Evening with iPhone

Spring finally came to Toronto. The nature is ready for it. In few days everything around is going to be full of colour. But this evening is quiet and still looking monochromatic. High Park in Toronto is a lovely place for walking, jogging, cycling and making pictures.

Good Friday

Why do I like that day? That is one of really few days in the year when all the stores are closed and city is looking amazing. There is no rush, no shopping, no cars and people on the streets. No, no, no, there are people on the streets but that is not a weekday people that is different kind of people. They are carefree, quiet, relaxed, and smiling.

This past Good Friday the weather was good – sunny, warm, and springlike. Evening was wonderful and good for walking, thinking and enjoying the life. Somebody suffered for us long time ago and we have to be grateful for that sacrifice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Dream

Winter came to the end. It is time to think about something colourful and warm. This is a few pictures that are going to remind lovely places with full year long summer.

Grenader Pond

Grenader Pond

At the beginning of March it is still wintry. Officially we are going to meet spring on March 20.

Ice on the Pond

Sunday, March 3, was cold and grey day. In the morning it was quiet in High Park. The biggest pond in Toronto – Grenader Pond – is still under the ice. The ice on the pond is still pretty solid, but along the bank it is already soft and full of water like a sponge.

Ice and water

People trying to use the last chance to enjoy skating on the natural skating rink but for the birds it is hard time. They are suffering from cold and lack of food. It is really pity to see them on the ice. That day I met swan’s couple sitting on the cold icy pond surface and warming up themselves. From the faraway it was looking like two small snowdrifts. Swans have hidden their heads under the wings and legs under the body. But then with the close looking I have found feathers motion under the wind. Oh!

Swans and Scater

Gentleman on guard

Walking further along the trail I’ve met ducks in the open water. Some of them have painted boring and grey landscape with their green heads, yellow beaks, and orange legs.

Ducks in the water.

Green and Grey

Colour on White

Soon it will be springtime!

Library of Congress

How many people visit the library today? Apparently not many. Google, Bing, Wikipedia and other sources of information have replaced the library and books in their original form. But for fans and lovers of books and ways to enrich their knowledge through reading, fortunately, libraries are survived and still have their admirers. Library, under the influence of time and the demands of today’s living conditions in the world of dramatically increased flow of information, has changed profoundly. Today visitors not only reading books, magazines, newspapers and other publications but also using computers to find any information they need. However, is it possible to compare the reading of the book in electronic format and print edition?!

In any country, there are large and small libraries, but among them are the principal and wealthiest by their reserves and the value of the content. In U.S. library, which has the status of a national, is Library of Congress in Washington, DC near the Capitol.

Today in this beautiful building is hard to guess its tragic fate. After suffering two devastating fires in 1814 and 1851, destroying virtually all of its abundant books, it was revived thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts and the government. An enormous private and public fund was spent for the recreation of the library and the book fund. Today there are a lot of unique items here that are available to all citizens of the state and foreigners.

Right at the entrance in the lobby visitors are greeted with a library staff, offering to become the owner of the library card. The card looks very impressive and reminds passport of the country, but in fact it is called Passport to Knowledge. Having received such a document, one gets access to an extensive collection of unique library content.

But the structure itself looks, as well as everything in Washington, majestic and elegant. Classical architectural forms, sculpture and paintings that adorn the interior of the library, create a special mood and desire to use this wealth in full.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally! Kids, pay respect to your parents – they graduated school with no Google and Wikipedia!

 

First Snow

Toronto did not have White Christmas this year. This is why the first snow on Boxing Day was really appreciated. Day have not been bright and sunny, but quiet and white. City has worn the white wedding gown. Toronto is ready for the New Year.

Happy New Year, my dear friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas in Toronto

Despite the lack of snow and frost in Toronto this year people spent the most of time inside of malls and shopping centres to make their Christmas shopping and enjoy lovely decorated places. The only day when city is empty and quiet is a Christmas Day. Malls and stores are closed and people meet their families and friends for the Christmas dinner with gifts sharing. Merry Christmas!

Gallery Park

Autumn officially came to Canada. 

Baden-Baden

While on a travel more attention is always given to a famous city with a rich history and numerous attractions. Small towns often remain closed and lost to the tourists. On the one hand it is justified, since it is impossible to see everything. On the other hand, sometimes it is difficult to imagine what you can lose, and that worthy of attention miss.

Baden-Baden – a small town lost in the mountains of the Black Forest in southwest Germany. The German word, Baden, translates as “baths”. Mineral and thermal springs, which have been converted into luxury Spa, have brought glory to this small city. Long before Hollywood with its red carpet, the richest people from all over the world came to Baden-Baden to show off themself. They came here to take part in the parade of the “rich and famous”. Landscaped parks and alleys leads to romantic walks, grandeur palaces, old buildings and luxury villas excites the imagination, intensity and variety of cultural events can envy Paris and Vienna, and the best hotels in the city are world-famous.

Walking the streets you can find springs from which you can quench your thirst on a hot day.

But other than that the tourists can see other interesting sights. The city is beautiful with its architecture, unusual buildings, canals, churches, monuments and parks. Numerous pub, cafe, restaurants, boutiques and souvenir shops attract visitors.

The real discovery in Baden-Baden was the Museum of Faberge. It was opened on May 9, 2009. Faberge Museum in Baden-Baden is very small, but cozy. Given the small size of the exhibits, it holds a rich collection of famous artist Carl Faberge, who was the main supplier of jewelry for the imperial family of Russia. He was a Russian jeweler, best known for the famous Fabergé eggs, made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane materials. Here in the museum there are a few items from this collection. But besides all of the exhibits are many other masterpieces: watches, cigarette cases, various jewelry, and animal figurines. Unfortunately, it is not allowed to make pictures of this beautiful collection.

These are the unexpected discoveries that small cities of the world offer.

Baden Baden Photo-gallery

US Capitol

Tourists are beginning to view the most important monument of the state from the movie about a brief history of America, which sealed the milestones of U.S. history. Coming out of the cinema in a noisy crowd of tourists, ear somehow snatched the phrase – “Propaganda!” Apparently, so you can relate to this. But what is wrong with that? After all, every state in some way trying to promote their uniqueness. This concept can be treated differently. If the country does not appear on the ideology of state, it becomes as the territory easy to stay for the amorphous mass of the population. If the government takes care of the creation of the state, it is required to educate the citizens of love and pride for their country, a sense of patriotism. As U.S. citizens such qualities are brought up, and it deserves respect.

After the cinema, walking route runs through the Capitol halls and meeting rooms, where everyday policy and important decisions are created. Anyone wishing to attend the meeting of the U.S. Congress has the ability and can observe the behavior of Congress during the course of meetings and making important decisions. Not everything is so smooth and clear in making these decisions. Many of the actions of the U.S. government caused condemnation both at home and abroad, but in the end, for all the dislike and sometimes hatred of the government, the country is a magnet for many of the world’s inhabitants. Immigrants from around the world tend to get in the USA. And it is for good reason.

As a country built by immigrants in the relatively short term, the state managed to create an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for every person in the country, regardless of color, religion or belief. And most importantly, free and equal opportunities to succeed were created. This does not mean that, having the right to live in the country, everyone immediately gets all the benefits. These benefits are earned through hard work, but people actions to achieve their goals (if they are not criminal in nature), firmly protected by the Constitution.

And now a little bit about the Capitol, as the object is not political, but cultural.

In Washington, it is the tallest building. So it was decided that nothing above it in this city should be built. Rule applies, and this is why Washington does not look like an American city – it looks more European.

 

Walking through the corridors and meeting rooms of Capitol leave no aesthetic impressions. Everything here is arranged by business and not much different from the parliamentary buildings of the other foreign countries.

Perhaps the most interesting place in the Capitol is Rotunda. Dome is crowned with the Statue of Liberty, seen from afar, and this picture is the face of Washington DC. This statue has incorporated the basic meaning of the idea of ​​the American state.

Inside this magnificent building shows the main milestones of the country.  All important events are represented by the numerous pieces of art.

The dome is painted with the huge fresco “The Apotheoses of Washington. The main element of the whole picture is the scene of the ascension of George Washington surrounded by female figures epitomizes freedom and achievement. They surrounded by images of the scene, embodying the main achievements in the wars, science, engineering, navigation, industry and agriculture.

The vertical circle at the base of the Dome creates a ring depicting important historical events. From below it looks like a bas-relief carved in the stone, but in fact it is also brilliantly executed frescoes.

There are numerous huge canvases with scenes of American history on the walls.

All this is inscribed in sculptural ensemble of Rotunda, which represent the important characters of the State, made the greatest contribution to its emergence and establishment.

After going through the Rotunda, you get to the hall of sculpture, which presents one hundred most respected and significant characters in U.S. history (two from each state).

Here is the Capitol how it looks in the eyes of an ordinary tourist.