EUROPE & DC '23 • Day 9: Besançon, France

THE CHATEAU • COLMAR • KAYSERBERG

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ARRIVING AT THE CHATEAU

Just to finish off yesterday's arrival at the chateau. After our 3 hour drive from Geneva, we finally arrived! Toña had prepared lunch and we immediately were emersed into the French countryside. Lunch outside with a little wine. Fine cheeses to finish off the meal! So good! And only some modest jet lag! Yvette and I met Toña (originally from Bolivia) at the SJSU International Center over 40 years ago, so this is yet another trip where we meet our old housemates from college (we'll see 2 more in Strasbourg later this week).

Chateau? Yes! Toña's husband Stephane (French) actually has the title of Count, hence the family Chateau which dates back to the 13th century in various forms over the centuries. We just don't have anything in the US to compare. It's an old house with real stone spiral staircases, family portraits in the parlor and it's own history. It isn't like walking into a museum though, It gets used like any other 2nd home; with the current family possessions around the house like board games and computers. Toña has explained some of the basic history but I wish we had more time to spend here and learn more details. Stephane will arrive from Indonesia tomorrow and we leave for Strasbourg in two days. They will then spend a few more days in France before traveling to Jakarta for 4 years.

Toña, I think we need to meet in New Zealand while you're still in Jakarta! That will give us the excuse to finally plan that trip.

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COLMAR & KAYSERBERG

Today we took advantage of having a car and drove to some quaint small towns and villages in the region. Our friend Sharon, who we're staying with in Strasbourg next week did suggest some places to stop on our way there, but there were too many for one travel day. So we did a couple today instead. It gave us a chance to do less on our drive to Strasbourg, and also a chance to familiarize with the toll roads along the way. First stop Colmar. It's a proper small city with an old city center. It must be very popular as there were tons of tourists walking around. We tried the traditional tarte flambée, which is common here, It is a very thing bread like crust topped with various cheeses, meats and things. Almost like a flatbread pizza but an even thinner crust.

After some walking around, we decided to go to Kayserbourg. This is a much smaller village, also with a beautiful and quaint town center. Less tourists, but still some to be sure. Trivia fact: this is the town that Anthony Bourdain commtited suicide.

Coffee, and some excellent ice cream on a really hot day and we were about done. And speaking of the ice cream, these came in a freshly made waffle cone. I typically avoid a waffle cone as they always seems to big and heavy to compliment the stuff inside. But of course we're in France, and the freshly made cone was light and crispy and perfect for a single scoop of ice cream. Seriously, it was really good. Time to drive back. A lovely day just spending time with our old friend and getting the feel of a region of France we had not visited before.

Kayserberg, France