La Vie Strasbourgeoise

Mes Amies,

Ça va? I hope that life is treating you kindly. Well, let me recount a few things, not necessarily in any particular order:

1. Yesterday I rented a bicycle, the preferred mode of transportation for the Strasbourgeois. A very kind Colombian student who was sage with the experience of having done it herself helped me. I now feel like a true Strasbourgeoise as I pedal down the cycloroutes (I do not know if that is the correct word) with the wind in my hair (not at all glamorous, though), or at least sort-of, as my bike has the name of the rental store written across it which thus cheapens my pretense of acting like a native.

2. As I was heading toward a table at a café terrace today to order coffee while I waited for Lauren, a woman beckoned me towards her. When I stood before her, she asked very quietly (so I had to ask her to repeat it again), "Vous savez bien parler la russe?"

"La russe? Ah, non, désolée."

Then she simply nodded, and our exchange was over. I am most perplexed, however, as I am quite positive that I do not look Russian.

3. Later today, Lauren and I stumbled upon an outside market, and darted off of the tram at the last minute to peruse its stalls. (As an aside, the tram here is quite nice; it allows me to see how everything is connected together in the city, and is clean, though rather expensive. However, when walking or riding my bike, I am always paranoid that it will hit me when I see it coming, even from ten meters away (metric system, folks!). The drivers know how to stop, correct? I shall not attempt to test this, however.) I found shirts and sweaters for 5 euros, although I purchased nothing. However, having spent months in China bargaining led me to have a sudden desire to bargain for even things I did not want. For instance, when Lauren was looking at a sweater, she asked the man how much it was. "20 euros," he said.

I responded, "... (this implies hesitation) 15 euros? Ça va?"

"Non."

"Mais, c'est trop cher!"

"18 euros, c'est tout."

I was elated at my success, even though a) 15 euros was too high for me to start off with, as the sweater did not merit it, and b) Lauren did not even buy it ("Non, merci. Au revoir."). I shall need keep a look out for more marchés.

4. The cat in this house hates me. She either flinches or attacks when I move.

5. A homeless man has quacked at me, on two different occasions.

But enough, for now I am dining with my host family before heading out to a bar with the erasmus students (Oh, how awkward it shall be).

I listened to Shelly's appointed songs, or at least The Servant's as I already knew Emmanuel's song. I think it is quite lovely, though I've never heard of the band, and shall soon send out a couple songs of my own as well. I have also watched the first few episodes of Coffee Prince, which is silly and Korean enough for me to of course desire to watch the rest. But ! instead I shall take my time, and not follow previous experiences of shutting myself in a room for two days to finish whichever Asian drama entranced me as soon as possible. Nay, nay, comrades. Not this time.

A bientôt,
Alison

P.S.: I was bored the other night and applied labels to most of the blog posts regarding places. It's a sad life I lead.