Excerpts from Dory’s journal

Photo captions by Stephanie

As we set out for the day we found these traditional Alsatian dancers accompanied by a full band. What is that palm tree doing in the middle of Europe, you might ask? It is planted in a box which was invented at Versailles in the 17th century so the gardeners could showcase exotic plants/trees, while also being able to easily move the whole thing indoors in winter. (photo: Stephanie)

We walked over to La Petite France, a historic and touristy neighborhood in Strasbourg with lots of bridges and canals and cobblestone streets. (photo: Stephanie)

I really just wanted to take a photo of these plant boxes which lined the canals and were absolutely works of art, but then Vivian thought I was telling her to gesture toward her brother instead of the plants, so we just went with it. The cobblestone streets were quaint but hard to walk on. (photo: Stephanie)

Day 26, 12:25 AM, 21-7-24

Strasbourg, France

3 Days Left

Hello! I am currently at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. I did not get enough sleep, so now I feel like (illegible). Anyways, I must trudge on.

Yours, Dorrel

While he is not a huge fan of modern art, something about this piece spoke to him. A.R. Penck (alias Ralf Winkler), *Systembild*, 1967. (photo: Dory)

Day 26, 12:25 AM, 21/7/24

Strasbourg, France

Hello! I am currently waiting for food in an unbelievably bad downpour. This is a rain to remember! It is so wet! The air is 90% water at this point. And every second it gets worse! My mom says it will clear up soon, but it sure does not look like it! All the people in the novelty item (mini train) are so wet! Any person without a rain jacket is toast. Thankfully Mom has umbrellas even though Dad and I think they are not that good.

Yours, Dorrel

I inadvertently caught Thomas making a weird face, but this is the only photo I took, so here it is. We were mostly safe from the downpour under these large umbrellas, but there were still gaps and leaks, so it was a good thing mom packed those umbrellas after all, huh? (photo: Stephanie)

This is one of like ten photos Dory took, trying to capture the rain. You can see it hitting the water of the canal in the bottom right corner. We felt particularly sorry for the people in the open tour boat that passed by. (photo: Dory)

After the rain stopped, our waiter eventually came to take our order. This is tarte flambée, which is the traditional Alsatian version of pizza. (photo: Thomas)

Day 26, 12:25 Am, 21/7/24

Strasbourg, France

Hello! I am currently on a couch in the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. My family just can’t get enough of the art, but I can. Anyways, I will look at the fluorescent clock that is 2 minutes behind, on the opposite side.

Yours, Dorrel