2017-08-22

【Aiden in English】

        Another perplexing Alsatian town. Difficult to pinpoint what culture it belongs to. By now, I've accepted that these places, switching between the German and French lands in history, have created a new culture altogether. 

        Today's shore excursion was based in Colmar, one of the hottest spots in France. Being the capital of Alsatian wine, it has a strong sense of culture. Thus, Mom and I hopped from the German warmest city of Breisach to the French driest town of Colmar, and off we went.

        Originally derived from German, Colmar is a canal-lined medieval gem and now considered French. Neither of Colmar and Breisach showed its qualities right now, but it is something interesting to point out. Due to Colmar's early German history, the 9^th-century streets connected with the 13^th-century Gothic church and 17th-century half-timbered houses are a mix of French and German Renaissance architectures. However, not many stores or vendors were selling sausages. Instead, items such as delicious gelato, baguettes, and chocolates. Classical music by German composers could be heard throughout the old town, from violins to accordions.

        It's easy to say that Colmar has a very happy little old town, in which tourists, locals, and bees thrive together, each looking and tasting a lot of items offered in shops. The best way to describe the scene would be through the eye. So many colors blended within one another, making up vague shapes to distinguish themselves from each other. Blue in the Launch River flowing through what the locals called the 'Little Venice'. White in the whiffy clouds floating high over the medieval town. Gold shining in the tasty pastries in the windows. Green, red, and orange in the hundreds of store façade themes. The stores are what makes Colmar, Colmar. Each one was unique to its own position. Even the architecture differed from other places on earth. Additionally, the second and third floors all extended out over the streets to avoid taxes during the medieval period. Taxes were only based on the ground floor area, so I guess people even in those days still went the extra mile to not pay taxes.

        After another long stretch of cobblestone walking, mom and I made it back to the meeting point, but not before stopping by many churches within the old town. St. Martin's Cathedral, the center of the old town, was probably the standout. Once again, all the intact Alsatian buildings and homes were quite low, so the bell tower of the cathedral spires out predominantly. A quick adventure for gelato finished up the day, topping off an amazing experience with a strong hazelnut and macadamia flavor.

        Today marked our final day of the cruise part. Tomorrow would be the disembarkation in Basel, Switzerland. However, the vacation continues in Lucerne near the alpine mountains (Hint*). I do think the Viking River Cruises have done an outstanding job, and I've enjoyed cruising in both Danube and Rhine immensely.

        Nevertheless, the small river cruises with fewer activities are not for me. There will be a time when I will come to like this more. As of right now, a more proactive vacation is to my preference.

【红霞译文】

        又一个扑朔迷离的阿尔萨斯小城，人们甚至分不清它到底归属哪国文化，如今我对这些经过德法两国历史洗礼并早已开拓出崭新天地的城镇乡村心怀敬意。

        今天我们干脆把出行目标锁定在法国热门景点之一科尔马，作为阿尔萨斯地区葡萄酒首府，它有着浓厚的文化气息，正因如此，我和妈妈才乐不颠颠地从德国气温最高的城市布莱萨赫赶往法国湿度最低的小城科尔马。

        源自德国的科尔马堪称运河纵横的中世纪宝石，现在已划为法国地盘。眼下无论科尔马还是布莱萨赫都没让我们碰到干燥无比或者酷热难忍的天气，但其它方面依然值得大书特书。由于早期深受德国影响，九世纪街道将十三世纪哥特式教堂与十七世纪半木制房屋串成一体，有机地结合了法德文艺复兴建筑风格。然而老城没有太多商家店铺专卖香肠，相反地，倒有不少美味可口的手工冰激凌店、法式长面包房、巧克力小卖部，德国作曲家创作的古典音乐遍及大街小巷，从小提琴到手风琴，表现形式不拘一格。

        简单来说科尔马是一个富有诗情画意的古城小镇，外来游客、本地人与蜜蜂簇拥而至，逐一品尝商家推销的招牌产品，场面蔚为壮观，再加上姹紫嫣红的色彩交织在一起，人们只能凭借大同小异的形状来区分彼此差异。被当地人称之为“小威尼斯”区内，蓝色的酪赫河潺潺流淌；散发出中世纪风情的古城中，白色的云朵悠哉游哉地凌空飘舞；柜台橱窗里，金色的美味糕点放射着耀眼光芒；数以百计的商店正门上，绿色、红色和橘色的标志饰物主导整个建筑基调，正是这些形形色色的商店成就了科尔马，每家风格尽显特色，每栋建筑独一无二。中世纪人为了省税，二楼、三楼全部加长伸向街道，毕竟当时税款只是依据一楼面积而定，我觉得即使时过境迁，现代人照样能少交税就少交税。

        又走过很长一段鹅卵石路并参观了老城大大小小的教堂之后，我和妈妈才返回集合地点。圣马丁大教堂恐怕算得上城中首屈一指的建筑，因其周边所有阿尔萨斯楼房民居格外低矮，致使钟楼部分突显高大挺拔。临行前，我们抓紧买来香味扑鼻的榛子和澳洲坚果手工冰激凌，好好犒劳辛苦的自己。

        今天标志着游轮生活几近结束，明日抵达瑞士巴塞尔登岸之后，我们还会南下阿尔卑斯山附近的卢塞恩继续度假（温馨提示）。维京河流游轮服务上乘，我个人非常喜欢两度乘它观赏多瑙河与莱茵河风光。

        不过话说了回来，小型河流游轮缺乏活动设施，于我并非相宜，恐怕我要过段时间才会卷土重来，现在更倾向节奏快捷的度假方式。

Today in History(历史上的今天):

2015: Forbidden City, Beijing(北京紫禁城)

2014: YMCA Camp─Dodgeball-3(基督教青年会夏令营─躲避球之三)

Crosslinks(相关博文):

2017: Amsterdam—Venice of the North, NLD(荷兰阿姆斯特丹—北方的威尼斯)

2016: Stockholm—Venice of the North, SWE(瑞典斯德哥尔摩—北方的威尼斯)

2016: St. Petersburg—Venice of the North(俄罗斯圣彼得堡—北方的威尼斯)

2016: Copenhagen—Venice of the North, DNK(丹麦哥本哈根—北方的威尼斯)

France(出游法国)

Europe(欧洲掠影)