About GetAlsaced.com

Who is Suzele?

First off, I'm not Alsatian...

But I was married for quite a while to one and I live with and around them, work with them, go out to dinner with them, celebrate holidays with them and everything in between.

I speak French pretty well, High German OK, Alsatian much better than German, and Swiss-German much better than German.

Of course, languages are always a work in progress.

The ones I use the most, progress the fastest which is why High German isn't progressing much. I just don't need it as much as Swiss-German and Alsatian.

Like I said earlier...

I'm not from here, but I was destined to come here.

Sure, anyone could say that...

But I have proof!

I've studied French since the 3rd grade (9 years old). And yes, it's my favorite foreign language (and no I still don't speak it like a native, but I'm working on it).

That makes me a Francophile at least.

But I also fell in love with the German language at college.

I liked it so much I combined it with French and graduated with a French/German Bachelor of Arts degree (and a degree in Fine Arts too).

Now there are only 2 places in the world (Alsace and Switzerland) where that sort of foreign language education is useful. So, you know everyone told me it was a dumb idea to get a degree like that!

And I, of course, believed them.

And went on my merry way, finding careers in other fields (like a lot of people in the US).

And then this French guy showed up in the US and swept me off my feet and took me back to France (and you know I was "kicking and screaming" the whole way ;)

Where did he live?

Where did he take me?

Alsace and not just Alsace. Alsace right next to Switzerland! The only 2 places where my degree is useful!

I was meant to be here which is why I've decided to stay here!

And I absolutely love it!

What Kind of a Name is Suzele?

Suzele (pronounced /Sooz ahlay/ ) is an Alsatian nickname similar to Suzie in English.

It's also the name of a well known character in Alsatian literature which I didn't actually find out until much later in my adventures here in Alsace!

But please don't call me Suzie...

I go by Suzele here on the website but you can call me either Suzele or Suzanne.

What I Love about Alsace

I guess you could just call me a big "fan" of Alsace.

It's a different way of life here compared with North America...and it's wonderful!

Full of amazing flavors, beautiful sites, and so relaxing...

I'll give you a few examples...there is nothing more amazing (to me at least) than being surrounded by history on a daily basis...

I get to walk past hundreds of years of history every day!

And there's a story attached to everything...so fascinating...

As for wine, the thought of buying a wine that I haven't tasted first...well...it just bothers me because I am so used to buying wine directly from the wine maker.

And I can buy a very high quality Alsace wine for the same price that most of you in the US would pay for a mediocre wine depending on where you are...

I'm spoiled for choice here...so many wine options to choose from!

Every time I go out, I always find something new and interesting that I'm dying to explore...

And don't even get me started on the rolling hills of vineyards and walking paths and tiny medieval streets!

Alsace is just flat out gorgeous and I love almost every moment of it...

Hey I have to be honest...there are a few minutes every day that I could do without...but just a few ; )

What could I say about the food that I haven't already said...

Maybe you've noticed already that there are a lot of pages on this site dedicated to food in Alsace.

Alsace has some amazing food and restaurants...and then there are the simple and delicious discoveries that anyone could do themselves...

Alsace has been a bit of an unknown region in France for those of you outside of Europe.

But I'm hoping that will change...

And some of you will consider venturing outside of Paris and see the real France...and especially the love of my life....

Alsace!!