Quaint Paris

Every two steps we took in Paris there was something to discover.We had to focus and keep moving to see just a few spots on our list otherwise we wouldn't have gone too far. That was one of the many reasons we have to go back there to take in every nook and cranny, new or historical, that make this city interesting and full of surprises.

These are just a few of the wonderful stops we took.

The Fontaine Saint-Michel, constructed in 1860 by Gabriel Davioud is a delightful fountain and a nice meeting/resting place. The central figure is the Archangel Michael wrestling with the devil.

Doors are delightful. It is interesting to see different kinds all around the world, with often unique door knobs and handles. These examples were just a handful we managed to photograph, but there were so many more picturesque ones that we couldn't walk over each time to take a picture of it. Kept our focus!

 There are several signposts for the Metro stations that are worthy of a second look. The Metro's original Art Nouveau entrances are iconic, designed by Hector Guimard in 1899. Out of 180 original signposts designed, only about 80 or so remain. The rest were replaced in a wave of modernization without realizing the artistic importance of these objects that add to the charm of Paris.

Art Nouveau is an international style of decoration and architecture in the 1880s and 1890s that drew inspiration from nature and natural forms. The gate below on the left has curvilinear lines and was inspired by vines and flowers. Symmetrical, floral lights frame the Metro sign, both lighting the entrance and advertising the Métropolitan.

The Métro signposts were a 1920s innovation of the Nord-Sud company. The Val d'Osne design consists of a globe-shaped lamp atop a "MÉTRO" sign surrounded by an ornate cast-iron frieze. The simpler Dervaux lampposts as on the right below, (named after their architect) became common in the 1930s, following the contemporary trend away from decorative embellishment.

Avanti la Musica is a quaint little shop selling wind-up musical boxes at the street opposite the Notre Dame on Quai de la Tournelle. The owner is a delightful lady who'll have a little chat with you in English and show you some nice pieces, all of which are made by her husband himself.

Parisians love their pets! There were many roaming the streets with their owners. Also, they realise that begging with a dog at your side gets more money in the hat. This little one was tied to a bench with a note saying his mom was inside the building and will be out soon.

The Parapluies Simon had gorgeous designer (read expensive) umbrellas on display but we didn't venture in. The sign board held more fascination for us.

 Night time was even more mesmerising. The Luxor Obelix at Place de la Concorde was a gift from Egypt and originally at the entrance to Amon Temple in Luxor, Egypt. It is more than 3,300 years old and is decorated with hieroglyphics portraying the reigns of the Pharaohs Ramses II and Ramses III. The square where it's housed was infamous as many revolutionaries were beheaded here. If you look closely, it also has an assembly manual etched on the side since it had to be dismantled while shipping.

The Grand Palais looks stunning at night with the French flag fluttering at the top of the dome.

Finally, the Fontaines de la Concorde are 2 stunning fountains placed next to each other in front of the Tuileries gardens. They were designed by Jacques Ignace Hittorff in 1840. The Maritime Fountain commemorates the maritime commerce and industry of France, and the Fountain of the Rivers (below) commemorates navigation and commerce on the rivers of France. The central figures were created in cast-iron, whereas the 12 Triton and mermaid statues (6 in each fountain) were cast in bronze. The fountain below is adorned with allegorical figures representing the Rhone and the Rhine, the arts of the harvesting of flowers and fruits, harvesting and grape growing; and the geniuses of river navigation.

So much to see, so little time!

Heidelberg - Around Town

Most of the places in Heidelberg are walkable if you like walking or cycling. The town is pedestrian and cycle friendly. We opted for the bus since we were in the suburbs. A day ticket is the best deal - it lets you use the bus or tram as many times during the day as you want.

We walked along the Neckar River (meaning Wild Water). It is a pleasant walk, with picnic spots, or for water sports. It has a clear view of the picturesque Castle and Old Town. You can spot some creative graffiti or stop for a chat with the ducks on the shore.

Going further along the river, you'll see the old Bridge which was built in 1742. The statue of Prince Elector Karl Theodor is there to honor him for building of the bridge. Once you get off the bridge towards the old university, you'll see another statue - the "Brückenaff" (or bridge ape). The legend surrounding this curious statue tells us that it symbolizes the fact that neither the city-dwellers nor the people who lived outside the city were better than the other, and that they should look over their shoulder as they cross the bridge to remember this.

Hauptstraße is the main street in the Old Town, lined on both sides with shops and restaurants. About a mile long, it is supposed to be Germany's longest market street. We were there at a time when they were celebrating the 400th anniversary of the marriage of Frederick V to Elizabeth Stuart.

On Valentine’s Day, the 14th February 1613, Frederick V of the House of Wittelsbach and the English king’s daughter Elizabeth Stuart got married in London at the age of 16. In the same year, they left England by ship and traveled over Den Haag, where Frederick visited his uncle Moritz of Orange, to Heidelberg. Frederick's return home with his bride was an event of international standing at the time. The couple was welcomed by the cheering population of Heidelberg and a celebration of several days’ duration took place at the Heidelberg Castle, which also included a huge fireworks display. This is the starting signal for today’s illuminations of Heidelberg Castle. (Source)

The town had been decked up with old world style markets and people in period costume. The tents showed how people traded in ancient times, and there were some games to play as well. There was even a display of some magnificent birds of prey.

We sampled as many varieties of food as we could handle - fries,apple chips, wienerschnitzel, and gelato. There are numerous stores selling books new and used (it is a university town after all), and since it is a pet-friendly country, don't be surprised to see dogs browsing in stores or resting comfortably under the table at a restaurant.

There are different market squares in the area.

The Marktplatz has a fountain with a statue of Hercules on a column, built between 1703 and 1706. This hero of Greek myths, known for his strength, symbolizes the heroic efforts that Heidelberg’s residents made to rebuild their devastated city in the years after 1700. The Hercules statue in the fountain today is a replica, however; the original is in safekeeping in the Kurpfälzisches Museum. There are several outdoor cafés and in pleasant weather is a good place for a beer.

 The Kornmarkt (Corn Market), this market square, as its name implies, was once used for the collection and trade of agricultural goods. It is home to the Madonna statue that was erected in 1718 by the Jesuits, to try to motivate the people of Heidelberg to switch to Catholicism. The Count Elector had been, since 1685, trying to get his subjects to come back to the Catholic faith, and the Jesuits were very supportive; they published leaflets, organized pilgrimages, and put up other statues of the Virgin Mary as well. The Count, try as he may, was unable to persuade many of the Protestants, who chose instead to emigrate to other areas of the country rather than changing their beliefs.

The large building complex of the University Library was erected in 1901, previously it had been a monastery. The main sights, the facades pointing to the east and to the south, are abundantly decorated by sculptures, structuring architectural details and plant ornaments extending all the way up to the roof. The two sculptures flanking the main entrance at the "Plöck" were created by Prof. Hermann Volz (Art Academy of Karlsruhe). They both symbolize the intentions of the University Library: Prometheus (left) gave mankind fire and knowledge. The woman and the child (right) stand for the passing on of wisdom from one generation to the next. The two masks, one laughing and one crying, symbolize comedy and tragedy. An inscription refers to Grand Duke Friedrich of Baden who, being sovereign, also was the university's chancellor and thus sponsor and promoter of the new building. Baden's coat of arms therefore had to be included in the building's architecture. Portraits of the Prince Electors are to be found above the windows.

The Church of the Holy Spirit is located in the marketplace. The Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church) was built from 1344 to 1441, its tower completed in 1544. It was the burial place of 55 Prince Electors and hosted the famous Bibliotheca Palatina until 1623. The church frequently changed its religious denomination and was used at different times by Catholics as well as Protestants. Even a partition barrier was erected in 1706 because both denominations wanted to hold service here. For 230 years, the barrier stayed in its place until it was removed in 1936. Today, the Church of the Holy Spirit is a Protestant Church.

We were to attend an organ concert here, but we arrived exactly 2 minutes late and found the gate closed. But could hear the music which sounded entrancing.

The Zum Ritter St. Georg hotel is the oldest building around and one of the few houses of Heidelberg to survive the demolitions during the Wars of Succession. . The cloth dealer Carolus Belier and his wife Francina had it build in the year 1592; today, the venerable gable house of sandstone, full of fluted columns and ornately carved window blocks, is a listing building. 

There are other interesting things to spot in nooks and crannies and the narrow lanes - like the statue of Madonna with child embedded in a building, or the building that marks the water levels during the floods in the area. If you have the time and patience, there are many things to explore even in this tiny place.

The street ends at Bismarckplatz which is the hub for trains and trams as well. This is a more modern area and has larger stores, a mall, and some restaurants. It's a good place to sit and watch the city, especially towards the evening.

Be prepared to walk a lot here, and wear comfortable shoes with god cushioning for the stone-paved streets. There is no better way to explore this town than by walking. Language wasn't a big issue especially in the popular sites since it is a student town with many speaking a splattering of English (but then we were with people who spoke German so don't take my word for it).

Zentangle Upgrade

I had been using a regular gel pen for my Zentangles previously, and although it was alright for larger patterns, it didn't do too well for detailed work. It also didn't give smooth, even lines.

Recently a friend recommended micro tip pens and it has made all the difference. The different sized tips make it easy for detailed drawings and for filling in spaces. It is much more stable and even. They also come in coloured inks - I plan to get them once I enter Phase III.

UPDATE: I made a kitty sister poster as well.

All you need is love

Finally made a coloured Zentangle and moved on from the small squares. Rummy and Bing make an appearance as well.

UPDATE: Framed at it's new home!

Where has all the etiquette gone?

Maybe it's the decreasing personal interactions, or just lack of sensitivity, but people now don't seem to have the time for basic civic responsibilities. To be fair, most are blissfully unaware of these responsibilities, even though the same people would expect the rest of the world to know and follow them.

Talking in the theatre and driving styles are whole different stories each. There are those who bring babies to late night shows when they are at their crankiest best, those that insist on bringing underage kids to adult movies, and of course those that can't stop passing "witty" remarks at every scene for the whole theatre to hear. In the words of Shepherd Book (and I paraphrase) - there is a special hell for these people.

People are now more cynical of even helping people who are in obvious and genuine need of help, case in point, when the victims of a brutal crime were left almost naked and seriously injured on the side of the road, no one stopped to call the police or even give them a piece of cloth to cover themselves.

We live in cities where people rarely return your smile even if you see them everyday, and people who won't hold the elevator for two extra seconds even when they see you running to get on. Eve teasing has become something women have to accept as a way of life. Holding open doors for people in need is a thing of the past. No matter what damage or inconvenience someone is causing the other, action will not be taken till they feel like it.

Children too are picking up on this. Adults go by the notion that children's actions are excusable just because they are children and don't understand anything. So, if a child playing in the main driveway runs into a car slowly backing up, the driver is put at fault. Not the parent who was busy chattering away while the child was running amok. It's alright if a child rips apart your plant, or damages something in someone else's house - because they're children. Apparently, so are their parents!

Many such minor episodes culminate to a higher level of apathy and cynicism. We have become wary of people asking for help. A security guard at our building who would always greet us, asked my husband for some money to treat his son for malaria. My husband said he'll pay for the treatment if he just shows us the blood report of the child. The report never showed up. The next time someone asks for money, with what faith would we give it to them?

At the end of the day, when it all gets too much, it helps to concentrate on the goodness of people, no matter how few and far between they are. Be watchful and grateful for the simple joys that creep into your life unnoticed. Because the new year will only bring you so much happiness as much as you bring to it.

And because I don't want to start the year's first blog post bitching about life, here's some cute.

Greetings for the new year

It's been so long that someone has sent an actual letter or postcard, that I felt I should send something out myself! I remember the excitement of getting mail in the mailbox, with cursive writing, maybe a little drawing at the side, and some doodles on fancy letter paper. Emails are a great way to keep in touch, but nothing beats the rare letter or greeting.

UPDATE: