A Whole New World: Sweet Home Chicago

My journey back to America for the holidays was an eventful one. Taking some detours along the way, I stretched it into a four-day affair.

I started on Sunday by leaving Montpellier on the 10:06 train headed to Strasbourg. After the 6-hour journey, I explored the famous Christmas market. Meandering about, I happened upon multiple city nooks that sported vibrant markets. Map in hand, I found the Christmas tree, the magnificent cathedral, as well as glittering rows of mini market houses containing all kinds of goodies. Pain d’épice (multiple varieties of bread with various spices) was in no short supply, and vin chaud (a mulled wine of sorts) wafted into the air from many a bubbling pot. When I arrived in the city, it was clear that it had recently rained, and at 8:00 on the dot (when the markets closed), the rain started again. I was fortunate to have missed the inclement weather during my promenade through the city.

The next morning, I woke up early to take a train to Rouen… my former home! My host mother from two years ago met me at the station when I arrived, and we walked around the town to do some Christmas shopping. I visited the Cathedral and the Joan of Arc church, marking the place where she was burned at the stake. I learned that the church was built to accommodate some stained glass windows that were shielded and preserved from times of war in the region. After some shopping, we had tea and later raclette for dinner. Yummmmm. (Raclette is a bit like fondue, but it is cooked differently.)

Closing in on my take off point, we headed into Paris the next morning. I explored the Champs-Elysées, where I stumbled upon a free photography exhibit put on by Louis Vuitton. I browsed yet another Christmas market, and had a lovely evening with my high-school exchange host family.

I got to the airport in Paris on Wednesday morning, more than ready to be home. After being harshly interrogated by airline personnel, I finally boarded the plane and began my journey home to the land of the free and the home of the brave.