09 July 2009

Getting Used to German?

AFTER JUST THREE days in Strasbourg we have realized that we are going to love it here. A lot of that has to do with the fantasic house we're living in (big thank you to the homeowners) and a lot of it has to do with the beautiful area. We haven't even made it to the old section of town yet because we've been settling in, shopping across the border in Germany, riding our bikes around (especially little Henry), watching the Tour de France, and trying to get used to the area. One thing we are finding very difficult is the names of towns around here -- very German sounding, which is to be expected in the Alsace region of France I suppose. An example: the towns surrounding our little suburb have names like Bischheim, Shiltigheim, Oberhausebergen, Souffelweyersheim (seriously!), Niederhausbergan, Reichstett, and --saving the best for last -- Pfulgriesheim. We're not used to the names so we're getting very confused.

Oh yes, then there's the town I cycled through last evening, La Wantzenau, which appears to be a village that added the article 'La' just to make sure people know it's actually in France. We have less than two months to get used to this.
CJS

5 comments :

Starman said...

The German names are because that entire section used to belong to Germany. You probably already knew that though.

Vic Heaney said...

But do the neighbours make you muffins?

Have you read the stuff on my blog about Columbia supporting me?

We hope to see you in September

Anonymous said...

don't forget to visit the "chateaux-fort"with your children: one nice...but they are many!
http://www.casteland.com/pfr/chateau/alsace/brhin/h_koeni/haut_koenigsbourg.htm
and the Blackforest is near by in Baden Wurttemberg: Baden-Baden.....to start with, Karlsruhe...
This is my most favorite part of France and Germany! enjoy...
yveline

Anonymous said...

Just caught up (more or less) with the action--which seems never to stop.

Your kids (and you and Kerri) are living a dream. It's great you've made this possible for them.

Dad

Anonymous said...

true, "Dad".....they will belong to the few Americans who will love Europe for ever, stop thinking of the USA as the Eldorado and the best of all countries and more important, they are opening their eyes to the diversity of the human inhabitants of the planet!
what a better choice for children...
from beautiful Florida, but still missing Europe after all these years, smile...
yveline