Bright sun, deep shade — just made for black and white. Enjoy!
Man walks down exterior stairs in deep shade on a sunny day in Brussels, Belgium. B&W
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Today’s photo has an interesting twist. I was concentrating on the architectural shot of the historic Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg on the Place Royale. There at the base of the monument to Godfrey of Bouillon, a crusader knight, were these two people sitting on the steps. I didn’t actually notice them as I was taking the shot, so it was quite a surprise to discover the ‘tired tourists’ when I downloaded the pictures from my camera.
The man looks quite exhausted! It may have only been April, but it was rather hot and extremely sunny on that particular day. I think I inadvertently captured two people who reached their fatigue level before I did on that Saturday afternoon.
Tired tourists rest at the base of a monument to Crusade knight Godfrey of Bouillon in the Place Royale in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. The Church of Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg is in the background.
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I have long admired the European attitude to cycling within cities as both an economical and eco-conscious mode of transportation. So I wasn’t the least bit surprised to see so many references to bicycles as we travelled in Brussels, Belgium.
Can you see that small red child’s bicycle mounted on the street lamp? The sign below it indicates that you have arrived at a Point Velo Fietspunt where you can rent a bicycle or leave your own for repairs. That would be a comforting feeling to know that if you had a flat tire or your chain came off, you could just look for one of these Fietspunt signs sprinkled around the city.
Bike mounted on lamp post indicates a Point Velo Fietspunt bicycle hire or repair pick up spot in Brussels, Belgium
This poster on the window immediately below the bicycle-in-the-air shows the range of services that they offer.
Bike shop for small repairs or bicycle rentals in Brussels, Belgium
Not owning a 2nd car (and in some cases a 1st one) if you live in an urban environment with good public transportation AND a respect for cyclists when you choose that mode of travel? What a healthy and sensible way to live!
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An example of a serious but smile-inducing graphic was the neon sign we saw in the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France that instructed wheelchair users what direction to proceed in if there was a fire in the museum. Mark said, “Not chariots of fire — wheelchairs of fire.” And in case anyone misinterprets that, he meant it in a wry and humour-filled manner — not a sarcastic or disrespectful manner.
Wheelchair and fire graphic showing evacuation route at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
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As promised, here is a glimpse at some of the artwork within the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France. The collections are vast, so this is just a tiny snippet from a few galleries plus a few shots from a current special exhibition.
Any of the smaller versions of photographs will expand if you click on them and you will be able to see more detail.
The current special exhibit is devoted to the life and work of the artist and designer Eileen Gray. We have been admirers of her work for quite a long time and until we sold off all of our furniture in Australia prior to our 2-1/2 year round-the-world jaunt, we had one of those glass and chrome side tables that you see pictured in the museum shop photo.
The lines to purchase tickets at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
A photographic portrait of designer & artist Eileen Gray
Examples of the forward-thinking tables and chairs designed by Eileen Gray in the 1920s-1940s which are still relevant in today’s contemporary decor.
Curved leather divan designed by Eileen Gray in the 1920s
Authorized reproductions of Eileen Gray design pieces which are for sale in the shop at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
And here is a tiny selection of some items in the permanent collection inside the Pompidou.
A red metal man sculpture by Olivier Mourgue
Hanging neon sculpture at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
A selection of colourful paintings with sexual themes
A huge punched metal sculpture that practically fills a room inside the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
A very large hanging sculpture named Fruits de la Passion
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Here we go with a continuation of the Pompidou photo essay!
Did you ever wonder what the inside of the Pompidou looked like? Or what all of those clear plastic tubes on the exterior of the structure were for? These photos should answer some of that.
The vast interior lobby of the Centre Pompidou
Walkway through one of the clear plastic tunnels at the Pompidou
Even the elevators between the exhibit floors go through the clear plastic tubes on the outside of the building!
View of the Parisian landscape from the VERY top of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
Come back soon for MORE from the Pompidou including pieces of artwork inside!
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We simply adore Paris and from past experience I know that staying in just the right place makes all of the difference in how much you enjoy your visit. Our very small but simply wonderful apartment in the Marais which I had sourced from airbnb enhanced our brief citybreak in Paris on several levels. The neighbourhood was wonderful and a mere few blocks from our front door was the Centre Pompidou.
A few hours after our arrival in Paris, we strolled through a misty rain down the street at dusk and past the Pompidou. It is an astonishingly odd building and it continues to be controversial. Many people snicker at the exterior facade and the brightly coloured ‘plumbing pipes’ that look like nothing else in the neighbourhood. It grew on me!
Centre Pompidou at dusk
Close-up of Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
Then we walked around to an open plaza in back and took photos of the wonderful sculptural objects in the Stravinsky Fountain.
Stravinsky Fountain next to the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
Moving elements within the Stravinsky Fountain next to the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France
Next up — photos of the inside of this vast museum and some of the wonderful artwork in the collections.
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Deborah Harmes - writer, freelance journalist & photographer, wife to the Marvelous Mark, keeper of the dreams, guardian of the purse, and so much more!
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