From Rotterdam, the Netherlands, a happy new year! We toast to 2020 and your health! And what is that in the picture? A tradition, the socalled “oliebol”… I don’t have a real translation but they are delicious! Cheers!
Happy New Year!
Month: December 2019
Two out of nine
You can find these nine eyes traffic lights everywhere in Rotterdam. Nine eyes? Thats the nickname for them, they are used by the public transport as busses and trams! Now there are two red lights, so stop! And when the bus or tram can go they light two white lights for the direction that is now free to go! Example: you go to the right, a white light left under corner and a light right upper corner show you the go. Do you have nine eyes traffic lights in your city?
P.S. Sorry for the late post, to busy at work!
A slow evening
Tonight just a picture of the steps going home. Pretty tired but hey monday is around the corner! Just a few days and 2020 is the year! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Early tram stop
Yesterday morning had the most beautiful light compared with the light during the last weeks! And at the tram stop Museumpark I took this (to me) nice picture! You can find this tram stop at line number 7, direction Willemsplein. Nearby the museums as the Kunsthal, Boymans and the Witte de With straat, a populair spot for entertainment, bars, restaurants etc. worth a visit!
The other side
This morning the sun was rising and illuminated the other bank of the river Maas, the south of Rotterdam with the three towers of the building Rotterdam at the left. I stood on the Willemsplein while taking this picture and I’m happy with it!
Christmas past
Its the 26th and how quick time flies! On my way home from work I noticed this discarded Christmas tree, its the tree from Christmas past… And now were heading for 2020! Are you ready for the new decade?
White Christmas throwback
Its the 25th, Christmas day! And unfortunately no snow! So a picture from way back, Heliport home in december snow! Enjoy your Christmas as I do, with the people you love!
Merry Christmas!
I photographed the Christmas star on our frontdoor here in Heliport to wish you a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your Christmas Eve in company of family and friends!
In Rotterdam not to far far away…
This evening I went to the Cinerama for the latest Star Wars episode! No spoilers, just a small text about the film theatre. Its a cosy theatre located at the Westblaak with currently seven screens! Opened in 1960 en rebuilt in the 1980s. They show both arthouse and mainstream films. Worth a visit!
Twin wheels
I almost always use public transportation in Rotterdam, or walk, or take the bicycle. But lately new types of transport have regularly appeared, electric bicycles, scooters and now these mini cars. A pilot started this summer with these trolleys in the Kralingen, Spangen, Blijdorp and Kop van Zuid districts. About 30 of these are riding here and there and they are called Lev. Everyone from the age of 18, with a valid driver’s license, can use the Lev between 07:00 and 22:00. They are not free, you can find more info here >>
P.S. I had some www trouble so this post was a bit late, sorry!
Waiting for spring
Today I had lunch at a cafe I visit for years! And I was just in time to get a seat for one of the large windows. Many people had the same idea, get out of the cold, get inside and enjoy a nice lunch! Looking outside the big terrace was empty, the tables and chairs wet and cold, waiting for spring! And finally, enjoy your saturday as much as I do!
If I can’t make it there…
Hotel New York. Not the city but the memories are there! A former head office of the Holland Amerika Line and in 1993 transformed to a four star hotel! Some say that the hotel is worth a travel to, forget the journey!
Beurs Metro Station
I use the Rotterdam metro quite often. It is easy to reach all hotspots in Rotterdam and moreover the metro runs all the way to The Hague and recently to Hoek van Holland harbor, almost to the beach! All from the center of Rotterdam! This is metro station Beurs (detail) in the middle of the city with one of the subway cars used for the Randstad Rail connections.
Travelling to The Hague? Take the E-line, direction Den Haag
Travelling to Hoek van Holland harbor? Take the B-line, direction Hoek van Holland
North, East, South and West is one direction
This morning I walked through this shopping mall and exactly in the middle of it you can find this shopping mall compass rose! It shows you all the directions, north, east, south and west but actually it is one direction, the shopping mall! This compass rose was unveiled during the opening of the mall in 1996 and has the following inscription:
het hart van de stad is meer dan een verzameling gebouwen
gebouwen, winkels, straten en pleinen, het hart is
die ene plek waar je kunt voelen dan een stad leeft
Translation:
the heart of the city is more than a collection of buildings
buildings, shops, streets and squares, the heart is
that one place where you can feel that a city is alive
Art bypass
The last few days were a bit busy and today was no exception! So today a image with not to much text. I liked the graffiti in this small passage. Many people drive through this passage as a bypass to a parking area. I like it, not much more. If you are in Rotterdam you can find it at the Delftsehof!
Where did I park my tram?
I took this picture at the tram depot RET Beverwaard, a neighborhood in the south of Rotterdam. Here the trams are parked, maintained and start and end the services of, among others, the tram lines on the southern side of Rotterdam. There are seventeen tracks, several workshops and a laundry.
P.S. Tramlines south to north of Rotterdam, lines 20, 23, 25. Tramline only the south part of Rotterdam, line 2. RET stands for Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram.
To the stars and beyond!
Today I’m not at home just like yesterday and had to prepare this post and yesterday in advance. I had this picture in my archive and today it seems to fit the sunday. On the road and on my way to the next week, a early start monday morning, just going and going, hence the title of this post: To the stars and beyond!”.
P.S. Picture taken on the tram, line 25, at the stop Wilgenplaslaan, Schiebroek, a suburb of Rotterdam.
A library like a Centre Pompidou!
Its a saturday, you have the weekend off, so time to read! You can visit the main library here in Rotterdam to get your books! I’ve taken a picture here before, remember? The library is build in 1983, designed by Jaap Bakema and Hans Boot. The architecture is reminiscent of the Center Pompidou in Paris, with steel pipes that run down the glass façade from the roof. On the façade on the Binnenrotte is a text from Erasmus, including his signature, in neon tube letters: “The whole world is my homeland”. And now its time to read, a book or tomorrow my next post!
Which side are you on?
Today I want you to show you the difference between smoking and non smoking! The difference? About 5 or 6 cm! This yellow line has been drawn around the entrance and passage of an office building near my home to protect passers-by against smokers, the thickness of the yellow line seems to help against tobacco smoke and who knows more! Which side are you on? Its friday so have a great weekend!
Festive light twins
I photographed these twins during a cold evening! Which lights are more festive? The commercial funded tree or the lights of the (commercial) office building? Do they have the christmas spirit? I think the lights and tree at home are the winner…
Hairdresser’s winter wonderland
Did I walk in the snowy mountains? Or is it a double take photo? Its simple, walking to work early this morning I passed the window of a barber/hairdresser’s and above in the picture you can see the interior of the barber and the lower half the scenery he made for his festive holidays theme! If you just like me want to dream and go to the mountains in thought, you can find this barber at the Goudsesingel!
Gravity is overrated
There is a large wall at the starting point of the Hofbogen, near Hofplein Station. OPPERCLAES, a platform for young contemporary artists, selects an artist a few times a year to show work on this wall. “Gravity is overrated”. A work of art with a message. The designers Hans, Vincent and Guido are members of the artists’ collective High on Type.
Derek Otte on the wall
City poet Derek Otte, poet from Rotterdam, wrote a poem especially for this artwork at this location. The ten lines are scattered throughout the work (translated from Dutch to English).
things keep weighing
weigh things all the time
sit still = a curse
standing still often a blessing
it happens around us
minuses and pluses
everything in between
we give the weight
who lifts his / her darkness
it carries a stronger light
Source: de Hofbogen
Blue monday
Its raining here and there is a strong wind. The elements for a blue monday! This is the view from the window of my attic, grey and brown. And according to the weather forecast it will stay that way in the coming days! In a few hours I have to leave for work and I miss the warmth of the house already!
Festive flower power
Sorry but today its a lazy sunday and therefore a simple picture without too much text… Its a little flowershop at the Oude Binnenweg, a little festive atmosphere and also in my opinion a nice picture! Enjoy the sunday, tomorrow is a new week!
If you understand what I mean
It seems to be an artweek on my blog this week because here’s another statue for you to enjoy! Its a hommage to the artist Marten Toonder who created the famous cartoon characters Oliver B. Bommel and Tom Poes (famous here in the Netherlands). Located at the Blaak and unveiled in 2002 on the 90th birthday of the artist. Designed in a somewhat baroque style it shows a few characters from the cartoons (here a detail) and its illuminated on four sides with reliefs full of symbols of philosophy, politics, economics and science. The obelisk is crowned by brushes, the symbol of the artist, a globe, symbol of the universe of Bommel and Tom Poes, personification of Reason. Why the title of this post? The favorite saying of the cartoon character Oliver Bommel at the end of each argument: “If you understand what I mean…”.
In 2017 a short poem was added:
Black stones, as a remnant of a decadent past,
against marble white present,
where the silent tears weep from the liberated spirit
Ballerina balance
Another photo opportunity! Shopping for presents I walked by this small bronze statue “Evenwichtje” or “Balance” located at the Korte Hoogstraat. Made by artist Evert den Hartog in 1987. Remind me of the Little Dancer sculpture made by the famous artist Degas! And this is also the link with the coming weekend, what is more beautiful than a few days off? Enjoy yours!
About the artwork
Evert den Hartog is known for his lightly styled bronze human figures. He is inspired for his sculptures by animals, but also by his daughter, who does ballet. Den Hartog made a number of ballerinas, which have found a place in Rotterdam. This girl is related to the dancing ballerinas, because she also manages to keep her balance. The statue was refurbished in 1990 and placed again at Korte Hoogstraat on the initiative of the retailers’ association. Together with the “Reading Girl” and the “Playing Beertjes”, this work is part of a series of very popular bronze statues in the shopping area of Rotterdam.
Morning gold
Ai! Internet left me and the blogpost got stuck! This is my post for thursday, a busy day at work and home and now I’m exhausted and got a headache! For now this picture of a golden morning in Rotterdam, the Binnenrotte where the weekly market has its place. Tomorrow a fresh picture to start the weekend!
A curtain lady in Rotterdam
Walking to work my “photographers eye” caught this curtain lady! In the shop window of a curtain shop. And certainly dressed for the holidays she liked to pose but for privacy reasons her face is obscured! Do you want to meet this Rotterdam lady? She resides at the Oostzeedijk Beneden!
A knight to remember
A few days back I had a photowalk and I noticed this statue made in 1990 by Dutch artist Willem Verbon. It is a (action)statue of Willem IV van Holland ( 1308 – 1345). Also known as Willem de Stoute (Le comte hardi). Must have been a brave knight, in his younger years, he fought in Spain and also traveled to the Holy Land. I took this photo of the statue against the backdrop of the Schielandshuis at the Korte Hoogstraat, more on that building in later post. I can already tell one thing, Napoleon once slept here!
A lightened (monday)morning!
Sometimes a early (monday)morning can be so beautiful in terms of light! Walking to the metro (or subway or underground) my route was through this street, the Korte Hoogstraat and the sun offered me this photo opportunity! I took advantage of it and now you can also see and feel a Rotterdam morning!
December 1st theme day “Rainbow”
It’s december 1st! Themeday again of the City Daily Photo community! First on my mind for this theme was the pedestrian crossing in our (shopping) center of the city at Churchillplein. In 2015 they painted a rainbow crossing beside the ordinary crossing to draw attention to sexual diversity in Rotterdam. The unveiling of the pedestrian crossing coincided with the Rotterdam Pride in September of that year. Unfortunately, there are now many works on the square and the shine is a bit off! But who doesn’t want to go “Over the rainbow” now!
Rotterdam is one of the 41 Rainbow municipalities and the fourth city in the Netherlands that received such a pedestrian crossing after Utrecht, Maastricht and Tilburg. The rainbow crosswalk is a worldwide initiative. There is one in Sidney and Brighton, among others.