Four months in Strasbourg is just enough time to scratch the surface of its rich culture—and perhaps even richer cuisine. I already find myself dreaming of the regional specialties that were once so easy to obtain.
My first impression of the city was that it felt larger and busier than I expected. I wondered if people would be more closed off and difficult to connect with in this environment. But after a while, Strasbourg began to feel like a small village. I could easily navigate the city without maps and recognized nearly every face that walked by.
Another early impression was that French people were generally more reserved and difficult to befriend as an outsider. I soon found that this wasn’t entirely the case. Perhaps the best way to get past the façade was to show genuine interest in their culture, language—or even better, their favorite cuisine.
A city I couldn’t have located on a map just a few months ago quickly became somewhere I will always consider a second home.
Thanks for everything, Strasbourg!