The parking lot of the local postal service.
Linked to Simply Snaps: Simply Yellow.
Firm stands the watch
The late 19th century, after the Franco-Prussian War which lead to the unification of Germany was a great time to build monuments to the glorification of Germany. One such monuments (I almost wrote monstrosities) is the Niederwald Denkmal in Rüdesheim am Rhein.
It features a more than 12 metres high personification of Germania, holding aloft the laurel crown of the victor and the sword, pointing downward, as well a symbol of victory.
At the foot of the huge figure is this relief of 133 Germans considered important – all of them life-size to give an indication of the size of the monument. Underneath, larger than life, are the Rivers Rhein (male) and Mosel (female), Father Rhine handing the horn of the guardian to his daughter (tributary) Moselle hinting at the land gain of Elsass und Lothringen (Alsace and Lorraine) through the means of war.
The words are the verses of hymn called Die Wacht am Rhein, the watch towards the west, the heriditary enemy France, glorifying the blood that is ready to be spilled for the German Reich. We all know how that ended.
For One Word Sunday: Monumental, on this day of the “open monument” in Germany which will see me looking for less martial examples of monuments.
Movement
My husband was playing with Henry, our cat. I didn’t want to use the flash so as not be intrusive. Well, the result is a ghost cat study in motion.
Linked to Simply Snaps: Simply Movement.
With and without a welcomed guest
Linked to Six Word Saturday. More six word offerings can be found here.
🎻Runners in the wood! 🎼 Tradition!
It started with somebody saying: “Wouldn’t it be nice to do a hash-a-thon?” We call a run a hash, and a hash-a-thon is 42 km. The trail consists of four separate trails of approximately 11 km, give or take a few hundred meters, and spread out over a whole day with breaks in between. Participants can – if they really really want to – run all 4 legs. Or, they can run only 3 or 2 or even only 1. We are a diverse group so each one’s ability is accommodated. And sticking together and having fun together overrules any competitiveness (which is in any way punished at the end of the day, usually by having to drink a beer, with or without alcohol).
The participants come from the south of Germany, from Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich and Kaiserslautern. One group organises a location (usually with a suitable campsite close by) and each group plans one leg of the run. We’ve been doing this for the last eight years, so I guess it’s now a tradition.
For A Photo a Week: Tradition where you can find more traditional photos and photos of traditions.
Circle
Another one from the light show on a cold winter night in park hereabouts.
Linked to Simply Snaps: Simply Circles.
Signs
The sign of a fire insurance on a house in Brandenburg. It was founded 1718.
I saw this sign in Frankfurt. I thought it was a foreign alphabet but couldn’t find a match. Then I got up I looked at the picture skew and realised it’s a word: T U M U L T (the same word exists in German), probably the name of a bar.
I think this alludes to a German saying: The place to which even a king has to go to on foot.
Linked to Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: Signs.
Looking up
I’ve just used this in my Henry is our cat blog today but this photo of my lovable, arrogant little twerp fits here as well.
For Simply Snaps: Simply Looking up.
It’s not the boots, it’s the soul that counts!
“You may be jogging whiles your boots are green”
William Shakespeare – The Taming of the Shrew
More photos inspired by the Shakespeare quote, can be found here: Travel with Intent.
pictures imperfect blog 