Sunday in Strasbourg

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This morning had no planned events. Our three tour directors offered to guide us to Notre Dame church for Mass which would incude Gregorian Chanting. We would have to leave early for the 9:30 mass to catch the last morning train at 8:45. The trains between our boat and the downtown area were not running from 9 to 12 because of a marathon being held in the city. Unfortunately, the 8:45 train got cancelled, too. So, we elected to walk and passed these bagpipers along the marathon route. Did I mention that we had to walk the 2 miles at a FAST clip?

When we got to the corner where we needed to turn, we had to cross the path of the race.  The runners were coming; and coming; and coming! It was almost 9:30. The guide who was with us said 'I've got an idea.' We ducked under the ropes, a few at a time, and began running with the runners, vearing to the other side, then ducked under the other rope! So, we ran in the Strasbourg Marathon!  Then we got to go to mass.  THEN, when we were ready to catch the train to get back to the boat, the marathon was still going on and the trains were still not running yet. Yep! We walked back to the boat!

How many priests does it take to say mass? Haha! Of course mass was in German and French. Interesting! The cathedral was beautiful.  The pipe organ was kicking!  We didn't understand many of the words but the mass is exactly as it is in the states, so we knew what part we were doing and murmured under our breath the words in English.  Amen and Alleluia are the same in German it seems.

After lunch we traveled by bus to Baden Baden, nestled in the foot hills of the Black Forest. It has been renowned for its thermal baths since Roman times. Here, our tour director is telling us about the history and about his day at the spa!  There is still some ruins from one old spa from the Roman era were Roman soldiers came to get R&R.

The Baden Baden casino is the oldest casino in Germany,

This is a picture of a tree. From the right side of the water fall to the right side of the picture is a single tree! Don't know what kind, but it is kind of like a willow tree.

Back on the boat, after dinner, the three tour directors performed skits which made fun of Americans trying to interact with Europeans. It was all in fun!