European Discovery 2012: Road to Strasbourg

We have a quite a crew who help Francesco, our Italian driver, load and unload the coach at each new destination. Thank you gentlemen!

This morning we said Au Revoir to Paris and ventured on the motorway to Strasbourg, home of the European Parliament. For lunch delegates had the opportunity to experience a European autostop – a gas station, restaurant, picnic area, café, and mini market all rolled into one. They selected food items and ordered their entrees using only hand gestures, limited French vocabulary, and help from their newly found French speaking friends. Merci Katherine, Kelly, and Pennsylvania delegates!

In the afternoon students had some free time to navigate the narrow streets of Strasbourg, France in groups to see the medieval German architecture and shop for souvenirs. That’s right, I said German. Both Germany and France have fought over this region for centuries and the city has changed alliances with the times. Since most of Germany’s cities and towns were destroyed in the last World War, travelers must visit France today to see one of the best examples of a medieval German town. After dinner students learned about their upcoming home stays in Germany. Our German hosts are very excited to meet their American student ambassador in two days. Tomorrow it’s Au Revoir, France and Bonjour, Suisse. Hello, Switzerland!