Pétanque is French game that can be played anywhere. It is similar to the Italian game,Bocce but unlike the Bocce it does not require a fixed court. One player throws a small target ball and the p[layers try to get as close to it as possible without hitting it. These players at Champs de Mars are playing near the Eiffel Tower in Paris France. You can purchase a print and see others at my commercial gallery by clicking here.
Pétanque Players in Paris France
The gardens at Versailles cover over 800 hectares of land which is over 1700 acres by english measurement. It is really impossible to cover the whole garden in a day. Although there is an admission to get into the Château , the gardens are free to the public as are most gardens in France. The scene is spectacular and this view is from the second floor of the Château through an open window. You can see other images and buy prints from my European gallery by clicking here.
A view form the Palace at Versailles
Paris is a city of superb architectural structures both ancient and modern. When the Eiffel Tower was first constructed it was supposed to temporary and at first Parisians hated it, but learned to love it as one of the symbols of their great city. However, personally I don’t think I could ever learn to love La Grande Arche de la Défense. In my opinion, it is a monstrosity. I appreciate its functionality as an office structure but just don’t think it fits in a city of such magnificent architecture. You can see more images from my european collection by clicking here.
Le Grande Arche de la Défense
Americans have some dates burned in their memory. September 11 and December 6 are two notorious dates where Americans were attacked, killed and suffered extreme hardships. It is important as Americans to remember these dates and honor the fallen. However, as citizens of the world we MUST remember today as well because it is the 74th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Tonight were the first attacks on Jewish homes in Germany. At least 91 Jews were killed in the attacks, and a further 30,000 arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps. Jewish homes, hospitals, and schools were ransacked, over 1,000 synagogues were burned and Jewish businesses destroyed or damaged. Millions of others experienced death and torture by the lunatic Hitler. We must never forget and always honor this day. Things are much better in Europe now for Jewish people that have remained or returned over all these years. However, last year when visiting Italy I saw it was still necessary for soldiers to guard the synagogue in Milan and heavy fences kept out even curious tourists like myself.
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Synagogue in Milan Italy
One of the things I enjoy about traveling through Europe is how “old” it is. We have old areas in the USA too but they are all Native American and not reminiscent of the foreign cultures many of us immigrated from. The architectural details you find on old buildings in Europe are sometimes interesting and unusual like this door knocker from a house in Amsterdam. You can see more images of Europe in my portfolio by clicking here.
Nice Knocker
If you drive to Lake Como or take a Bus or Boat you might miss this great scene. This is the side of a sculpture you see as descending the stairs from the Lake Como Train Station. It is called the Monumento ai Caduti per Servicio and dedicated to disabled service people. It was created by Francesco Somaini and is actually a sculpture of two hands but from this angle it looks like the City is waving hello. You can buy a print of this image at my commercial gallery by clicking here.
In the center of Milan is Il Duomo di Milano which is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. It seems to me that most of the Cathedrals that I have visited are hosts to crowds of people and flocks of pigeons. Milan is no different, beggars will sell you food to feed the pigeons and although I personally don’t feed the birds, there is no shortage of people who seem to find this practice exciting and entertaining. You can buy this and other prints from my European collection by clicking here.
Pigeons of Il Duomo
The only time I ever went to the Anne Frankhuis I only had a two megapixel digital camera with me. It was in 2002 and their weren’t too many cameras that higher resolution and since I didn’t have high speed film, the digital camera was the only choice. As I looked out of the window staring at the tree that she saw every day and wrote about, a group of school children were marching by on their way to school. It struck me in an instant that she witnessed this same scene every day as she was cut off from being a children. It still brings tears to my eyes. You can see other work from my European Gallery by clicking here.
Anne Fankhuis Amsterdam NL
Millions of people visit the Eiffel Tower each year and going to the top is a rite of passage and offers one of the most famous view of Paris France. However, if you want to SEE the Eiffel Tower don’t cross the river. It is so large that the best place to view the tower is across the river on the famous Trocadéro Plaza. It is also a great spot to watch the sunset with the tower in front of the sun. Thousands come to the plaza each night just to see the sunset. If you get there early enough you can enjoy dinner from one of the many great cafes that offer views of the tower. You can buy a print of this image at my gallery by clicking here.
Trocadéro Plaza Paris France
Outside of vernon France about an hour from Paris is Monet’s house at Giverny. I always had the feeling that Monet was near sighted and too vain to wear glasses which explained his unique style. However, after seeing his house and gardens at Giverny I changed my opinion. I think he painted what he saw. This photo has great depth of field and is in focus, yet it is “soft” in appearance due to the willow trees and other vegetation. You can buy a print of this image at my gallery by clicking here.
The Water Garden at Giverny