Museum of Communism & Wealthy Gypsies

Memorial Museum for Communism Victims

Memorial Museum for Communism Victims

 

The luck of the draw.  Many, if not most, reading this blog were simply fortunate to have been born in the USA, had access to good education, good medical treatment and above all, a democracy.  Not so for those living in Romania during much of my lifetime.
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Sex and Scandal at the Prado Museum

Prado Museum, Madrid Spain

Prado Museum, Madrid Spain

SEX and SCANDAL at the Prado Museum in Madrid!

Your lucky day!  You have scored FREE admission to a short, but memorable tour to the world famous collection of European paintings at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain.  No long line for you as your epic tour is just a few clicks away.  I guarantee you will learn something new, will be amazed and astonished….
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Walking Around Barcelona, Spain

 

Arc de Triomf built for the 1888 Barcelona World's Fair

Arc de Triomf built for the 1888 Barcelona World’s Fair

 

My previous blogs of Barcelona have highlighted the works of innovative Spanish-born architect Antoni Gaudi, the Segrada Familia Basicilia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, as well as the Barcelona concert hall (not Gaudi).  Now I’ll simply take you around Barcelona for some of the interesting sites and discoveries.
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York, England

York Minster Cathedral

The prominent attraction and landmark in York, England is York Minster Cathedral.  Our landlord was kind enough to escort us to hear the choir sing one evening.   While we had already been to many churches in Europe and Great Britain, we realize each church is unique if you take the time to learn about them.  For example, it is easy to gaze upon a huge stained glass window, think it is beautiful and move on, not seeing anything special or unusual.  In one window of York Minister, there was a surprising amount of humor.  For example, one pane depicted a wife twisting the ear of her husband who was on his knees.
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Paris, France

 

Three GracesStairs to LibraryParis is a beautiful city with a great deal of wonderful sights to see.  However, due to the Bastille Day festivities, many were fenced off or had fences around them that spoiled photographs.  Also, the unusually hot humid weather made venturing out a chore.  It seems a month-long stay in Pairs would be necessary to see the public fountains and sights in the right light.

Photos here are of the ‘Three Graces’ in the Louvre looking at an adjacent painting and the winding staircase leading to the Versailles royal library where I got a rare, private tour.
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