This is going to be a bittersweet story today.
Last Tuesday, I went to Strasbourg and Colmar to report on the Christmas festivities for Eye Prefer Paris and for another website I write for.
I arrived in Colmar first on a sunny, cold crisp day and for the next few hours I was happy as can be, enjoying the markets, the decorations, and the joyous holiday spirit. I was also in photography bliss, snapping away at the gorgeous scenery.
Late in the day, I took the train from Colmar to Strasbourg and arrived about 4PM. Sunset was at 4:30PM, so my timing was perfect to experience the Christmas market and the city lit up at night. The streets were filled with adults and children soaking up the holiday fare. The scent of mulled, hot wine wafted through the streets, while drinkers toasted each other, downing the wine to warm them up from the cold. I strolled the city for a few hours, and the highlight was the sight of the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral bathed in golden lights.
Tired and a bit chilled, but happy I had such a wonderful day, I called it quits about 6:30PM. I was staying with a friend overnight who lives just outside of Strasbourg and I arrived at about 7PM. At about 8:15PM my friend was on his computer and told me there was a shooting at the market. We glued ourselves to the TV the rest of the night, as the story unfolded. A single man shot into the crowd at the Christmas market, killing four people and wounding approximately 12. In the mayhem proceeding the event, terrified people ran for cover and the police force shot the suspect but he got away in a taxi.
A range of emotions and thoughts ran through my head in the subsequent hours after the shooting: I was lucky; I can’t believe I was there an hour before it happened; I witnessed and survived 9/11, November 13 in Paris, the riots in Paris the last four Saturdays and now this? Do I have nine lives? What is the world coming to: Is there no place safe anymore? Are we all at risk now?
I also felt hopeless, scared, helpless, and vulnerable. What if next time I wasn’t so lucky?
The next day I woke up still feeling vulnerable. My train to Paris was at 1PM, so I decided to walk around the city. It was eerie, roaming the deserted streets with almost all the businesses closed. I tried going to a museum but all museums were shut.
Arriving back in Paris, I was thankful to be home. But news of the possibility of more demonstrations and possible riots this Saturday by the gilets jaunes/yellow vests put me in an emotional tailspin again, making me feel trapped in my own city.
As I am writing this story, my spirits have improved for the moment. I think it’s more important than ever now, to continue on my path of sharing the beauty, joy, and perhaps some of the innocence still left in the world. I still believe goodness, kindness, and generosity will prevail, transcending the evil and dark. I am not Pollyanna and well aware of the dangers of the planet now, but I still believe what I just said. In fact I went out on Saturday afternoon, not giving in to the gilets jaunes, and had a great day.
So I now give you the wonderful holiday gift of Strasbourg.
I’d like to thank all of my Facebook friends for your concern and your caring comments.
AFTER LOUIE Now Available on DVD
I am happy to announce my partner Vincent's film After Louie is now available on DVD.
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Please watch my latest A Bite of Paris video, Honey Tasting at Famille Mary, where I taste a bunch of yummy flavored honey's.
Click here to watch or link below.
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Richard, we love Strasbourg and love this beautiful post. Thank God you were okay. Our Christmas will be different this year. Will send you a private message.
Posted by: Linda Spalla | December 17, 2018 at 12:05 PM
Thank you for the beautiful photos of Strasbourg, for being there, and continuing to promote the good in the world and for sharing it with us! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Carmen Clarke | December 17, 2018 at 02:38 PM
Thank you Richard for posting this and sharing your feelings. I for one can't even begin to know how you are feeling. I just know that we are reminded it could happen anywhere, anytime, to any of us. I am grateful you are safe and happy to know you will continue to share your travels with us. Joyeux Noel ~ Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Turner | December 17, 2018 at 05:18 PM