The Doge and his Boys...

Doge Francesco Foscari kneeling before the St. Mark's Lion

Just a few final pictures for Venice during the day. To see more photos from our trip to Venice, see my Picasa Web Album, Canals and Mosaics.

A couple of guys I saw hanging out above Piazzo San Marco : Venice, IT

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/2013

Sunday Walk in Prague, Part II

 Charles Bridge Silhouette : Prague, CZ

I enjoyed a nice view of the Charles Bridge from the riverfront. This crucifix stood out from all of the other statues that line the bridge. (I confess, I doctored this photo a bit in post-production. The sky was a bit washed out and flat. I darkened it a little and upped the reds and blues. Call it cheating, but I like how it turned out.)

Pediment : Prague, CZ

One thing I often notice about tourists is, they don't look up. As a result, they miss a lot of detail and beauty in the buildings around them. This pediment (I think that's what it is) was on the outside of what otherwise seemed like a really dull building. I think it's rather striking. Note the sheep at the bottom.

Bohemian Crystal : Prague, CZ

Crystal is probably the one thing the Czech Republic is most known for. Often referred to as Bohemian crystal, cups and goblets, decanters and vases, and a host of other pieces like these can be found in shop windows and second-hand stores throughout Prague. Be careful where you buy, though. Most of the shops in the Old Town area are run by the Russian mafia. If you want the real deal, go to the Moser flagship store in Prague near Wencelas Square.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 7/11

Mr Lincoln in London

Saint-Gauden's statue of Lincoln in Parliament Square : London, UK

As we were headed for Westminster Abbey, we stumbled upon this statue of American president Abraham Lincoln in Parliament Square. Again, the light was horrible and this was the best I could do. Anyone who knows me knows I love Lincoln! It was quite a treat to find my favorite president featured in the City of London. I tried to find more information about how Mr Lincoln came to be in London, but the National Archives' site was down for the evening.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

London: Quicky Tourism

The Embassy of the United States of America : London, UK

Today, I made my first ever trip to London, England! Given our reception at passport control, though, it may well be my last. Those agents are harsh, let me tell ya! They aren't impressed when, in response to the question, "why are you here?", you say, "To see your lovely city." If you're our friend Scott, you took it one step further and incurred their ire. "Why are you here?" he was asked. "To see London," he said. "What will you be seeing?" Says Scott, "I don't know. What would you recommend?" LOL!

Anyway--the next few days will feature pictures from storied London. We spent three of our four days there shopping (and love, love, loving it!) and only one day touristing. These are really basic tourist shots. We'll be going back, though, I'm sure, because there's just so much to see and do!

Franklin Delano Roosevelt : Grosvenor Square : London, UK

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/11

Eradication

Commemorating the Eradication of Smallpox : WHO Campus : Geneva, CH

On Monday, the World Health Organization convened its 63rd annual World Health Assembly at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. At the end of the yesterday's proceedings, the Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan, returned to the WHO campus to dedicate a statue commemorating the eradication of smallpox. The statue depicts a family--father, mother, and child--standing in line to be vaccinated by a healthcare worker.

In her remarks at the dedication, Dr. Chan said, "An achievement of this scale ultimately depended on tens of thousands of dedicated workers who literally crisscrossed this entire earth, by jeep, donkey, and fishing boats, on foot in jungle and desert journeys, from nomadic tribes in remote mountain areas to pavement dwellers in the scorching heat of Asia's slums. The history of smallpox and its eradication has been written, and public health continues to benefit from the many lessons learned."

You can read Dr. Chan's opening remarks to the Assembly here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/10

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.