Rain, Morning, Streets…
Carrer de la Vidrieria after the Rain
Carrer l’Almirall Cervera
Rainy Morning in Barcelona
Carrer de Sant Jacint
Green and Yellow leaves. Rain in the city of Barcelona
Sagrada Familia – Church of Light and Air
Nonreligious people generally perceive all the temples, cathedrals and churches as of memorial to architecture and fine arts. Most of them are really a treasure of world architecture. Basically they were created by certain canons, although each of these structures have a unique recognizable “face”. Who, for example, does not know the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, or St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the famous Cologne Cathedral, the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican and other outstanding architectural monuments?! However, getting into the twilight of one of them, most of the people feel themselves as a grain of sand, the bearer of sin and eternal debtor to the whole earthly life. The only hope and symbol of the future happy life is the light in the high arches of the cathedral.
The brilliant creation of an outstanding artist Antonio Gaudi – Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, leaves in the visitor’s mind and soul absolutely different feeling. The church is permeated with light and filled with air. The sun’s rays, penetrated through the huge stained windows and rosettes, play the colourful game of light and shades on the numerous interior details. While Sun goes around the church during the day the picture appears in different guises. All this play of light creates the sensation of flight. Life is going on here and now, and we should be happy now, without waiting for a future that may never come.
Sagrada Familia is a hymn to Human in his unity with God!
Karlsruhe Zoo
April in Karlsruhe, Germany was sunny, warm and enjoyable. After the winter cold and long sleep nature woke up and scattered the kaleidoscope of colours. In Zoo animals came out from their cages and celebrated Spring. The only one who missed Winter was the Polar Bear.
Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swan has been extirpated 200 years ago in Ontario due to hunting pressure and habitat loss. Biologist Harry Lumsden began a provincial reintroduction program in the early 1980’s to re-establish the Trumpeter swan in its former habitat and range.
One of the most popular wintering ground for these lovely birds is in Burlington La Salle Park. Quarter of their population found winter home for themselves. The Trumpeter Swan Coalition is a volunteer organization that take care of them.
Trumpeter Swans are gorgeous birds. However they are looking a little bit different of other swans and their sound absolutely different and really explained their name. The voice sounds like trumpet and all together they make an orchestra of trumpet musicians.
La Salle Park is the lovely place for birds lovers, family entertainment, and just for relaxing and enjoying the nature.
Sweet November
The November warm and sunny days are not associated with inclement late fall. Rare windy and rainy days with the flying fallen leaves only emphasize the beauty of this November and fall in general in the city of Toronto. Sunrises and sunsets are extremely beautiful. The afternoon sun still warms and caresses numerous stroll lovers, which are enjoying the last days of the outgoing autumn.
The next Friday in Toronto and nearby cities the Christmas trees will be lit, and we mentally say goodbye to the autumn. This is the beginning of preparations for the meeting of winter and expectations of all seasonal holidays.
Rue Laffitte, Paris
Lovely view on Sacre-Coeur Basilique.
Thanksgiving Gift
On Thanksgiving Holiday we were gifted with the real summer weather. It was warm and sunny. On Thanksgiving evening the sky was covered with picturesque clouds, the sunlight played on them and created magnificent painting.
Nevertheless, the autumn appearance is everywhere. Bushes and trees have acquired fall colors, wildflowers are not so bright and numerous, birds are going on a long journey and arrange training flights in flocks and wedges.
Canadian autumn is beautiful, bright, and optimistic without admixture of depression and melancholy.
Quebec City – So Europe. So close.
Quebec City – a city that seemed created for holidays. Everything looks elegant and fabulous. European architecture, countless sculptures and monuments, the house windows decorated with the flowers; the street performers and artists, lots of cafes and restaurants create a sense of festival. The small size of the city and the lack of hustle as in the most megacities, give to visitors the feeling of peace and calmness. However, despite its small size Quebec City filled with lots of amazing historical, cultural and sports facilities. Apparently, this is the basic requirements for a tourist town.
There is not even a thought to move around on some public transportation because everything is within walking distance. Is that for fun, you can ride horses in harness, so use the Funiculair de Vieux to move from the lower to the upper town.
The main pedestrian area and the most attractive place for the tourists, of course, the street Petit-Champlain, where plenty of the art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and cafes as well as it is a popular place for the street musicians and artists. And of course, the Terrace Dufferin, located in front of the Château Frontenac, with beautiful view of the St. Lawrence River, the Old Port and the lower town.
However, there is little inconvenience. Even in the summer here on the mountain can be cool and windy, while in Montreal it will be sunny and warm. Firstly, the city is located on a very high ground above the St. Lawrence River. Secondly, it is more northerly, thus the difference in the weather.
Nevertheless, all these inconveniences have no influence on the mood of the tourists. Just planning a trip to the beautiful City of Quebec, we must not forget a light jacket :-). Enjoy your trip!
In the photo gallery you can read a brief description of some of the places captured on the photo. And also you can see perfectly organized Quebec City web-site.
One Day in Montreal
Only five hours driving separate Toronto from Montreal. It is close enough to visit this lovely Quebec’s city often, but not so to visit it just for the weekend. Anyway if there is a chance to come to Montreal late Friday afternoon and stay for couple nights we take it and never regret. French Canada is totally different and have its own charm.
The last visit was right by the time of Just For Laugh Festival that many people familiar with because of the TV Show with the same name. It is funny and exiting event which brings and attracts many of tourists from different countries.We came with our friends who have never been to Montreal before and were glad they got a lot of fun, impressions and delight.
Shakespeare and Company
Shakespeare and Company is the name of two independent bookstores on Paris’s Left Bank. The first was opened by Sylvia Beach on 19 November 1919 at 8 rue Dupuytren, before moving to larger premises at 12 rue de l’Odéon in the 6th arrondissement in 1922. During the 1920s, it was a gathering place for writers such as Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Ford Madox Ford. It closed in 1940 during the German occupation of Paris and never re-opened.
The second is situated at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, in the 5th arrondissement. Opened in 1951 by George Whitman, it was originally named “Le Mistral” but renamed to “Shakespeare and Company” in 1964 in tribute to Sylvia Beach’s bookstore. Today, it serves both as a regular bookstore, a second-hand books store and as a reading library, specializing in English-language literature. The shop has become a popular tourist attraction,[4][5] and was featured in the Richard Linklater film Before Sunset and in the Woody Allen film Midnight in Paris.
Parisians (Music on the Streets)
Paris street singer
Trumpet players
Trombone player on Seine bank
Dancer
Dance preparation
Accordionist
Dance on cobblestone
Introducing to the Dance
Notre Dame, Paris
Notre Dame in Paris is one of the most attractive landmarks. The Cathedral is the most famous in the world thanks to its location, architecture, and numerous references to various historical and artistic works. It is situated on the island in the Seine – Île de la Cité. This is why it can be observed from different points and demonstrate its beauty – architectural details, sculptures on the façade and on the roof, rose windows, and famous gargoyles. The interior decorations are pretty simple. The only things that make interior colourful and beautiful are rose windows with its stunning glass.
However there is one thing which makes Notre Dame fascinating inside is acoustic. Thanks to it the organ and choir sound clear and powerful. It cannot leave you indifferent. The worship is kind of magical performance where the faithful and clergymen act like one body. The spirit of eternity is flying here.
Notre-Dame is looking gorgeous from any place and at any time of the day. Enjoy the gallery!
Lanch Time at Luxembourg Garden
Luxembourg Garden Images (Jardin du Luxembourg) is the Parisian’s favourite place for various purposes. They walk, run, relax and even have lunch here. Because it is located close to Sorbonne University of Paris a lot of students come here at lunch time to have a rest and food. By that time the central alley looks like a huge crowdie campsite. The mix of talk, laugh, sing, music create a special atmosphere. It sounds like noise but doesn’t bother anybody because it is a part of busy city life.
Lost in Paris
Our trip to Paris did not have any special goals to see most important tourist attractions because the compulsory visits significant places in a hurry makes the journey tedious and annoying.
The plan was to watch the Parisians’ life, enjoy strolls around the city, and have fun. Walking without any special directions we’ve been just lost in numerous Paris streets, boulevards, gardens and parks.
Anyway, whether you want it or not all that routes leads you to all of these famous and beautiful places. It is impossible to resist and do not visit them. This is why the most remarkable landmarks appeared in our week trip to Paris. We used that visits only to refresh our memory and knowledge about some special things, which we most like in all these museums, palaces and other places.
Lately in our trips we do not staying in hotels but rented entire apartments. This kind of accommodation makes our stay more comfortable and gives the feeling of being part of the local community. You can go to the street markets, buy some food and cook it, enjoy sitting with a cup of coffee in one of numerous cafes, have a good lunch or dinner there, and adopt the local people life rhythm.
Apartment we chose was in Latin Quarter right beside Pantheon, near Luxembourg Garden, Sorbonne University and absolutely amazing market on Rue Mouffetard. There are only 15 minutes walk to Notre Dame Cathedral and all the beauties of Seine islands. There you can take the Seine River Cruise to see the city from the water. In your journey by the river you see Notre Dame, Louvre, Museum D ‘Orsay, Les Invalides, and of course the Eiffel Tower. In the night-lights it looks amazing.
Full weeklong we just walked around the city and only place where we used the transportation to go was Versailles. The walking was not boring and tedious at all because the eyes did not get tired to watch beautiful architecture, sculptures, fountains, and wide and green boulevards.
Lunchtime was a good chance to relax and get some energy with the glass of wine, delicious food followed by dessert and coffee. French people have their own wine traditions and it is not a big deal and something wrong to have a glass of wine for lunch. You can even buy the bottle of wine, go to the park, sit on the bench and enjoy you wine. A lot of young people do it on the bank of Seine River at evening time. There are a lot of options to celebrate the life in Paris.
Evening time fills up streets and boulevards by people. It looks like all of Parisians spend evening for dinner, glass of wine, beer or coffee and enjoying talking with friends. All street cafes, restaurants and bars are full of people. It is absolutely safe and enjoyable.
This is a brief glance on Life of Paris.
The longer you stay in Paris the more you fall in love with this great city.
Where the Rainbow is living!
It was windy, rainy and sunny day in St. John’s on Saturday, November 8. From the highest point of the city – Signal Hill, you could see where the rainbow was born. It was born in the neighborhood with colourful houses and absorbed their colors.
World in your eyes 