“Rainy Evening, Montpellier” — Shoppers walk along Rue de la Loge on a rainy winter evening in Montpellier, France.
It isn’t news to anyone who has spent some time in Europe, but cities there often have large shopping areas that are automobile-free, or nearly so. This is treat for Americans, who are used to being stuck on sidewalks as cars whiz by. In fact, I think it is one of the big things that attracts us to European cities. Here in Montpelier you can walk almost anywhere in this old central district without contending with auto traffic.
When American cities propose closing business districts to vehicle traffic — or even limiting it — businesses typically raise loud complaints that it will stifle business. But in every European city I have visited with vehicle-free areas like this, the streets are filled with shoppers. Here in Montpellier that was even true on a rainy weeknight!
“Church and Winter Trees” — Neue Pfarrkirche St. Johan Baptist and dormant winter trees, Munich.
We spent several days in Munich/München in December. It was the final stop on a visit of several weeks to Germany (with a side-trip to Alsace in France.) We chose this time for our visit since we thought it would be interesting to visit a few of the famous German Christmas markets. To be honest, by the time we got to Munich the markets were becoming less of a focus — still interesting, but how much gluhwein can one drink?
On the last day of our stay here we went out for a longish walk. Patty’s brother and sister-in-law live in Germany and are familiar with these places, so our walk took us away from the popular tourist areas and through neighborhoods that we would otherwise probably not have visited. (One highlight: winter surfers in Munich. Yes, really.) At one point we walked past the Neue Pfarrkirche St. Johan Baptist, and I was struck by the contrast between the perfect vertical forms of the church and the organic forms of the silhouetted trees.
“Chateau d’Eau” — Chateau d’Eau (water tower) at the end of the Roman aquaduct at Place du Peyrou, Montpellier, France.
On our first full day in Montpellier, France we went for a long walk, heading gradually uphill from the central square near our hotel and eventually arriving at this impressive monument, the Chateau d’Eau. (In American English, we’d say “water tower.”) Behind it — and not visible in this photo — an old Roman aqueduct extends into the distance. The tower is at its termination and I assume that the aqueduct once supplied the pond with water.
The area around the structure is quite interesting, and there was a lot to see. Behind my camera position is the Place du Peyrou, a large public square on the top of this hill — where the town’s Christmas Market was in full swing . Beyond that is the Montpellier’s own Arc du Triomphe.
“Evening Rain, Montpellier” — A rainy, deserted street at night in Montpellier, France.
It was rainy during our evening exploration of the old section of Montpellier, France. We started from our hotel a short distance from the Place de la Comédia (main square) and headed up a busy main street full of pedestrians out shopping, eating and drinking, or just socializing. The light rain didn’t seem to slow anyone down. Eventually we explored some narrower side streets.
The crowds diminished greatly once we got away from the busy main thoroughfare. These streets were mostly empty, and it was very quiet. It being the Christmas season, there were a few decorations — you may spot a small Christmas tree in the photo if you look closely. The light rain enhanced the reflections on the street and buildings.
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