Strasbourg you beauty you!

Our hotel in Strasbourg! We only got to stay there one night but it was the nicest hotel yet! As you can (sorta) see, our room was in the classic french tradition, however venturing up a few floors to visit our friendly neighbors (don't worry, we actually knew them) the decor suddenly rendered the room ready for dancing with its stark white colors and modern red flare !

Inside the Cathedral...trust me when I say this doesn't do it justice!

Le Notre Dame de Strasbourg
This little gem was tucked back just behind our hotel. Even though none of us had heard a word about it, prior to going there, we all agreed that it was the most beautiful Cathedral yet.

The city of Strasbourg, located in the Alsace region.
German was everywhere and they speak a unique Alsace dialect which is impossible to understand (even Nathalie had no idea what was being said). Apparently it is a mix of French and German but more German than French.

Le Conseil de l'Europe (or the Council of Europe, not to be confused with the EU) where their mission is protecting "des droits de l'homme" or The Rights of Man

Shown here are the flags of the 47 members.

And inside where the discussions take place quarterly...we were here just a week before Obama, who is scheduled to visit this week sometime for his first official voyage to Europe.

Man singing outside of the Notre Dame de Strasbourg Cathedral...
It took us until seeing him, to realize this was a man. One of the girls in our groups sings opera (like you Gerti!) and she told us what the pitch is called (but of course now I can't remember) and according to her, men who sings like this are on world renown opera stages, not playing out on the street for free. She said the most incredible thing was that he was able to sing at a normal range (sounded like a tenor sort of thing going on) as well as like this (I only had a few seconds of that though so I didn't post it). Regardless, it really did create a sort of holy ambiance...C'ETAIT INCROYABLE!
Just a little bit more...