12 February 08
One foggy morning, her red jacket stood out from it all.
Do you remember these trees from my previous Gasthaus post?
4 February 08
The office is located just behind the incinerator. I had this photo because I went there to pay our annual electricity use...ooppps heating and hot water I mean. =D
A typical Hundertwasser design. More on him on weeks to come.
24 February 08
Hundertwasser 's art at dusk - View from inside a moving train.
The Fernwärme Wien is one of the most notable structure in Vienna. Aside from the smoke that it emits through Vienna's skyline, the design and architecture is really noticeable.
It is a garbage incinerator and heating plant. Yes, it is a process that disposes off wastes in a clean manner that recycles energy providing more than 225,000 residential and commercial customers (that was in 2001) with heat. The heating plant is located in Spittelau, which can be reached by the U6 or U4 lines of the underground.
The structure was designed by Austrian painter and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser upon the persistence of then Mayor Helmut Zilk. Hundertwasser was reluctant at first as he has objections about waste incineration. He later on agreed as it was promised that the most modern emission-purification technology will be equipped in the plant. As his trademark, the building was made colorful with uneven windows and golden domes.
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25 February 08
Meet the first insect I took a photo of for 2008 =D A ladybird on my son's stroller...lol.
24 February 08
While here's my first macro flower for 2008, sidewalk weeds which I do not know the name of and they grow with dandelions. They grow at least 5cm in diameter.
So, what is the first growing flower outside your house for this year?
nota bene: the flowers are lawn daisies (thanks Gerald!)
12 February 08
At the Wiener Eistraum, half of the pedestrian lane (just in front of the Rathaus) has been transformed too as part of the rink, circling partly the park in front of the City Hall.
The other main rink is not connected to this, only to the bigger rink for more experienced skaters. This adorable penguin (below) is available for the kids to push and help them balance...my son used it for about 15 minutes and he was able to skate by himself later on. Wonder though if they have bigger versions of it for me?!? Lol.
Do you love to skate too? Which do you prefer, hockey blades or figure skating blades? ;-)
12 February 2008
There are two main rinks at the Wiener Eistraum in front of the City Hall (Rathaus). They are on either side of the building were you can read the words 'Wiener' and 'Eistraum.'
The Wiener side is frequented by older skaters and those who have more than basic skills. This rink has been extended to the sides of the park giving the skaters a wider area to skate on. The Eistraum side on the other hand, is for kids who are learning how to skate or how to use the toe pick among others. They are normally accompanied by parents or other older people. Surprisingly, there'd be adults too who would slide down butt-flat on the surface. =)
12 August 2007
One of the best (but not the cheapest) shops in Vienna to buy souvenirs, chocolates and what-nots is the Mostly Mozart. The chocolates costs a little higher than those in the groceries, so thrifty as I am; I seldom buy.
I had hoped to get myself some Mozart kugeln but I have Mozarttaler only during this post.
10 October 07
By the Thaliastrasse Market...
Sometimes, when we, as photographers are on the street taking photos of buildings, city scapes, events, some people who happens to be in the area would shy away as we aim the camera. Surprisingly however, there would be some who would actually request for a photo and pose for you, like the man in the in the post (above).
I was taking photos of the apples, oranges and grapes after the Indian storekeeper gave me a nod to do so. The man, who said his name's Harald, came near and asked me (in an unfriendly, interrogating manner) what was I doing and if I was allowed to do it? I said I was allowed and was taking photos of the fruit...obviously. He asked if I also take photos of people, my reply: "Yes, sir, why?" - "Could you take a photo of me too?" =D So there goes the story behind this photo.
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As was suggested by Pusang Maganda, at Senor Enrique's blog, these people who came to us for photos need to be given a tribute because they do not actually ask for a copy of their photos. Though they were happy enough that we gave a few seconds of our time to focus our camera on them, a little space in our page is nicer. =)
So, do you have a photo of a stranger too? Some you randomly took or those who, like him came to you and ask for a shot? Please post your Stranger's photo too including a small anecdote--- then please let me know by leaving your link on this page. This is the Stranger's Portrait Challenge, show us your work!!!
12 February 2008
While walking near our home that day, I noticed the glow of this Gasthaus and decided to take a photo. We walk by this place everyday and I never really gave a good look on this small house-like structure until that time. Since the sun was nowhere to be seen, the lights made it appear so gloomy against the afternoon sky.
A Gasthaus is a traditional eating place for the locals where the menu can be requested to be altered depending on your tastes. They also serve beer and most of the time the guests have been buddies for a long time or gets to know each other as they frequent the place.
As I mentioned, we live near here. If you walk a little further on that side of the road, a playground follows surrounded by trees.
5 October 2007
We live on the 9th floor of that building behind the trees.
Like them, I admire the artworks of the artist (wearing brown jacket, blue bonnet). I have passed more than a couple of times looking for the right opportunity to click my camera. He seems against people photographing his works, I had simply clicked the camera while it was on top of my son's stroller. We passed by in a breeze and was I glad I did caught them actually - in frame.
This man draws portraits-on-the-spot...if customers do not carry a photo with them, they sit (notice the partly shown white chair) and pose for the artist, in the middle of the plaza!
I remember from a conversation with the artist that he said he comes from Vietnam.
12 February 08
The Rathaus is the City Hall of Vienna which serves as the seat both of the mayor and city council. It was designed (Gothic) by Friedrich von Schmidt and built between 1872 and 1883. The structure is built on #1 Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz, the street named after the designer. The Rathaus can be found on the other side crossing from the Parliament building.
The photo above shows the upper part of the vast structure. I took my lens a little lower and this is what you'll see:
The front lot has been renovated into an ice skating rink where fans of all ages can enjoy ice skating! It is called the Wiener Eistraum (literally: Viennese Ice Dream/Dream on Ice). The 4,000 sq.mtrs rink is open since January 26 and will be open to the public until March 9.
(Best viewed in large format, please click on photo)
19 September 2007
Meet my favorite photography subjects, Alexie, Daniel and Charlton. I make the most out of what I have at home...smiles and a camera equals a fun shot! The better part of it is that the photos get published at times. Below is a copy of the print which was in the November-December issue of MomsToday, a Parenting magazine in the Philippines.
12 February 08
When tired of walking, tourists get to see Vienna by bustouring, boat rides or by the 'Fiaker,' a calesa with (most of the time) open carriage. This reminds me so much of the Philippines, as my grandma would tell us grandkids that before the cars they used to travel long distances only by foot and later by calesa. Now, these carriages have evolved to a Classic vehicle among many cities.
Fiakers can also be rented for special occasions most especially weddings. More info here.
12 February 08
A few steps before the Parliament, one will see these busts. It serves as a memento of 3 Social Democrats...Jakob Reumann: once mayor of Vienna, Victor Adler: one of the ideological fathers of the Austrian republic and Ferdinand Hanusch: minister of social affairs. The date says 12 November 1918, and I was not sure if it meant that the busts were created then or if the three did something important that day.
After seeing the heads, just a few more steps and you'll see a butt!
Happy weekend everyone! May yours be full of laughter...
12 February 08
It was a nice day then and I went out with the kids to go ice skating. It was also a great opportunity as we were able to pass by this building for some photos.
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The Austrian Parliament building was designed by Roman and Greek historians and scholars, adorned obviously by greek artistry. There were many proposals to its design but the Imperial Commission chose Theophil von Hansen's plan.
In front of the building is one of the biggest and most famous sculpture of Pallas Athena (Greek goddess of wisdom). During the Austro-Hungarian empire, politics was in chaos that the locals would joke that the sculpture of Athena turned her back against the people inside the building out of frustration.
A significant part of the artworks in the building has been damaged during World War II and has been recently undergoing restoration.
24 June 2004
The Main Palace was supposed to be built on this part of the hill, but out of financial reasons, Empress Maria Theresa cancelled the plan and instead had this piece of crowning structure built on it. The Gloriette was constructed under her rule to commemorate so-called just wars, which are wars that had to be carried out of necessity. The Gloriette houses a caf'e and gives the visitor a view of the city. A pond, frequented by ducks and seagull gives the kids additional entertainment there, yes, they feed the birds and be so happy!
The 'hike' to the top of the hill is always a fun experience for me (and tiring). There are also several pathways to the top but the most rigid would be to go zigzagging, and this is a challenge that hubby would require me everytime we go there. =D
Below is a photo of my daughter when she was barely 3 years old (she's 6 now).
Below is a photo of my daughter when she was barely 3 years old (she's 6 now).
On another note:
One photo I posted here was sent also to the Österreich newspaper online edition, it was entitled Donau sunset and ducks, it was featured today. The original photo is here.
24 June 2004
This is the Neptune fountain (viewed from the right side), Schloss Schönbrunn. The vast grotto is located at the foot of the hill foiled with trees but was not the case in the beginning. The building of the fountain and grotto started in 1776 and was finished 4 years later.
This is the Neptune fountain (viewed from the right side), Schloss Schönbrunn. The vast grotto is located at the foot of the hill foiled with trees but was not the case in the beginning. The building of the fountain and grotto started in 1776 and was finished 4 years later.
At the centre of the figural group above a rocky grotto stands Neptune in a shell-shaped chariot, his trident in his hand. To his left is a nymph, while on his right kneels the sea-goddess Thetis, entreating Neptune to favour the voyage of her son, Achilles, who has set off to conquer Troy. Frolicking at the foot of the grotto are the Tritons, creatures who are half-man and half-fish, and belong to Neptune's entourage. They hold conch shell trumpets with which they can inspire fear in both man and beast, and are restraining the hippocampi or sea-horses who draw Neptune's chariot across the seas.
(Schönbrunn.at)
14 June 2004
This photo was taken on a summer day. =) From here, you see the Neptune fountain and the Gloriette on top of the hill (partly covered by a tree). Yes, the flowers are visible now, do you notice the red and white blossoms arranged alternately? Those are the colors of the Austrian flag...an aerial view of the garden will show a magnificent display of landscape designed specifically for Schönbrunn.
Another interesting inclusion are the sculptures lining the left and right pathwalks (this is the left pathway facing the gloriette, yesterday's photo was the middle pathwalk). They line up equally and are the allegories of mythical gods...too bad that only one of those scupltures is visible here, but there'd be the days ahead to post them. ;-)
28 October 2002
From the pathway leading to the hill, the Schönbrunn Palace looks like this. The grounds, gardens are usually decorated with grass, flower landscapes. The side of the pathways are decorated with bushes, roses and trees. From this view, however one only sees the pebbled pathwalk since it was October (autumn-winter). Sorry about that...I'd post a better one in summer!
This photo was taken shortly after I arrived in Vienna, that was in October of 2002. My husband brought me and my daughter here as he said this place is a must see! Besides, we can walk for only a few minutes from where we live to the Palace. (But we transferred now so I do not have new photos of the place).
Schönbrunn (beautiful well) was started out by Maximilian II as a zoo for wild animals and a garden for exotic plants. The place became a regular visiting spot for the royal Austrian Family. In 1696, a palace was built (the middle part only) and through the years constructed to how it is now.
Schönbrunn is one of the most important cultural architecture in Vienna and also a major tourist attraction that it has been renovated to suffice the needs of the touring visitors. Inside, one can tour the palace, the gardens, the orangery and the gloriette atop a hill (photos to follow). There is also a zoo, a maze and playground for the kids. The Gardens and the Zoo still reminiscent of why the Schönbrunn exists today. Restaurants and food stalls are also available.
The gardens and palace have been the location for various movies, namely A breath of Scandal with Sophia Loren, Marie Antoinette by Sophia Coppola and briefly in James Bond's The Living Daylights.
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Janet (DC Confidential), I hope this relive memories of yours. :-)
25 August 2007
This is on the opposite side of the other building I have posted in January. It was still under renovation last summer (clear blue sky and lovely flower bed, who isn't missing that on a cold day?). See the safety nets up there?
I might come back sometime and see how it looks now, this place is at Getreidemarkt, very near Naschmarkt where I buy fresh fish for sushi...I'm craving for sushi so might as well go there soon.
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Gerald (Hyde Daily), notice the lamp post at the middle...shame on it! =(
Here are some of the sausages you will find in a grocery. At the bottom rack from right to left, Burenwurst, Debreziner, Knacker and Frankfurters. Notice that each is distinguished by their sizes and colors.
On the middle rack are whole hams; Jausenwurst, Krakauer, Pikantwurst, Extra, and Wiener. They are distinguished by their color casings (synthetic). And lastly on the top rack, are the cuts from the whole hams, in case one is in a hurry to eat. =)
Click photo to enlarge.
26 August 2007
Taking a break from the usual views of the city...I am posting the little unnoticeable dwellers here. People are not the only busy creatures around...bees as well. It managed to collect a few pollen already, look at its legs...
I wonder if we could give this bee a name...any suggestions?
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Dear Fenix and Janet, the kids chose Toto as the bee's name! =D Thanks for suggesting...Let's do naming again some other insects and I'd be giving away small stuff too! ;-)
Taken today near our home
Technicality of the photo composition aside, can you tell what is that important something that is missing in this photo?
Let's see who will guess it right. ;-D
Please click here for a larger version.
4 February 08
-Photo taken at the grocery, I still haven't gone to the market where the sausages are 'hanged.' Sausages refer to prepared food made from meat, fat, salt and spices generally packed in a casing. The casings, just like those of hotdogs or frankfurters as we know are edible while those of whole hams are synthetic. There are different ways of preserving sausages...by curing, smoking or drying in cool air.
There are many types of sausages,those that could be eaten raw or cooked/cured. Raw sausages include salami and round hams among others, really ready to eat straight from the counter while hotdogs and italian pork sausages needs to be cooked first.
More on the sausages soon.
23 April 2005
Tulips make me happy because it means that spring has come! This photo is almost 3 years old and so I look forward to new tulip photo sessions this year. Two months more to go...
28 May 2007
Still on the subject of the Danube for 'what people think when they think of my city,' there are two sides of the lake where the other served as a diversion for floodwaters which is called the Neue Donau (New Danube). The lake has been a good place also for swimming during Summer and for picnics when the weather is good. This photo was taken by the lakeside. The one wearing black and white is my daughter and the other, her friend.
The Danube, Vienna
For this month's theme 'When people think of my City, they think of...'
One; the famous Waltz, Blue Danube by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II. The song originally has an accompanying lyrics but through the years, the instrumental (particularly the orchestral version) gained fame and is the most commonly used nowadays.
To hear the song please click here.
For this month's theme 'When people think of my City, they think of...'
One; the famous Waltz, Blue Danube by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II. The song originally has an accompanying lyrics but through the years, the instrumental (particularly the orchestral version) gained fame and is the most commonly used nowadays.
To hear the song please click here.
The lyrics of the song pertain to the Donau or Danube which is the longest river in the European Union that passes through several Central and Eastern European Capitals, one of which is Vienna. Part of the song lyrics goes:
Donau so blau, so schön und blau,durch Tal und Au wogst ruhig du hin,dich grüßt unser Wien, dein silbernes Band.knüpft Land an Land und fröhliche Herzen schlagen an deinem schönen Strand.
When translated:
Danube so blue, so bright and blue,through vale and field you flow so calm,our Vienna greets you, you silver stream through all the lands you merry the heart with your beautiful shores.
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Below is a statue of Johann Strauss II. Less than a minute after I posted it in flickr today, there was a comment (from Gary Hall of California) saying: 'Stadtpark - Wien, Austria' so I guess people think of Johann's statue too when they think of Vienna as this is located in the 1st district frequented by tourists.
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On a lighter note, people also think of Vienna sausage immediately when they hear 'Vienna.' It has become a common joke between me and friends...'Hey bring me some vienna sausage when you come home.' Or 'How much does a can of vienna sausage cost there?' And many more.
The funny thing is, sausages here are not canned but can be bought 'freshly' naked. Sorry that I don't have a photo of the sausage stores but I will post it later this week. -Fin-
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If you want to know what your city and the other cities of the world are or may be known for, please go bloghopping:
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