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Showing posts from December, 2014

Clouds over the Valley

Had to stop and take pictures of the amazing cloud formation today. It was a sight to behold. Image by TravelswithCharie

Saint Malo

Ramparts of Saint Malo The stone ramparts of Saint Malo stretches 1,754 meters and wr a p around the old town known as the intra-muros . A stroll along these ramparts is a walk through the history of this city which traces its origin to the arrival of Maclow, a monk from Wales, in the 6th century. Saint Malo is named after him.  Le Grand Bé There are exits to the beach below from the ramparts. It's possible to walk to the islands of Fort National, Le Petit Bé and Le Grand Bé when it's low tide. But high tide has a way of rushing in and leaving unsuspecting visitors stranded on the islands. It's best to check with the tourist office for the times when it's safe to walk to the islands. The waters of La Manche may rise as high as thirteen meters and pound the walls of Saint Malo. The oak tree trunks lining the seashore and which form the breakwater can attest to the might of the waves.  Grande Plage On a cold and intermittently wet November

Sunrise - December 26, 2014

This is the second year I've taken a sunrise shot after Christmas day outside my door in Central California. Today, I saw these birds flying in the sky and made a lovely guest appearance on this photo. "It's the hour when night breaks away from the day, my dove, let me go." Jean Genet, The Balcony *  *  * Image by TravelswithCharie

Merry Christmas

Joy to the world The Lord is come! *   *   * Image by TravelswithCharie. Yosemite National Park. 

Mont Saint Michel

"The following morning at dawn I went toward it across the sands, my eyes fastened on this gigantic jewel, as big as a mountain, cut like a cameo, and as dainty as lace. The nearer I approached, the greater my admiration grew, for nothing in the world could be more wonderful or more perfect". Guy de Maupassant, The Legend of Mont Saint Michel Mont St. Michel from the causeway It's hard to forget the first time I saw Mont Saint Michel from the bus window. I saw its fairytale like silhouette from a distance and I was captivated. So this time around, I waited with bated breath as the bus approached Mont Saint Michel but alas, we took a different route and I didn’t see the Mount until I had walked up the causeway from the new village that grew in recent years. Our bus from Dol dropped us in front of the tourist center where free shuttle buses ferry visitors to the foot of the Mount. I opted to walk the 2 km distance so I could see the Mont from afar and feel its magi

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Fondation Louis Vuitton The Fondation Louis Vuitton at the Bois de Boulogne in Paris is a new gallery for modern and contemporary art.  Bernard Arnault, Chairman and Chief Executive of LVMH, envisioned architecture that would be symbolic of the 21st century and to this end, entrusted the project to renowned architect, Frank Gehry. The glass and steel building represents Gehry's idea of an evolving structure as it interacts with time and light, creating an impression of perpetual change. The gallery was inaugurated in October of this year and the line to purchase tickets was understandably long in late November. I opted to enter the Jardin d'Acclimatation to get a close look at this colossal structure and observe the play of light on the curving glass panels as the afternoon progressed.  Gehry's creation was inspired by glass and steel buildings of the 19th century. However, the Fondation is definitely 21st century. It appears like a ship with a re

Galeries Lafayette Christmas Displays 2014

The inverted Christmas tree at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is sensational! And the glass cupola reflects the changing light moods of the tree. You get a different perspective of the Christmas tree from the upper galleries and a great view of the golden legs that reach up to the cupola. Pink monsters dance behind display windows to the delight of the children. They flocked to see the decorated Christmas themed windows as their parents excitedly took their pictures with the monsters. I couldn't get a full view because there were so many people milling around. So I had to make do with a side view.  It's a Joyeux Noël indeed in Paris. Through January 4, 2015. *  *  * Images by TravelswithCharie

Rue Crémieux

Rue Crémieux It’s as if I’m going out again with my old lover. I’m discovering new things about him that I wasn’t aware of before. That’s how I feel about my love affair with Paris . Case in point: Rue Crémieux. Rue  Crémieux  is a sleeping beauty with its cobblestone street, pastel painted fa ç ades, thoughtful murals, potted plants and an air of unhurried pace amidst the bustling Gare de Lyon area.   The concerted efforts of the residents of Rue  Crémieux  to beautify their neighborhood is cause for applause. This is what happens when neighbors commit themselves to a worthy and far reaching goal. I love the illusion of a tree straddling the house as if it always belonged there. Notice the murals on this house. These well thought out personal touches define this neighborhood. To get to Rue  Crémieux, take the metro to Gare de Lyon. Walk down a few blocks along Rue de Lyon which is across from the station and Rue  Crémieux will be on your left side.

Fashion Show/Défilé

The program for the Fall/Winter 2014 Collection One of the unique experiences I had in Paris recently was attending the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann fashion show. Paris is, of course, at the forefront of haute couture so I was thrilled to have the chance to be at the défilé. The show beautifully presented the trends of the season. I was mesmerized by the variety of fun, chic and elegant outfits. The clothes and accessories worn by the models on the catwalk were available at various GL department stores.  By the way, no photos are allowed at the fashion show but I inquired from the usher who seated me about the no photo policy and he informed me that I could take pictures without a flash. It's always good to ask first. The ensemble shown above is categorized as PopTimisme. PopTimisme is defined by rhythm, color, and energy. It evokes New York City's street style. Young fashionistas will be both comfortable and hip in this plaid shirt with cool bl

Rue Thermopyles

 Rue Thermopyles Rue Thermopyles takes its name from Thermopylae, that narrow pass in Greece where a great battle was fought in 480 BC between a handful of Greek warriors under the command of Leonidas and the 150,000 strong Persian army under Xerxes. But that's the end of the similarity - a narrow street. Rue Thermopyles is a tranquil neighborhood with trees climbing up the walls of its houses and covering some of them in rich foliage. The cobblestone street is lined with potted plants. If you continue walking to the end of the street and make a right, you will find these two charming homes one of which is nearly hidden from view by trees and shrubs. In front of these homes is the Alberto Giacometti Park, a small square which is a nice extension to Rue Thermopyles. Paris is a big city with staggering urban growth that comes accompanied by the cacophony of modern day living. It's refreshing to find a haven such as Rue Thermopyles, a little piece of "co

La Coulée Verte

Viaduc des Arts La Coulée Verte or the Promenade Plantée is a 4.5 kilometer trail on what was once an elevated railway track that was decommissioned in 1969. The trail begins at Bastille and continues on to Bois de Vincennes. The Promenade has been planted with trees, shrubs and flowers. Every section has a landscaping theme such as the bamboo grove or the fountains. There are vine covered trellises and enough benches for those who wish to read their newspapers or chat with friends or just hang out.   Of the flowers on the trail, I saw white roses and dark pink double impatiens. There were many shrubs with tiny flowers - one which I noticed looks similar to jasmine but minus the scent. And I was delighted to see holly, so perfect for this season. It's amazing to find many blooming plants this late in the fall.   Bamboo grove I met several joggers along the trail which promises to be a good, long run all the way to Vincennes and back. But walking has its rewards

Love, Love Locks and Paris

L'amour is alive and well but it's beginning to take a toll on the Pont des Arts in Paris. The growing tradition of hanging love locks on bridges around the world has destroyed sections of this footbridge. The city of Paris has previously removed and replaced certain sections of the railing as the locks weighed them down and caused the grates to separate from the railing. The Pont des Arts is checked regularly as damaged railings pose safety issues as well. Some of the locks are fancy and well thought out, some are engraved with the couple's names but most locks are plain and heavy and the names hastily scribbled with a marker. Many locks are now rusty and the names have faded into oblivion. If you arrive in Paris and want to hang your love lock at the Pont des Arts but you didn't bring a lock, worry not. There are lock sellers around the bridge who will gladly sell you one along with postcards and other souvenir items. These resourceful street peddlers