Saturday, May 24, 2014

And the building goes on.....


The "Open day" at the new station and city office of Delft (Netherlands) offered an opportunity to see how the work was going on.

























Outside it looks almost finished.... but inside you see that there is still a lot of work to do...



To make the building look less like a fortress there are long openings into the sides, like semi open patio's.



And this is how the offices will look like....




The old noisy viaduct that divides the inner city will be demolished as soon as the tunnel is ready for use.



The original bright orange steel structure has been covered.



Lots of electrical cables....







Outside the building activities and the old city are reflected in the glass wall of the station.






























More information about the project: Spoorzone Delft
See also my blog about the construction and some aspects of the tunnel


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Loose ends....

When you're writing a blog that is mainly a travel blog, then you might, like me, end up with some pictures that are interesting but don't fit anywhere: the "loose ends".

So this blog is dedicated to some loose ends.

























In La Paz, and in Bolivia in general, many roofs are covered with corrugated iron sheets. When you fly by plane over the villages, these roofs reflect the sunlight and twinkle like stars. While in the city, you see the rusty parts develop a choice of colors between dark gold, brown and red..

 




























Doors are always interesting. Dilapidated doors even more. Some of these show a glimpse of a wealthier past.































Like the courtyard of the Museo National del Arte. A quiet place in a very busy city.




A 10 minutes walk further up (difficult walking here at almost 4000 meters) there was a completely renovated street; the Calle Jaén. 




























Here you will find the Museo del Litoral Boliviano (1978), established in memory of the war of the Pacific in 1878. In this war Bolivia lost its land along the pacific, making it a land locked country.




























In the Calle Jaén you can also find the extensive collection of the Museum of Musical instruments. All the instruments this happy band uses, you can see in many, many different forms in the museum. Well worth a visit.





















Going down this beautiful street you look straight up to the edge of la Paz where the Altiplano with El Alto begins.  When you drive up…..





…. You will find there a stuffed figure hanging from a lamppost. When you see this sign, you know that the people living here have no soft feelings for thieves or murderers. The moment they catch them they will be lynched.































Also in El Alto is this almost scary statue of Ché Guevara trampling an eagle. Possibly the ferocious looking Ché is showing that a struggle for freedom or recognition is never easy.































Downtown in La Paz it is a nice day and like everywhere else people like to sit in the sun. On the steps to the mercado they look at things going on in the square in front of the San Francisco Church (rebuild in 1784)


























A perfect day to do some shopping…..




























Or to have your shoes polished…..



































Dogs are guarding the belongings of their master……




























Ah yes, the guard dog of the Museum of Musical Instruments is wide awake, but I am sure we can handle him......





More about Peru, Bolivia, Chile in my blog: Check in ...