Strasbourg

Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow. ― Anita Desai

Nostalgia

On October of 2001 I made for the very first time a travel-excursion out of my country. A national wide school initiative to visit the European Parliament made it possible to gather small groups for this trip. I was one of the lucky chosen guests of the Parliament.

The world was so different back then…  I was just a girl, with a light suitcase and an analogue camera. I didn’t have a cell phone like much of the group I was integrated in, it was something that I would have to wait for another year, and in fact we didn’t really care about such things. Looking back at that period of time I think Life had a softer pace and everything was without a doubt more cherished and enjoyed for the experience in itself not for some superfluous feeling of grandeur or self-glorification.

We visited the Parliament of course but we also strolled in the city of Strasbourg. For a few days I immersed myself on a different culture. We stopped over & climbed the Cathedral; I bought a small stuffed stork as a remembrance of the city; and we even made a visit to Natzweiler-Struthof, a Nazi Concentration Camp from the WWII. A reminder that cruelty is limitless and has no boundaries... The weather on that day followed the atmosphere as it was cold and moody. Everyone in the group struggled to speak while in the visit and even afterwards an uncomfortable silence followed us.

Almost 17 years have passed and I took the opportunity on our way back from the Dolomites to revisit Strasbourg, in this instance with my dearest Jorge. We rambled throughout la Petit France, the historical quarter of the town, but also other parts of the city. We entered in bookstores full of graphic novels and got delighted by the superb French pastry. I have to recommend the pastry Maison Naegel.

After so many years Strasbourg managed to retain its essence. Roaming throughout the streets and alleys made me revive past emotions.