Strasbourg

Strasbourg was sort of always on my itinerary, although I had never really pencilled in the date. So I kind of decided, "I'm going to Strasbourg tomorrow," and then did so. Since I had only decided about 16 or 18 hours before I arrived in Strasbourg, I was not really able to plan ahead and meet up with some couchsurfers to stay with them, so instead I booked a room at a "hostel" in Strasbourg. I use this term loosely, because while it is indeed a hostel, the "bar," which was often a fantastic place to meet other travelers and plan sightseeing adventures, was mostly selling Fanta and Coca-Cola to the 150 high schoolers who apparently are always here, when school is in session (good location, group rates and a cheap cafeteria means this is apparently where all of the school groups stay in Strasbourg).That aside, the city itself is very lovely, the people are very nice, and the food is fantastic. The first day I checked in at about 3pm and wandered around the Grand Isle, which is where the cathedral and old city are based. I checked into a few cool looking old restaurants, however these were either not open yet (apparently 7:30pm is pretty standard for restaurants to open for dinner) or were full, so I ate at the cheap cafeteria, and not badly: a rice mixed with shrimp, ham, vegetables and pork loin in gravy. Seriously, I wish cafeterias that I have eaten in make this kind of food. Ended up sharing dinner with one of the other guys in my room, a HVAC welder who was returning to his home and family in Brittany the next day after being in Strasbourg for 4 weeks. It was pretty cool getting his perspective on France, Sarcozy, the EU, the US, etc. He did like Obama though, so he get points from me.The next day, I grabbed the free breakfast in the hostel and headed out to see the European Parliament (or Council of Europe, I think), which ended up being about a 45 minute walk, but it was nice out and you walk along a river. Upon arriving I was let into the lobby and asked where my tour was leaving from. After explaining I just kinda wanted to look around, I was handed a brochure about how to book tours for the COE. So I was kinda hungry, and figured I'd find a nice place either where I had been the day before or up here. About 15 minutes away, I saw 3 old ladies and a business man separately walk into a weinstub (or something; like a bar and grill in America, according to my guidebook), and I figured it any place that those 4 would like, so would I.So I had a lunch of wine, a salad with I think some sort of head cheese or other unidentified meats smushed together, about a pound and change of sauteed mussels, fries, and coffee. Not bad. Actually, it was completely awesome.Even though I did not couchsurf in Strasbourg, I did still message people about getting a drink or drinks on my final night in Strasbourg. I heard back from someone who recommended that I go to a poker tournament that some friends of hers were throwing. It was actually pretty cool.I brought 2 bags of the obligatory salty snacks and a 6 pack of Meteor, which is apparently their crap beer (though I actually rather liked it). everyone was incredibly cool, and on occasion remembered that I did not speak French, and so would repeat the sentence in English. but I learned the important words, and could point when not able to. Once the beer and chips ran out, people kept bringing around wine and snacks such as sausages and candies, so there was plenty to eat and drink. Plus I met a few people from cities I had already visited, and I found out if my impressions were accurate and if I went to the right places.Made it to the last table, but not much beyond that. Headed back to the hostel a little after 3 so that I could make my train to Heidelberg. Which I did, as I now sit in my cousin's house, typing on his computer. A relaxing day in Dilheim then off to Paris tomorrow.