It has been said that all roads in Spain lead to Madrid, which I'd believe; Madrid feels quite similar to many other large cities, gritty, busy, and filled with crazy crazy drivers on lots of large roads. It seems very modern architecturally, compared with a lot of places I've been which have retained their tradition and charm. Madrid feels to be mostly a functional city, not beautiful, but there are a lot of fascinating and pretty places to be discovered. Read Lisa's blog for more about that though, as she did far more organised sightseeing than I, and I'm certain she'll write about what she has learned of Madrid's history, art and architecture.
For me, the most exciting prospect of Madrid was May 15, San Isidro's Day. Saint Isidore is the patron saint of Madrid, and I was thrilled at the prospect of witnessing a Saint's festival! Perhaps years of studying religious celebrations had built it all up a little in my mind, but it was quite a fun day. For festival days, Spanish often don traditional dress, which is so cute to see. This was particularly prevalent in children and older couples, but plenty of younger adults were getting into the spirit too. San Isidro's Day seemed to have two separate camps- the religious celebrations centered around the San Isidro Cathedral, and the fiesta, essentially a very large street party, centered around San Isidro's church and meadow. I spent a fair bit of time at the fiesta, soaking up the atmosphere, taking photos of the fantastic dresses and eating rosquillas, traditional donut/ biscuit like pastries.
I also managed a day trip out to Toledo, in Castille- La Mancha (the regional setting of Don Quixote) despite the universe's best effort's to prevent me. I bought a ticket, but missed the train- in Spanish train stations EVERYTHING goes through x-ray machines, and you must board the train a certain time before it leaves (as opposed to say, Portugal, where the train stops briefly and you just jump on). So I could see my train, but not get on it. Then I needed to change my ticket to the next train two hours later, but the line was long and slow, so I decided to come back closer to the time. Only I lost my ticket! Grappled with whether or not I should buy ANOTHER ticket to Toledo, and eventually did, which I am glad of.
Toledo is a medieval walled city in beautiful, classic Spanish landscape (but not windmills in sight), and was the capital of the Visigoth region. Since then it has retained its Visigoth architecture, as well as gained Roman elements, and boasts ancient examples of the three main religions living harmoniously in the one city, with beautiful old synagogues, mosques and cathedrals and monasteries. I loved the cathedral, which was pure Spanish Gothic (unusual, as often Gothic cathedrals have elements of Rennaisance, which has less of a 'wedding cake' effect... but anyway, that detail's just for nerds like me). Fantastic cloisters with orange groves and birds were a highlight, as often cloisters are disused are bare nowadays. The cathedral in Madrid was also amazing, combining Gothic architecture with 20th century decoration and stained glass.
Once back in Madrid, I spent yet more time at the station, waiting over an hour to reserve a seat on the train to Madrid. Ugh. Lisa declares Spanish beuracracy to be slower than French, and the Madrilenians ruder than Parisians. At least beautiful details in Madrid make the waiting more tolerable- Atocha train station is probably the most beautiful transit area I have ever seen. It is in a semi hothouse, and uses the space to house a huge garden of tropical plants, right in the middle of the station! Best of all were the turtles, at least 50 of them, which poke their heads up between water plants and sun themselves on rocks.
Spain stays up late, not lunching until 2pm, and thus not dining until after 9pm. Maybe this is one of the reasons sleep seemed hard to come by. We caught the night train, on which we shared a coach with a buy who was tripping out on something... fun stuff. Then some Sydney number rang my phone at 3am Madrid time the next night (and the following, but I had the phone on silent). Then the next night a drunken chick who'd locked herself out of her room was bashing on doors demanding to be let it- it seeme4d she'd not only forgotten her key, but which room she was in too.
But wait, it wasn't all terrible. I haven't mentioned the best part about Madrid- Spanish chocolate is great! I had chocolate caliente (hot chocolate) and churros three times in two days. How can I stay angry at a city with amazing chocolate? They must be doing something right! Now we're in Barcelona, which has a much cruisier atmosphere, beautifully planned cityscapes, and much smilier waiters. Many people have told me that, despite being robbed here (on multiple occasions for some), Barcelona is their favourite city in the world. I hold high hopes :)
Friday, May 18, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Oporto- not a Bondi burger in sight
"Welcome to Oporto!" This was called out to us on the street as we carried our backpacks to our hostel (well, actually, first we carried them AWAY from the hostel... but we got there in the end). You really notice how friendly people are in Portugal. Lisa especially notices it... today someone lifted her backpack (still on her back) while she climbed the stairs at the metro station! She's also had people lead her towards ticket machines that work better, and we've had stacks of directions offered up... all in Portuguese! One of my favourite stories happened to a Canadian girl at our hostel; she went to the market, and a vege stall holder started patting the girl's stomach and announcing in Portuguese that she was too skinny, and needed to stay in Portugal and eat more, then mimed the big stomach she ought to have!
Maybe it's just my fondness for Lisbon, but despite the lovely people, I didn't like Oporto (Porto) quite as much. It has a very different feel to Lisbon; wider streets and more modernised shopping districts, yet many houses look quite run down and tiling needs replacing. It's also a lot smaller, and built entirely around the trade of port wine, which actually also explains things like the wide boulevards; when the owners of wineries decided to build second homes in Porto, the city had to expand and the new districts suited the tastes of the richer residents. It may also reflect the long association with the English- Oporto was the official wine supplier for England back in the 1400s. It is still a very pretty city though, hugging one bank of the river Douro and connected to its twin city, Nova Vila de Geia (home to Oporto's port wine 'caves'), on the facing bank by many impressive (and very tall) bridges.
I did, of course, indulge in said port wine. A little too much. Many of the wine caves have free tastings, and cheap tours or tasting upgrades, so it's not too difficult to find you've had nine glasses of port in an afternoon (they were only little glasses, but port is STRONG! Phew). My favourite place was Croft, although I think this was because I bought some chocolate to be matched with my port... really good chocolate. Calem Port was also quite nice. I liked the port, but it's very sweet. My preference is for the other local drink, vinho verde (green wine), which is a young red wine, drunk before the skins have been pressed through the wine. This means the wine hasn't yet taken on the red colour of the skins, and is quite light and bubbly, resembling a white wine rather than a red. You can also get vinho verde tinto, green-red wine, which has had a single pressing of the skins and so has a pale red colour. I'm yet to try that.
Lisa's getting used to my sight-seeing tastes- when we first got the map of Oporto, she pointed out the twenty odd churches in the city. I didn't seek many out specifically, but stumbled across a lot by accident while wandering (and getting lost in) residential districts. In Portugal, and I especially noticed it in Oporto, houses are built up around the churches, so you can easily find a church in a row of houses. Many houses also sport their own shrines to saints, or pictures of them on the outer walls. The other thing that stood out for me in Oporto were the amazing azeluja tiles, tiles hand painted blue on a white back-ground. They have these in Lisbon, but not to the extent of Oporto (Lisbon's main extravagance is the beautiful decorative paved streets; I just HAD to buy a book on them). In Oporto azeluja tiles decorate houses, churches, important buildings, shops, stations; everything. They are also more likely to depict scenes, whereas in Lisbon they may just offer decorative patterns. There are tiled images of the Passion of the Christ; the Crusades; Royal scenes; sea faring scenes; it's just beautiful.
Speaking of tiles, I realised today, as we returned to Lisbon for an overnight stay, just how amazing the metro stations are here. Many of them are tiled beautifully, presenting a modern version of the traditional Portuguese ceramic craft. If I return to Lisbon again, I plan to take a day on the metro just photographing the station walls. Hey, I've already spent a week photographing the sidewalks!
Have come to the conclusion that Nando's-style chicken is a sham. We can't find it anywhere, and apparently the Portuguese use far less peri-peri in their cooking than the Spanish. If I were to open a Nando's in Portugal, I think I'd make a fortune. However, for some reason, I have NEVER had a better Magnum ice cream than that which I ate in Oporto. Ecuadorian dark chocolate, way thicker than on Magnums at home, and the icecream was creamier, like they used to be... Yeah, not exactly regional fare, but SO GOOD. I did also try Oportan specialities like francesinha, a carnivore's delight (sandwich consisting of melted cheese on the outside, then bread, then ham, then two different sorts of sausage, then a thin beef steak, then more ham, then more cheese, then the bottom slice of bread, all drowned in a tomato and beer sauce. I took photos!). I preferred the Queijadinha I had today, which was a cheese and egg yolk pastry which tasted of lemon. Yum.
And yes, my tour of Europe is almost entirely about food. And drink. And churches. What's wrong with that?
Maybe it's just my fondness for Lisbon, but despite the lovely people, I didn't like Oporto (Porto) quite as much. It has a very different feel to Lisbon; wider streets and more modernised shopping districts, yet many houses look quite run down and tiling needs replacing. It's also a lot smaller, and built entirely around the trade of port wine, which actually also explains things like the wide boulevards; when the owners of wineries decided to build second homes in Porto, the city had to expand and the new districts suited the tastes of the richer residents. It may also reflect the long association with the English- Oporto was the official wine supplier for England back in the 1400s. It is still a very pretty city though, hugging one bank of the river Douro and connected to its twin city, Nova Vila de Geia (home to Oporto's port wine 'caves'), on the facing bank by many impressive (and very tall) bridges.
I did, of course, indulge in said port wine. A little too much. Many of the wine caves have free tastings, and cheap tours or tasting upgrades, so it's not too difficult to find you've had nine glasses of port in an afternoon (they were only little glasses, but port is STRONG! Phew). My favourite place was Croft, although I think this was because I bought some chocolate to be matched with my port... really good chocolate. Calem Port was also quite nice. I liked the port, but it's very sweet. My preference is for the other local drink, vinho verde (green wine), which is a young red wine, drunk before the skins have been pressed through the wine. This means the wine hasn't yet taken on the red colour of the skins, and is quite light and bubbly, resembling a white wine rather than a red. You can also get vinho verde tinto, green-red wine, which has had a single pressing of the skins and so has a pale red colour. I'm yet to try that.
Lisa's getting used to my sight-seeing tastes- when we first got the map of Oporto, she pointed out the twenty odd churches in the city. I didn't seek many out specifically, but stumbled across a lot by accident while wandering (and getting lost in) residential districts. In Portugal, and I especially noticed it in Oporto, houses are built up around the churches, so you can easily find a church in a row of houses. Many houses also sport their own shrines to saints, or pictures of them on the outer walls. The other thing that stood out for me in Oporto were the amazing azeluja tiles, tiles hand painted blue on a white back-ground. They have these in Lisbon, but not to the extent of Oporto (Lisbon's main extravagance is the beautiful decorative paved streets; I just HAD to buy a book on them). In Oporto azeluja tiles decorate houses, churches, important buildings, shops, stations; everything. They are also more likely to depict scenes, whereas in Lisbon they may just offer decorative patterns. There are tiled images of the Passion of the Christ; the Crusades; Royal scenes; sea faring scenes; it's just beautiful.
Speaking of tiles, I realised today, as we returned to Lisbon for an overnight stay, just how amazing the metro stations are here. Many of them are tiled beautifully, presenting a modern version of the traditional Portuguese ceramic craft. If I return to Lisbon again, I plan to take a day on the metro just photographing the station walls. Hey, I've already spent a week photographing the sidewalks!
Have come to the conclusion that Nando's-style chicken is a sham. We can't find it anywhere, and apparently the Portuguese use far less peri-peri in their cooking than the Spanish. If I were to open a Nando's in Portugal, I think I'd make a fortune. However, for some reason, I have NEVER had a better Magnum ice cream than that which I ate in Oporto. Ecuadorian dark chocolate, way thicker than on Magnums at home, and the icecream was creamier, like they used to be... Yeah, not exactly regional fare, but SO GOOD. I did also try Oportan specialities like francesinha, a carnivore's delight (sandwich consisting of melted cheese on the outside, then bread, then ham, then two different sorts of sausage, then a thin beef steak, then more ham, then more cheese, then the bottom slice of bread, all drowned in a tomato and beer sauce. I took photos!). I preferred the Queijadinha I had today, which was a cheese and egg yolk pastry which tasted of lemon. Yum.
And yes, my tour of Europe is almost entirely about food. And drink. And churches. What's wrong with that?
Monday, May 07, 2007
The Golden Age of Discovery
Great news: I have found Jesus. He´s overlooking the Rio Tejo, next to the bridge that resembles the Golden Gate.
A few days ago, I knew very little about Portugal. I knew that Lisa had studied a little of the language, which is a Romance language; I knew that the Spanish and Portuguese had divided te world between them and discovered many places; and I knew Nando´s. Now I know that the spoken Portuguese is tough for many Romance language speakers, and has been described as sounding like 'a drunken Frenchman trying to speak Spanish´; that, while discovering and trading with Africa, India and South America, Portugal took on elements of their cultures, rather than purely stamping Portuguese culture onto the new colonies; and I know that the Nando's symbol is based on a common Portuguese image recalling a tale about a roast chicken which crowed three times to signify a pilgrim's innocence. And I know that there is a big statue of Jesus, a la the Big Jesus in Rio De Janeiro.
Portugal is gorgeous. Due to a dictatorship during the 20th century, it was quite chut off from the outside world, and as such is still quite underdeveloped, but trying very hard to catch up. So it still retains the laidback attitude of an older community, and much of the technology is unreliable. In fact, innefficiency is said to be a defining factor of Portuguese life, the relaxed attitude often extending into tardiness. People here are very friendly and helpful, even if you speak only very hesitant, broken Portuguese. Í've decided to learn Portuguese when I go home.
On our first evening in Lisbon, we wandered around being amazed by the cheap prices of beer. The next day we discovered we'd been in the tourist strip, and that elsewhere it was cheaper! We quickly learned that the best places for price and taste are the little hole in the wall restaurants with no English translation, and preferably a handwritten list of 'Plats de dios', today's specials. The people here generally speak no English, but show enormous concern for you as a customer. And the food! And the prices! Sigh.
We've visited quite a few castles. Lisbon itself grew down the hill from the castle, originally Moorish, and extended along the Rio Tejo (Tajus River). The castle is really nice, it's now just walls and ramparts, no explanatory signs, no lavish interior decor. Just ancient walls and an amazing view.
Yesterday we contrasted this with our visit to Sintra, a small town on the outer suburbs of Lisbon. Nestled by hills/ mountains, Sintra is overlooked by Castelos Mouros and Palacio de Pena, which was the sometime residence of Portugal's 19th century kings, and is pure flight of fantasy. The foundations of the building were a monastery, which the King extended through his own specific design, which embraces Arabic towers, Anglo castellation and Portuguese tiling, creating a true fairy tale castle. It's amazing, and quite surprising. It's the sort of thing which would not be out of place in a theme park, yet somehow fits Portugal. Eccentric expressions of passion are de rigeur here.
Such as Giant Jesus (Cristo Rei). My biggest day so far has probably been my trip to Belém (Portuguese for Bethlehem). I knew from my guide book that it was a half hour trip from Altacara to Belém, and guessed maybe half an hour more from our hostel to Altacara. Ha! It took between one and a half and two hours to get to Belém, during which I took many photos of the Jesus. I'd headed to Belém to a) visit the Museum of Design; b) try pasteis de belém, special custard tarts; and c) check out the touristy things drawn on my map completely sans explanatory notes. Well, the Museum had closed down and was being relocated, due to open in 2009, and I couldn't locate the store Lonely PLanet recommended for the tearts. However, when I wandered into a random store, it turned out to be the right one, they just didn't display their name on the window! And I spent a gorgeous sunny afternoon exploring a crazy, lavish monastery, an enormous statue devoted to the Age of Discovery and the Tower of Belém, a defence balwark with amazingly beautiful architecture. This included a bust of a rhinoceros; apparently a rehinoceros was to be delivered to Lisbon, and the King immediately gave it to Pope Leo as a gift, even before the rhino had arrived. Big mistake; the boat sank, but the Portuguese found the rhino and stuffed it with straw, and then commemorated it in the Tower. See? Random expressions of passsion.
The final random moment of the day occurred as I amde my way back to the hostel. Lisa had texted me about a peaceful protest she'd witnessed. Walking back through town, I followed the sound of drums, thinking it might be this protest, to witness a bizarre parade of homemade costumes, asks and great music- drums, bells attached to costumes, bagpipes. When I returned to the hostel I asked the receptionist what the parade was, and she advised me it was to do with the legalisation of marijuana. Hmmm, weird costumes, it COULD be that. Later I learned that it was an Iberian mask parade, and that the marijuana parade had been the protest Lisa had witnessed. Portugal. So random. So extravagant. I just love it.
A few days ago, I knew very little about Portugal. I knew that Lisa had studied a little of the language, which is a Romance language; I knew that the Spanish and Portuguese had divided te world between them and discovered many places; and I knew Nando´s. Now I know that the spoken Portuguese is tough for many Romance language speakers, and has been described as sounding like 'a drunken Frenchman trying to speak Spanish´; that, while discovering and trading with Africa, India and South America, Portugal took on elements of their cultures, rather than purely stamping Portuguese culture onto the new colonies; and I know that the Nando's symbol is based on a common Portuguese image recalling a tale about a roast chicken which crowed three times to signify a pilgrim's innocence. And I know that there is a big statue of Jesus, a la the Big Jesus in Rio De Janeiro.
Portugal is gorgeous. Due to a dictatorship during the 20th century, it was quite chut off from the outside world, and as such is still quite underdeveloped, but trying very hard to catch up. So it still retains the laidback attitude of an older community, and much of the technology is unreliable. In fact, innefficiency is said to be a defining factor of Portuguese life, the relaxed attitude often extending into tardiness. People here are very friendly and helpful, even if you speak only very hesitant, broken Portuguese. Í've decided to learn Portuguese when I go home.
On our first evening in Lisbon, we wandered around being amazed by the cheap prices of beer. The next day we discovered we'd been in the tourist strip, and that elsewhere it was cheaper! We quickly learned that the best places for price and taste are the little hole in the wall restaurants with no English translation, and preferably a handwritten list of 'Plats de dios', today's specials. The people here generally speak no English, but show enormous concern for you as a customer. And the food! And the prices! Sigh.
We've visited quite a few castles. Lisbon itself grew down the hill from the castle, originally Moorish, and extended along the Rio Tejo (Tajus River). The castle is really nice, it's now just walls and ramparts, no explanatory signs, no lavish interior decor. Just ancient walls and an amazing view.
Yesterday we contrasted this with our visit to Sintra, a small town on the outer suburbs of Lisbon. Nestled by hills/ mountains, Sintra is overlooked by Castelos Mouros and Palacio de Pena, which was the sometime residence of Portugal's 19th century kings, and is pure flight of fantasy. The foundations of the building were a monastery, which the King extended through his own specific design, which embraces Arabic towers, Anglo castellation and Portuguese tiling, creating a true fairy tale castle. It's amazing, and quite surprising. It's the sort of thing which would not be out of place in a theme park, yet somehow fits Portugal. Eccentric expressions of passion are de rigeur here.
Such as Giant Jesus (Cristo Rei). My biggest day so far has probably been my trip to Belém (Portuguese for Bethlehem). I knew from my guide book that it was a half hour trip from Altacara to Belém, and guessed maybe half an hour more from our hostel to Altacara. Ha! It took between one and a half and two hours to get to Belém, during which I took many photos of the Jesus. I'd headed to Belém to a) visit the Museum of Design; b) try pasteis de belém, special custard tarts; and c) check out the touristy things drawn on my map completely sans explanatory notes. Well, the Museum had closed down and was being relocated, due to open in 2009, and I couldn't locate the store Lonely PLanet recommended for the tearts. However, when I wandered into a random store, it turned out to be the right one, they just didn't display their name on the window! And I spent a gorgeous sunny afternoon exploring a crazy, lavish monastery, an enormous statue devoted to the Age of Discovery and the Tower of Belém, a defence balwark with amazingly beautiful architecture. This included a bust of a rhinoceros; apparently a rehinoceros was to be delivered to Lisbon, and the King immediately gave it to Pope Leo as a gift, even before the rhino had arrived. Big mistake; the boat sank, but the Portuguese found the rhino and stuffed it with straw, and then commemorated it in the Tower. See? Random expressions of passsion.
The final random moment of the day occurred as I amde my way back to the hostel. Lisa had texted me about a peaceful protest she'd witnessed. Walking back through town, I followed the sound of drums, thinking it might be this protest, to witness a bizarre parade of homemade costumes, asks and great music- drums, bells attached to costumes, bagpipes. When I returned to the hostel I asked the receptionist what the parade was, and she advised me it was to do with the legalisation of marijuana. Hmmm, weird costumes, it COULD be that. Later I learned that it was an Iberian mask parade, and that the marijuana parade had been the protest Lisa had witnessed. Portugal. So random. So extravagant. I just love it.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Loving Lisbon
Very quick post- free Internet but it´s time restricted, of course. I´m in Lisbon, Portugal and so far I LOVE it. So glad Lisa wanted to come to Portugal, I am now very seriously considering taking Portuguese classes when I get home.
Lisbon is great- very cheap, beautiful and so relaxed. So many of the houses are covered in these beautiful tiles- itº´s a bit like wall paper for the outside, and some are painted in amazing detail. There is also heaps of really detailed paving too, I keep taking photos of the ground!
Anyway, I am sure I´ll throw up another blog or two over the next few days- must take advantage of free net! Just wanted you to know that I love Lisbon. Yes, your lives are so enhanced now...!
Lisbon is great- very cheap, beautiful and so relaxed. So many of the houses are covered in these beautiful tiles- itº´s a bit like wall paper for the outside, and some are painted in amazing detail. There is also heaps of really detailed paving too, I keep taking photos of the ground!
Anyway, I am sure I´ll throw up another blog or two over the next few days- must take advantage of free net! Just wanted you to know that I love Lisbon. Yes, your lives are so enhanced now...!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
A question of balance
What I am finding most difficult about Europe, and I forget if I have blogged about it yet (I have written in my journal about it, so it's hard to recall...) is the homelessness/ beggars. They are everywhere, and my heart breaks every time I pass one. Some are very aggressive (don't like them), but most are so, so grateful for every piece of shrapnel you can spare, and I feel awful to be so lavishly wasting money on travel. I keep telling myself that it's not my job to fix this, and that I can't help all of them; but then again, it never seems to be anyone's job, so how will it ever be fixed? And so, whether it makes me a sucker or not, I continue to give my small change to Bosnian women in headscarves, and men with the most forlorn and ashamed faces as they beg for change for food. It is so sad.
Yesterday was a holiday in France; but the European Parliament in Strasbourg (where I am right now) had an 'open door' day, so I went down to check it out. Was oping it might make me feel like everything would work out in the world, democratic union and all that. The impressions I got where thus: the European Parliament is meant to be a big round table of nations, signified by the big round building; I think it might actually be a bastion of red tape and never ending beuracracy, signified by the endless 'circuit' one had to follow, impossible to break or escape from, and feeling more and more like a hopeless Ikea route with every step; and it is highly politicised, which I learned from the metres of propoganda tables handing out freebies for their party. So I took free stationary, bought an Alsace sausage at the random canival without, and felt a little dejected.
Happily I ran into a Mexican guy who works at the hostel while waiting for the boat back to town; he convinced me and a New Zealand girl I'd run into to come to the hostel bar after dinner. We danced to Reggatonn (sp?), a Puerto Rican band, with a group of Ecuadorian school girls ( who knew how to shake their hips WAY too well for 15 year olds!) and it was heaps of fun.
Strasbourg is very pretty, but quiet. Especially on a public holiday. It is very German too, in its architecture and traditional dress and definitely the food. I got served an enormous plate of pork (not the holiday destination for the more Jewish of us!) and so much saurkraut. They need to learn about BALANCE; A mountain of saurkraut with a crown of pork is NOT balanced. If I never see cabbage again, it will be too soon. Not a good way to feel with Germany still to come...
I could have not liked Strasbourg: my train was delayed; the station was a chaos of renovation; I couldn't find trams, buses, my hostel in general; I got rained on, and then discovered my room had been rained in and the flor was a big puddle. But you just have to laugh. I got a new room, all to myself, I know now that the hostel is not far from town, and I made friends with the staff through my disasters. It's all part of travelling.
I LOVED Lyon though. Except for the few niggly things, like climbing a very lage hill with large bag, it was fantastic. A bold statement, but I think I liked it more than Paris. Not too big, great food and nightlife areas, beautiful old areas of town (around which I did a walking tour), and really interesting newer areas. I loved exploring the new(ish) area called Etas Unis, site of the Tony Garnier Urban Museum. Tony Garnier was a socialist architect in early 1900's who was an early proponent of town planning; he had ideas of planning an industrial city, with seperate working and living areas, and a big focus on acessibility for all to culture, recreation and education. He designed a number of projects in Lyon, but the museum focussed mosly on his work in Etas Unis, where he was asked to design worker's housing; essentially community housing. He had notions of green space, pools, statues, lots of light, great schools; all this for people overlooked by society.
The project started well, but budget constraints saw many ideas bein thrown out, such as restricting building height (for maximum light), new schools, libraries, pools. But his ideals are still held dear by the inhabitants, who requested that the museum be made; a series of 25 murals on the blind walls of apartment buildings celebrating Garnier's work and ideas, plus the notion of ideal cities. It was brilliant (as were the hundred or so other urals t be found around Lyon). There was also an apartment set up to show how life would have been when these apartments were first built, furnished by heirloom donations of the local community. One woman had given a tea set which had been her wedding gift, someone else an antique copy of Les Miserables. It really demonsrated how, although not all of Garnier's plans were adopted, his ideal of community pride and connection was created and fostered; a sense of belonging and balance was achieved here, after all.
Yesterday was a holiday in France; but the European Parliament in Strasbourg (where I am right now) had an 'open door' day, so I went down to check it out. Was oping it might make me feel like everything would work out in the world, democratic union and all that. The impressions I got where thus: the European Parliament is meant to be a big round table of nations, signified by the big round building; I think it might actually be a bastion of red tape and never ending beuracracy, signified by the endless 'circuit' one had to follow, impossible to break or escape from, and feeling more and more like a hopeless Ikea route with every step; and it is highly politicised, which I learned from the metres of propoganda tables handing out freebies for their party. So I took free stationary, bought an Alsace sausage at the random canival without, and felt a little dejected.
Happily I ran into a Mexican guy who works at the hostel while waiting for the boat back to town; he convinced me and a New Zealand girl I'd run into to come to the hostel bar after dinner. We danced to Reggatonn (sp?), a Puerto Rican band, with a group of Ecuadorian school girls ( who knew how to shake their hips WAY too well for 15 year olds!) and it was heaps of fun.
Strasbourg is very pretty, but quiet. Especially on a public holiday. It is very German too, in its architecture and traditional dress and definitely the food. I got served an enormous plate of pork (not the holiday destination for the more Jewish of us!) and so much saurkraut. They need to learn about BALANCE; A mountain of saurkraut with a crown of pork is NOT balanced. If I never see cabbage again, it will be too soon. Not a good way to feel with Germany still to come...
I could have not liked Strasbourg: my train was delayed; the station was a chaos of renovation; I couldn't find trams, buses, my hostel in general; I got rained on, and then discovered my room had been rained in and the flor was a big puddle. But you just have to laugh. I got a new room, all to myself, I know now that the hostel is not far from town, and I made friends with the staff through my disasters. It's all part of travelling.
I LOVED Lyon though. Except for the few niggly things, like climbing a very lage hill with large bag, it was fantastic. A bold statement, but I think I liked it more than Paris. Not too big, great food and nightlife areas, beautiful old areas of town (around which I did a walking tour), and really interesting newer areas. I loved exploring the new(ish) area called Etas Unis, site of the Tony Garnier Urban Museum. Tony Garnier was a socialist architect in early 1900's who was an early proponent of town planning; he had ideas of planning an industrial city, with seperate working and living areas, and a big focus on acessibility for all to culture, recreation and education. He designed a number of projects in Lyon, but the museum focussed mosly on his work in Etas Unis, where he was asked to design worker's housing; essentially community housing. He had notions of green space, pools, statues, lots of light, great schools; all this for people overlooked by society.
The project started well, but budget constraints saw many ideas bein thrown out, such as restricting building height (for maximum light), new schools, libraries, pools. But his ideals are still held dear by the inhabitants, who requested that the museum be made; a series of 25 murals on the blind walls of apartment buildings celebrating Garnier's work and ideas, plus the notion of ideal cities. It was brilliant (as were the hundred or so other urals t be found around Lyon). There was also an apartment set up to show how life would have been when these apartments were first built, furnished by heirloom donations of the local community. One woman had given a tea set which had been her wedding gift, someone else an antique copy of Les Miserables. It really demonsrated how, although not all of Garnier's plans were adopted, his ideal of community pride and connection was created and fostered; a sense of belonging and balance was achieved here, after all.
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