Carnival Rides

Winter 2012 - Edinburgh Winter Festival

These are some long exposures of lights on carnival rides in the Edinburgh Winter festival. I love the  glow of lights on wintry nights! 

Lights

Winter 2012 - Christmas Lights

All these photos are from the official turning-on-the-lights at Edinburgh. That first shot though, looks like something from outer space, no?

Wintry Mix

Winter (January) 2012 - Holland

Have you ever noticed that the weather sometimes says it's going to be a "Wintry Mix" today? Well, that's almost every day in Holland. Especially in the Winter. 

First photo of the lovely Clouseau, or Clousie as he's known to his closer friends.

Second photo is of Leiden. Usually I'm in Leiden for the street market, so I hardly see this view. Even in the summer, the canal is lined with cafe barges. It's hardly ever this deserted. 

 

Holiday Lights

Winter 2011 - Berlin

One of the main streets in Berlin, the Unter den Linden, (which ends with the Brandenburg Gate,) is completely lined with trees, that were covered in these lights. I love the way these lights bring out the shape of the trees in a more geometric manner than Christmas lights normally do, yet still look winter-y.

Charlottenburg

Winter 2011 - Berlin

These photos are from of the Charlottenburg Palace in Germany and it's surrounding Christmas markets. The family of one of my closest friends from high school are from Berlin, and when we told them that we were going to be there in December, they told us not to miss this market. Though it's a little bit of a trek, (probably a 20 min U - Bahn ride and another 15 min walk,) the trip was definitely worth it. 

This market is huge, with a wonderful range of food stalls and other great items. I am not sure if the palace is usually lit up so beautifully, but I can guess that there's usually not a snowflake present! 

The Sights of Berlin

Winter 2011 - Berlin

Of course while in Berlin we tramped all around to see the sights. The Brandenburg Gate, of course, and then this bridge. I actually took the first photo on the way to the Pergamum Museum, and the second one on the way out! Great difference in light.

 If you've ever looked at my blog before, you can probably tell that I really love taking photos of the locks on bridges, and really just locks in general. So obviously I had to stop. I actually love the locks on this bridge specifically, as there's something really poetic about them being on the arms of the bridge angel.

Berlin at Christmas

Winter 2011 - Berlin

Every year my family and I go to Christmas markets in Germany.

 There is nothing better than eating a German wurst while drinking Gluhwein (mulled wine) in the chilly days leading up to Christmas. Being in a city as diverse and unique as Berlin only made it better. 

One of the things I absolutely love about Christmas markets, though, are the way they light up in the evening. The glow of twinkle lights somehow does manage to warm your heart, even on the coldest of nights.

Madrid - Part 2

Madrid - January 2011

The two street performers were at a weekend flea market. 

Overall a lovely, if not cold, weekend. 

Madrid - Part 1

Madrid - January 2011

These are from wanderings around Madrid. 

The bright blue winter sky was my favorite.

Just Some Cats

Winter (January) 2011 - Wassenaar 
These are our kitties

The top one is Cleaseau, the bottom is Kato. 

Brugge

Winter 2010 - Brugge 
There was this art exhibition my mother wanted to see in Brugge, so we set out really early one day and drove there. Of course it was a typically rainy day, so I didn't get a ton of photos...

The first three are from along one of the major canals in the city, and the third is from the restaurant where we went to dinner.

Winter Walk

December 2010 - Wassenaar

All of these are within a five minute walk of my house.

Christmas

Christmas 2010 - Wassenaar

It was icy outside, the presents were wrapped, and the kitties were content.

What more could we ask for? 

Munich - Christmas Markets

Winter 2010 - Munich

Around the Christmas Markets

 These are just a few of the many lovely things one can buy at Christmas Markets.
Of course, all too soon, It was time to go home..