Details

On a beautiful December day, I walked through Delft with Ans to photograph a few of the city's charming details.  Of course, all Dutch cities have a personality, and most of them have quite a bit of charm coming from the US where anything before 1940 seems historic.  The Hague adorns nearly everything with storks, and on my bicycle commutes I made a sort of game of finding new storks.  Amsterdam has its ubiquitous city symbol, "xxx" engraved, flashing, or painted in its title.  Note that this isn't a sign indicating the Red Light District, an adult book store, or a tourist shop selling only extra large clothes.  It is simply the symbol chosen in 1507, St. Andrew's crosses.  Since we lived in Delft, I wanted to share a few of my daily wanderings, and thanks to Ans, a few new discoveries too.

Of course, many people know Delft because of its blue and white tiles.  The tiles are a fixture in many homes, shops, and along the way.  I like the modern use of blue and white tiles on the lamp posts near the Prinsenhof museum.  As you can see, these are very new (2009)...

The man shown below, Pieter van Foreest, was once the Doctor of Delft.  His former home (above) is the smallest in Delft.  In his later years, I think he became spokesman for Fisherman's Friend ;)

What caught my eye on an elegant, 1800s era house was the juxtaposition of "golden" and "herring" in its name.

When Ans pointed out the sign below, I gained new appreciation for the Golden Herring..

The animal theme continues with poultry...

And there are lions too!

These felines mark the front and back of the Leger (or Army) Museum.  I wouldn't have guessed that this museum, across from our apartment, would become a favorite for our family in Delft.  But the modern day Dutch are, of course, pacifists.  Thus, this museum has hundreds of teachable moments, and both beautiful (intricately carved hunting rifles) and provocative exhibits.  Sadly, the museum will close in December, another casualty of budget cutting during the financial crisis.

Sometimes, though, one doesn't even have to enter a building to learn something about its history.

This tells  quite dramatically about Maria Duyst, who gave money to create a center of liberal arts study that would seek "the marrow of science"

The girls' house (orphanage)

This building was first used to make blankets as shown in the relief, but later it was a gymnasium ( high school), inscribed just above the door.

I could live here for a year and still notice (and enjoy) a new detail above a doorway, on a weathervane, or in the cornice of some building.  I wonder what we'll all notice as we pack our bags and prepare to return to Hanover.

Perfect Paris

I know you're thinking that we should have taken more pictures of the tasteful Parisian holiday lights (though they were not as noteworthy as the Marmite display in London, I must admit) and the lovely streets filled with Parisians.   We have visited Paris twice during August, when Parisians flee the city, so in December, everything feels different.  However, the highlight and the reason for this trip, was seeing old friends.  We did take the kids to the Louvre (closed during our last attempt to visit).  Though they are weary of museums at this point, Frans and Rose enjoyed the Mona Lisa's roaming eyes (so did I) and we enjoyed a beautiful new exhibit of Islamic art with amazing mosaics and beautiful wood carvings.

Rose creates the optical illusion of swimming in the fountain in front of the Louvre pyramid.

Frans looking like a teen as he snacks in front of the Louvre.

Funny to include a picture of Katia and I from the back, I know, but there is something about walking and enjoying the company of a dear friend, someplace special, with the sun beaming down.  Nice...

Andrei, Katia and Sergei's 8 year old son, was our tour guide for the afternoon when the rest of the family was busy elsewhere.  Andrei took us to the botanic gardens and then we peeked at this beautiful Mosque nearby.  This picture doesn't quite capture the stunning detailed moasaics and carving in the courtyard behind us.  I love the way Andrei, who is extremely polite and patient, is standing there as if he's thinking "no really, I am not responsible for these Dutch-American tourists.  I am a Parisien."  Though Andrei had only been to this part of town once on a class trip, he easily led us by subway across town and back home, where he offered us coffee as we came in the door - apparently he's a trilingual tour guide & a barista!

Erzo & Ellen in front of the mosque (proof that Erzo was on this trip too)...

In front of Katia & Sergei's place with Andre & Sergei.  Winter is coming, and it's chilly even in Paris, but the sunshine was heavenly.  Back in Delft, I'm still drying off from today's slushy commute...