trip notes: 5 June

9:41 AM: Strasbourg, France, Hotel Mercure

Ah, the best night's sleep since arriving! Such marvelous beds. Susie, my roomate, is showering, so for a moment I can write.

Yesterday, besides the interminable (although pleasant) busride, we went to Ulm, wandered around Strasbourg and ate French soup and pate at a restraunt. Or rather-- I picked at it, but it was tolerable (and so festive!)

Here, the breakfast of champions is a (marvelous) croissant and Nutella. Today, after breakfast with Susie and Graham and Andrew, we will tour the city (carefully), and this afternoon depart for Paris.

How I love Europe! And how fantastic to speak their language! (But also, how humbling: for the merit which at home sets me above others is as natural to these people as breathing. One is never so great as one tends to believe.) Next I shall learn German, and finish Italian (for I am not disenchanted with what I have so romanticised-- only overwhelmed by it-- so perhaps language is a real stone; it will not wear with usage. Its testing burns white like animal fat.)

Banish, fear!-- and how I grow! Thank you, Lord, how you stretch me. How risky to be enchanted, to love something, or everything, all thse little things and people that wedge themselves into my existance. How many births I daily birth: some stillborn; some emerge healthy and emerge themselves in glorious painful love. How many chances we take, and nurture our individual fruits-- and it is worthy. For we are worthy of it.