Posts
Eiffel Tower from the Pompidou Center. I think the best view of the Eiffel Tower is not from the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars or the Ecole Militaire, but from the Montparnasse Tower on the other side of the city (to the south of the Eiffel Tower). However, I was pleasantly surprised to find to an equally interesting view from the top floor of the Pompidou Center on a rainy Parisian day. I took a series of shots (this is one of the last) of the Eiffel Tower in the distance as the rain subsided and the clouds cleared that made it appear as if the tower was under construction like it was from 1887 to 1889 (first shot: everything but the base is obscured, succeeding shots: more and more of the tower is revealed, final shots: the tower in all it's glory!). It's the reason I gave this particular image that old, antique photo treatment. I'll try to post the "under construction" series later. :)
POSTCARD: Where Did All the Pigeons Go?!
Where Did All the Pigeons Go?! Trafalgar Square, London. I remember a lot more pigeons the last time I visited Trafalgar Square, perhaps it was the season (summer instead of fall). Trafalgar Square is one of my favorite spots in all of London, there's just so much energy, from the fountains to the horde of people to the drone and rumblings of the London cabs and double-deck buses weaving around the area (it's like a big rotunda/roundabout); and then there's Lord Admiral Nelson on his tall column overlooking it all. This time around I was drawn to the spraying fountains. It's a great place to decompress before or after your visit to the National Gallery (upper right)... I just realized, I don't remember seeing any bird seed salesmen!
POSTCARD: Sacre Coure through a Moment in Time
Sacre Coure through a Moment in Time
The Musee D'Orsay contains some of the best (subjectively speaking ofcourse LOL) art of the mid-19th and early (very early) 20th century (one of my favorite periods) ; that mostly means "Impressionism" by the likes of Manet, Monet,Cezzane, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Renoir and Degas. I was ecstatic to discover that one of my favorite van Gogh paintings, "The Siesta", was on display that day. So it was a surprise to me that one of my more memorable images (lasting impressions if you will *groan*) of the Orsay was found outside, of Parisian city views, through a clock! I couldn't get closer because the area was cordoned off, so I had to rely on my telephoto lens to try and help me capture the spectacular views (with varying degrees of success). This is an image of Sacre Couer in the distance through that clock in the Orsay.
POSTCARD: Sacre Couer, A Church for the People
20 October 2009
Sacre Couer, A Church for the People (even if most of them are tourists)
The steps of Sacre Couer in Montmarte offers a welcome respite and a marvelous view from Paris' highest point. Montmarte is an eclectic neighborhood of tourists, artists and peddlers (selling gaudy souveneirs, affordable paintings and overpriced pastries and crepes!).
POSTCARD: A Stage for Anyone Willing to Perform
A Stage for Anyone Willing to Perform
The steps of Sacre Couer often play as center stage to street performers. Tourists enjoy the view while listening to engaging music.
POSTCARD: Get Me to the Church on Time!!!
Get Me to the Church on Time!!!
A bride makes her way up the steps of Sacre Coeur amid a throng of tourists. Sometimes it's difficult to remember (or is it "easy to forget"?) that many of Europe's tourist's sites are working, functional institutions; Sacre Couer is a Catholic church urging tourists to please keep quiet, dress appropriately (no hats!) and respect the locals who are using the much-visited church as a place of worship.
POSTCARD: Serenade on the Steps of Sacre Couer
Serenade on the Steps of Sacre Couer
A street performer serenading tourists on the steps of Sacre Coeur. Even as you jostle your way around Sacre Couer and Montmarte with thousands of other tourists, the street performers: mimes, singers, and painters, still manage to get your attention... and put you in the appropriate mood (in this case romance) to enjoy Paris in your own unique way. (Singer is actually pretty good, he received 1Euro from me).
POSTCARD: Bikes All Over Paris
19 October 2009
Bikes All Over Paris
Bikes are found all over Paris these days. You can even rent one for free (with a 20Euro deposit). This was taken of a bicyclist on the corner of Rue St. Michel and Rue St. Severin in the Latin Quarter.
POSTCARD: La Tour Eiffel at Night
la Tour Eiffel at Night
Day or Night la Tour Eiffel still dazzles even in 10C weather. Who needs a top when the base is enough to recognize it? LOL
POSTCARD: Candles and the North Rose Window
Candles and the North Rose Window
The North Rose Window in Notre Dame de Paris serves as an elaborate backdrop to simple lighted candles near the altar.
POSTCARD: Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral
Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral
Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral
POSTCARD: St. Paul's Cathedral and Millenium Bridge
St. Paul's Cathedral and Millenium Bridge
St. Paul's Cathedral from the far end of the Millenium Bridge near the Tate Modern.
POSTCARD: Fish's Throw Away from Big Ben
03 October 2008
LONDON, England, U.K.
A "fish's throw" away from Big Ben and the Parliament building, on the other side of the Thames next to the London Eye. I suppose a "fish's throw" is slightly further away than a "stone's throw" *groan*
Forecast was for rain all day long. Forecast was mercifully wrong, but it was still cold and windy. I have to admit we were lucky to see (if not feel the warmth of) the sun for most of the day.
Again my laziness haunts me, if only I used my polarizer, the harsh glare on the foreground might have been more forgiving *ugh*
POSTCARD: Thatched Roof Cottage, Cotswolds
30 September 2008
Cotswolds, England, U.K.
One of the best maintained thatched-roof cottages in the Cotswolds area. Very storybook, don't you think? One can almost picture Snow White running out of the cottage followed by seven dwarves! I have a photo of the cottage they used as the exterior for Harry Potter's parents' house in the little village of Lacock which I will publish later, similarly built but without the thatch-roof making it look very different.
We were told by our Mad Max Tours guide that it costs £20-40K for a new roof, fortunately for the owners, a new roof lasts on average 20 years. It is interesting to note that English law stipulates that thatch-roof cottages are supposed to remain with thatch-roofs, given the cost, it's obvious only the wealthy can afford to own these.
It was raining quite heavily today, gray skies and dark clouds throughout (you should see my Stonehenge photos). We were lucky to have a brief respite from the inclement weather when we stopped here for a photo opp. Sorry, no blue skies and fluffy white clouds for Snow White today.
POSTCARD: Shepard's Pie
George Inn, Lacock, England, U.K.
Cold, rainy, and windy day traipsing through the Cotswolds made me order the piping hot Shepard's Pie on the menu of the George Inn in the village of Lacock. Shepard's Pie is roasted lamb on a bed of potatoes with various vegetables and a hefty serving of gravy. Not exactly the most visually appealing meal on the menu, but it was a very hearty and filling, and definitely hit the spot given the dreary weather outside. I had it with a tall glass of Bumbleberry juice (sounds very Harry Potter doesn't it?)
George Inn claims to be the longest running licensed pub in the U.K. The building has been around since the 1400s and the pub license since the 1600s. The charmingly quaint village of Lacock is like a live Hollywood backlot, where several scenes from the BBC Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter series, and soon-to-be released Wolfman movie were filmed.