We are here at long last!

Today is Monday and we begin our classroom studies at the University of Strasbourg.  Our journey to today has been a whirlwind of activities.  My new shoes have walked many a cobblestone road and I must confess my heels would never have survived.   

On top of Main Bank Tower-Frankfurt

We have journeyed to Frankfurt and received a guided tour of the financial district.  We received a presentation from Deutsche Bank and we climbed the Main tower (pronounced MINE).  We also learned about the city history and its reconstruction after World War II.  The city was about 87% destroyed and had to be rebuilt. We also got a taste of the German cuisine and desserts. 

We left Frankfurt on Friday and arrived at the Mercedes Truck Plant and got to see a truck put together from beginning to end.  It was great and a logistical genius.

Walking back to Hostel financial district of  Frankfurt.

Down the Financial District and shopping mall area of Frankfurt.

Cara and Kimberly at Mercedes Truck Plant.

We then journeyed to Strasbourg, France and arrived at the old and beautiful grounds of the Chateau de Portales.  I can envision royalty in the ballroom and many just lounging on the grounds, which are green, green and more green.  The place reminds me of all those old romantic novels I used to read.  The rooms are quaint which is a nice way of saying not as modern as I'm used to, we don't have our own bathrooms they are down the hall.

Torture Tower

We quickly were taken down the road to learn about the bus and tram systems so we could learn to get around the city.  On our first day we also got a boat tour that was about an hour and a half.  It was nice and cool on the river.  We heard audio on the history of Strasbourg and even saw a torture tower.  This was the meeting place for torture and death....reminded me of Mel Gibson and Braveheart.

Notre Dame of Strasbourg, France.

Rachel wanted to eat out of a "fancy glass, like the other people."

On Sunday we attended mass at the Notre Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg.  This cathedral is massive in size.  There is no way to take a photo of it as you stand there in awe of the gothic architecture.  The mass service was in French and for those of us who are Catholic appreciated the fact that all the rituals and prayers are the same except that they are in French.  It was very surreal to sit and listen and know that no matter what language you are, the worship is the same.  Afterwards 7 of us girls decided to take advantage of climbing the tower of the cathedral that was 330 steps up and 330 steps down.  I was crazy enough to go with them and it ended well.  It was a great feeling to know we climbed to the very top and descended to a celebratory ice cream treat...

We also went to the historical museum and actually had a good time with some props!