Through Town on a Boat! and Let's Go to Germany

Along with one of the oldest universities in Europe, Strasbourg is home to several pan-European organizations, including the European Parliament and the Court of Human Rights. They are housed in futuristic building in the "European Quarter" of the city. We would go by in Odysseus on our way out of town but we decided to take the boat tour on the River Ill to get a better view.

Home of the European Parliament.

Home of the European Court of Human Rights
Strasbourg was really busy with summertime activities, especially at night. Beginning every night at about 10:30 there was a show with lights, music and spouting water in the basin just next to the one where we were moored. It featured a really innovative rear-projection setup, a scrim, on a mist of water, for a backdrop. There was also a light and music display on the facade of the cathedral. Because of the presence of the University and all of the European institutions, Strasbourg has the feel of a big city without being overwhelming. We decided we really liked it here.
The next day, Inez decided to walk some of the city she hadn't seen and we decided to take a bike ride to see theTwo Shores Park and Footbridge. In 2004, Strasbourg and the German city just over the Rhine, Kehl, united to build this over 100 acre park on both sides of the river, with a footbridge linking the two sides. Just a 20 minute bike ride from where the boat was tied up, it seemed an easy way to visit Germany, if only for an hour or so.

The footbridge over the Rhine.

A grain carrier passes a moored Rhine passenger ship under the bridge.
Wednesday it was still hot but time to leave the city. A new piece of water, the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, awaited us, along with what is supposed to be some of the most beautiful scenery along canals in France.