Tag: Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

The Odd Armadillo

That was the first picture I saw of this … this … whatsit. What is it? A vomiting lizzard? Or did I read the fountain in the wrong direction and this was a drinking green pig with a large tail? What about the wings? A dragon whelp? I don’t know that I was thinking except that – “This is really odd!!”

As we went more often to Frankfurt we kept seeing more pictures of the creature.

And not just pictures, sculptures as well.

And after a while we started to understand. This was the Frankfurt Grüngürteltier or literally, the Green Belt Creature. The name is pun – green belt is literally Grüngürtel but a Gürteltier is the name of an armadillo in German. It is used as a signpost for the 68km long walking path encircling the city.

This is for another one of Cee’s guest challenges.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Kammie’s Oddball Challenge

Downtown Surprise

Wedged between the river Main and a mixed neighbourhood of houses, workshops and stores, situated next to the nightclub district of Frankfurt is a curious piece of urban enclave. It’s as if it has been forgotten by the urban planning department. An old and run-down collection of garden plots, many of the allotments are overgrown and look neglected, quite different to the neat and orderly Schrebergärten that are so characteristic for German weekend gardeners. Yet there are signs that many of the allotments are in use; swings and slides bear witness of playing children, brick and metal barbecues are kept clean for the next party, some of the seemingly dilapidated huts feature neat stoops with loveseats, and one can glimpse worn but well-kept tools under rusty awnings.

The paths through this jungle are overgrown, and curvy, it feels like being in a maze. Many of the allotments seem to have no direct access to any road. Surprisingly, in between the plots are narrow waterways which are overgrown, and with an occasional plank forming a makeshift bridge.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Water, Water Everywhere and of course, also linked to Jez’ Water, Water Everywhere

Catch It while You Can

There are a number of reasons why nostalgia combines with snow in my mind. It always looks so clean and pristine when it is first fallen and gives even old buildings a new and shiny coat.

I always want to capture it very quickly because it lasts so seldom in our area. I often think if I don’t take a picture of it today it will be gone tomorrow.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Future Nostalgia