Although I have long since landed in the land of my birth, what may only have been about 3 weeks ago, still feels fresh in my mind. I think there are a variety of reasons for this – other than the hope of clinging to my memory like a leech clings to an unsuspecting animal filled with juicy blood!

The fact that I have witnessed something so surreal within the month of travel this year, and being something I’ve always wanted to do it seems impossible to forget such things. I aim to drink less in the future to avoid the loss of memories that keep me happy – anyhow, onto the blog.

Day 7 – Strasbourg, France

(21/10/2011)

Two things in Europe leave me utterly envious of other Europeans – and it isn’t their seemingly superior genes, fine food or fashion sense.  First, it is the fact that you can be an hour away from another country which is within your reach to explore, without having to fly for almost a day with the consequence of  the dreaded debilitating Jet lag that follows. The second and I am not sure which one I hate more, is the ability to land in a town like Strasbourg, and know you can spend a month there yourself and still not see everything.  Throughout my trip, I would be experiencing the second feeling more and more as I matured in the travelsphere [sic].  However, that being said, we return to Day 7, and I am a kid in a candy store drooling on the glass window before me. [[[note: I think I've said those two things before in other posts...but I can't help but reiterate these points]]]

As I have already mentioned. You are already in a museum without being in a museum. Strasbourg is definitely one of those cities. The name Strasbourg roughly translates as “Town at the crossing of roads” and thus it may have been accidentally or intentional that this is the home of the European Council. On the border of Germany and France,  along the river Ill across from German town Kehl – apparently this is meant to be one of the most polluted cities in France simply by its location alone which lends itself to poor natural ventilation. I could not imagine the depressing nature of this city when the iron fist of heavy industries which have now since disappeared.

With the negative undertone set above, when we first arrived on Strasbourg and without the prior knowledge of above – M and I thought we had stepped into a wonderland. Our host K, didn’t seem to  bother with the modern aspects of the city and we were soon whisked to the old town where low and behold sat yet another giant medieval cathedral, which is easily the most impressive we had seen so far, blowing Munich out of the water. This was the finest example of anything we had come across that dared to call itself Gothic Architecture.

Not only is it superior to other cathedrals, The Strasbourg Cathedral once held the title of being the tallest building in the world between 1647 – 1874 – passed by another German cathedral – St Nikolai in Hamburg (with only the spire remaining – thank you very much WWI and II!). At 142 Metrres, this structure remains to be the 6th tallest church in the world. To think such a beautiful thing had been completed in the mid 1400′s.  The “widespreading tree of God” (Goethe) is of no marvel in terms of today’s heights of course, but considering back in the day you could see this thing for miles right through to Germany’s Black Forest it was easy to see why you’d fear belive in God after all that.

I take simple pleasures knowing that both Goethe and Victor Hugo have seen the very same thing with their eyes.

Gothic architecture is always very comical. With gargoyles and decapitations and people underneath other people…you really can’t do anything else but laugh and think of those people who would actually be carving in this artwork into the foundation. They may have been mad men; friends of mine reincarnated today I’m guessing.

Walking into the Church is of course – huge. There are a couple of main attractions inside of the church, with the most unique being the famous Astronomical Clock.  Straight from the official site:

Principal work of the Renaissance, this mechanical astronomical clock is an invention put together by various artists, mathematicians and technicians. Swiss watchmakers, sculptors, painters and creators of automatons all worked together to build this amazing automate. The present mechanism dates from 1842 and is especially attractive for the work of its automatons, which, every day at 12.30 pm, all start their show.

The first Strasbourg astronomical clock, L’horloge de Trois Rois, was being built from 1352 till 1354, but it stopped working in the beginning of 16th century.

According to a legend, the local authorities of Strasbourg ordered that the constructor of the Astronomic Clock should be blinded so that he could not try to build something like it ever again. This first clock was equipped with various mechanical details that were very rare in that time, such as calendar and astrolabe, as well as very interesting miniature statues. The main statue of the clock was representing Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms. In front of her, every hour, the three Kings would step out of their chambers and the music announces the time (this automate is now being shown in the Strasbourg museum of Decorative Arts).

At this moment, astronomical clock offers you a view of different stages of life, which are personified by a child, a teenager, an adult and an old man, who pass before Death. Above this are the apostles who walk before Christ. Their passage is punctuated by the beatings of wings and the song of a large rooster. In front of the clock is the marvellous Pillar of Angels, which, in a very original manner, represents the Last Judgment.

Trust me – it’s as impressive as it sounds and we didn’t even see it move! They did touch on the Pillar of Angels (more info here)  which shows levels leading up to the heavens and from prior knowledge the hierarchy of Angels that follow as you ascend. I think I stared at that longer than I stared at the fancy clock. Knowing that this is popular to tourists, I looked down to see a coin box before me asking for 1 or 2 euro. I originally thought it was clever that they put donation boxes right in front of the main attractions within the church, however I found out later this serves another purpose. The church itself is particularly dark so taking pictures without flash on an ordinary point and shoot can become quite blurry. Inserting the prescribed amount in the coin slot turns on a light to the main aspect of the pulpit and the baptismal pot so you can see it’s beauty in a different light.  I was angry at first but then resided to the well established knowledge of the church’s greed. Sure people have mass there every Sunday, but God’s house seemingly costed M and I more than a Euro almost every single time. You find holier church’s in Australia.

With the church being the main attraction, the only thing left to see is to walk within the medieval town, taking it in, seeing what the locals do and fall in love with a french cafe worker saying what would you like and thank you. M laughed at me as I blushed like an idiot. The name of the place was called Babyfoot. Thank goodness the host K and her friend P did not notice. Too busy talking among themselves…There was no real local beer but I had a beer anyway. I do not think I can go back to Australian beer without first violently shuddering at the taste until I get drunk. German beer is truly the nectar of the Gods!

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