Architectuire – Travels With Ackbar

The streets of Cartagena

It has been called by some ‘The Queen of The Caribbean Coast’. Cartagena, Columbia is a bright maze of cobblestone streets. Just inside the ancient city walls, you can find used booksellers. The brutal heat and humidity were overwhelming but wandering the neighborhoods was not to be missed.The thick walls of Las Murallas surround the Old Town. Originally built to keep out enemies, Las Murallas is in remarkable condition. Even though there are numerous guide books on Cartagena, it is better to just wander about. Colorful buildings line the streets with their open patios and balconies.Street vendors sell a variety of fresh fruits, ranging from coconuts to papayas and bananas. It’s safe to try some of the produce, the water in the larger cities is safe to drink and the fruits and vegetables are also safe.You are sure to encounter some of the brightly dressed Palenqueras. These black women were originally from San Basillo de Palenque, a small village located in southeast of Cartagena. San Basillo de Palenque was founded by runaway African slaves and is one of the first free towns in the Americas. Tourists snap up pictures of the beautifully dressed women with bowls of fruit on their heads. But beware, if you do not tip them first, they will hiss at you and hide their faces. For a dollar each, I got some great shots, but as soon as the cameras stop snapping, the smiles disappear from their faces. Even though they are used to being the center of attention, they really are tired poor women who have to sit all day in the sun and heat to make some sort of living.As colorful as the tropical parrots that freely fly around, the buildings are dressed in bright yellows, blues, reds and oranges. Cartagena was one of Spain’s important ports along with San Juan and Havana.

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Cartagena

August 28, 2017October 21, 2017 by janoseagle

Chicago – That Toddlin’ Town

Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin’ town… The city of Chicago has some really unique architectural history. The Cultural Center located near the Loop and Millennium Park. when it was completed in 1897 it served as the city’s central library.

The center of the Grand Army of The Republic Memorial hall is a massive Tiffany dome. This massive installation is the world’s largest Tiffany dome and went through a major restoration in 2007.

Chicago’s Harold Washington Library replaced the Central Library (now the Cultural Center) in 1987. The roof is adorned with 7 Acroteria or archiectural ornaments. On the corners and center can be found large sculptures of Owls, the symbol of the goddess of knowledge, Minerva. This Great Horned Owl sits over the center of the State Street entrance on Printer’s Row.

Another bird hanging around the loop is the majestic peacock. The Jeweler’s CD Peacock store at State St. and Monroe. The House of Peacock was the first retail jewelry store in Chicago and catered to such big names as Mary Todd Lincoln, Marshall Fields and Mick Jagger.

One of the coolest facades in Chicago has to be the Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building. Built after the great Chicago fire, the Sullivan Center as it is known today, was built as a major retail center. Today, the building hosts a Target on the bottom floors, but the ornamentation is still intact. The ornate floral details are bronze cast iron and were meant to appeal to the female clientele.

Metropolitan Capital Bank on the Magnificent Mile features details from the Prairie School of the Arts and Crafts movement, Frank Lloyd Wright once had a studio at Chicago’s Tree Studios artist’s enclave.

At one time, the Jeweler’s Building at 35 Whacker Drive was considered the tallest building in the US outside of New York City. Movie fans may recognize the building from Batman Begins and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

The Chicago Water Tower was one of the few buildings to survive the great fire. It’s tower was built to house a massive pump that would pump water directly form Lake Michigan. Built from Joliet limestone, it stands 154′ tall, Oscar Wilde said it looked like “a castellated monstrosity with pepper boxes stuck all over it.

The Chicago Tribune Building completed in 1925 is adorned with gargoyles and grotesques designed by American sculptor Rene Paul Chambellan.

June 29, 2013 by janoseagle

Christmas in July (in Germany)

Hamburg-1-67 — Being in Germany around the holidays was alot of fun. There were several Weinachtsmarkts or Christmas Markets around the city and we hit every one.

Hamburg-1-96 — Monckebergstrasse was lit with twinkling lights.

Hamburg-1-95 — On Spitaler Strasse, a giant Weinachtspyramide took centerstage.

Hamburg-1-70 — At the largest of the city Markets in front of the Rathaus, vendors sold everything from candles and leather sketchbooks to mistletoe.

Hamburg-1-68 — On a side street, a carousel with some very familiar characters was set up.

HAMBURG-1-13 (3) — A canopy of Christmas lights at the Rathaus Weinachtsmarkt.

Hamburg-1-12 (2) - Copy - Copy - Copy — Gingerbread Cookies to hang on your Christmas Tree.

Hamburg-1-8 (2) — Santas in every shape and size

Carousel — The carousel at Rathaus Markt

HAMBURG2-1-2 (3) — The highlight of the Rathaus Weinachtmarkt was the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa rode a motorcycle across a wire while and Angle was suspended underneath in a cloud.

Hamburg-1-98 — A trio of animated Santas outside St. Petri’s.

July 22, 2012July 22, 2012 by janoseagle

To The Forbidden Mountain

Overlooking the Mountains — Early Morning in the village of Serka Zhong.

As dawn tries to banish the night, I make my way through the desolate village. Other trekkers have already made their way to the local coffee shop and are getting ready for the climb.

Not quite daylight and not still night. A blue light is cast over the temple.

The Trekking Office in the village isn’t open for business yet, so I wander around the buildings.

Mr. Panika’s Shop is getting ready. If you can’t find it here, you probably don’t really need it.

I walk through the empty Yeti Museum. The locals have a special relationship with the Protector of the Forbidden Mountain.

April 6, 2009July 7, 2012 by janoseagle

Nice Knockers

September 6, 2008July 7, 2012 by janoseagle

Savannah

The city of Savannah has long been considered one of our most haunted cities.

The crisp fall air sends a shiver down your spine as we encounter some of Savannah’s residents.

The Kehoe House once was home to an unfortunate pair of twins. Their voices can be heard and on occassion, if you’re lucky, a door may open by itself.

A stately southern city, ornate and fancifully dressed, is home to legends and heroes.

Pirates once called this place home. Legend says that the inspiration for R.L. Stevenson’s Treasure Island came form here. Some say the demented Captain Flint died screaming for more rum.

Another city exists just outside city limits. One surrounded by majestic oaks draped in spanish moss.

The Garden of Good and Evil is a place where living and dead commune.

The residents of Bonventure Cemetaryinclude founding fathers, patriots and even composer Johnny Mercer.

Once the site of a grand southern plantation, during a racous dinner party the house caught fire. As any good host would do, the partiers grabbed their plates and silverware and moved outdoors, as the house burned down to the ground the party continued on. Listen closely and you may hear the sounds of revellers smashing their wine glasses against the trees.