It has only been three days and so much has happened.

Arriving in Strasbourg, I had extreme jet leg (nine hours time difference) and only three hours of sleep on the plane. I arrived at 7:30AM on tuesday morning. I got my bags and went to the Deutsche Bahn to buy my train ticket and then went to McDonalds and ordered my meal in German; I was suprised I remembered as much as I did from high school. My Airbnb did not become open until 5PM so most of the day was waiting and trying not to fall asleep. Upon arriving in Strasbourg I, as usually, got lost multiple times. And looking like this walking down the streets….

I did not look like a tourist at all…

I finally found the appartment. It is on the fifth story in a small two story attic. My host was extremely kind and invited me for dinner with his friend. We had authentic alsacian wine, cheese and champagnion pasta. My host speaks very little English and by the third day he was only speaking in French, because I told him I needed to learn french. He is a teacher for children and very patient/helpful with me.

The next day I met a wonderful local, Johan, who showed me the cathedral, petit-France and around the University. He was very sincere and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the history and a french pride to go with it. His English was amazing so it gave me a beautiful break from trying to speak french. Although at stores and the cafe I would do mybest with french and ordering. I was extremely blessed by Johan showing me around and gave me a glimpse of home away from home. This idea of home has been a pondered question in my mind recently. When I went to the Harvard Art museum, in the early 20th century German art room, I was so aesthetically struck by this cubist painting depicting a house…

 

This piece inspired a mysterious emotional reaction, and it brought to mind conecpts about “home.” Wht is it? People, place, things… ? How is it formed? enviornement, love, attraction…? What does it porvide? security, confidence, strength…? In my mind I like to believe that home “essence” can be created everywhere.

Home is just a place where love and understanding thrive.

Home is a place where fear and worry subside,

and most of all,

home is mallable and build on love.

This is an exciting realization of self and place, because it suggests that I can make “home” in Strasbourg and where ever I go.  And thusly I can be secure, confident, strong, dispite people, place or enviornment if I have a malluable and loving heart.

The next day I had a wonderful picnic with some beauiful locals where we created “home” by the river de L’ill in Petit-France over some artisan wine, cheese, sausage, fresh vegetables, and baguette.

a la Prochaine,

DCM