Rochester MN - Dawit and the geese - all 30,000 or more

Rochester - Family - Christmas - Chaos....it is all good

and for Jimbo no matter what or where - sleep in heavenly peace!

St Paul - winter arrives in December 2007 - been awhile

Snow is nothing new - but hasn't arrived in this amount for quite awhile in Minnesota in December. Hopefully, will keep the multitude of rabbits off the bushes or at least just munching on the top - they have been killers to the yard the last few years.

Madrid - ready for Christmas

Madrid generally starts celebrating the holidays around December 15. There is not the hype and decorations you see in the US. But they do enjoy it and it becomes more of an event each year. They decorate the city with lights. Whole blocks or multiple blocks will have large light structures that expand across the road.

On on the main thoroughfare through the heart of the city we went from amazing white light display to the next. Each one running for several blocks. Most of the large structures use white lights. You can see them blocks before you arrive.

They have an open top bus that tours you to some of the more spectacular points in the heart of the city. I was doing a bit of wandering and shopping last night and tried to capture some of the color from a few spots along my way.

I also got an evening shot of the Department Store wall. I just happened to arrive in time to catch the daily show that they do - they street gets blocked off and fills with people.

Being a very Catholic Country they also have magnificent and multiple nativity displays.

Warsaw - an evening wandering

Arrived in Warsaw at about 3:30 on Sunday. Cloudy with a dusting of snow - and almost dark. Evening was upon us by the time we go to the hotel.

Went for a walk through the downtown area - wonderful park, old city, a couple churches and a long shopping stretch filled with holiday lights.

85% of Warsaw was destroyed in World War 2 - and most of the people were killed or left. Much of the architecture is post ww2 communist buildings - but still some items that were spared and many rebuilt or restored. It is an easy place to walk - people out all over enjoying the evening and the Christmas decor.

Madrid - Rooftop view at the office

The mornings are getting cooler but once the sun comes it they days continue to be delightful. It is intersting to see so many people wandering around in their full fur coats when it is in the 50s/60s. I end up taking off my coat as I wander up the hill each morning.

With another sunny day, and I had the camera in the briefcase, I thought I would try to catch a few of the views from our rooftop deck at the office.

There is a view to the left and right of the street that runs in front of the building. Then there are a couple views of the street that dead ends in front of our building. To our left, although you can't see it well is the National Parliament Building.

By now you must be getting used to the obstructions and fingers that get into many of the shots - add to the overall experience I would suggest.

Madrid - Christmastime.........warm and sunny!

An absolutely stunning day here - 60 and sunny. Everyone was out. People were eating at all the outside cafes. Crowds everywhere I roamed. The pics above are at El Corte Ingles in Plaza Sol. It is a large shopping area. El Corte Ingles is a large higher end department store chain here. They put up a huge Christmas display, above, on the side of one of their buildings. Below it were crowds of people and lots of characters all dressed up entertaining the children. All the components on the large wall, shot it 2 parts, move. Quite impressive. To give you a sense of size, the characters are all full size people. is starts about 15/20 feet up the side of the building and goes up double that and runs the length of the building.

Madrid - Constitution Day....wandering home

The fountain near the apartment - water shooting up - wonderful to view as I walk down the hill - very well lit so you can enjoy it 24 hours a day.

The circle in front of Atoche Station - the place where the terrorist bombing took place.

The Christmas lights in the circle in front of Atoche in the background - absolutely beautiful structure - and always lit in the evening.

The picture doesn't show off well the lights at the Prado - amazing and bright.

The fountain at the bottom of the road between the Parliment House and the Prado. The neighborhood I work in.

I have to start by saying Bob and all the others will be saying why didn't he go and get a good camera - in time. Wasn't on the top of the list to get out the door.

Anyhow, Constitution Day in Madrid today. The protesters and dignitaries were all gathering at the Parliment House as I wandered to the office today. It is a national holiday here today. The office voted to work today and take off Friday instead - Saturday is another National Holiday - Feast of the Immaculate Conception for the Catholics in the crowd.

As I walked home there were people on the streets everywhere enjoying the day. Like any festival there were balloons and things for kids, food and other interesting things on sale. People everywhere - the streets were full. I clicked a few shots of some of the things on the walk home. As I mentioned before, I walk by many of the wonderful sites in Madrid everyday.

Many of the lights are for the holidays - what a nice touch to add to another holiday. No one has holiday lights or decorations like the USA but there are many wonderful spots to enjoy the tribute to the holidays. The approach is so interesting in so many spots.

As I stated at the start - not the best shots but a few glimpses of buildings, lights and holiday glow as I walked home.

Warsaw - another glimpse

Warsaw Poland

Hardly got home and off I was again. Warsaw Poland for 1 day with a long plane trip stopping in the Milan Italy airport along the way. Hope to see Milan in a much more extensive way one day - sooner than later. Although quick it was great to catch a few glimpses of Warsaw. We had our meeting in the heart of the city. So much was bombed away. They are slowly building interesting things around the old historical places that survived World War 2.

You will see my work mate Cristina and a few other shots from around an old government structure that appeared to be converted to a retail/entertainment space with a mall and the train station very near by. Our meetings were in the same area - we wandered here to find a place to eat and talk before we both headed off in different directions.

Casablanca Morocco - a glimpse

Casablanca Morocco

Hardly grounded in Madrid and off to a several day meeting Casablanca. It is about 1.5 hour flight. We flew in late Friday night. We woke to a beautiful day and a view of the Mosque - found time one morning to get over and take a tour. We stayed next to the "old city" and central business area near the port. Lots of activity. I got a couple walks in - and a nice conversation with the local police about my safety. Interesting security items in and around the hotel.

Madrid - a few glimpses

There are many more great shots and a running commentary on the city and history. Most of the pictures are from the area surrounding our office.