IN THIS LIFE OF MINE in a new and different city, I always need to find places that are equivalent to some places in Santos, so that I can feel at home. Places that de-stress me, that I like to stay in and that I feel good about.
Here I found some of those places that de-stress me, calm me down and help me take a deep breath, because, although I haven't made a post about it yet, living abroad is NOT EASY.
But anyway, the curious thing about all this is that I found some places in Strasbourg that replace a single place in Santos: The walls of Ponta da Praia, right after the Aquarium, at night. That was the only place in the city that calmed me down and brought me peace. Because seeing the sea and the bay on the beach lit up, besides being wonderful, gave me the feeling of escape and allowed me to breathe.
Strasbourg, for those who have never seen it on the map, is a little far from the beach. And being a little far away I say that the nearest beach is almost 600km away. So ... I had to find this escape elsewhere.
And so I did. I went around and around the city to find tasty places that give me the feeling of tranquility. And I found some very good ones! The first place I found was at the very moment when I moved here. A cafe located right in front of my building, called “Les Savons d’Hélène”, which translating, is called “Os Sabões da Helena”. This little coffee is the translation of a delicate place to stay all day, fool around! Located under a small two-story building, it has the “Café Cultura” mark (it has already won my heart there), because it has a weekly program that brings musicians and bands to play for a few hours at night. Other than that, it also offers sewing courses, reading club meetings, conversation tables in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic and Japanese, a very cozy atmosphere and beautiful decor.
The café also has a terrace, which during the winter they install a “verrière” that is like a glass house, which allows them to enjoy the terrace also during cold weather. This glass house has a decoration so cute that it makes you want to stay forever. And of course, it is heated. During the summer, the glass house leaves and the terrace is open to the sky. I think the glass house should continue during the summer, only with air conditioning, because it is very hot !! The sun beats the entire afternoon on the terrace, and warms up !!!
I come here whenever I can, be it day or night. I come here to study, I come here to spend time, I come here with friends, I am writing this post here. A huge difference between Brazil and France is that it is very common here to go to cafes to read, study, work. You order coffee, tea, beer, coke, and stay as long as you want. Nobody looks at you crookedly wanting you to leave, or to consume more. They simply leave you, and you naturally consume. It's very quiet, without any pressure!
Coisinha meiga, não?
At night the lights come on (those big ball lights from old Christmas trees!) And illuminate the terrace, while inside, technical lights like those of a theater illuminate the environment, and when there is a performance, be it music, theater, or poetry, the coffee LOTA! People really like it here, and I’ll tell you, they’re right. The charm of this place always makes you come back. Now, for a coffee, coffee is not the strong point here. Cocktails, wines and especially beer are the attraction. Even the teas are better than the coffee options, you'll understand! They do not have a varied meeeega menu of meals. They are mainly snacks and quiches, but in terms of food, the quality is very good! The price is right, except for the teas. A 25ml beer is around 3.20 euros and the food varies on average 10 euros.
Ah! I forgot to say something! The café has this name because it is on the corner of rue Saint-Hélène and rue du Savon (which, interestingly enough, is where I live!). Savon means soap, and I think everyone can decipher that Sainte Hélène means Saint Helena… putting 2 + 2 together… Helena takes a bath !!!:
The former owner was a retired man who worked in a theater as a light technician, Mr Dominique Klein, my first contact when I moved in, a very nice man !! This month he sold the coffee and the new owner said he would keep the Savons philosophy and brand .. and talking to the waiters and waitresses who work here, they are a little behind… .none likes changes, and we agreed stay on top of the new management, so that nothing changes! For now everything is fine, running normally, but let's keep an eye out! Long live Helena !!
Então é isso, taí mais um lugar delicinha em Strasbourg que te tira da loucura do centro da cidade, mesmo estando no centro da cidade! <3
À bientôt e, Perdoe o meu Francês!
