Mechelen in pictures

Luxembourg - old and new

The saying chalk and cheese could not be anymore appropriate here to describe the city.

The old Luxembourg is how I imagined it completely; quaint, crumbling landmarks and a strong sense of history. I was not disappointed! Held up by the iconic wall, the new Luxembourg towers over the old with very little of the new mixed in with the old (only subtle hints here and there).

The old city.

Spending time in the ‘new’ Luxembourg felt like being in a completely different city. Every direction you looked there was either a crane, a building site or some new shiny glassed monster. There is no denying that these are truly works of art, all competing with each other for the attention of passers-by but for me the old Luxembourg had more character. Wandering at the foot of the wall there was a strong sense of stature and an overwhelming importance to the city – breathtaking. It was as if the wall was still serving its primary function…to protect. As the new Luxembourg sprawled uncontrollably above, the old was being concealed and guarded below.

Both old and new parts serve the city in very different ways. The balance between history and the advance in technology complimented each other perfectly. With no sign of halting, I just hope that the new Luxembourg does not appear more in the old. At the moment the old and new separation, in my opinion, works very well – both parts of the city have a very different feeling to them but each hold their character without either spoiling the other.

Let there be light...

Imagine a City without lights.

This happened in Brazil this month when there was a large power cut that left cities like Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro in complete darkness. Instead of the street lights providing the light it was the drivers in their cars that lit the cities.

As hosts of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, should we be worried that the same should happen again? Imagine the World Cup Final. The game hasn't been won in normal or extra time so has now gone to penalties. A Spain and Holland Final. So far both teams have scored 4 each. Holland's Van Persie missing one after a great save by Casillas. Torres places the ball on the spot. All eyes are on him. He steps back slowly, looking up at the crowd. He stops. Starts to run towards the spot...DARKNESS! How awful would that be?!



It is only at times like this that we realise how much we rely on light but there is something quite beautiful about the above photograph. A city in darkness looks like an almost different place.

With thanks:
Photo: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/11/2009111132727141870.html

City Life

Most Cities are famous for their stunning light displays...Take Paris for example.

When I visited this beautiful city in June this year I was surprised by how much of the sight-seeing could be done at night as well as during the day.

(This picture was took while I was travelling down the River Seine)

The Eiffel Tower - attracts over 6 million visitors a year and can be seen from miles away, probably the most famous landmark of France. Most people will climb this during the day, including myself but although I enjoyed climbing this and viewing Paris from 273 metres above the ground, for me it was at it's most spectacular at night.

Lit by 350 sodium vapour lamps the tower glitters in the dark but what makes it extra special is for the first ten minutes of every hour the Tower sparkles. Breathtaking.

City Life

Walking through the town centre, I feel slightly intimidated by the amount of people passing by me that I know nothing about. Groups of people chattering excitedly, no doubt talking about what they did at the weekend and how drunk they got. Others merely stride past, submerged in their own thoughts while their ears are plugged from the outside world by their iPod. I am guilty of this also though. I speed through the city, iPod blaring cheesy pop music, subjecting myself to the typical city alienation.With the world passing me by, the only thing stopping me from my auto piloted progress is the disruption of people and the crossing of roads. This time though, instead of choosing to walk back to university with the blinkers on I decide to turn my iPod off and take a slower, more casual walk, allowing my feet to take me where they wander. It is only now I notice things that I've walked past countless times in hast and never payed much attention to. For over a year now I have walked the same way everyday and failed to notice things, one of these being St. Mary's Church. This church has one of the most beautiful exterior's I have seen in the whole city. The ornate windows and the detailing around the edge of the church is breathtaking. I don't understand how I have never noticed this before and how it has just blended back into the urban landscape. Now whenever I pass it, I cannot miss it!

This journey reminds me of book I came across a while back...Little People in the City. This is street based installation art at it's best! These little pieces of art are easily missed and only on careful observation can be seen - similar to my journey in the city. Check it out and let me know what you think...

http://little-people.blogspot.com/

With thanks:
Photo: http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/41643/2172484200104237032S600x600Q85.jpg
Photo: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2286418022_c68e68daaf.jpg