A Medieval Walk in Ribeauville~ Travelin' Tuesday

(All photos copyright: Kirsten Steen)

 On a ski trip with friends and family 

in Lorraine's Vosges Mountains in France awhile back,

The Chef and I opted out of speeding downhill 

in the freezing cold on packed snow and ice...

...instead preferring to take a drive 

and enjoy lunch in Ribeauville,

one of the lively medieval villages of Alsace,

with an ample cache of my favorite style of historic abode:

the old wattle-and-daub.

(You can always count on me for

food and window-shopping

as an alternative to skiing.)

I love to wander...
 and wonder what life was like in Medieval times.

I can hear the chiming bells and smell the sharp aroma of Frankincense

wafting from the Gothic St. Augustine and St. Gregory churches...

...See the glow of rosy bloom on farmer's ruddy faces

or the cherry-cheeks of peasant women 

selling homespun wares at market.

...Hear the clop-clopping of horses hooves

and see the scallop shell emblem of St. James adorning pilgrim's hats and robes. 

Except for a few paltry details (like torture, violence, disease, vermin and sewer issues),

I would pay great sums to be transported back in time 

to walk European villages in the Middle Ages. 

When I get a hankering for that old time machine (and can't be in Europe),

I open up one of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth' series

and devour as much of the time and place as possible. 

(While The Chef called them "Medieval Soap Operas",

he inhaled every one!)

Is there a time period you would most enjoy visiting

if you had the chance?