I just got back to my apartment in Paris from a three day trip to the Alsace wine region. I thought hiking around Scotland was cool….. and it was but Im pretty sure nothing compares to biking the entire Alsace wine country in just a few days with the weather sunny and in the 70s. This was a truly unforgettable experience. I took a train from Paris to Strasbourg very early Monday morning with the fancy road bike i had just rented from one of the coolest guys I’ve met while abroad. His name was Sam and he owns a little bike hire/repair shop just outside Paris. And he gives tours all round the country too. So if you are ever in the area and have any desire to do some biking to see a bit of the amazing French countryside, Sam at Paris Bike Co. is your guy. I went into his shop last week to ask about his bikes and to get some advice on where to do about a 50 mile day ride. He helped me plan this three day trip to Alsace and I ended up getting over 150 miles in! And that only took us a half hour to work out. We ended up sitting and chatting for three hours. He was American so I didn’t have to worry about my terrible french.
Here is sort of the route I took. I started in Strasbourg and headed down to stay in Colmar for two night. So I spent Monday biking down to Colmar, and seeing that town once I got there as well as 5 or 6 other old mid evil villages on the way. Tuesday I biked around to half a dozen different little vineyards tasting the afternoon away. All wine tastings were free! I guess they are just looking for you to buy a bottle or two. Today I got up had breakfast and biked back to Strasbourg with enough time to eat at a nice little restaurant before I had to catch my train back to Paris.
I wish that I could find some connection between this little tour and what I have been studying here in France….. But really it was just a wonderful little trip that had nothing to do with Parisian music, the Romani people, or music in general. It was purely for the pleasure of eating amazing food, drinking incredible wine, and biking through some of the most picturesque countrysides I have ever seen. Speaking of food, here is a bunch of food I have had the chance to try while here is France.
An amazing pot of fondu I got to share with Tristan.
A very German meal of sauerkraut with sausage, ham, a boiled potato, and an Edelweiss served with a baguette of course. Everything here is.
There is a lot of German in influence on everything here in the Alsace region because it is right on the border of France and Germany. This area has been fought over for hundreds of years. But at the moment it is apart of France.
My last breakfast in Colmar before heading back to Strasbourg.
I couldn’t believe this was a thing so I had to get it. Its real……..
Its just a whole deep fried hunk of camembert served over roasted potatoes.
It was amazing. I can’t believe I ate a whole thing of camembert….
The more time I spend here is France, the more connection I make between the things that I perceive as very French. This week I am starting to see that French cuisine shares many of the same characteristics as French music. French cooking has always been known worldwide as the standard for good western cooking. It’s innovative, interesting, lively and much of it comes from such humble ingredients. And I think that most of that is true for French music as well.
Maybe French music and cuisine aren’t really that similar, but it’s been fun while I am learning about this wonderful culture to try and make connections between the things that I really love.
May 13, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Wow, that food looks amazing, and to be able to tour Alsace I can only imagine the fine wine that you were able to drink. Did you go to any wineries? You mentioned that you were not able to make too many connections on this specific bike tour that related to music, but how about the area and the idea of the grid? Could you have gone in a different direction for different scenery and still end up in the same place? Any comparisons and contrasts in this region vs. Paris? What kind of music was playing in all the cafes and bistros you were at? Was it similar to the music in Paris, or more similar to something you would find across the border in Germany? Do you think simplicity something that the French enjoy, or is it something that was put into place because it was necessary or there was no other choice? How do you think you’ll feel coming back to the U.S after this trip, any different outlooks on life?
Thanks for sharing the great photos, very jealous but glad you were able to explore the taste buds!
Kailey
May 17, 2015 at 3:28 am
Hey Kailey!
I was able to make it to several wineries. They were all beautiful and served generous amounts of amazing wines! All for free!
Thanks for all the questions. I have had a hard time getting past just enjoying everything that I have been doing and experiencing to make some real connections to class. And those connections are clearly there as you have pointed out. I can definitely connect my ride to the grid. I was actually able to take a completely different route on the way back up to Strasbourg than what I took on the way to Colmar. and I experienced a totally different landscape. On the way there I riding through vineyards and medieval towns, and on the way back I cruised alongside a beautiful canal that wound through miles and miles of flat, open farmland.
This region was completely different from Paris. (actually like it more) It’s beauty is unmatched. Beautiful old medieval towns. Grape vines covering rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Tall densely tree covered hills on the horizon. Paris is beautiful too. Just totally different.
I didn’t hear any german influenced music in Colmar but the architecture definitely seemed german to me. Totally different from the architecture in Paris.
I think that this trip has taught me to be more aware of everything around me. From listening to the deferent types of bird that are up in the trees (even in the middle of the city) to the different intervals the emergency vehicle sirens play, to the tiny ornate stonework at the top of a tall building. I also think I have learned the importance of very close listening when speaking with someone. When you don’t really know the language of a country you have to be so aware of what is going on around you and you have to listen so carefully to what is being said to you. I think my relationships will definitely improve with more critical listening, communication, and awareness back at home.
Thanks again for the great comments. See you in a few weeks!
Aaron
May 16, 2015 at 1:49 pm
Holy crap dude! Looks like you had the most amazing time on your bike trip! I wonder if you heard any music while on the trip, or if it was just listening to the countryside as you pedaled along? That’s an entire experience on its own though. What was the soundscape like? I imagine many birds and the wind gently blowing across the miles of vineyards. I’m definitely excited to be back home in Washington, but I also wish I was back in Paris to share another pot of fondue at La Grange with you and see the wonderful old man that had come to know my face and, when I went with Rai and Taj, proclaimed me the king hahaha! Getting back to The States has certainly opened my eyes to the vast cultural differences between Paris and home, even more so than the trip the other way probably because I was overwhelmed with sensory overload when I first arrived in France and couldn’t really reflect on it very carefully. How has your practice been going? Have you made much progress on the Gypsy Jazz songs you have been learning? I know you mentioned that they were pretty difficult. Don’t forget to send me the chords for the songs you’re learning so that I can play along with you! Anyway, have a great time while you’re still there and I’ll see you for some practice before we go back to class. À bientôt!
May 17, 2015 at 3:07 am
Hey tristan! Glad you made it home safe. I did here a bit of music now that I think about it. There was a man who was playing saxophone to some old jazz standards while I had dinner at an outdoor cafe. But other than that I just enjoyed the soundscape of the countryside It was really nice to get away from the city for a few days. I had my ipod in about half the time while riding which I love but when I would take it out I was so cool to hear the different birds and the sound of the water flowing down the canals, and the wind rustling the leaves in the trees.
I think you’re right about the sensory overload because I haven’t thought much about the cultural differences while I’ve been here. Im looking forward to coming back to the states and comparing our culture to what I have been experiencing on this trip.
My practicing is going okay… I wish there were more hours in the day so I could practice more and see the city more too. But I think I will be able to have something descent to perform for the class by the time I get home. I emailed you some music yesterday. did you get it?
Thanks for the comments. See you soon!
Aaron