The Monumental Zone - Park Guell

 One interesting place to visit while in Barcelona, Spain is Park Guell. This place has a lot of captivating work of arts, - mostly inspired by a collaborative work of the architect Antonio Gaudi, and Eusebi Guell, the lot owner.

Eusebi Guell originally bought this large property for the purpose of building an estate for well-off families. He acquired the property in a zone known as "Muntanya Pelada" (bare mountain), - which has an unbeatable view both of the sea and the plain of Barcelona. He planned and wanted to create British residential estates, the reason why he used the English form "Park" in the name, Park Guell.

Guell and Gaudi didn't only had a good business relationship but also genuine friendship. Guell entrusted Gaudi the plan of putting his artistic architectural creation as well as he undertook a profound urban=planning reflection for the park.

Park Guell construction began in 1900 and had a good progress in the first few years of the century. In 1914, Guell stopped the work due to some difficulties in plot acquisitions and lack of good transport.

After Guell's death, his heirs offered it to Barcelona City Council and was acquired in 1922, then opened it as a public park 4 years later.

Since then, it became a pole of attraction for visitors from all over the world, and the UNESCO declared it a Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1984.

One of the attractive interiors and (exteriors) of the park is the Hypostyle Room. Its layout are dense colonnades lined in 3 columns of open spaces, - one larger at the center and 2 smaller ones, like the naves of the church.

Its ceilings are made of small domes using the Catalan vault technique, clad with tile shards and with soffits laid out like a keystone.

Just above the exterior of Hypostyle Room is the ceramic bench of the upper square. 

Just looking the entire Hypostyle room from the outside reflects a lot of classic architectural styles with impressive contrasts of shapes and colors on the upper square.

Marseille, France - Old & New

 There is a charm in visiting the oldest neighborhood of Marseille as you experience walking on a picturesque little streets and squares to craft workshops, shops and museums.

Marseille is considered to be the oldest city of France which dates back in 600 BC. In the old days, it used to be the gateway to the Mediterranean. Nowadays, it's the gateway to the scenic region of Provence.

Provence are rich with villages infused with aromas of lavender, outdoor cafes and freshly baked bread it is considered to be truly magical and inspirational. Olive groves, vineyards and flower fields fill the countryside which makes one becomes dreamy just like as described on a canvas.

La Canebiere

Hotel Dieu

Cathedral La Major

Mucem Museum

The Museum of the Bible (Washington D.C.)

 

The museum opened its doors to the public on November 17, 2017, expanding to a 430,000 sq. ft. museum of the Bible. Its vast area provides guests with an immersive and a well-personalized experience as they explore the narrative history and impact of the Bible.

The museum is also considered to give its guests unparalleled experiences by using cutting-edge technology to bring the Bible to life. It will span time, space and cultures, inviting everyone to engage with the Bible. It is a world-class museum that shows amazing features such as;

The 40-feet tall bronze doors at the entrance.

A rooftop Biblical garden.

A 150-feet long LED ceiling displays of biblical art and scenes; - and everything in between.

Visitors can enjoy their lunch at the Milk & Honey Cafe, featuring a grab-and-go type of food like salads and sandwiches. The Manna Restaurant also offers Mediterranean, fast-casual style food.

Visiting Highlights:

1. The History Floor -  exhibits of greatest discoveries associated with Biblical text, which includes some of the earliest known writings which date to the time traditionally associated with Abraham. Other artifacts can be seen such as dead Sea scroll fragments, some-early known New testament writings, numerous historical manuscripts and first-edition Bibles.

2. The Narrative Floor - encompasses 50,000 sq. ft., telling the stories of the Bible. It will connect 21st century audiences to the Bible by taking them on a journey, inviting them to be a part of its stories.

3. The Impact Floor - the Bible's immense influence is fully expressed in this area,-not only on cultures and aspects of civilization, but on the lives of individuals as well. Topics covered are the Bible's influence on the arts, science, government, education, family, pop culture and American history.

There are other attractions available as well such as walk-throughs, theater shows (with tickets, but some are free). 

Please note that shows and exhibits are being updated and different at times.

A Longwood Christmas a' la Francaise!

 

It has been few years ago when Longwood Gardens celebrated Christmas with a French-inspired holiday display...every time we see the photos we took, we feel so nostalgic. (This was our visit in 2017).

The gardens were decorated with a French royalty-inspired floral symbols such as fanciful topiaries, ornate mirrors, imaginative wreaths and sparkling crystal ornaments on more than 50 trimmed trees.

My favorite was the intricate mosaic in the grand tradition of a French parterre garden at the Fern Floor Exhibition Hall inside the Conservatory!

The green apples and gold walnuts go perfectly together and arranged in a pathway design that lead towards the fountain at the center, while apples and cranberries arranged in symmetrical flanking spaces create an abstracted fleur-de-lis patterns on the floor. The sunken floor where the fruits was arranged helps people to appreciate the design best seeing it from above angle.

A Christmas tree near the green wall shimmers in reds and golds. Hanging close to the tree on a wall is a Eucalyptus wreath with yellow sugared fruit.

The Music Room is decoratively inspired with "The Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, France. 

At the outdoor patio extends the grand and festive view of the Music Room, with arc-dried branches.

Eucalyptus garlands which also hang on the wall leading to the Potting Shed is a living fleur-de-lis wreathe decorated with yellow kalanchoe, bird's nest fern and red ribbon.

At night, outdoor light displays become a wonderland of a half million lights making the gardens so magnificent!

Organ sing-alongs are fun way to enjoy Christmas at the Conservatory Music Room. It's also a good resting place to sit and enjoy the Christmas carols with all the others singing with the pianist! Songs are family-friendly holiday sing alongs (the traditional way) as the Longwood organ music fills the air! 

Here is the sample: :)

Longwood Organ and Me: 

This is the Longwood Organ at the Music Room in the Conservatory composed of  10,010 pipes divided into 146 ranks. It is considered to be the largest Aeolian organ ever constructed in a residential setting. In 1930, this became as a replacement from the original organ with a much larger, custom-designed Aeolian model that remains in the Conservatory up to this day. It took 7 years to restore this organ back t its 1930 original state beginning in 2004; - completely rewired, repainted, releathered and refurbished!

"A Christmas Carol" at the Majestic Theater

 

It was such a great experience and opportunity to watch this adaptation called "A Christmas Carol" at Totem Pole Playhouse which simply tells the redemption of the human soul as well as preserves the beautiful language, charm and humor of Charles Dickens' classic tale.

The setting was in Victorian England and was about the story of the miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, who informs him that he will be visited by 3 spirits! The ghosts of Christmas past, present and Christmas yet to come. As Scrooge meets these specters, he learned a great deal from his past and present glimpses on what the future is to be.

There were more than 40 actors, singers and dancers who brought Dickens' story into life accompanied by music with good humor, as the giant pop-up book of a backdrop opens so that all who see this play will discover the true magic of the holiday season!

with one of the characters...

Me and husband about to watch the show

Shriver House Museum Tour

 

This tour is full of history as you travel back in time during the 18th century while you learn the civilian life of the Shrivers family during the Battle of Gettysburg and its effects. 

You will get the chance to visit and witness this meticulously restored 1860 home.

Our tour was in December, so we also were able to see christmas decors in the 18th century and heard about the family's life during Christmas.

It's also a tour where you will learn how the family was affected during the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War. 

The house is located in Baltimore St., Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Some of the photos inside the house:

Visiting The Eisenhower's Home - Gettysburg, PA (House Tour)

 The tour basically starts outside of the front door, where the tour guide would give short introduction about the Eisenhowers and the farm. After which you'll then be invited to go inside with your first stop  at the living room, then the guide will continue to give a little more details about the area, and then you will be free to tour the entire house after that.

Here are the rooms with their brief description of each and some photos of each. Some of the photos taken were not that great, but still recognizable...so pardon the dust! LOL!

1. The Living Room - formal in style, showcases the gifts the Eisenhowers received from head of state and friends.

2. Porch - the family's favorite room. Ike Eisnehower and his wife mamie enjoyed their entertainment here, such as watching TV, playing cards with friends, and where Ike also did his oil painting hobby. He also entertained world leader guests here for more intimate conversations.

3. Entrance Hall - Mamie requested all her visitors from world officials and leaders down to her grandchildren to sign her guestbook here.

4. Dining Room - dinner was served here whenever family or friends visited. Otherwise, the couple preferred to dine on TV trays on the porch.

5. Mrs. Doud's Room - is Mamie's mom, Elivera's room whenever she stayed at the farm. It became as a guest room after she died in 1960.

6. Sitting Room - served as TV room for the couple's grandchildren, and Mamie used it as a sitting room after Ike died.

7. General's Room - served as his dressing room. After his heart attack in 1955, he took naps in this room which he took daily under his doctor's orders. The photo that hangs over the bed is that his portrait painting of his two oldest grandchildren.

8. Mamie's Dressing Room & Bath - has an adjoining dressing room with her brightly colored outfits in the closet and hats line the shelves. There's a photo of Ike on the dressing table that says "To the dearest, sweetest girl in the world"...

9. Master's Bedroom - Mamie spent most of her time here where she met with staff members, wrote letters, planned her activities, and visits with close friends, all while in bed propped up on pillows. 

10. Maid's Room - Some of the Eisnehower's earliest furniture was used in this room by Rose Wood, - Mamie's personal maid. The maid's room, along with the kitchen and pantry downstairs, is in the portion of the original house salvaged when the Eisenhowers rebuilt their home.

11. Guest Rooms - visiting friends and family often spent their nights here. The most famous visitor to spend the weekend in the guest rooms was PM Nehru of India in 1956.

12. Laundry Room - Sgt. John Moaney and his wife Delores were employed as the valet and cook. Sgt. Moaney washed, repaired and ironed the General's clothes in here. He also did all sewings on an old Singer sewing machine that he brought from overseas after the wae and kept in his room.

13. Moaney's Room - Sgt. Moaney served the general in 1942, and during the war, Moaney took care of Eisenhower's Scottie dogs, so he and the general became friends. He continued to serve him after the war, while his wife Delores cooked and did the household shopping. They both worked for Mamie long after general died.

14. Kitchen - General Eisenhower enjoyed cooking in this 1950's style of linoleum counters in his kitchen. His specialties included stews, soups and Pennsylvania Dutch breakfasts, but most of the meals were prepared by Delores Moaney.

15. Office - this room including a den became a temporary "White House" while Eisenhower was recovering from heart attack. The desk is a reproduction of one used by George Washington. The gift was made with pine boards recovered from the White House during its 1948-1952 renovation. The room also reflects the down-to-earth nature that served Eisenhower so well as one of the world's great soldiers and statesmen.