Amsterdam cat

This Amsterdam resident has long ago learned to philosophically ignore the curious by-passers.

Speeding up in New York

Yet another car theme today.

New York is such a city where it is impossible to just slowly stroll around. At least, I can't, nor can anyone I know, and, I suspect, neither can the New Yorkers. I'm sure, there are some rare exceptions that only support the rule.

Each time I visit New York, I feel and see this crazy whirlpool: everyone hurries somewhere, not noticing anything and anyone on their way. Even the tourists, after a day or two, get "infected" with this wild speed and run, run, run... In this city one can't be slow - the aura is pushing him from behind, forcing him to lurch forward.

Get around your own way!

Enjoy this funny scene in Paris, where parking space is so much in demand, and so scarce, that even tiny "toy" cars can't always fit into an opening.

Monte-Carlo Casino reflection in the Sky Mirror

Sky Mirror, by Anish Kapoor.

 

 

Orchids

Just been experimenting with special effects. The results are pretty interesting.

Wooden cart in Gruyères, Switzerland

I just loved this little cart I spotted in Gruyères a while ago.

The Concrete Jungle - the REAL one!

Some call New York City the 'Concrete Jungle.' Well, I've been to NYC many times (10, 20? can't remember), and I can say without a doubt that NYC Concrete Jungle can't beat the Monaco Concrete Jungle. Not even close. People literally live on top of other people's heads. Now I have to go to Hong Kong and Singapore to see if those actually can beat Monaco (which I somehow doubt).

See it for yourself:
(This is Monaco)

 

So blue!

I never believed there are flowers this blue until I saw them with my own eyes. Blue is one of those colors I love in flowers the most. All shades, light and dark - as long as it's blue.

Colorful Colmar

There is one town in France that I particularly love - the colorful medieval Colmar. It is located in Alsace, not far from Strasbourg. I've been there twice and I'd go there again. Colmar was one of those rare European towns that were barely touched by WWII, thus never destroyed and rebuilt. The allies avoided bombing old Colmar. What you see here is original; those beautiful 15th and 16th century half-timbered houses are authentic.

A little bit of Provence

For those who love Provence, here's a shot of a cozy local restaurant at Pont du Gard (I'll write a post about it a bit later). It's beautiful here on a warm, sunny day: light freshening breeze, gentle swish of the leaves, and indescribable serenity around. I'm just tempted to lay my bones under the shade of an umbrella and relax, forgetting about everything in the whole world...

Mystical Paris

There's something about the Eiffel Tower that drives me to it, and that I can't explain...