Rumor has it that Strasbourg has the best Christmas markets, and a quick online search will confirm this notion with the phrase “Christmas Capital.”
As it turns out, Strasbourg has not only one Christmas market, but several all over the city, each with unique characteristics.
But what is a Christmas market? Well it’s an outdoor market with booths where people sell anything from ready-to-eat food, to hand-made crafts, to decorations, to clothes, and everything in between. Everyone is different depending on the city.
For instance, in Saint Etienne, it was fairly small, but there were churros, hot wine, amber jewelry, scarves/hats, precious stones/minerals, and more.
In Strasbourg practically every neighborhood had it’s own market. The food that they sold was more typical to the region, so it included baguette flambée, crêpes, hot wine with white Alsacien wine, large pretzels, and more. The decorations I saw included miniature models of Alsacien houses, nativity scenes, Christmas tree ornaments… There were lots of chocolate stands, and gingerbread cookies.
In Saint Etienne the booths were little wooden houses, where as in Strasbourg there were all sorts of different types, decorated in different ways. It really was incredible.
Another remarkable thing about Strasbourg was the ubiquitous nature of Christmas decorations. It was practically impossible to go anywhere without seeing some sort of decoration, from a wreath to a tree, to lights, a candle, a bow, fake presents, or a star. On most of the roads there were also glowing lights hanging between the buildings.
All that together with the traditional middle age architecture makes a for a unique and truly beautiful city.
About This Blog
04 January 2011
Barcelona, part 3: Gaudí
One of the aspects of Barcelona that attracts many visitors is the architecture.
Of course there have been many famous architects – and some not-so-famous ones too – that have designed and erected buildings and parks there, but the first one most people think of is Anotni Gaudí, a Catalan Spanish architect from the modernist era – but his style is hard to mistake for someone else’s. His influence can be seen sprinkled throughout the large city: on museums, cathedrals, a park, his house, and even apartment buildings.
Not surprisingly, people trek from all over the world to see his bizarrities in person – particularly the details on his “melting” cathedral – the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família - which has not yet been completed and is not expected to be until 2026, because the construction is funded through the cost of entry within. The spires can be seen from several points in the city, and are part of what make the skyline of Barcelona recognizable, as they tower over all the other buildings with their drip-like designs.
Gaudí’s other main area in Barcelona is his sensational park: Park Güell. Set upon a steep hill in the north-western part of the city, this park offers colorful mosaics, not-very-classical columns, and “the lizard.” People who've been there might talk about the brown stone arched and columned areas at the bottom, the tourist trap park cafe, and the gift shop, but that's not all that makes it special. At the top of the park you can explore the winding and undeveloped nature paths (complete with cacti and lizards, if you are quiet, patient, and observant). Gaudí’s own house is also there and has since been converted to a small and affordable museum.
If you find yourself in Barcelona or are a Gaudí fanatic, some other noteworthy creations are the Casa Milá, the Casa Batllo, and the Palau Güell.
Of course there have been many famous architects – and some not-so-famous ones too – that have designed and erected buildings and parks there, but the first one most people think of is Anotni Gaudí, a Catalan Spanish architect from the modernist era – but his style is hard to mistake for someone else’s. His influence can be seen sprinkled throughout the large city: on museums, cathedrals, a park, his house, and even apartment buildings.
Not surprisingly, people trek from all over the world to see his bizarrities in person – particularly the details on his “melting” cathedral – the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família - which has not yet been completed and is not expected to be until 2026, because the construction is funded through the cost of entry within. The spires can be seen from several points in the city, and are part of what make the skyline of Barcelona recognizable, as they tower over all the other buildings with their drip-like designs.
Gaudí’s other main area in Barcelona is his sensational park: Park Güell. Set upon a steep hill in the north-western part of the city, this park offers colorful mosaics, not-very-classical columns, and “the lizard.” People who've been there might talk about the brown stone arched and columned areas at the bottom, the tourist trap park cafe, and the gift shop, but that's not all that makes it special. At the top of the park you can explore the winding and undeveloped nature paths (complete with cacti and lizards, if you are quiet, patient, and observant). Gaudí’s own house is also there and has since been converted to a small and affordable museum.
If you find yourself in Barcelona or are a Gaudí fanatic, some other noteworthy creations are the Casa Milá, the Casa Batllo, and the Palau Güell.
Barcelona, part 2: Culture
One of the wonderful things about any city, but Barcelona in particular, is the great wealth of unique and interesting entertainment available.
Barcelona has just about everything you could think of to offer, or at least anything you wanted that is relevant to Spanish and Catalan culture: concerts, flamenco, theater, street performers, etc.
For example, you can hear a lovely and inspiring a Spanish guitar concert in an authentic and beautiful cathedral or chapel.
During my most recent time in Barcelona I had the opportunity to attend a lovely and inspiring Spanish guitar concert. The performer, Xavier Coll, made a sort of tour of the history of Spanish guitar music and played a few songs on each era’s guitar. The concert, which was in the Basílica Sta. María del Pí, was part of a series with other artists and locations, with different prices available for students/youth/seniors/adults.
This type of music can be quite awe-inspiring, especially when it is live and in person during an official event and not someone playing on the street, not that street performers are necessarily poor musicians.
In fact street performances are quite popular in Barcelona and can be just as magical - you walk by, and happen upon it. It's live and in the moment, and when it's over, it cannot be repeated. Completely unique, even if the artist repeats the same songs another time, it will be different because the context will be different. So there is definitely something special about witnessing a talented street performer.
Barcelona has just about everything you could think of to offer, or at least anything you wanted that is relevant to Spanish and Catalan culture: concerts, flamenco, theater, street performers, etc.
For example, you can hear a lovely and inspiring a Spanish guitar concert in an authentic and beautiful cathedral or chapel.
During my most recent time in Barcelona I had the opportunity to attend a lovely and inspiring Spanish guitar concert. The performer, Xavier Coll, made a sort of tour of the history of Spanish guitar music and played a few songs on each era’s guitar. The concert, which was in the Basílica Sta. María del Pí, was part of a series with other artists and locations, with different prices available for students/youth/seniors/adults.
This type of music can be quite awe-inspiring, especially when it is live and in person during an official event and not someone playing on the street, not that street performers are necessarily poor musicians.
In fact street performances are quite popular in Barcelona and can be just as magical - you walk by, and happen upon it. It's live and in the moment, and when it's over, it cannot be repeated. Completely unique, even if the artist repeats the same songs another time, it will be different because the context will be different. So there is definitely something special about witnessing a talented street performer.
Barcelona, part 1
Barcelona is another place, like Montmartre in Paris, that is really inspirational. It’s a place where you can always have a good time and find unique things and unique experiences.
Thinking about Barcelona, a several key ideas come to mind, in no particular order: fun, beauty, inspiration, architecture, opportunity, culture, people.
The city has different neighborhoods, and with each different neighborhood there is different culture, architecture, and people. There is so much diversity in these aspects and of course there are tons of tourists adding to the mix.
The city has too much to write about in one blog entry. Architecture of Gaudí, narrow cobble-stone streets, artwork of Dalí and Picasso, the beach, crazy mimes and street performers, authentic and tourist trap flamenco, Spanish guitar music, and Catalan language – which is a strange combination of Spanish and French. There really is something for everyone.
Thinking about Barcelona, a several key ideas come to mind, in no particular order: fun, beauty, inspiration, architecture, opportunity, culture, people.
The city has different neighborhoods, and with each different neighborhood there is different culture, architecture, and people. There is so much diversity in these aspects and of course there are tons of tourists adding to the mix.
The city has too much to write about in one blog entry. Architecture of Gaudí, narrow cobble-stone streets, artwork of Dalí and Picasso, the beach, crazy mimes and street performers, authentic and tourist trap flamenco, Spanish guitar music, and Catalan language – which is a strange combination of Spanish and French. There really is something for everyone.
Montmartre: A Place for Inspiration
If there is one image of Paris that people know other than the Eiffel Tower, it is the narrow cobblestone streets bustling with artists and street performers in Montmartre.
Montmartre is an area in the northern part of Paris, and if you know any French, you may guess from the word “mont” that it is a mountain. Well, in fact, it is a large and steep hill, with access by narrow streets filled with markets, plenty of steep staircases, and even an elevator – though you have to pay for that because it is run by the RATP (the Parisian transport company).
If that’s still not familiar to you, the other stereotypical view of Montmartre features the several zigzagging staircases in front of the Basilisque du Sacré Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart), a huge basilica that sits atop the hill.
These two aspects are what make this neighborhood well known because it was an area where many famous artists of the 20th century – and before – lived and worked, like Van Gogh, for example. Some other touristic highlights include a small vineyard, Van Gogh’s atelier (studio), and a sculpture of a man coming out of a wall.
However, in spite of the millions of tourists who pass through and the myriad of tourist shops, Montmartre is still a special place that has many secrets and maintains a kind of mysterious and romantic atmosphere.
Artists, portraitists, musicians, and performers of all sorts go there day in and day out to contribute to the creativity that you can feel in the air, and with a bit of luck you can experience genuinely magical moments such as having an unique and interesting conversation with one of the artists (if you speak French), seeing a comedic performance, hearing some accordion music, and even witnessing romance – a kiss with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Montmartre is an area in the northern part of Paris, and if you know any French, you may guess from the word “mont” that it is a mountain. Well, in fact, it is a large and steep hill, with access by narrow streets filled with markets, plenty of steep staircases, and even an elevator – though you have to pay for that because it is run by the RATP (the Parisian transport company).
If that’s still not familiar to you, the other stereotypical view of Montmartre features the several zigzagging staircases in front of the Basilisque du Sacré Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart), a huge basilica that sits atop the hill.
These two aspects are what make this neighborhood well known because it was an area where many famous artists of the 20th century – and before – lived and worked, like Van Gogh, for example. Some other touristic highlights include a small vineyard, Van Gogh’s atelier (studio), and a sculpture of a man coming out of a wall.
However, in spite of the millions of tourists who pass through and the myriad of tourist shops, Montmartre is still a special place that has many secrets and maintains a kind of mysterious and romantic atmosphere.
Artists, portraitists, musicians, and performers of all sorts go there day in and day out to contribute to the creativity that you can feel in the air, and with a bit of luck you can experience genuinely magical moments such as having an unique and interesting conversation with one of the artists (if you speak French), seeing a comedic performance, hearing some accordion music, and even witnessing romance – a kiss with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Long time!
Wow I have not updated this blog at all since the beginning. It's kind of hard maintaining multiple blogs - as I have my personal blog and my photo blog, not to mention a web site portfolio and real life. In any case, I have decided to come back here. In the mean time, I've written some entries in my personal blog that pertain to this blog, so the first several entries here will be somewhat copied from there.
30 April 2010
Welcome!
Welcome, world.
Hello, Internet. This is the first post in my new blog, so I will both give an introduction to me and to the blog. For future reference, an abbreviated version of the intro is in the "About this blog" section.
Introduction // A little about me
I am a graduating senior at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, majoring in Photography and French with a minor in Journalism. It is clear that creative projects, particularly relating to communication, hold a significant place in my existence.
Due to that fact, I am not new to the blogosphere, as some call it, or to other self-publishing tools on the Web. For a long time I've been exhibiting my photography on social art sites like deviantART or in a blog.
Most recently I've been a photographer and writer for a web and quarterly print publication out of Ithaca College, called Fuse. The photos for Fuse are displayed in web galleries, accompanying articles and blog entries, in slide shows, and in print issues.
But the real reason I am mentioning Fuse here is because it is the first outlet where I have really kept a consistently updated blog. Having the blog was liberating and really helped give me a space to just reflect and respond to my experiences, and have it matter for someone else - as the publications intended audience is prospective Ithaca students.
But now that my time at Ithaca is coming to a close, so then will my time with Fuse - since they can't hire me forever! The termination has led me to brainstorm thoroughly ideas for web-based projects that people might get interested in... Mostly involving blogs.
Inspiration // Where did the idea come from?
After much thought and consideration, I finally came up with an idea and an angle about which I thought people could care.
Unlike many of my peers, I do know what I'll be doing for the next year or so: I'll be heading off to France to teach English through the Teaching Assistants Program in France (TAPIF) sponsored by the French Ministry of Education. Although the I don't leave for the program until mid-September, I will be spending a month traveling around France, and possibly elsewhere, starting the day after graduation.
All that traveling and my boredom of Ithaca inspired me. I first thought of the name for this project based on the idea of "the world as my playground" or stomping ground, if you like, so I adopted the idea.
All that said, I did not want just any travel journal. After all, who would want to read that other than family and close friends?
The Plan // What is and where is "My Playground"
Ergo, my idea was born.
My plan is, first and foremost, to write about places.
My goal is to capture the atmosphere of a place through sensory description and narratives as well as images. Clearly it will all be based on perception, potentially talking to people, but optimally I will keep my personal experiences out as much as possible.
The places I will write about will be everything from the mundane to the novel. Like I said, I was inspired by my boredom of the town I'm in now.
So, this blog is multi-purposed: to experience the place for what it is and share that, to expose intrinsically interesting places, and find excitement in banal locales - i.e. to reinstate intrigue into what was once new but now seemingly uninteresting. It will also serve as a travel journal.
Hello, Internet. This is the first post in my new blog, so I will both give an introduction to me and to the blog. For future reference, an abbreviated version of the intro is in the "About this blog" section.
Introduction // A little about me
I am a graduating senior at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, majoring in Photography and French with a minor in Journalism. It is clear that creative projects, particularly relating to communication, hold a significant place in my existence.
Due to that fact, I am not new to the blogosphere, as some call it, or to other self-publishing tools on the Web. For a long time I've been exhibiting my photography on social art sites like deviantART or in a blog.
Most recently I've been a photographer and writer for a web and quarterly print publication out of Ithaca College, called Fuse. The photos for Fuse are displayed in web galleries, accompanying articles and blog entries, in slide shows, and in print issues.
But the real reason I am mentioning Fuse here is because it is the first outlet where I have really kept a consistently updated blog. Having the blog was liberating and really helped give me a space to just reflect and respond to my experiences, and have it matter for someone else - as the publications intended audience is prospective Ithaca students.
But now that my time at Ithaca is coming to a close, so then will my time with Fuse - since they can't hire me forever! The termination has led me to brainstorm thoroughly ideas for web-based projects that people might get interested in... Mostly involving blogs.
Inspiration // Where did the idea come from?
After much thought and consideration, I finally came up with an idea and an angle about which I thought people could care.
Unlike many of my peers, I do know what I'll be doing for the next year or so: I'll be heading off to France to teach English through the Teaching Assistants Program in France (TAPIF) sponsored by the French Ministry of Education. Although the I don't leave for the program until mid-September, I will be spending a month traveling around France, and possibly elsewhere, starting the day after graduation.
All that traveling and my boredom of Ithaca inspired me. I first thought of the name for this project based on the idea of "the world as my playground" or stomping ground, if you like, so I adopted the idea.
All that said, I did not want just any travel journal. After all, who would want to read that other than family and close friends?
The Plan // What is and where is "My Playground"
Ergo, my idea was born.
My plan is, first and foremost, to write about places.
My goal is to capture the atmosphere of a place through sensory description and narratives as well as images. Clearly it will all be based on perception, potentially talking to people, but optimally I will keep my personal experiences out as much as possible.
The places I will write about will be everything from the mundane to the novel. Like I said, I was inspired by my boredom of the town I'm in now.
So, this blog is multi-purposed: to experience the place for what it is and share that, to expose intrinsically interesting places, and find excitement in banal locales - i.e. to reinstate intrigue into what was once new but now seemingly uninteresting. It will also serve as a travel journal.
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