The Hiking French (and Mexicans)

It was 6:30 am when the alarm went off on my desk. Stunned and resentful, I began to get dressed. It was supposed to rain today. I opened the window to evaluate the elements: cold, but not wet. I stuffed two baguette sandwiches in my bag, a 1.5 liter water bottle, jacket, the likes. I stumbled in the dark to the kitchen. Weeks back, I had been chastised for leaving my desk lamp lit while using the restroom, and I’d rather brave the lurking invisible furniture than be another wasteful American. I later realized no one would be awake to witness my reckless use of electricity.

I was late as I left 7 Rue Schoch. Renting a bicycle for three months was a stroke of genius. Strasbourg, in its heavy architecture and heavier history, continued to sleep under the dark sky. I arrived at the train station in time, barely. An hour later it was light and I was walking among nineteen other French and non-French students. We were following our guide, a small Frenchman carrying a large backpack, and a map (though we often spotted a device that looked suspiciously like a GPS apparatus).

The forests were wet, but it never rained. It was cold and my waterproof hiking shoes failed. I hardly noticed however, I was engaged in episodes of conversation, an autumn landscape and the occasional mushroom-ology lessons from our guide. We saw castle ruins, furry cattle, moist meadows, a lake and a few streams. We came upon a small village towards noon. We invaded a small restaurant and enjoyed our packed lunches while only ordering drinks. I felt guilty (my parents own a small restaurant in Mexico), but the guilt did not stop me from using their immaculate restrooms. Soon we were all feeling fed and drowsy. It was time to continue.

As we arrived to the train station that would bring us back to Strasbourg we were expecting to have a drink at a nearby bar. It was closed. So instead we sat at the benches by the train tracks and I ate the last of my sandwich, followed by the last of my chocolate. Eventually the train came. There is nothing like hiking 21 kilometers to put you to bed. That night I dreamt of cheese and furry cattle. 

Senior Dante Peréz will be a Resident Advisor for Stewart Hall during the Spring of 2010. An International Affairs major currently studying in Strasbourg, France,  Dante hails from Uruapan, Mexico - world capital of the avocado.