Icons of Modern Art

 Paris

France

February 8, 2017

 

My friend Gary in Bangkok described his strategy when he visits a museum: “When I go to an exhibit,” he told me, “I choose one special painting and then stare at that work of art for at least thirty minutes.”

The Icons of Modern Art, the Shchukin Collection at the Fondation Louis Vuitton has on display more than one hundred and twenty paintings.  I have planned three visits.  But with hundreds of visitors streaming through the galleries at any one time, how shall I follow Gary’s advice?

Well, I did my best.

Paris: 17th Arrondissement

 

Paris

France

February 5, 2017

 

Since the weather today is cold and wet (not unexpected), I wander around the neighborhood near my hotel in the 17th Arrondissment.

I do some window shopping for cheese, fruit, pastries and wine.

I am tempted to have lunch in an Asian buffet restaurant, but I remind myself I am in Paris.  Try some French food.

I find a bistro and order pumpkin soup and a salad of warm goat cheese. 

But Paris is a melting pot and an agglomeration of ethnicities and cultures.  My French Bistro is owned and operated by Koreans!  Regardless, the food and service are excellent.

Siegburg/Bonn: The Very Best Welcome

Sankt Augustin

Rhein-Sieg District

North Rhine-Westphalia, 

Germany

November 6, 2016

 

Guten Morgan,

Alexandra (age 9) provides the very best welcome.   As I step off the train at Siegburg/Bonn, I am greeted by her colorful, speckled, illustrated and thoughtful drawing.  In bold letters she wrote, “Travel with Jan: Germany 2016.”

My good friend Rainer and his wife Alena are perfect hosts.  I am treated as a member of their family with specialty food, lively conversation and generous hospitality. 

Cologne: Cathedral and Synagogue

Cologne

Germany

November 5, 2016

 

Guten Tag,

 

The Cathedral in Cologne is a magnificent structure.  Its two spires dominate the city's skyline.

 

The view of the city from the KölnTrianglePanorama is "unique." 

 

The Cathedral is the most visited site in all of Germany.  Hohe Domkirche St. Petrus, Kölner Dom. Large groups of tourists rush through the doors and into the grand interior.

 

I choose a different schedule.  I remain outside to examine the sculptures on the exterior walls and the bas-relief on the door panels.

 

The Cathedral was one of the very few structures in Cologne to survive the incessant Allied bombing attacks that began in 1942.

 

 

Nuremberg: "Organized"

 

 

 

 Nuremberg:  "Organized" 

 

A One-Act Play by Jan Polatschek

 

The Scene:  The Old Town of Nuremberg. c.1050.   Nuremberg, the city of mass Nazi rallies from 1933 to 1938.  A city almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing in World War II.   The location of the Nuremberg War Trials in 1945-47.

Cast:  In order of appearance:

Jan, an American visitor.

Carolina, a Philippine restaurant server.

Erika, a German office worker.

Helmut, a German office worker.

Alex, a German hotel receptionist.

Taxi Driver

Voice of Train Conductor

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