the joy of the sights over the last few days was put in check with a visit to Natzweiler-struthof, a german concentration camp in the Vosges mountains, in Alsace.
SPIRES, STORKS AND PRAYERS
Category: france
STORKS AND CHEESE
The Alsace Lorraine region of france is unique in many aspects. close to Germany,it is bi-cultural having been a German territory for almost a century before returning to French control.
JE SUIS CHARLIE 1 11 15
I have never seen L’Etoile so empty of traffic. I have never been able to photograph the Arc de Triomphe without a car in the frame. The Je Suis Charlie solidarity march was forming in another part of Paris; Republique. Tension still on people’s faces. I hope that something positive will come of these murders. It is an opportunity; a powerful moment. Let us hope the world will take advantage of it.
TENSIONS ARE STILL APPARENT IN PARIS
The tower of the sacre coeur remained closed today; guarded by the army. tensions have not abated in Paris.
THE HUNT IS OVER
Today, the first chapter of “Charlie Hedbo” is finished. There is more to come. Life is many parts of Paris continued as if nothing had occurred; in other places there were hostages. In the streets there was non-the-less a certain tension. Anytime I was near someone with a gun, I could not walk fast enough.
PARIS DOOR HANDLES AND MORE
While it was Lord Nelson who is credited with the words: ” Keep calm and carry on”. It is the French people today after the events of yesterday.
In the light of these events it is hard to stay excited about the volvo ocean race, the america’s cup, or the bcn. Lord knows sailing has been my mistress for half a century now, but the world seems so overwhelming some days.
A DAY TO REMEMBER
As many of you may be aware that 12 people were killed today in Paris at the offices of “Charles Hedbo”, a satirical magazine that had been poking fun at the Muslim religion.
I have had inquiries from many asking if we are safe and the answer is yes. I was in a museum not far from the event; heard lots of police sirens and thought nothing of it; that is, until the director of the museum came to me and asked if I was aware of the events that had taken place. The response was swift. Police and Gendarmes on every corner and any place people congregated.
I will note that through the christmas holiday Paris was on a heightened alert. Armed police and army everywhere. Unfortunately, today was the day.
BIG PEOPLE AND LE TRAIN BLEU
I set out today looking for the building in the final photographs. I had seen it some years ago, but could not remember where. Not only did I find it, but near another wonderful place: “le train bleu”
ROOSTERS IN PARIS
MORE DOOR HANDLES
If there is a common theme here, it seems to be a mouthful.
