Chapter 1: Introduction to My Strasbourg Tour

If someone had told me that Strasbourg is where we would land five years after we left the US to spend a year in Costa Rica and ended up roving the globe, I would not have believed them. One challenge of being able to live almost anywhere is trying to explain how you chose where you are. In a previous blog entry, I talked about some of the practical reasons we opted for Strasbourg—it checked pretty much all our boxes for this stage in our lives and particularly the kids’ lives. But now I’d like to talk about all the ways I love Strasbourg and why.

Let me start by saying that for me, place is all about the people. Normally, when we land in a new place, my first order of business is finding community, getting to know locals, learning the culture, and integrating ourselves into the social fabric somehow. I want to be a part of it, and for me, that means people. I also view visiting restaurants, museums, music and theater venues; taking classes and joining collaborative groups; and traveling around the area, as being essential to getting to know a place and its people.

Alas, because we moved here in the middle of a pandemic, we have not been able to establish real community yet, and all the usual places and activities to explore have been off-limits since we arrived. Luckily, the kids have been in school in person most of this year, so that provides some integration and roots for all of us. They have been able to make friends whom they can at least see at school (and sometimes outdoors at parks and around town); we have met a few of their friends and parents but have not been able to spend much time with any of them. 

Instead, in the context of social distancing, I have directed my energy toward getting to know the physical lay of the land in Strasbourg—its streets, canals, squares, neighborhoods, bike paths, green spaces, history and architecture. And I love it. I am thrilled to have landed in such a perfect place for us right now, and the more I learn and experience, the more I appreciate this city. I can’t wait until we are able to socialize and build a community of friends and relationships here, but until then, I am soaking up everything I can and trying to enjoy every moment. 

I will be posting a series of blogs about Strasbourg over the coming weeks. So, whether you’ve been here before and would enjoy a virtual re-visit, or you’ve never thought of Strasbourg and would like to catch a glimpse through my lens, or you are itching to visit and want a preview… I hope you will enjoy the tour and learning more about this charming and fascinating place with me.