travel

Best Library: Biblioteque Mazarine, St. Germain-des-pres

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 04:24:38 +0100

The Mazarine Library in Paris is a hidden, beautiful spot. If you've been to Paris, you've probably walked right by it and didn't even know it existed. This is part of its charm. It seems like a place reserved for Kings, but visitor passes are free for a couple of days or you can purchase yearly passes. It is a public library; it just looks like a palace.

History from the website:

La bibliothèque personnelle du cardinal Mazarin (1602-1661), principal ministre de la minorité de Louis XIV, fut ouverte au public dès 1643 ; c'est la plus ancienne bibliothèque publique de France.

Cardinal Mazarin's personal library, but open to the public in 1643, the oldest public library in France. There's a much longer explanation there, leading to why it is now part of the Institut de France as well.

I simply soaked up the ghosts of the writers inhabiting this space. Working on some creative writing, doing a few voyeuristic laps around the bookshelves, and grabbing a couple of French journals that were easy to access. Others were up high on ladders to find special rare books for research. Some tourists came to walk around, never taking a seat. Just going through the seating system is worth taking a seat. The numbers on the ancient wooden desks correspond with small squares kept in a box on the registrar's desk. One hands over one's library card in exchange for a desk. Attention is paid to distribution of people throughout the quiet, high-ceilinged L-shaped reading space. I felt as if the registrar took into account what he perceived to be my personality when he chose my spot, as if I would find a certain discovery in that space, at that time, that was waiting for me.

Do not be afraid to enter this enclave. It is waiting for you, the public. Just please don't tell too many of your friends!

Transylvania!

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:15:25 +0100

‘We are in Transylvania; and Transylvania is not England. Our ways are not your ways, and there shall be to you many strange things.’

-Dracula

Romania is one of the most mysterious, beautiful, friendly places I have been. This two week trip was something I did before a conference in Sibiu by Societas Ethicas: Ethics and Immigration. I visited Brasov, Sighisoara, and Sibiu, with a few day trips. Perhaps I will write a longer reflection later, but for the time being, a couple of short lists and photos.

Reasons to go to Transylvania:

Bran Castle-setting of Dracula (once you get past the tourist traps outside)
Fortified churches
Tours of castles still being renovated (see tower roof shot below)
Dramatic children: independent and interactive
Beautiful weekend weddings throughout town
Sarmales: cabbage rolls filled with meat or mushrooms and accompanied by polenta with cream
Picnics on hilltops
Mandy's: jarred natural vegetable spread (for picnics)
Safe and clean
Gorgeous cafe terraces with cheap espressos and mineral water
Nice (if slow) trains
Pretty language (easy to read if you know Italian)
The 'scary stray dogs' are actually cute lost puppies (but I did hear they can be vicious in the countryside...)
Music everywhere
Friendly people with fascinating stories to tell

Brasov from Casa Cranta hotel terrace

Lost puppy

Midieval castle renovations

Sighisoara: a unique stay at Pension Am Schneiderturm

· Spending time with the owner of the inn in Sighisoara, I also meet a local boy who goes to the German school. They owner has done a lot of traveling himself and speaks English, German, and French along with some Italian. They teach me some Romanian words and tell me about a famous squirrel in town who made it to youtube, and then about bats that live in the tower. They tell me about the market and how the kid likes to climb things, anything he can find in the village. We drink the local wine, but switch quickly to the lightly flavored elderberry juice until the stars come out.

François-René Duchâble Concert & Poetic History of the Refuge de la Rosary

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:44:13 +0100

The helicopter drop...

The concert & poetic history of the refuge, including a century old murder story of an Italian immigrant...

At Refuge de la Rosary, La Tournette, near Thones, France.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois-Ren%C3%A9_Duch%C3%A2ble

Swimming worldwide

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:58:09 +0100

Thanks to my HK swim coach, Janie, I have really gotten into swimming for exercise and relaxation. It has also taken me to many pools, lakes, and oceans in my travels. Here is a photo of a public pool I went to in Paris. It is in the student quarter and preserved from the 1950's. The changing rooms double as lockers and the man with the big set of keys simply remembers you to come and unlock your door for you when you finish swimming. If you are interested in going, just be sure to look at the frequently updated pool website in case of the frequent strikes or maintenance work: Paris Pools.

Yangshuo with Acadia, February 2012

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:36:54 +0100