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.
"Sir Richard Branson I presume?".
"Pleased to make your acquaintance."
15 October 2009
between (and including) San Francisco International Airport and London Heathrow
I do not think I have ever been more excited about getting on a plane than I was when boarding this flight from San Francisco to London on Virgin Atlantic. Don't get me wrong, I love me any destination, but flying has always been the "necessary evil" to getting there. Unless you fly business- or first-class every trip (I have a few (too few, too few) times, which makes flying economy worse; when you've had a little taste of heaven, hell becomes a lot more hellish), we have all endured narrow seats, a sliver of legroom, not fit for late night in-flight entertainment, and meals that make vending machine food look like haute cuisine. The allure of travel has never been about boarding a plane and the several or so hours in between before being able to (thankfully) disembark. I've heard good things about Virgin Atlantic, and Sir Richard Branson, the owner, is something of a maverick and someone I actually admire, so I was hoping some of his character is found in his airlines and service. Having found a ridiculously good deal on airfare, I was even more looking forward to boarding flight VS020 from SFO to LHR (you know how things have the perception of having more value when you know you got a good deal).