Montpellier, France

I just visited a friend in Montpellier, France. The city center dates back to just before the turn of the first millenium but like many cities in Europe it has layers both in the city center and as it expands outwards that go all the way up to the present. I loved the architecture. It was a complete change from Germany. Besides the city, I got out to the Mediterranean and also a very cool Wetlands area.

City Center

City Center

City Center

City Center

The Porte du Peyrou: modeled after the triumphal arch in Paris

Park, City Center

City Center

Aqueduct

Aqueduct

Aqueduct

Park, City Center

Park, City Center

The Porte du Peyrou

City Center

City Center

City Center

City Center

Wetlands and thing

Wetlands

Wetlands

Wetlands

Wetlands

Wetlands

Meat, Supermarket

Mallard Duck, Wetlands

Wetlands

That is the Mediterranean Sea. Directly across is Africa. That was very surreal to realise.

Karneval

As a brief departure from my typical doors and windows and building and trees.... I bring you, people... well, kind of. Karneval was one of the most enjoyable, and for me unusual things I have seen while living in Europe. It is a festival that happens sometime after Christmas and before the start of Lent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastnacht

The people in the parade dress in costumes and masks many of which have a rather ghoulish look as you will see. The ghouls and witches would try to scare the kids, and then would give them candy. The entire event was very high spirited. When I asked a German at the parade why they celebrate it, she said that it was to drive the ghosts and the spirits of winter away so that the spring will come. So, she said, tomorrow, spring will be here and you can wear a bikini.

Bebenhausen

Bebenhausen is a village and a monastery about a 15 minute walk through the wood from where I live. These are a few photos of it in winter along with some abstract and black and whites.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bebenhausen

Tübingen