2 Things Challenge: Merge / Diverge

Diverge : The Louvre Museum and I.M. Pei Pyramid : Paris, FR

This week's 2 Things Challenge is Merge / Diverge. Last weekend, I was in Paris, the City of Lights, with my sister. We had pretty busy days that started early and ended late. The first night we were in Paris, we saw the Eiffel Tower. The second night, we were at the Louvre Museum. For this week's challenge, I give you the merging lattice work of the Eiffel Tower and the diverging lines of the fountain at the Louvre.

Merge : Gustav Eiffel's Tower : Paris, FR

Want to join in the fun? There's a new challenge every week and anyone can join. Visit 2 Things Challenge where next week's two words are Native / Exotic.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 8/09 and 1/10

Eiffel

Eiffel Tower : Paris, FR

Just in case it isn't obvious, this is the Eiffel Tower. It's HUGE! Seriously. To see more photos of this world famous landmark and Paris' trademark, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

100 Strangers: Eric the Painter

Eric paints the Sacre-Coeur : Montmartre, Paris, FR

Not far from the Sacre-Coeur is a plaza called the Espace de Salvador Dali. Artists gather here to paint and sketch and sell their art. This is Eric. He was painting the Sacre-Coeur. To see more photos, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

St. Pierre de Montmartre

The beauty of stained glass on a sunny day : St. Pierre de Montmartre : Paris, FR

Right next to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is St. Pierre de Montmartre, one of the oldest churches in Paris. They have some lovely stained glass and the sun was especially nice that day, so I got some good pictures. To see more photos from this lovely little church, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Rouge

The Moulin Rouge : Pigalle, Paris, FR

After visiting the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, we walked down to the Moulin Rouge (French for red windmill) to snap a few pictures of this Paris icon. To see a few more photos--some taken in August last year and the rest taken last week--go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Sacré-Cœur

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur : Montmarte, Paris, FR

This is the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart) in Montmartre, Paris. It was our first stop on the day my sister and I arrived in the City of Lights. The basilica is built in the Romanesque-Byzantine style and features a number of beautiful mosaics in the interior. For a mere 5 euros, you can climb 300 narrow, claustrophobic stairs to the top of the large dome and enjoy panoramic views of Paris. This beautiful church features two bronze statues at the front of the building. This one is of Joan d'Arc.

To see more photos, go here and see additional pictures I took this week as well as photos I took in August when Maya and I met up with fellow photobloggers Peter and Virginia (who lives in Birmingham, Alabama, but has an ongoing love affair with Paris) and climbed to the top of this Paris beauty.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Caption This...

"This is hardly what I had in mind when I asked for a more modern pulpit."

I think Petrea, over at Pasadena Daily Photo, uses photos like this for her Zen Monday feature. I'm posting this a little late, but thought I'd throw out a similar challenge to my readers. So, how would you caption this photo?

Updated: 1 February 2010. The winner of the captioning contest is an old friend from high school, Laura Sumison. See her caption above. The runner-up was my friend, Hilary Muzingo, who posted her contribution on Facebook.  Her caption was "I've heard of 'Stairway to Heaven', but this??"

Thanks to everyone who participated! Be sure to visit this week's captioning event here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Two Things Challenge: Fire / Water

Candles create an atmosphere of warmth at Carl's-in-Charge's dinner party : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

This week's 2 Things Challenge is Fire / Water. I've got the fire part. I took this during a dinner party hosted by the fabulous Carl Nelson. Check out 2 Things Challenge and join in on the fun!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Perspective

Breezeway Perspective : Altstadt : Basel, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Buffalo a la Geneva

North American Bison roam the farmland north of the airport : Colovrex, CH

When I first arrived in Switzerland and France, I mentioned to some friends that I'd seen some North American buffalo not far from the airport. A well-meaning and often knowledgeable friend back in the States informed me that more than likely what I had seen were not buffalo from America, but wisents--their European cousins. Having seen buffalo in the States, I was pretty sure these were the same, but didn't contradict because, well, why the hell would there be American buffalo in Switzerland?!

A home where the buffalo roam... Across the street in Switzerland. : Colovrex, CH

Turns out, I was actually right for once. These are, indeed, buffalo from North America. They were brought here by a guy named Laurent Girardet in 1990 and the herd has grown to 150 animals spread out across several fields in Colovrex northeast of Geneva International Airport. How long they'll remain an attraction on the road from Ferney-Voltaire to Geneva is a question. According to this article, written a year ago, not long. (And yet, they remain. Yeah!) For the time being, at least, they're a popular, though unusual, attraction to be found across the street in Swtizerland!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Friends

Janeen and Janet Kincaid : Bergheim, FR

Today, my sister and I are off to Paris, the City of Lights. This is a photo my friend, Diana, took of us last weekend in Bergheim. In the background with the two dogs is Diana's husband, Scott. Don't be fooled by the time on the clock tower. Di took this around 3:30 in the afternoon. The clock in the tower is busted and permanently fixed at noon!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10. Photo taken by Diana Gibson.

La Choucroute

La Choucroute before... : Bergheim, FR

In addition to visiting Basel, we also spent a day out in the French countryside in the Alsace-Lorraine. We went with our friends, Scott and Diana, to a fabulous restaurant in the tiny town of Bergheim called the Winstub du Sommelier. They serve extraordinary food, including the Alsatian culinary wonder known as La Choucroute. It consists of fresh sauerkraut, potatoes, sausages, bacon, and ham and it is yummy! It's especially good on a cold day. Here are two shots taken before and after!

La Choucroute after... : Bergheim, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Basilisk

Basilisk Column : Altstadt Basel, CH

The mascot of Basel is a basilisk and you find them all over the city. This little guy was in the Altstadt. To see more photos of Baselstadt, visit my Picasa Web Album. There are photos from this past weekend, as well as one's taken over a few trips last year.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Baseler Rathaus doch wieder...

Basler Rathaus Tower : Basel, CH

This weekend, my sister and I went to Basel to visit my friends, Scott and Diana. I know I've posted photos of this building before, but it is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful municipal buildings in Europe. Here, once again, is the Baseler Rathaus. To see more photos from this weekend, go here.

Dating back to the 16th century, these frescoes are among the finest features of this beautiful building : Basel, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Gasthof Falken

Gasthof Falken : Aarberg, CH

Half way between Kallnach and Lyss is the town of Aarberg. It's a quaint little place. Last fall, I featured photos of it here. My sister and I drove through again after leaving Kallnach and heading to Lyss. This is the Gasthof Falken. To see more photos of Aarberg, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Ancestral

Willy and Werner Marti : Kallnach, CH

Yesterday afternoon, my sister and I travelled through the villages of Kallnach and Lyss, Switzerland, on the way to Basel. In the 1850s, our ancestors, the Bangerters and the Martis, emigrated from these little towns not far from Neuchatel and just inside German-speaking Switzerland to the United States. Their final destination: Utah.

The Martis in our family departed from Kallnach, but the family name is still quite prominent there. The top picture is of Willy and Werner Marti, two brothers who own a Holzbau (wood working) shop. They told me that most their (and probably our) ancestors had been Landwirtsmaenner (farmers). Unfortunately, the town hall was closed for lunch and we couldn't stick around to pick up additional information the Marti brothers told us about, but I'll go back in a few weeks and see what more I can learn.

Burial place of another Martha Bangerter : Lyss, CH
(Click on image to enlarge)

Lyss was a much larger town, but their city hall was closed, too, so we went to the Friedhof (cemetery) to see if we could find any Bangerters. We found several headstones with the name Bangerter. The one that stood out the most to us was the one for Martha Bangerter. The irony of that find is, our grandfather, Eldon Bangerter, married a woman named Martha June Harvey. Like Kallnach, I'll go back to Lyss and see if I can find out more about my ancestors.

Click on the links here to see more pictures of Kallnach and gravestones in Lyss.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Snow!

The car in snow up to its bumper. 

(The car is in France. The house in the background is in Switzerland.) : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Not one of my more exciting pictures. I probably should have posted this one on Wednesday or Thursday, but I already had stuff scheduled those days. On Sunday, the metropolitan Geneva area received 10 cm (~4 inches) of snow. The airport was closed for six hours--the first time that has happened in 25 years! Then, on Tuesday night, it began snowing again and by Wednesday morning we had another 30 cm (~1 foot). It was too difficult to drive into work, so the day was spent working from home.

Today, the skies are clear and the roads are relatively dry. My sister and I are off to Basel to visit my friends, Scott and Diana. Along the way, we'll be stopping in Kallnach, Aarberg, and Lyss, Switzerland, to visit the villages from whence our ancestors migrated to the United States in the 1850s.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

In the Manner of Debi Cates...

wire and weed : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

If you've followed my photo blogging for any significant amount of time, you know one of the photobloggers I most admire is Debi Cates. Debi lives in West Texas, which is pretty hard scrabble, dusty, dry, and otherwise seemingly average. Debi takes photos of this area of Texas that are simply breathtaking and will blow you away. Take some time to check out her blog. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

One thing knowing Debi has done for my eye is, tuning it to seeing the beauty in what otherwise is easily dismissed as ugly or no longer useful. Like this. She can also take an eyesore, like high-tension electrical wires, and make them a thing of beauty. Like this.  She also writes and illustrates fabulous human interest stories. Like this.

Today's photo is my feeble attempt at an homage to Debi. I even managed to get some high wires in the act. Greetings from France and Switzerland, Debi!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10 

14 January 2010: Update--This entry has been edited to replace a link featuring high-tension wires on Debi Cate's blog. Be sure to check it out. It's fabulous!

Guidelines or Rules...

Guidelines : Versoix, CH

Just a few hundred feet over the border into Switzerland is an Ebeniste and Brocante (furniture maker and antique dealer.) I think the owner also does some copper sculpting, because this is the weather vane over one of his buildings. Every time I see it, all I can think of is that line from Pirates of the Caribbean where Captain Barbossa tells Elizabeth that the Pirates' Code "are more like guidelines than actual rules." Ironically, the road out of Ferney through Versoix is known as the smugglers' route.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

A Shadow of its Former Self...

A Shadow of its Former Self... : Versoix, CH

This is what's left over when the ivy and other creeping plants die off for the winter. Also, thanks to KOB and the folks at DC Blogs who gave me a shout out this week. During my last round of residing in the D.C. area (and actually in the District), I was one of hundreds, if not thousands, of folks who belong to DC Blogs and blog(ged) in that metropolitan area. I loved it and loved photographing our nation's capital, so it's nice to be remembered by a group of friends and fellow bloggers I respect enormously!

Creeper : Versoix, CH

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Leise, rieselt der Schnee...

Winter's Repose : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

It's done a lot of snowing in these parts since about Christmas. The other night, we went out walking. There's a bench on our street corner, which is kind of odd, because there isn't a bus stop. Still, it made for a cold, wintry photo.

The title to today's post comes from a German Christmas song by the same title. Translated, it says "Quiet rustles the snow..." It's one of my favorites and the coldness captured in this photo is softened by the loop this tune plays in my head.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

2 Things Challenge: Hand / Pink

Red turns Pink in the late afternoon sun : Rue du Fayard, Versoix, CH

This week's 2 Things Challenge is Hand / Pink. If you haven't participated in 2 Things Challenge before, it's a lot of fun and there are some great folks who often participate every week.

This is a picture of half of the challenge. It's one little bit of a length of "Caution" tape that was stretched across a driveway just over the border in Switzerland on the road leading out of Ferney. The late afternoon sun was shining on it such that the red tape appeared to be pink.


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

100 Strangers: Charles

Charles, the Savoyarde bread man at the Ferney market : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

This is Charles, the Savoyarde bread man from Annecy, France. He's at the Ferney market every Saturday selling his FABULOUS! breads. There are three things the French do well: bread, butter, and cheese. Charles is a lovely Frenchman who always greets his customers with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. When you buy his bread with olives or lardons (bacon bits), he winks and tells you not to share it with your friends! Seeing Charles and buying bread from him is one of the highlights of my Saturday market errands.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Deo optim maxim sacrum

Notre Dame St. Eglise : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Most of the Latin and Greek I learned was years ago when I was studying medical terminology. Unfortunately, it is of little use to me in my effort to translate the words above the door of Notre Dame St. Eglise in Ferney. I know "Deo" means god or deity, but beyond that I'm stuck. Anyone out there know Latin?

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Waiting

Waiting, waiting, waiting... : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

My new camera arrived today, so I had to try it out. Maya had a doctor's appointment as a formality for the continuation of her work contract, so Janeen and I sat in the waiting room and, well, waited. While we waited, Janeen read a magazine in French (lucky gal) and I played with my camera. This guy was waiting, too.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Starry, Starry Night...

Holiday lights along the streets of Ferney : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

I didn't get out to snap pictures of the Christmas lights around Ferney until last night. I'm hoping they'll still be lit tonight, as it's Epiphany and the last day of the 12 days of Christmas. I have a new camera arriving today in my sister's luggage and I'd like to see if I can get better pictures with the new equipment.

Holiday greetings at the Versoix/Ferney border crossing : Versoix/Ferney, CH/FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

toilettes

Is the writer asking us to delete the word "toilettes"? And if we do, will the toilettes then cease to exist? : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

We went walking through the municipal park in Ferney the other day and the combination of stonework, graffiti, light, and shadows on the side of the public toilet struck me. Anyone who speaks French know what the graffiti says? I have no clue. I thought it spelled "caze", but maybe it's "cage"? (Note to the Ferney Department of Public Works: the toilet needs to be cleaned. Badly. And what's up with the French not leaving toilet seats on their public toilets? I suppose I shouldn't rant too much, though. At least this public toilet had a real toilet and was not a Turkish toilet.)

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Snow Day

Quiet snowfall : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Woke up this morning to snow. The commute should be fun this morning. Welcome to the new work year!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Border

Sitting in Switzerland and France : Versoix/Ferney Border Crossing, CH/FR

This is a picture of me, sitting in both Switzerland and France on the marker that designates the boundary between the two countries. Along the hedgerow is Switzerland. The plowed field is France. In the very far distance, beyond the high tension wires, is Mont Blanc.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10. Photo taken by Maya Lucchitta.

Ferney-Voltaire

The French poet and philosopher Voltaire stands watch over the village of Ferney : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

I'm currently living in the French village of Ferney-Voltaire. The actual village itself has a population of less 10,000 and covers less than 5.5 square miles, but the area surrounding it supports over 100,000 residents. A few of the folks who live in Ferney are British and American expats who are working for CERN and various United Nations organizations, as well as the U.S. and British Permanent Missions to the U.N.

In the 18th century, the French philosopher Voltaire lived in Ferney. According to Wikipedia, he left neighboring, Calvinist hotbed Geneva for the border town of Ferney because Geneva had no theaters. Voltaire lived in Ferney for 20 years before returning to Paris, where he subsequently died and was later buried with honor in the Pantheon. A statue in the center of the village of Ferney-Voltaire commemorates this famous Frenchman and his 20-years residence in this part of France.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10.

Welcome to The F-Stops Here...

The dawn of a new year : Sunrise over Mont Blanc : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Welcome to my newest iteration in photoblogging, The F-Stops Here. The title comes from two things: 1) f-stops on a camera and 2) the F bus that runs from Ferney-Voltaire, France, where I'm currently living, to Geneva, Switzerland, where I'm currently working.

Not a lot will be different from my other blogs: D.C. Confidential, Standing Room Only, or Whidbey Island Confidential. That is to say, I'll be shooting and posting photos of the town in which I live. Ferney-Voltaire lies right on the border of France and Switzerland. In fact, I literally live across the street from Switzerland! Hence today's inaugural photo. I'm standing less than 100 yards from the French-Swiss border, looking out into Switzerland and seeing Mont Blanc.

Thanks for stopping by. Please be sure to bookmark this new page. Also, if you're a city daily photoblogger, watch for me on City Daily Photo. I should be up and running there soon.

Your ever intrepid photographer,

Janet M. Kincaid

*****

Addendum: 1 September 2012

Note to readers who may have looked back through the articles. I arrived in Europe for a 45-day contract and now, more than three years later, I'm still here. Based on the original contract period, I didn't set up a new blog and continued to use my D.C. Confidential photo blog to chronicle my travels through Europe. In January 2010, I acquired a new camera and decided to start a new blog. That said, I have now moved all of my blog entries from 18 May 2009 to 1 January 2010 to this blog as I want my D.C. Confidential blog to be strictly about Washington, D.C., and my travels in the United States. Ergo, the oddities with the dates and this seemingly incongruous "Welcome to my new blog" entry.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 12/09