Friday, September 12, 2008

Panthéon@dusk


The Panthéon (from Greek Pantheon, meaning "All the gods") is a building in the Latin Quarter in Paris, France. It was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, but after many changes now combines liturgical functions with its role as a famous burial place. It is an early example of Neoclassicism, with a façade modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, surmounted by a small dome that owes some of its character to Bramante's "Tempietto". Located in the 5th arrondissement on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, the Panthéon looks out over all of Paris.
[read more]



Its architect, Jacques-Germain Soufflot, had the intention of combining the lightness and brightness of the gothic cathedral with classical principles. Soufflot died before his work was achieved, and his plans were not entirely followed. The transparency he had planned for his masterpiece was not attained. Nevertheless, it is one of the most important architectural achievements of its time and the first great neoclassical monument.
And its beauty stands out even more at dusk, thanks to the nice combination of the blue sky with the orange light of the sun.

The Pope


Snapshot of the Mass of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in Notre Dame, Paris.

Papagirl

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Libellula


Doesn't this hanabi look like a dragonfly?

hanabi, or war zone?



You cut out the beautiful and colored lights of the fireworks, and what remains in the picture looks a lot like a picture taken during a war (Vietnam? Cambodia? you pick one with river and boats)

Edogawa Hanabi

Another wonderful 江戸川花火大会, this year seen from 小岩緑地.

Check also the pictures taken last year from 市川 (the opposite bank of 江戸川):

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Unusual view

A moray and a shark are not that a common view in the middle of the city. But thanks to Sony, you can enjoy them (together with other 700 fish from 48 different species brought from Okinawa) in the beautiful aquarium at the entrance of Sony Building, for the 41st Sony Aquarium 2008 event.

No wonder that this kid is staring at them! ^_^


Still, I wonder how they do not eat each other...

Eyebrowed fish

Have you ever seen a fish with eyebrows? No? Well, it was the first time for me, too.

Go and check the Sony Aquarium 2008 in front of the Sony Building if you want to see if for yourself.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Shinjuku


Tokyo as seen from the 28th floor of L Tower in Shinjuku, looking towards Ikebukuro.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Let's party! ^_^

Sometimes, happiness is just a couple of M&M's left on a wall nearby the sea ;-)

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Having fun on Sunday afternoon

Every time I go to Yamanakako during weekends or holidays there are always these guys moving around and having with their nice bikes.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Italy vs Japan

Today it was the opening day of the FIVB Men's World Olympic Qualification Tournament, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gym. The final match of the day was between Italy and Japan.


In a gym packed with 10,000 people, Japan could count on the support of about 9,998 fans, who never stopped to cheer for their team; the Italian team, instead, could count only on me and Michele. It was an uneven match, for the two of us, but we managed to shout something every time the Japanese supporters took a break.


The match started well for Italy, who was able to secure the first set. But Japan fought back, and took the next two sets 30-28, 30-28. In the fourth set, when the score was 24-17 for Japan, everything seemed lost. But Italy was able to show its real value, resisting for 11 match points , and finally securing the set for the incredible score of 35-33 on their sixth set point.


In the tiebreak, Italy made no mistake, 15-7, to complete an extraordinary turnaround. It was one of the most incredible and thrilling games I've ever seen.

Friday, May 23, 2008

At the origin of the most famous hamburger

This place in San Bernardino is where the most famous hamburger chain in the world started, back in 1940. Do you notice anything strange?



Who would have imagined that the small restaurant opened by Richard "Dick" J. and Maurice "Mac" McDonald would have become the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants?

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Sakura 2008 - Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku's skyscrapers reflected on 中の池 (middle pond) in Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑).