Architectural Details

If architecture doesn't fascinate you, then skip this next post.

I'm a visual person.  And I look for the details:  in paintings, in clothing, in interior design, in food preparation and in....that's right, architecture.  If you notice the details and not just the overall scheme, you can see the hand of individual crafts people at work.  These details can be whimiscal or funny or sad or very personal.  They make architecture human and approachable.  Here are some of my favorites from Germany and Denmark. 

I'm especially in love with mosaics.  These were from a tunnel in the old section of Copenhagen, up high and at first, not very noticeable.  But I was so glad that we spotted them and I stood there a few minutes, entranced.

And notice the lines on this building; their slant, their color and how they draw your eye up.

And this made me giggle:  it's four intertwined tails of four dragons.  That's not so funny, but it is when you realize that this is atop the Stock Market (Borsen) in Copenhagen.  Was that to be a statement about capitalism? 

And do you notice what is happening with the building in the center?  See how the roofline and the windows have an upward slant?  I wonder how the windows fit in the winter and if cold drafts come whistling in?





Looking Good Too

The distinctive dress of the Bavarian region has regained its popularity and rightly so.  It is well-crafted, practical and beautiful.  Here are some examples:

No, you won't see me wearing this to work or to church or to the movies, but I was tempted!

And Speaking of Food

Munich has a spectacular open-air market, the Viktualienmarkt, which has housed the city's main marketplace for over 200 years.  Anything and everything, food-wise, can be bought here, local or from far-away.  It's a definite must-see, must-do and an easy bus ride away from the city plaza or Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall). 

Come feast your eyes and feel your stomach growl.  

The Good Stuff

So let's take a very abbreviated tour of wonderful German pastries.  No, I didn't sample them all, but I gave many of them a good eyeball going-over.  A girl can dream, can't she? 

Goat's cheese creme brulee.  I got two because Ken wouldn't eat his.  Too bad.

Can you tell from this photo that I'm on the wrong side of the plate glass window?

I forgot to take a photo before I jumped into this amazing poppyseed torte.

Clare, this one's for you Babe. 

Believe me, dear readers, this is only the tip of the sugary iceberg.  I would need more memory in my camera if I took photos of the infinite variety and creativity.  Enjoy vicariously!

Gardens--Formal and Informal

If I could break travel pleasures into groups, I would list them somewhat like this (not necessarily in this order):

• pastries (if I was being totally truthful, this would be at the top of the list)
• gardens and parks
• churches
• museums
• shopping (another confession)
• general architectural sites
• hiking

We saw wonderful gardens, both vast and intimate, formal and informal.  Not far from our lodgings in Sommersdorf was the wonderful medieval town of Ansbach with a lovely Orangery.  Take a peek.

They even had their own, little, special truck at the Orangery.  Pretty cute.



Food For The Soul

And then there are the flowers everywhere.  Everywhere.  Ev-er-y-where.  I couldn't get enough of them. 

Stuff You Don't See Every Day

Seeing and experiencing things that are different from one's everyday life is one of the joys of travel.  And because you already have a camera in your hand, you take a picture.  Here's a montage of some of things we saw that tickled our fancy.

I wonder which one was the bird's favorite CD?

We had to look twice at this one.

I love cuckoo clocks.  My grandparents Gordon had one in their dining room/living room.  I used to sleep on the sofa at their house and listen to the clock chiming late at night.  I believe that my Grandfather brought it back as a souvenir from World War I.  My brother Kerry has it now.  It was a lovely, simple one but absolutely charming to a small child.





I want one of these.

What a cool light fixture.  Can you tell that it's made of broken crockery?

And some great signs.

And after seeing lots of gorgeous and uber-serious church art, these were refreshing!  Can you tell what they are doing?



A Profile in Courage

While in Germany, Ken and I couldn't help thinking about its inglorious 20th century history.  While not singling (sp?) out the Germans (each nation has its own shameful chapters), we couldn't help trying to imagine those hard and oppressive times.  I often ask myself "Would I have gone along?  Would I have spoken out?"  I don't know the answer; I could only pray that I would have the faith and the courage.

We learned of one such hero who did witness to God's love and justice, someone who was new to us.  Fr. Rupert Mayer.  He lovingly served his congregation during two world wars and called the Nazi regime what it was:  Godless.  Please read about him.  A book or a movie needs to be written about his witness.  Ken?

What Did I Love About Munich?

Aside from the prevalent pastry shops?  The energy, the creativity, the history, the music, the market (an upcoming post), the architecture and the gardens. 

A case in point.  Window shopping--a great to pass the time.  Germans love their gnomes and I loved this particular grouping.  Don't you want them in your window?

They come in two sizes and three amazing colors. 

Everywhere we went, we saw a pattern of blue and white diamond-patterned emblems:  on badges, flags, menus.  And then this clever piece of window-display.  Can you tell what it's made of?

Paper napkins!  Not only would one look great, but she would be ready for any emergency?  Ketchup?  No problem.  Spilt milk?  A breeze.