Carl and I have been missing home. We both feel the need to go back to the States for a while and spend some time at home - seeing family and friends.
I also decided I wanted to be home when the presidential election takes place. Even though we have both sent in absentee ballots, and we don't have to go home to vote, I want to be there for all the news coverage and all the excitement of this election. This is an historic event for our country - no matter who wins - and I don't want to hear about it from across the ocean. I want to be a part of it. If Obama wins, I especially want to be a part of the celebration.
We were already planning to be home for two weeks around Thanksgiving -- with family coming to our place -- so we have decided to extend the time. This also allows me the opportunity to go to San Francisco and visit some more with my new little grandson, Nathaniel, who exerts a very strong pull on me. I can see that I will never want to be away from him for too long. During the coming month, I will see him at his place in the beginning of the month, while we watch the election returns together, and then I will see him again at my place at the end of the month, while our family celebrates Thanksgiving together.
This is going to be a great month!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Hampstead
On Tuesday, Marcia and I spent the afternoon and evening in Hampstead - a community north of us. Hampstead is where the photo club meets at 8pm, and we decided to go early, walk around, and have dinner at a restaurant before our meeting. Carl was away in the States attending a conference, and Marcia's husband was working late, so we had all the time we needed.
We began by walking through Hampstead Heath - a large park in the area that contains hills and fields and ponds. Of course, we had our cameras with us - so when we came across anything interesting, we took some pictures.
We were not able to identify this bird - but we could appreciate its distinctive look.
We began by walking through Hampstead Heath - a large park in the area that contains hills and fields and ponds. Of course, we had our cameras with us - so when we came across anything interesting, we took some pictures.
We were not able to identify this bird - but we could appreciate its distinctive look.
At one of the ponds, we ran across a man who came to feed the birds -- which were mostly seagulls. That was surprising, considering how far inland we were. We thought the man had an interesting look of his own.
Then we came across this little girl who was all decked out in a dazzling array of clothing. Her dad gave us permission to take her picture and explained that she had dressed herself that day.
Then we came across this little girl who was all decked out in a dazzling array of clothing. Her dad gave us permission to take her picture and explained that she had dressed herself that day.
After that, we walked for a few more hours, doing some window shopping on Hampstead High Street, stopping at a gallery to see a photo display, having 'tea' at a local restaurant, browsing through several shops, having a delicious dinner at a Greek restaurant, and finally going to the meeting at 8pm. Sometime during the meeting, it STARTED TO SNOW! After the meeting, we caught our bus home, then walked home from the bus stop.
The photo below shows what St Johns Wood High Street looked like at 11pm with the snow streaming down.
The photo below shows what St Johns Wood High Street looked like at 11pm with the snow streaming down.
It has remained cold since then -- much colder than it ever was last March.
Photography
I recently acquired a copy of Photoshop - and Marcia has helped me to learn how to use it. She, herself, has been working with it for a very long time - and she knows a lot of tricks. She helped me to modify one photo of mine; we removed some items in the background that just cluttered up the picture. Instead, we left just the background wall color - and we were able to make that striated so that it looked more interesting and artistic. I was happy enough with the final product that I plan to give it as a gift. I can see that this is just the beginning, and I have a lot to learn - but this is going to be so much fun!
In the photo group that we belong to - some members actually create completely new pictures using Photoshop. For last Tuesday night's meeting, many members brought their own photos to show to the group - asking for suggestions on how to improve them. One member explained to us how he had combined the elements of two different photos into one to create a scene that did not exist in reality. He had spent more than twenty hours at his computer working with Photoshop to do that. That same person had taken another picture -- one of a girl swimming in a pool - and he had changed the pool to look like the ocean by changing the background from a pool to a sky. Another member showed us some beautiful nature shots he had taken and then converted to very striking black, silver, and white pictures. Still another member described how he removed an unwanted animal from his photo so that it would appear more balanced. One suggestion made for improving a picture was to change the direction of some tree branches. All of these changes can be accomplished on my own computer. It's amazing!
In the photo group that we belong to - some members actually create completely new pictures using Photoshop. For last Tuesday night's meeting, many members brought their own photos to show to the group - asking for suggestions on how to improve them. One member explained to us how he had combined the elements of two different photos into one to create a scene that did not exist in reality. He had spent more than twenty hours at his computer working with Photoshop to do that. That same person had taken another picture -- one of a girl swimming in a pool - and he had changed the pool to look like the ocean by changing the background from a pool to a sky. Another member showed us some beautiful nature shots he had taken and then converted to very striking black, silver, and white pictures. Still another member described how he removed an unwanted animal from his photo so that it would appear more balanced. One suggestion made for improving a picture was to change the direction of some tree branches. All of these changes can be accomplished on my own computer. It's amazing!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Small Businessman
Here in London, there is a very enterprising entrepreneur who uses an unusual method of advertising. He drives around town in a unique truck with loud music blasting, and with lots of bubbles shooting out into the air. Everyone usually stops and looks. People recognize his truck - and usually smile and comment to one another. I have seen him twice myself, on two separate occasions.
I suppose if I ever needed a handyman, I would go to his website. Why not?
I suppose if I ever needed a handyman, I would go to his website. Why not?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Trip to Spain
Last week my friend, Linda, came to visit. She has travelled to London many times before, so we planned a short trip together to the south of Spain. We began by flying to Granada on Monday evening. On Tuesday in Granada, we shopped in the morning and toured the Alhambra in the afternoon. On Wednesday, we took a bus north and west to the town of Cordoba. We stored our luggage in lockers at the train station while we toured the old Jewish quarter and the cathedral that had been built on the site of a former mosque. That evening, we retrieved our luggage and took the high-speed train to Seville. We spent all of Thursday touring Seville - shopping and visiting Alcazar and the Seville Cathedral. Then we flew back to London on Friday. It was a whirlwind trip - and we squeezed in lots of sightseeing and picture taking.
GRANADA was a vibrant, bustling city with fountains and plazas and markets filled with shops and restaurants. Linda and I spent the morning hours browsing in those shops and markets and walking around the city.
In addition, we saw a fountain and a statue of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella.
We also saw some antique cars on their way to a show.
Across the street from our hotel, we saw a street performer. (Our hotel is the building behind the large bush.)
As we walked by shops, the street began to climb. We passed guitar shops where Spanish guitars were made and sold.
As we climbed the path up to Alhambra, we were too busy huffing and puffing to take any pictures. (Later, on the way down, we were amazed to see how steep the pathway had been.)
When we finally reached the top - you can get an idea of how high we were by looking at the view we then had of the city of Granada.
Inside the complex, the architecture was incredibly beautiful. It was unique - unlike anything I had ever seen before. All the designs were made with cement and stone.
Unfortunately, these pictures only hint at the beauty of the place. No two-dimensional picture can do it justice.
Everywhere we looked, there were spectacular carvings -- walls, ceilings, windows.
In some areas it looked as if the walls or ceilings were made of lace.
This is only one of several elaborately decorated ceilings.
We must have spent 5 or 6 hours at Alhambra - and as we turned corners or entered a new area, we were constantly amazed at the beauty that surrounded us. We took many, many pictures - but unfortunately, they cannot convey this beauty.
I would recommend to everyone to visit the Alhambra. It was the highlight of our trip.
Linda and I bought ourselves silver bracelets with pomegranates on them. We learned that Granada is the Spanish word for pomegranates.
The next morning, the bus ride from Granada to Cordoba took us through miles and miles of countryside filled with olive trees. Spain is said to be the largest single producer of olive oil, producing approximately 30 per cent of the world's supply.
CORDOBA is a smaller city that seemed very new and clean. We walked the distance from the railroad station to the old Jewish neighborhood...
...and to the cathedral that was built on the site of a mosque.
The Moorish influence in the cathedral can be seen in all the arches.
After leaving the cathedral, we walked down a few streets in the old Jewish neighborhood to see the remains of a synagogue. It had survived destruction because it had been located inside a hospital -- one that was demolished long ago.
Along the way in those narrow streets, there would occasionally be a glimpse into a courtyard decorated with flowers and a fountain.
We also did some shopping in Cordoba. There were many little shops placed all throughout the old neighborhood selling souvenirs. Linda and I enjoyed browsing and looking for presents to give to family members (and some to keep for ourselves).
Back at the train station, we had a snack of tortilla Espanola, olives, and bread before catching the train on to Seville.
SEVILLE is a beautiful modern city with a warm climate. It is lush with trees (including palm trees) and gardens.
Seville is located on a river that leads to the sea.
There are many picturesque streets ....
They also had streamlined streetcars.
We noticed the same bicycle renting stations around town that Carl and I had seen in Paris, whereby someone could rent a bike at one location, then drop it off at another location. Lots of people were riding bikes.
Linda and I stumbled onto a college campus, where it looked as if the students were registering for their courses.
We stayed at a hotel in the old Jewish barrio which was filled with historic buildings and very narrow streets.
Inside the cathedral we discovered the burial tomb for Christopher Columbus! You can see it below being held by four statues.
After visiting the cathedral, Linda and I stopped for lunch at a nearby sidewalk cafe. Toward the end of the meal, a teenage girl came to our table, begging for food. I had finished eating my lunch, so I took a piece of the remaining bread, and spread some goat cheese on it for her. She pointed to the bowl of olives on our table, indicating she wanted some of those too, so I piled some olives on top of the cheese. She took the food and walked away.
It was the first time I had ever had someone beg for food from the table I was sitting at while eating. There was no way I could refuse her. It seemed almost like a biblical action.
Shortly after that, a man in a wheelchair rolled up to us and asked for money. I looked away, diverting my eyes from him. He spoke in English, telling me that I may one day need the money more than he does. He was a very aggressive beggar. At that point, I was ready to leave.
Our hotel had a rooftop restaurant that offered a dazzling night-time view of the cathedral tower and Alcazar.
Back again in London, I hung the hand-painted plates I bought in Seville over the windows in my kitchen.
After our trip, Linda and I decided that the Spanish people in all three cities had been both friendly and helpful. We thought we would very much like to come back again some day.
GRANADA was a vibrant, bustling city with fountains and plazas and markets filled with shops and restaurants. Linda and I spent the morning hours browsing in those shops and markets and walking around the city.
In addition, we saw a fountain and a statue of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella.
Across the street from our hotel, we saw a street performer. (Our hotel is the building behind the large bush.)
In the afternoon we headed toward the largest and most famous attraction in Granada: the Alhambra. This is a palace and fortress complex of the Moorish rulers of Granada that sits on a hill above the city. It was once the residence of the Muslim rulers of Granada and their court.
Even though we were advised to take the bus to Alhambra, Linda and I decided to walk up the hill. The walk began easily enough in the city streets at the bottom of the hill.
Even though we were advised to take the bus to Alhambra, Linda and I decided to walk up the hill. The walk began easily enough in the city streets at the bottom of the hill.
As we walked by shops, the street began to climb. We passed guitar shops where Spanish guitars were made and sold.
We passed an alleyway with steep steps.
The street narrowed to become a pathway. We passed by this waterfall on the side of the path.
As we climbed the path up to Alhambra, we were too busy huffing and puffing to take any pictures. (Later, on the way down, we were amazed to see how steep the pathway had been.)
When we finally reached the top - you can get an idea of how high we were by looking at the view we then had of the city of Granada.
Inside the complex, the architecture was incredibly beautiful. It was unique - unlike anything I had ever seen before. All the designs were made with cement and stone.
Unfortunately, these pictures only hint at the beauty of the place. No two-dimensional picture can do it justice.
Everywhere we looked, there were spectacular carvings -- walls, ceilings, windows.
In some areas it looked as if the walls or ceilings were made of lace.
Below is a close-up view of some of the carvings. I put my finger in the picture to give you a perspective.
This is only one of several elaborately decorated ceilings.
In addition, there were large gardens in Alhambra that included water as part of their design.
We must have spent 5 or 6 hours at Alhambra - and as we turned corners or entered a new area, we were constantly amazed at the beauty that surrounded us. We took many, many pictures - but unfortunately, they cannot convey this beauty.
I would recommend to everyone to visit the Alhambra. It was the highlight of our trip.
Linda and I bought ourselves silver bracelets with pomegranates on them. We learned that Granada is the Spanish word for pomegranates.
CORDOBA is a smaller city that seemed very new and clean. We walked the distance from the railroad station to the old Jewish neighborhood...
...and to the cathedral that was built on the site of a mosque.
The Moorish influence in the cathedral can be seen in all the arches.
The cathedral contained more beautiful rooms with ornately carved ceilings and walls.
After leaving the cathedral, we walked down a few streets in the old Jewish neighborhood to see the remains of a synagogue. It had survived destruction because it had been located inside a hospital -- one that was demolished long ago.
Along the way in those narrow streets, there would occasionally be a glimpse into a courtyard decorated with flowers and a fountain.
Back at the train station, we had a snack of tortilla Espanola, olives, and bread before catching the train on to Seville.
Seville is located on a river that leads to the sea.
There are many picturesque streets ....
and beautiful courtyards.
They also had streamlined streetcars.
We noticed the same bicycle renting stations around town that Carl and I had seen in Paris, whereby someone could rent a bike at one location, then drop it off at another location. Lots of people were riding bikes.
Linda and I stumbled onto a college campus, where it looked as if the students were registering for their courses.
We stayed at a hotel in the old Jewish barrio which was filled with historic buildings and very narrow streets.
In fact, some of the streets were so narrow that the taxis could not drive on them. We had to be picked up and dropped off at a plaza a few blocks from the hotel.
One of the tourist attractions that we visited in Seville was the Alcazar. Alcazar was the residential and office complex for the rulers of the city in the mid fifteenth century. At that time Seville was the trading capitol of Europe - providing a link between European countries and eastern countries. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand made Seville the center for the development of any acquired lands in the New World.
Alcazar is a complex of buildings and gardens, with fountains and walkways.
All the arches - and the use of water- were reminders of the Moorish influence on the architecture at that time.
We also visited the cathedral in Seville. It was as magnificent as any we've seen.
One of the tourist attractions that we visited in Seville was the Alcazar. Alcazar was the residential and office complex for the rulers of the city in the mid fifteenth century. At that time Seville was the trading capitol of Europe - providing a link between European countries and eastern countries. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand made Seville the center for the development of any acquired lands in the New World.
Alcazar is a complex of buildings and gardens, with fountains and walkways.
All the arches - and the use of water- were reminders of the Moorish influence on the architecture at that time.
We also visited the cathedral in Seville. It was as magnificent as any we've seen.
Inside the cathedral we discovered the burial tomb for Christopher Columbus! You can see it below being held by four statues.
After visiting the cathedral, Linda and I stopped for lunch at a nearby sidewalk cafe. Toward the end of the meal, a teenage girl came to our table, begging for food. I had finished eating my lunch, so I took a piece of the remaining bread, and spread some goat cheese on it for her. She pointed to the bowl of olives on our table, indicating she wanted some of those too, so I piled some olives on top of the cheese. She took the food and walked away.
It was the first time I had ever had someone beg for food from the table I was sitting at while eating. There was no way I could refuse her. It seemed almost like a biblical action.
Shortly after that, a man in a wheelchair rolled up to us and asked for money. I looked away, diverting my eyes from him. He spoke in English, telling me that I may one day need the money more than he does. He was a very aggressive beggar. At that point, I was ready to leave.
Our hotel had a rooftop restaurant that offered a dazzling night-time view of the cathedral tower and Alcazar.
Back again in London, I hung the hand-painted plates I bought in Seville over the windows in my kitchen.
After our trip, Linda and I decided that the Spanish people in all three cities had been both friendly and helpful. We thought we would very much like to come back again some day.
