Rome, Italy

 

I also have actually been to Rome. It was my third favorite city to visit. My first was also in Italy, it was Venice. Rome was also the setting of one of my favorite movies, Gladiator. Italy was the center of the great Roman Empire that spread throughout much of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa from about A.D. 100 to 476. Rome is a beautiful city. It is one of the cities of romance and adventure. The buildings are cramped in tight spaces and the alleys and streets are so narrow only 3 people fit across. It is a miracle the hospitals aren’t overcrowded with patients suffering from car accidents. The way Romans park is ridiculous. They go wherever there is space, even on sidewalks and tailgating is seen as the common thing. I of course visited the Colosseum which is an old Roman amphitheater where Romans gathered to watch gladiators fight each other. I also went to the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and Vatican City. It is the center of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the pope. The largest Christian Church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica along with the Sistine Chapel, is in Vatican City.

Stockholm, Sweden

 Gamla Stan is the old town part of Stockholm. The area has narrow streets and has heavy building the color of terra-cotta. It also contains the colossal royal palace which has 600 rooms. Stockholm is a very watery city and home to some of the most beautiful parks in the world such as Djurgarden. There are also public parks that house boarding schools, the Italian Embassy, and grand wooden houses. Smorgasbord is a buffet type meal in Sweden. It is meant to be eaten in a certain order. Dala horses are made from wood and hand painted. They have become a symbol of Sweden. In winter, Swedes celebrate St. Lucia Day. Early on December 13, the oldest daughter carries light to the family by wearing a wreath of candles on her head and also brings coffee and cakes.

Swedish Folk Music

Copenhagen, Denmark

The first famous person you meet in Copenhagen is the statue of the Little Mermaid. Copenhagen was the home of fairy tale writer, Hans Christian Anderson who wrote many of the tales that are so popular over the world such as Thumbalina, The Brave Tin Soldier, and The Ugly Duckling. Copenhagen is also one of the safest and law abiding cities in the world. In 1982 there were only 6 murders compared to New York’s 1, 688. Copenhagen also has many splendid museums that house many impressionist paintings. Copenhagen serves open- faced sandwiches that are served on a wooden board and are delicious. Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park in Copenhagen where marching bands and concerts can be heard in the park.

 

Danish Folk Music

Danish Contemporary Music

Amsterdam, Holland

 

Amsterdam is an immensely beautiful city. It is situated along several canals that give off such a majestic view of the water. In winter the canals freeze and the Dutch like to skate on them.  Although it is a nice city it does have a huge problem with graffiti. It is everywhere-on benches, phone boxes, and the walls of almost every building. I visited the Anne Frank Museum and it brought tears to my eyes. It is excellent at conveying the horror and torture the Jews went through and made me think what sort of person would do this. I have never understood why Holland is also known as the Netherlands and its people are called Dutch. The Netherlands are very low and wet and known for their wooden shoes called clogs that are traditionally worn. They are famous for their Dutch chocolate and its tulips and daffodils. Their cheese is wrapped in wax to help keep it fresh. It also has 12,000 miles of bike paths and was home to many great artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and Vincent van Gogh.

Dutch Folk Music



Aachen and Cologne, Germany

 

Germany is home to many great cities but I decided to visit less renowned one such as Aachen and Cologne. The first stop in Aachen must be its cathedral. It is small and dark but exquisite. Aachen was once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. It was also the first German city to fall to the Allies in WWII after a 7 day street battle in 1944. Cologne is home to the largest Gothic structure in the world.  It is also situated on the Rhine River that we studied in class. The tradition of blowing out candles on a birthday cake started in Germany. Germans are well known for their musical instruments, and music boxes. Germany also makes 1,500 different kinds of sausages. The first cuckoo clocks were hand carved during the long German winters. Around 1440, a man named Johannes Gutenberg built the first printing press. Germany is also home to many car companies such as Mercedes Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen.

German Folk Music

German Contemporary Music

Brussels, Belgium

In the book the author mentions he stayed at the Adolphe Sax Hotel. Adolphe Sax was a musician in the 1840s from Belgium who invented the first saxophone. Belgium is famous for its handmade lace and its chocolate. The Grand Palace is the centerpiece of the city, settled nicely in a cobbled square and surrounded by the Hotel de Ville and Maison du Roi. I noticed how this part of Brussels is more French oriented hence the names. Brussels is a dirty city though. The pavements are covered in wet litter and muddy building, and it is not even near a river so there are no beautiful river views. Nonetheless it is still marvelous. The roofs of many old Belgian houses are shaped like steps and the people are very friendly.

 

 

Paris, France--La Ville De L'amour

I have actually been to Paris. I went this past summer. It is truly marvelous. I felt so out of place. The buildings are very large and old. There is so much history visible in every monument. I went to all the renowned symbols of Paris. I visited the Place de la Concorde, L’Arc de Triomphe, Les Champs-Elysees, Arc de la Defense, Le Louvre, Notre Dame, and La Tour Eiffel. Since I am not afraid of heights, I climbed all the way to the top of the tower. The lines for the elevators were ever so long. We had to wait for nearly 2 hours to finally reach the top. The weather at the top was freezing since it was night time but the view of Paris from the top of the tower was breathtaking. You could see for miles and miles. The cathedral was beautiful also. I stopped to pray and take pictures. I could actually pray in French because I know the Our Father and the Hail Mary in French. I also climbed to the top of the Arc. That was a nice view of the Champs Elysees. At the Louvre I of course saw the Mona Lisa formally known as the La Joconde; I also saw the Venus de Milo. The Louvre was humongous and would take year to explore every exhibit like the State Hermitage Museum in Russia. The metro is ridiculous. Sometimes the cars get so overcrowded it is nearly impossible to get out. It is also very scary. There are Gypsies roaming around and some very creepy people. Overall I very much enjoyed my promenade en Paris.

 

French Folk Music & Dance

French Contemporary Music