European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 16, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Alsace is thought to be the place where Trees were first harvested for Christmas Strasbourg offers its special sights sounds and smell by Steve scholar Kaiserslautern Bureau Christmas in the alsatian Region of France is much like travelling through a time Warp. The Light dusting of Snow in the Vosges mountains horses plodding through Frozen Fields with puffs of breath shooting from their nostrils and Small farm villages of half timbered houses work to make the Region look like a 19th-Century Currier and Ives print. But although Alsace knifes its Way through hundreds of Miles of northeastern France the heart and soul of the Region lie in the modern and cosmopolitan Strasbourg. But Holiday Strasbourg for All its attractions is a dichotomy. While modern on the outskirts As one gets closer to the heart of the City an old fashioned Christmas slowly appears. In the late afternoon Shadow s of the 12th-Century Cathy Drale notre Dame lies the City s March de Noel or Christmas Market. Although Small by some standards the Market which began in 1570, slices its Way through the ancient City. About 50 vendors have set up shop near the Cathedral while Only a Block away More vendors display their Holiday wares. The smells of warm Lemon drinks for. Children and the familiar go Uhlein entice visitors to Stop and shop for a few moments despite a biting cold wind that can Chili them to their Bones. The drinks go Well with Petit Gateaux de Noel a Type of alsatian cookie that is brought out Only during the Christmas season. Just two blocks from the Cathedral and the Market is the Rohan Palace and an Opportunity to meet St. Nicholas before he sets sail on the Iii River. This Santa Claus seems to have forsaken the traditional Sleigh and Reindeer and adopted a Glass topped boat. Boat rides with Santa leave the Palace at 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 . The City tour costs 10 francs about $1.80 for children and 20 francs about $3.60 for adults. The boat rides continue through Christmas eve. Santa or in some cases mrs. Claus tells stories to the children and passes out Sweet Christmas Candy. But this Santa and his wife speak Only French. The Small centuries worn Cobblestone streets that weave their Way around the Cathedral and through the oldest part of the City Are decked out in their Holiday finest. Hundreds of Christmas Trees line the streets and virtually every store has a decorated Christmas tree in front local legend has it that the tradition of putting up Christmas Trees began in Alsace and the first tree was Cut from the heavily wooded Vosges mountains. Holiday wreaths and colourful Christmas lights Span the Small streets. Looking Down any of the store lined streets particularly at dusk is a treat. In the nearby Strasbourg City Hall Christmas creches from around the world Are on display. Some come from As far away As the Orient and Africa. Although some of the Christmas interpretations might be considered bizarre it s interesting to see How the Christmas season is portrayed around the Globe. Admission to the display is free. Other Christmas festivities in Strasbourg include carnival rides and jazz and choir concerts Friday and sunday at the place Broglie Chapel Strasbourg with its ancient history and Christmas with its ancient traditions fit. Together like a smooth hand and a Well worn Glove. Visiting Strasbourg is always fun but Christmas time is special. The nearby villages of Bernai and Colmar also have interesting Christmas markets and decorations and can by visited in one Day along with Strasbourg 6 stripes Magazine december 16, 1993