5 am – Switching off my unused alarm, I got ready for the exciting day ahead. Day trip to Colmar and Strasbourg in France was something we had planned. We met at the entrance of our hotel at 5:45 am. Transferring ourselves to the main station, picking some bread and coffee, there we were – in the high speed train to Strasbourg.
Two trains were connected and would be separated soon – they have breakups too! Probably just a job change for them. We found our seats and settled. We were four colleagues traveling together. Each one picked his favourite interest and was enjoying the journey. While Bharat picked his favourite movie, Arun gazed out, Varun slept and I read articles and watched people around me.
Peter Russell’s “men vs women” show and his joke on “how a woman’s mind would process a stage” made me laugh. How true! I was as well observing the old lady seated diagonally opposite to me, her expressions, smile and look. Next came the infants surprised look and the outside meadows and trees.
We got down in Strasbourg and spent 80 cents to take a bio break. The name of the restroom was funny – “2theloo” and it had redemption offers of the 80 cent ticket on purchase of goodies. Business strategy and optimal usage!
Our plan was to spend half day in Colmar and then second half in Strasbourg. We boarded the next train to Colmar. Amazing drive it was! The lovely meadows, little hills and pastureland remains fresh in my mind. The shining sun greeted us warmly. Taking some pics at the main station, we started our expedition.
Colmar – a walking toy town was calm and serene. Few little heads and vehicles around. The roads twisted, turned and played merry go round. Walking at different speeds, we were enjoying the little town. French bakery smells chocolate pastries all over. “Colour colour which colour do you choose?” played the candy stores. “Long necked swan, witches on broom, cuddly bears, cute toy houses” seemed to be typical souvenirs.
As we crossed the center of the town, the statue in the cross road attracted us for a picture. We moved on to reach the picturesque “Little Venice”. Smaller Gondolas were sailing swiftly and tourists were clicking pictures and enjoying. The toy train helped transport tourists across the toy town too. Time for shopping – Souvenirs. We picked few magnets of toy houses of Colmar.
We booked the tickets and waited at the floating restaurant. A tourist group from Sweden greeted us “Namaste” and curiously asked us if we were touring Europe. With a brief introduction, we had a small talk. “We had been to Chennai; Good food and nice sculptures” she said and made me smile.
We boarded the gondola and moved. The banks of the river had lovely houses and looked like a fairyland. The guides expressions were lively and humorous. She explained the symbol of hearts in houses meant a girl was ready to marry; and how it gets transformed to diamonds wishing her to have many children. Salmon in shallow water – and the history made us laugh! The houses looked antique. Floral arrangement around them was a treat to our eyes! Sweet, simple, romantic, lovely and charming buildings. The town looked like a happy maiden!
Busy market flooded with people. We entered to witness an European food market. Amazing stalls, varieties of cheese and meat. “Cumin” 9 euros per hundred gram – my mind quickly calculated and laughed – 720 INR. Happy to see “Garam Masala” too. We never value Indians or Indian food while we are home but look for them in a foreign country – I giggled within myself.
We moved on to a restaurant. “Flammkuchen” I screamed. Memories of Rastatt where I first ate them. Flambees, flambees and flambees all around. However we only had a choice of one so called “Vegetarisch” and we grabbed them. Varun’s “cheese pan cake” seemed good too. With a tummy full of food we were energetic to walk further.
Pastries attracted us but our tummies ran out of storage. We walked further window shopping – “Indian tea store” Bharat screamed. “The tea is sour” he returned and winked – “The grapes are sour!” I laughed. We made funny comments about the Pashmina shawls we saw and moved on. Our silent gurus enjoyed the surroundings and clicked pictures.
Yet another market with lovely bags. We picked a couple of them and watched our watches. “It’s time for the next train. 20 mins to walk” Arun exclaimed. “Consider Subhas walking speed” I winked. We started our way back to the train station.
Boarding our train to Strasbourg, the guys slept like tiny toddlers in a minute. I watched around, smiled at people and observed things as usual. “Good morning guys” they woke up and the man seated next to us laughed loudly hearing my good morning. We left the train and walked.
“Men in silence” and the usual me. Let’s go to the city center – we took the local train. The train was crowded and the city center too. It was funny that wherever there was a pair or a group, the women were always talking and the men were keeping mum. “Universal truth” made me laugh and I got convinced about my husband now.
The ancient cathedral with the astronomical clock – was huge and majestic to see. The red structure was amazing and tall! We took the toy train and did a tour of the city. The city looked serene with old buildings but the crowd made it too busy. Forty five mins on the toy train with audio guide explaining the old buildings was neatly paced. The river adds beauty to the city.
Long queues at an ice cream shop attracted us. “Probably, we’re blindly following the queue and the queue follows us blindly. That’s how business grows” we laughed. Another mourning ceremony at the queue with my silent gurus. The three women in front of me talked non stop and this was funny! “Universal truth” banged again!
Special gelato floral ice cream topped up with French Macaroons – 7 euros – worth a spend. Colours and colours and colours – which one to choose. After a short rest over an ice cream, we walked across the street.
A small stream of waterfalls with a hissing sound impressed us. He was adding water to the stream and gave her the strength to move on. The floating restaurants, the town across the river, the hiding sun – added serenity and beauty. Finally I turned to be a silent guru too! The evening charm and the silence was not a disturbance but a blessing. The clouds seemed to chase each other in a friendly way. “Pink” did they turn as they blush yielding to the sun!
“Love locks” the tradition seen on the bridges. “John loves Sarah”, “Charles loves Zoie” and many more. Should I remark about the land of love? When a person is deep in our hearts, we don’t have to lock him to us but rather let him go. He comes back to us and that’s the love lock!
Shouldn’t we do a love lock within ourselves? Shouldn’t we love ourselves to understand “life is beautiful”? While we love ourselves, the world is going to look colourful. There is no space for depression and anxiety when we love ourselves – I smiled and made a virtual love lock within myself.
“Le Madras” Bharat stunningly looked at the menu. “Why don’t we eat here” his mind questioned. “Indian food in France” we laughed. We took the bus and moved around the city a couple of times. Lights illuminated the whole town. Multiple places for dinner and this seemed to be quite a culture. Couple, groups, youth, old seemed to enjoy candle light dinner and outside view.
After touring round the city, we played some music and walked to our final bus back to Stuttgart. Boarding the bus with lovely memories of the day, we bid goodbye to Strasbourg!
My mind was full to ponder any further. The Serene Colmar, the Hustling Strasbourg – both were unique and special on their own. My dual nature – at times an introvert and at times an extrovert – I understood that I can get disturbed and undisturbed of both my nature within myself!
Not all calmness and solitude is a pain nor all crowd is lively. It’s just how you take it. You can enjoy being alone and feel lonely in a crowd. On the other hand you can settle with pain being alone and feel merrier in a crowd. Well, the best comes to you when you understand solitude is a blessing in every serenity and amusement and excitement in a hustle.
Finding a state of happiness is just within ourselves. The Hustling Serenity and the duo made me smile!
