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The Hindu : “Why is everybody looking at us?” whispered the daughter, anxiously. “Omigod, it’s you! You’re the cynosure of all eyes!” hissed the husband. And with that, they fled, leaving me all alone, to stare into the middle-distance, and pretend that it didn’t bother me in the least that the milling tourists and locals alike were interested in my outfit than the grand astronomical clock inside the beautiful old cathedral in Strasbourg, France. All for I had chosen, on that bitterly cold day, to team my big, black woollen coat with a grey pig-tailed hat, baby pink gloves and fluorescent green snow boots.Yes, it wasn’t the most coordinated of outfits, but hey, they were the warmest accessories I possessed! I was never more thankful than when the clock struck 12.30 and the Apostles came out of the clock in procession — a big, daily event, played to packed audiences — and distracted the crowds long enough for me to slip out, as gracefully as possible, given the circumstances.Strasbourg, often described as a city at the crossroads of Europe, has long been a bone of contention between France and Germany, and till date, this strategically located city bears the architectural and cultural stamp of both countries.But Strasbourg, I learnt from that embarrassing experience, was snootily, fussily French in character, unlikely to forgive (as, say, the Dutch are wont to) an unconventional style of dressing. Assuming that they might be just as fastidious about their language, I unleashed my rusty French on unsuspecting locals. And they surprised me, by replying in English!Were they being nice because I tried to speak their language, or were they driving home the point that my French was truly appalling, hmmm?Markets and beyondThe old city of Strasbourg — an UNESCO world heritage centre — has clearly evolved around the magnificent sandstone Cathedral of Our Lady. The cathedral itself, awe-inspiringly tall and exceptionally beautiful, stood…More