One of the advantages of where we live in Germany is that we are just a few hours from several other European countries.
So earlier this winter we headed to the closest French town west of us:
Strasbourg.
I’m surprised it took us this long to get to Strasbourg because we have a dear friend who is living there at the moment, and if you asked the boys in my family what they enjoyed most about our weekend in Strasbourg, they would all say it was just getting to be with Jake.
Not the food.
Not even the gorgeous crepes with salted butter caramel sauce.
Or dark chocolate.
They would not remember to mention the turquoise shutters.
Or the multi-colored cobbles in La Petite France.
They wouldn’t say wandering the streets or eating yummy Tartes Flambèes.
Or seeing the building where Strasbourg teenagers go to high school. Can you imagine attending high school in this insanely gorgeous place?
Instead of telling you about going to see the Notre-Dame of Strasbourg and climbing to the top,
Ben and Simon might tell you about the silly stories Jake told them about some of the statues carved on the outside.
And Taido would tell you how wonderful it was to have someone to “talk shop” with all weekend. Jake and Taido were in the Aberdeen Divinity department together and are both learning languages in order to read their respective favorite theologians in their original languages. (Barth in German and Ellul in French)
I, however, would say that climbing to the top of the cathedral was almost my favorite part of the weekend.
Mostly because of how you can see out the windows all the way up the stairs.
You get closer views of the impressive structure from every level, and you an wonder as you climb how on earth these stones were stacked this high in 1439.
Also, the views from the top are pretty great.
Even on a cold, cloudy day.
I would also have to mention that everything I ate in Strasbourg, from the morning croissants that Jake brought us to the open faced brie + walnut + honey sandwich, reminded me of why I love French cuisine. It’s just so beautiful!
But overall, I have to concur with the boys. Being with Jake is pretty wonderful.
