Random picture update
Just said adios to the Parents, who were in town for nearly three weeks, so I hope I am forgiven for the total lack of updates of late. I will attempt to rectify the situation, post haste.
As mentioned earlier, I have had a string of visitors and a series of minor adventures in the last few weeks (even before my parents arrived) and I have thus accumulated a small pile of mildly amusing photos which I thought suitable for publication online. None of these were really worthy of a whole post on their own, but collectively I hope they at least inspire a few smiles.
Fig. 1: French Championship of Tarot Card Reading, in beautiful Evian. Presumably, you are given a group of people, one of whom is about to die, one who is about to meet the man of her dreams, etc., and it is your job to figure out who is who.
I have to admit that I had no idea that there was even such a thing as a championship of Tarot card reading. I guess that just proves that I would not be qualified to compete.
Fig. 2: Watchout for us!
I saw this billboard in a small town in the hills near Lausanne. I had no idea that there were hedgehogs in Switzerland. In my year here, I haven't seen so much as a rat or a squirrel, so I really don't think urban Switzerland has much in the way of mammalian wildlife, but it's possible that there is more diversity further from town. I still think it's a bit funny that there is a Pro Igel (Pro Hedgehog) foundation.
While hiking in the Swiss Jura with visitor Nick Breznay, we came across this fairly frightening sign:
Fig. 3: Bad touch!
Although there is no text, the implication is clear: do not touch bombs. I guess with so little available land, there are fairly significant chunks of Switzerland that have been used as firing ranges over the years and not all of the ordinance is totally accounted for. I would have chalked this up to extreme over-caution (the trail we were hiking was so popular that there was a restaurant at the top), but not long after seeing the sign we came across this:
Fig. 4: As this fragment of an artillery shell (?) was conspicuously placed on top of a pile of rocks, obviously somebody had already set up us the bomb.
Although it was clearly well beyond its expiration date, it was still pretty cool to see physical proof of Switzerland's legendary military preparations.
Also while Nick was in town, we made a day trip out to Bern, which is a really interesting, if overpriced, place. Just like it sounds, the city name comes from the German word for bear, and you are reminded of this fact constantly, The people of Bern just cannot get enough bears.
Fig. 5: Can you get helmets and swords for your teddy bear at the Make-a-Bear stores? If so, I might have to change my opinion of them.
This is a shot of one of the many, many public water fountains in the city. Although these guys are supposed to be ferocious, I can't help but think of the Teddy Bears' Picnic when I see the one with the drum. Too cute!
Fig. 6: The Navy Diver is not a fighting bear, he is a salvage expert. If it is lost underwater, he finds it. If it is sunk, he brings it up. If it's in the pot, he gets the honey.
Another water fountain. I believe that the bear on top is supposed to be in some sort of ceremonial armor, which I'm sure is supposed to represent how badass and tough the city is, but to me it looks like he's in one of those old-fashioned diving helmets. Thus, I can't help but think that the statue is some sort of sick furry/steampunk hybrid fetish. How's that for a disturbing thought? (p.s. if you don't know what either furries or steampunk are, do yourself a favor and stay that way.)
A couple of weekends ago, I made a short trip to Amsterdam with some friends. Since it was my first time there, we did all the usual things -- Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank house, bicycle rides, etc. -- and still had a great time. Still, it is a weird place. For example: public urinals. Europe has its share of weird, unusual, clever, and bizarre places to pee, but Amsterdam takes it to a frightening extreme:
Fig. 7: An absolutely brutal combination of simplicity and disregard for privacy.
Yep. You, and three of your friends can let loose right in the middle of a busy square in broad daylight. During the day, we didn't see a lot of people using these, but as the night went on they became more and more frequented.
One thing I'll say in favor of the Dutch is that they certainly seem to take good care of their water fowl. Along the edges of the canals there were often little floating nests for ducks, birds, and what have you that were obviously cared for -- or at least not destroyed -- by the townsfolk.
Fig. 8: It's been a while since I've had baby animal pictures on the blog, so enjoy them while they are here.
This one even had a little ramp to make it easier for the little ducklings to get in and out. Too adorable!
Fig. 9: Yes, I hung around watching the nest long enough to see the little duckies climb up the ramp just so I could get a picture.
Finally, a cautionary tale. I'm not sure who this person is, but he was kind enough to stop and pose for a photo. Have you ever seen anyone who looked more European???
Fig. 10: Who wears manpri's? Thor wears manpri's!
As mentioned earlier, I have had a string of visitors and a series of minor adventures in the last few weeks (even before my parents arrived) and I have thus accumulated a small pile of mildly amusing photos which I thought suitable for publication online. None of these were really worthy of a whole post on their own, but collectively I hope they at least inspire a few smiles.
Fig. 1: French Championship of Tarot Card Reading, in beautiful Evian. Presumably, you are given a group of people, one of whom is about to die, one who is about to meet the man of her dreams, etc., and it is your job to figure out who is who.I have to admit that I had no idea that there was even such a thing as a championship of Tarot card reading. I guess that just proves that I would not be qualified to compete.
Fig. 2: Watchout for us!I saw this billboard in a small town in the hills near Lausanne. I had no idea that there were hedgehogs in Switzerland. In my year here, I haven't seen so much as a rat or a squirrel, so I really don't think urban Switzerland has much in the way of mammalian wildlife, but it's possible that there is more diversity further from town. I still think it's a bit funny that there is a Pro Igel (Pro Hedgehog) foundation.
While hiking in the Swiss Jura with visitor Nick Breznay, we came across this fairly frightening sign:
Fig. 3: Bad touch!Although there is no text, the implication is clear: do not touch bombs. I guess with so little available land, there are fairly significant chunks of Switzerland that have been used as firing ranges over the years and not all of the ordinance is totally accounted for. I would have chalked this up to extreme over-caution (the trail we were hiking was so popular that there was a restaurant at the top), but not long after seeing the sign we came across this:
Fig. 4: As this fragment of an artillery shell (?) was conspicuously placed on top of a pile of rocks, obviously somebody had already set up us the bomb.Although it was clearly well beyond its expiration date, it was still pretty cool to see physical proof of Switzerland's legendary military preparations.
Also while Nick was in town, we made a day trip out to Bern, which is a really interesting, if overpriced, place. Just like it sounds, the city name comes from the German word for bear, and you are reminded of this fact constantly, The people of Bern just cannot get enough bears.
Fig. 5: Can you get helmets and swords for your teddy bear at the Make-a-Bear stores? If so, I might have to change my opinion of them.This is a shot of one of the many, many public water fountains in the city. Although these guys are supposed to be ferocious, I can't help but think of the Teddy Bears' Picnic when I see the one with the drum. Too cute!
Fig. 6: The Navy Diver is not a fighting bear, he is a salvage expert. If it is lost underwater, he finds it. If it is sunk, he brings it up. If it's in the pot, he gets the honey.Another water fountain. I believe that the bear on top is supposed to be in some sort of ceremonial armor, which I'm sure is supposed to represent how badass and tough the city is, but to me it looks like he's in one of those old-fashioned diving helmets. Thus, I can't help but think that the statue is some sort of sick furry/steampunk hybrid fetish. How's that for a disturbing thought? (p.s. if you don't know what either furries or steampunk are, do yourself a favor and stay that way.)
A couple of weekends ago, I made a short trip to Amsterdam with some friends. Since it was my first time there, we did all the usual things -- Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank house, bicycle rides, etc. -- and still had a great time. Still, it is a weird place. For example: public urinals. Europe has its share of weird, unusual, clever, and bizarre places to pee, but Amsterdam takes it to a frightening extreme:
Fig. 7: An absolutely brutal combination of simplicity and disregard for privacy.Yep. You, and three of your friends can let loose right in the middle of a busy square in broad daylight. During the day, we didn't see a lot of people using these, but as the night went on they became more and more frequented.
One thing I'll say in favor of the Dutch is that they certainly seem to take good care of their water fowl. Along the edges of the canals there were often little floating nests for ducks, birds, and what have you that were obviously cared for -- or at least not destroyed -- by the townsfolk.
Fig. 8: It's been a while since I've had baby animal pictures on the blog, so enjoy them while they are here.
Fig. 9: Yes, I hung around watching the nest long enough to see the little duckies climb up the ramp just so I could get a picture.Finally, a cautionary tale. I'm not sure who this person is, but he was kind enough to stop and pose for a photo. Have you ever seen anyone who looked more European???
Fig. 10: Who wears manpri's? Thor wears manpri's!
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