katy, Brandon, Ryan, and I all went to Old Town to explore and walk around for a bit.
It was absolutely perfect and everything I had imagined France to be!
Bakeries, patisseries, Fromageries, Creperies, Chocolatiers, quint mom and pop shops, dogs wandering around off of leashes, cobblestone streets, and more.
I was in heaven.
I mean, just look at that! ^
We made our way to the Cathedral Notre Dame de Strasbourg, which had magnificent architecture.
Story goes that the building owner didn't want the design of the cathedral to ever be replicated, so once they finished building it he took all of the architects and builders up to the top and pushed them off.
The locals claim this to be true, but who knows!
After the cathedral we were on a hunt for crepes and gelato.
We found a place that served both, and I'm pretty sure were those obnoxious tourists who don't speak french, don't know how to order food, and went back twice for crepes and gelato ;)
But let me tell ya, those crepes and that gelato sure hit the spot.
Who says you can't have dessert for dinner?!
When in France, right? :)
Straciatella, Raspberry, and Mango gelato pictured above :)
What I wouldn't give for some of that right now!
It was a truly fantastic, relaxing, and rejuvenating day.
Exactly what was needed!
