GaryOdyssey

Canadian Train Trek I

2010-08-30T10:37:00.003-04:00

A photo album Part I with shooting tips from a 6-week trip by rail (and car and boat) through Western Canada is currently posted on the Olympus Facebook site. Here's the direct link: www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=225984&id=63355899492

For other story albums, go to www.facebook.com/getolympus
click on PHOTOS in box on top line
scroll album pages to Polar Bear Capital, American South, St. Lucia, U.K., Southern California, Holiday Album I & II
click on any photo to enlarge and read caption
click on same photo to forward

All photos Copyright © Gary Crallé 2010. Commercial use prohibited without written permission.

Polar Bear Capital

2010-08-30T09:46:00.005-04:00

A photo album with shooting tips from Manitoba, Canada is currently posted on the Olympus Facebook site. Here's the direct link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=215410&id=63355899492

For other story albums, go to www.facebook.com/getolympus
click on PHOTOS in box on top line
scroll album pages to American South, St. Lucia, U.K., Southern California, Holiday Album I & II
click on any photo to enlarge and read caption
click on same photo to forward

All photos Copyright © Gary Crallé 2010. Commercial use prohibited without written permission.

American South: Alabama

2010-08-30T09:36:00.008-04:00

A photo album with shooting tips from Alabama, USA is currently posted on the Olympus Facebook site. Here's the direct link: www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=206308&id=63355899492

For other story albums, go to www.facebook.com/getolympus
click on PHOTOS in box on top line
scroll album pages to St. Lucia, U.K., Southern California, Holiday Album I & II
click on any photo to enlarge and read caption
click on same photo to forward

All photos Copyright © Gary Crallé 2010. Commercial use prohibited without written permission.

St. Lucia, Caribbean

2010-04-22T12:38:00.008-04:00

A photo album with shooting tips from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia is currently posted on the Olympus Facebook site. Here's the direct link: www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=199547&id=63355899492

For other story albums, go to www.facebook.com/getolympus
click on PHOTOS in box on top line
click on NEXT to scroll album pages to U.K., Southern California, Holiday Album I & II
click on any photo to enlarge and read caption
click on same photo to forward

All photos Copyright © Gary Crallé 2010. Commercial use prohibited without written permission.

London and Wales, U.K.

2010-04-22T12:10:00.010-04:00

A photo album with shooting tips fromLondon, England and Wales is currently posted on the Olympus Facebook site. Here's the direct link: www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=190138&id=63355899492

For other story albums, go to www.facebook.com/getolympus
click on PHOTOS in box on top line
click on NEXT to scroll album pages to Southern California, Holiday Album I & II (Richmond Virginia USA)
click on any photo to enlarge and read caption
click on same photo to forward

All photos Copyright © Gary Crallé 2010. Commercial use prohibited without written permission.

Chinese New Year

2010-02-16T15:22:00.004-05:00

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY! ("Congratulations and be prosperous!". Enter the Year of the Tiger, luckiest sign in the Chinese zodiac!

As a symbol of joy, red is the choice of colour for celebrations. And the pronunciation of ‘red’ as “hong” (meaning ‘prosperous’) makes it an auspicious sound too.

2010-02-16T15:20:00.001-05:00

Dragon Bull cocktails chilled with dry ice kicked off an evening last week as the Hong Kong Tourist Board in Canada threw its annual Chinese New Year dinner. Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) is the most important Chinese festivity, so it’s always a special event.

2010-02-16T15:19:00.002-05:00

Toronto’s Pearl Harbourfront Restaurant was the venue, with a 10-course dinner organized by Hong Kong celebrity chef Alvin Leung. Living in Toronto from age 6 to 18, Alvin trained as an engineer before discovering food as his passion. A true Canadian, he even drinks Molson Golden beer.

2010-02-16T15:09:00.003-05:00

Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) is the most important Chinese festivity, so it’s always a special event.

2010-02-16T15:06:00.003-05:00

It was an evening of “extreme cuisine” with dishes ranging from stuffed conch Portuguese style to a sorbet dessert with maple syrup, strawberry and smoke flavours.

2010-02-16T15:05:00.002-05:00

2010-02-16T15:00:00.002-05:00

Alvin exuberantly describes his Hong Kong restaurant as having “No momma and pappa food --- no momma and pappa price!”

2010-02-16T14:59:00.001-05:00

2010-02-16T14:56:00.004-05:00

All photos © Gary Crallé 2010, made with Olympus EP-2 Pen camera and 14-42mm standard lens.

The Toronto dinner is held in tandem with the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade in Hong Kong itself.

For tourist information: www.DiscoverHongKong.com/canada

Southern California

2010-02-04T08:32:00.008-05:00

A 30-image photo album of a 2-week driving trip through southern California is currently posted on the Olympus Facebook site. Here's the direct link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=176417&id=63355899492&ref=mf
Click on each picture to enlarge and see the accompanying description. All photos © Gary Crallé 2010. Commercial use prohibited.

Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto

2009-12-27T22:45:00.004-05:00

Exhibit: 'On a Pedestal'
A unique display of extreme women's footwear from Renaissance chopines to baroque heels can be seen at the Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto, Canada until September 20, 2010. Eleven museums in eight countries have contributed to this collection.

All photos made with an Olympus EP-1 digital camera and 14-42mm lens @ ISO 400. Photos and text copyright © Gary Crallé – not to be reproduced without written permission.

2009-12-27T19:54:00.004-05:00

Opening night was a prelude to the theme of historic fashion. Guests were entertained prior to surveying the exhibits which were shown under low light levels to preserve the delicate imported footwear.

2009-12-27T19:49:00.006-05:00

Although all the rage among European fashionistas of the 15th and 16th centuries (despite or due to being condemned as dangerous and sinful) the elevated platform (chopine) was gradually replaced by the high heel during the 17th century. At their height, so to speak, the most elevated chopines had women tottering on platforms more than 50cm /19.7 inches high.

Christmas in Richmond, Virginia, USA

2009-12-26T13:35:00.006-05:00

A flying visit (via Air Canada's direct route between Toronto and Richmond) produced some wonderful Christmas scenes just before a big snow hit the city. As a photographer in the Olympus Visionary program, I've posted a selection of these in two albums with complete shot details at www.facebook.com/getolympus. Christmas cheer to everyone!

To view this and previous posts, scroll down the page and click on a date beneath BLOG ARCHIVE.

Please note: All text and photos copyright Gary Crallé. Not to be used without permission. All photos taken with Olympus DSLR cameras and lenses.

2009-12-26T13:34:00.003-05:00

Lighting the official Christmas tree at the Capitol building is an annual tradition in Richmond. 1776 Declaration of Independence signatory and master architect Thomas Jefferson chose the Maison Carée, a Christian Roman temple in Nîmes, France, as the model for this, Virginia’s first permanent capital building. The exquisite structure has recently been placed on a "U.S. Tentative World Heritage List".

Harry S. Truman: “The buck stops here!”

2009-08-03T21:52:00.003-04:00

Please note: All text and photos copyright Gary Crallé. Not to be used without permission. All photos taken with Olympus DSLR cameras and lenses.

Harry S. Truman talked the talk. Now visitors to his boyhood town can walk the walk.

2009-08-03T21:48:00.004-04:00

Independence, Missouri, an elbow’s length from downtown Kansas City, is where Truman grew up and cut his political teeth. A compact walk through history traces Harry’s “morning constitutionals” and even crosses paths with Frank James, outlaw brother of Jesse James. Information and brochures are available from the tourism office www.visitindependence.com toll free 1- 800-748-7323).

Did former U.S. President Harry Truman put Barack Obama in the White House? It could be argued he did by starting the ball rolling with Executive Order 9981 which desegregated U.S. armed forces in July, 1948. History is a chain of events linked by surprising cause and effect.

2009-08-03T21:30:00.001-04:00

Born in 1884, the Missouri farm boy went on to become the 33rd president of the USA (1945 - 1953). Harry Truman was the last president without a university education, bringing instead a rural notion of common sense to a complex office. Faced with some of the most difficult decisions of that era, he set policies which have shaped the world.

Tumultuous times brought the atomic bomb, the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, the Truman Doctrine, Korean War, McCarthyism, recognition of Israel & Pakistan, and creation of NATO.

It was the Cold War fight against communism which largely defined Truman’s presidency. By signing the National Security Act of July 26, 1947, he created today’s Department of Defence, National Security Council, Joint Chiefs of Staff and the CIA.

2009-08-03T21:27:00.001-04:00

Bess Wallace attended Trinity Episcopal Church (409 N. Liberty), where she eventually married Harry Truman on June 28, 1919.

2009-08-03T21:25:00.002-04:00

I requested some time in the Jackson County Courthouse for photos of the Truman Courtroom and Harry’s office. While waiting in the hall, my camera witnessed one of the civil weddings still performed in the court.

2009-08-03T21:23:00.002-04:00

Harry Truman was a judge in the administrative, not judicial, sense. Writing instruments and reading glasses lie scattered across his desk on the ground floor of the courthouse. Self-educated in many respects, Truman had read every book in the town’s library by the age of 12.

2009-08-03T19:41:00.002-04:00

In the old tradition of covering mirrors and stopping ticking clocks upon the death of someone in the household, this single remaining clock in the Truman Courtroom was set at 7:50, the time when Harry S. Truman died on the morning of December 26, 1972.

2009-08-03T19:36:00.002-04:00

Not a replica, this is the real thing: an 1859 frontier jail in which Frank James, Jesse's bank robber brother, was imprisoned. The cell is confining, but proved no barrier to Frank who would eat with the marshal, attend the opera in Independence Square and read Shakespeare while awaiting trial. Harry Truman used to meet with fellow legionnaires in a room above the jail.

2009-08-03T19:32:00.003-04:00

After lunch in Ophelias Restaurant www.opheliasind.com on Independence Square we crossed the street to Clinton’s Soda Fountain & Gifts where young Harry got his first job. Lindsey Page prepared a chocolate soda for us -- Harry’s favorite.

2009-08-03T19:21:00.003-04:00

Purely for research purposes, I ate the creation.

2009-08-03T19:19:00.003-04:00

The Wallace House/Truman Home of Harry and Bess (it belonged to her family) was a monument to detailed frugality, as evidenced by a torn kitchen linoleum tile tacked neatly into place instead of being replaced. Harry managed to earn the respect of his mother-in-law for whom no man was good enough for her only daughter. Regards aside, she always sat at the head of the dining table. Truman was indeed a humble man, with the only indication of his presidency being two plates in the dining room cabinet.

2009-08-03T19:13:00.000-04:00

The house now sits within the Harry S. Truman Historic District, a National Historic Landmark site. Harry erected the white picket fence in 1949 to help keep tourists at bay. The Victorian dwelling is now protected by the National Parks Service whose members we’ve found to always enjoy their work. As proof: first we photographed the rangers, then they photographed us!

2009-08-03T19:09:00.001-04:00

Inn keeper/owner Charlotte Olejko was up to her elbows setting flag stones for a patio when we arrived at The Woodson Guest House www.woodsonguesthouse.com. Regardless, an impromptu welcome tour was quickly offered. Each room is themed and packed with memorabilia she has been collecting since childhood.

We were shown to the Santa Fe guest room with its western motif, complete with movie posters. The front living room was full of red glass plus all sorts of knick knacks, as was the library which had book shelves stacked to the high ceiling. A lovely whimsical environment.

2009-08-03T19:08:00.002-04:00

Charlotte’s hospitality matched her collectability. Returning from an evening’s late supper and tour of the Crossroads Art District in Kansas City, we found her waiting for us, having baked a fresh buttermilk pie.

2009-08-03T19:05:00.002-04:00

The cornucopia of abundance continued with next morning’s breakfast of oatmeal soufflé, cinnamon rolls, hot stewed apples, bacon, juice and coffee.

2009-08-03T18:59:00.001-04:00

It’s remarkable to think that weighty issues of the time such as slavery and frontier development were debated in a dimly lit 2-room log building. The 1827 structure (107 West Kansas, Tel 816-325-7111 for tours) was where Truman conducted business in the 1930s as a much larger county courthouse was being readied.

2009-08-03T18:56:00.003-04:00

A Saturday morning art market was setting up in front of the Jackson County courthouse where Truman had an office in his early years. Ted Stilwell, one of the artists, told us a story. As a child, his school class had visited the Truman house to make some drawings. The teacher made it clear beforehand that this was an assignment to be handed in for grading. The students were completing their drawings when a car pulled out of the driveway, the window came down and President Truman himself enquired of Ted, who was nearest the car, what they were doing.

Seeing Ted’s work, he exclaimed it was the best picture he had ever seen of the house and asked if he might keep it. Ted complied, with unexpected consequences: he received a failing grade for not having artwork to hand in after the class outing. To this day he feels an injustice was done. Ted’s story convinced me that this really is (or was) the “Show me!” state.

2009-08-03T18:40:00.001-04:00

Looking as though the welcoming crowds had left earlier in the day, this was the end of the line for Truman’s 1948 whistle stop campaign when he famously defeated Thomas Dewey --- an upset victory which had the embarassed Chicago Tribune eating its pre-printed “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline. That train ride of almost 22,000 miles won the campaign for Truman. And it was this depot to which he returned to waving local supporters after leaving the Presidency in 1953.

2009-08-03T18:37:00.002-04:00

The Temple is headquarters of the Community of Christ, one of several Latter Day Saint groups with historical roots in the town. The building is a striking contrast to both Victorian and otherwise low-key architecture throughout Independence.

2009-08-03T18:35:00.003-04:00

In keeping with sentiments of the man himself, the Presidential Library and Museum is a building of modest appearance, though once described by the Dallas Morning News as America’s “best presidential library”.

2009-08-03T18:29:00.002-04:00

A diorama detailing aspects of Missouri history frames the entrance.

2009-08-03T18:23:00.002-04:00

The Library & Museum www.trumanlibrary.org recreate historically critical moments with interactive displays plus audio and visual news clips.

June 25, 2010 marks the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. Special exhibit “Memories of Korea” will recall the war and its legacy through the eyes and memories of people who lived and fought there. Mar. 27 - Dec. 31, 2010. Telephone 800-833-1225, 816-268-8200 for information.

2009-08-03T18:19:00.002-04:00

For newshounds like me, the curved panorama wall of LIFE magazine stories holds a special fascination. I wanted to read them all, as some visitors seemed to be doing.

2009-08-03T18:16:00.003-04:00

Truman was instrumental in White House renovations, as indicated by the replica of the Oval Office when he occupied it. During his second term the entire structure, with the exception of his controversial south wing addition, was declared unsafe and rebuilt from the inside out.

2009-08-03T18:11:00.001-04:00

Harry and his wife, First Lady Bess (Wallace), the sweetheart he courted after returning from the trenches of Europe in 1919, are buried in the central court. An eternal flame burns nearby.

2009-08-03T17:40:00.002-04:00

With some strings attached, a diminutive Harry greeted us at the Puppetry Arts Institute (11025 East Winner Road, Independence, MO 64052, Tel 816-833-9777). Former staff puppeteer Paddy Blackwood gave us a demonstration of the president’s toastmaster abilities with a lively little song and dance. The Institute gives puppet shows and organizes puppet-making classes in addition to its display of international and locally made puppet collection from creators Robert Smith and Hazelle Rollins.

2009-08-03T17:32:00.002-04:00

I think Harry’s lighter side would have approved. With a wry sense of humor he once said: "My choices early in life were either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference." [The New York Times]

Chicago, Illinois USA

2009-07-22T23:39:00.009-04:00

Photo and text copyright 2009 Gary Crallé.

I stopped in Chicago for only 48 hours, July 6th and 7th, en route to a digital photo workshop in Milwaukee sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers [www.satw.org]. Staying at the downtown Fairmont Millenium Park [www.fairmont.com] I had easy access to the inexpensive daily walking tours given by the Chicago Architecture Foundation [www.architecture.org -- TEL 312.922.3432 -- 224 S. Michigan Ave.].

On the 10:00am Art Deco tour I snapped this taxi in front of the historic Carbide and Carbon building. Film art imitates life...and death. The current film Public Enemies portrays the brief criminal career of bank robber John Dillinger who was shot and killed at 10:40pm July 22, 1934 by FBI agents after watching a movie at the Biograph Theatre on Chicago's North Side.

Mother's Day

2009-05-07T13:16:00.002-04:00

Happy Mother's Day, Irene!

Karsh-style portraits in the Big Apple

2009-05-06T12:00:00.013-04:00

Yousuf Karsh was a brilliant photographer who lived and worked in Ottawa throughout the mid- to late 20th century. He would have turned 100 in December and to celebrate his work, the Portrait Gallery of Canada is holding a celebration from June 12 through September 13 called Festival Karsh.

Ontario Tourism & Ottawa Tourism co-sponsored the refreshments at the April Canadian Tourism Commission Marketplace for American journalists and Canadian tourism representatives, and brought brilliant photographer Gary Crallé to take people's photos à la Karsh -- in black and white, with dramatic highlights and shadows. Participants could peruse a selection of famous Karsh shots beforehand -- Winston Churchill, Muhammad Ali, Jacqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Albert Einstein, Prince Charles, etc. -- then recreate the pose themselves.

And for the results:

http://picasaweb.google.com/OTcommunications/KarshLikePhotosAtCanadaMediaMarketplace?authkey=Gv1sRgCKTNpaicqpDgOA&feat=directlink

A web story about a previous overnight stay I experienced in the 'Karsh suite', Ottawa, Canada can be viewed at the Olympus PDN Visionage website. Scroll down to the B&W photo of the waiter in Behind the Shot:
http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/cp/olympus/behindtheshot/index.jsp

Presidents' Day - Abraham Lincoln

2009-02-16T17:06:00.003-05:00

Montreux, Switzerland – a Christmas fable in 3 parts

2008-12-23T04:13:00.005-05:00

Tourism map of the Lake Geneva and Matterhorn Regions.

Please note: Photos and text © Gary Crallé 2008. All rights reserved.

To view the entire blog, click the bracketed number beside ‘2008’ on the right side of your screen and you are set to go! For my initial blog, click on ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of this page, then ‘2007’.

All photos made with Olympus digital cameras and lenses: 10.2MP SLR E410 & E500 bodies, 11-22mm Zuiko lens, 14-54mm Zuiko lens, 50-200mm Zuiko lens, 1.4X Zuiko tele extender. This kit gave a 35mm film format equivalent of 22 to 560mm focal length coverage.

2008-12-23T03:48:00.004-05:00

A unique aerial view of Chateau de Chillon, Montreux, as reflected in an ornamental ball decorating a Christmas tree within the courtyard.

Christmas in Switzerland can take you back in time. The Swiss have worked studiously to preserve their historical and natural environment for an excellent quality of life. The entire country is a cornucopia of recreation, food and drink. A trip by my wife and I to the Lake Geneva region (www.lake-geneva-region.ch) centered on Montreux, but the choices are many.

Part One: the Chateau

2008-12-23T03:45:00.004-05:00

Our hotel offered romantic views of the chateau from the balcony. A misty day enhanced the effect very nicely.

2008-12-23T03:40:00.002-05:00

Dancing bears on the walls greeted us in a small entrance room to the chateau.

2008-12-23T03:33:00.004-05:00

The Prisoner of Chillon, a haunting poem by Lord Byron, made Francois Bonivard and the castle the most popular monument in Switzerland, according to the Michelin guidebook . For 4 years Bonivard was chained to a rock in the castle dungeon by the Duke of Savoy who objected to the Protestant views of the Prior.

2008-12-23T03:28:00.003-05:00

This 15th century fireplace illuminates a corner of the Great Hall of the Bailiffs.
Examples of ironwork such as door keys can be found throughout the building.

2008-12-23T03:17:00.003-05:00

Life in the Middle Ages was harsh, with survival a prime concern. Although spartan, the castle has some fine collections of decorative arts and furniture.

2008-12-23T03:12:00.005-05:00

It would take a lot of decorations to mask the chilly chambers of the chateau; walls and floors are uncomfortably cold. Seasonal decorations are minimal and welcoming --- the way they used to be. There is even a Christmas tree in the courtyard!

2008-12-23T03:10:00.002-05:00

Vineyards bearing the castle name can be found on the path to Montreux, a leisurely 25-minute walk along the lake

2008-12-23T02:56:00.002-05:00

Parents and children were exploring every nook and cranny of the 9th century fortress over the holidays.

2008-12-23T02:50:00.002-05:00

Views from the main tower.

2008-12-23T02:43:00.002-05:00

A model within the castle gives a complete view of the structure, while a room above retains its delicate ceiling frescoes.

2008-12-23T02:35:00.003-05:00

Switzerland is a masterfully layered infrastructure of housing, transportation, communications, industry and agriculture. The country is modern conveniences woven among historical structures, and the result is generally soothing to the eye. Here an ancient castle and string of communities known as Montreux sit placidly beneath an elevated expressway.

2008-12-23T02:25:00.002-05:00

Santa must have a tough time getting down this chimney each year!

Part Two: our hotel + the town

2008-12-23T02:16:00.006-05:00

Our home for 2 days was Le Grand Hôtel Excelsior (www.hotelexcelsiormontreux.com) on rue Bon Port, a 5 minute walk from town centre. The white pillared balconies of each guest room allowed a sweeping view of Lake Geneva: one more reason why it sometimes takes me 45 minutes to unpack my bag.

2008-12-23T02:10:00.003-05:00

The Swiss are masters at understated elegance; our hotel lobby was a perfect example with its minimal yet calming decor. For all that, however, the view is why one stays at the Excelsior.

2008-12-23T01:47:00.004-05:00

Our guide and host, Marc, from the local tourist office, met us in the lobby and quickly introduced us to Montreux via its modern music heritage. Down by the water a statue of former pop singer Freddy Mercurey belts out an eternal song with a characteristic gesture of exuberance.

2008-12-23T01:40:00.002-05:00

2008-12-23T01:37:00.003-05:00

In the casino is a collection of musical instruments from various jazz artists who have played the famous summer festival --- an original and still one of best in Europe.

2008-12-23T00:31:00.005-05:00

The public promenade traverses a manicured garden beside the lake. At this time of year a row of market tents can blend inextricably into the landscape. Montreux is eminently walkable even in winter when Christmas decorations mingle with landmarks like this one to American jazz singer and pianist Ray Charles.

2008-12-23T00:17:00.007-05:00

The Hotel Suisse Majestic (http://www.suise-majestic.com) on the main Avenue des Alpes drew us like moths to an elaborate candle as we entered a gilded ballroom to defrost ourselves. A large decorated tree was reflected in mirrors and a glistening black piano. Surprisingly, a teddy bear was the only guest we encountered, appearing transfixed with a view over the lake towards Mont Blanc.

Part Three: the Christmas Market

2008-12-22T23:27:00.006-05:00

The Montreux Tourist Office immodestly describes its Christmas Market as the most beautiful in Switzerland. It is pretty, and earnestly maintained as a regional attraction of high quality even within the Swiss tradition of general excellence.
The market runs for a month, during which it attracts 350,000 visitors --- more than the summer jazz festival.

2008-12-22T23:01:00.004-05:00

A large multi-angled open air market building was the centrepiece for this traditional celebration much loved by locals and visitors alike.

2008-12-22T22:22:00.010-05:00

We had a late dinner amid the noise of Alpine horns, singing and loud conversations at wooden tables which filled a two-story replica of a country restaurant. The tantalizing aroma of meat and cheese from hearty Swiss cooking occupied whatever space remained. In a nearby windowed tent a separate atmospheric cubicle was occupied by more diners who waved and offered a toast to a photographer.

2008-12-22T21:59:00.004-05:00

After dinner, we strolled by craft booths lining the lakeshore promenade. Most families had left for home; it was a time for adults to relax and reminisce with friends over glasses of steaming mulled wine. What a surprise seeing one of the vendors sporting a Montréal Canadiens hockey jersey!

2008-12-22T21:18:00.002-05:00

The casino was its Cinderella alter ego at night. The tranquil daytime persona was lit up, well, like a Christmas tree as it enjoined the seasonal celebrations.

REMEMBRANCE DAY, November 11 – A Tribute

2008-11-09T17:52:00.004-05:00

The casualty rate was terribly high for the young dominion of Canada in The Great War of 1914-18. Simple memorials in hundreds of communities from coast to coast remain as testimony. They are still the markers for remembering. A simple poem written on a piece of scrap paper by a Canadian soldier in the trenches has become a shared bond among generations.

In Flanders Fields
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army, France 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

2008-11-09T17:49:00.011-05:00

Canada’s National War Memorial

From sunset November 4th until sunrise November 11th, the website www.1914-1918.ca/ will present a nightly vigil projecting the names of 68,000 members of the armed forces plus civilians who died in WW I onto the National War Memorial in Ottawa, as well as buildings in other regions of Canada and Canada House in Trafalgar Square, London, England. A live webcam view is shown in Ottawa on the website.

Originally dedicated to those who lost their lives during the First World War, this monument in the center of the capital has become a place of public solace every November 11th, known as Remembrance Day in Canada. The date is symbolic of the armistice which came into effect among the warring factions in Europe at the 11th hour of the 11th month of the 11th day in 1918.

The remains of a Canadian soldier were transferred from France in 2000 for interment in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base of the War Memorial. It is dedicated to some 116,000 military and civilian personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

While I was concentrating on photography, a runner bounded onto the steps in front of the tomb, coming to an abrupt stop. Raising hand to lips he gently touched the monument and bowed his head, repeating the gesture before leaping from the plinth to continue his run.

Photos and text © Gary Crallé 2008. All rights reserved.

For previous blogs, click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of this page, then '2008' and ‘2007’. Best viewed with Internet Explorer.

2008-06-09T22:00:00.002-04:00

BEIJING GOES FOR GOLD

Purpose of this blog: personal observations to introduce Beijing and encourage viewer exploration.

Photos and text © Gary Crallé 2008. All rights reserved.

All photos made with Olympus digital cameras and lenses: 10.2MP SLR E410 & E500 bodies, 11-22mm Zuiko lens, 14-54mm Zuiko lens, 50-200mm Zuiko lens, 1.4X Zuiko tele extender. This kit gave a 35mm film format equivalent of 22 to 560mm focal length coverage.

To view this entire blog, double click on ‘2008’ on the right side of your screen and you are set to go! For previous blogs, click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of this page, then ‘2007’. Best viewed with Internet Explorer.

2008-06-09T21:23:00.006-04:00

Was I really in China? My room at the Beijing International Hotel was immaculate and modern. And the morning breakfast buffet was a mini cornucopia of western foods. The view from my room was of wide boulevards and modern buildings. Thirty years ago, our guides would tell me, the city was definitely Chinese, whereas now it is generic modern with growing pains.

China is thrusting itself from fiefdom into the future --- with seemingly unstoppable momentum.

The capital, Beijing, is a city on the move, a greatly magnified version of Baron Haussmann’s Paris makeover in the mid 1800’s. Daily construction begins at 2:20am, according to the clock in my hotel room. Although Rome wasn’t built in a day, Beijing appears to be trying to break that record.

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An evening walk to a bistro style restaurant was a mild lesson in culture clash, with small shops adjacent to international hotels, a crowded night food market, African businessmen, mini-skirted girls.....while our bistro ‘facilities’ instantly removed any stodgy thoughts about washrooms.

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A full day of sightseeing began with our experienced guide, Liu, escorting us to the Temple of Heaven, a Taoist complex of buildings dating from the early 1400’s. Circular buildings represented heaven; the square symbolized earth.

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Sunday mornings now witness crowds of Beijing residents who use the grounds to practise ribbon gymnastics, tai chi, badminton, the tango, story telling, board games and even Chinese opera.

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Interior of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest

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The great entrance to the Forbidden City is the ‘Gate of Heavenly Peace’ (Tian'anmen) facing the square of the same name. The square has been the historic center of Beijing for centuries, with its ceremony and conflict permanently woven into Chinese history. Hundreds of families and groups were out for a Sunday stroll, taking snapshots, buying souvenirs, nibbling snacks, sightseeing and just enjoying the sunshine.

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Possibly the most photographed portrait in the world, the over-size picture of former Chairman Mao, founder of the People’s Republic of China, adorns the Tian’amen Gate entrance.

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The Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors from the early 15th C. to 1912, was the ceremonial and administrative apex of the Chinese empire. Within its protected walls were the imperial palace and various key government buildings. Under a heavenly mandate, the emperor’s role was to preserve the status quo and ensure harmony and balance in society.

The entire complex is numbingly impressive, and in the process of being restored for an Olympic debut. My heart fell when I saw the scaffolding draped over several buildings, but closer examination revealed a timeless shroud over a boastful beauty. UNESCO lists the compound as the world’s largest collection of preserved historic wooden structures.

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The number of roof charms was a building’s rank of importance. The Hall of Supreme Harmony had the maximum of 10 such mythological figures.

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English signs within the palace compound allow greater visitor appreciation of this UNESCO World Heritage Center.

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Elaborate palace decoration included external wooden eaves with painted gilding, thick protective doors with ornate handles plus this replica of the Emperor’s chair.

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Chambers of the Emperor and Empress can be viewed through nose-smudged windows.

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It’s a long way from the early 20th C. telephone used by the imperial family between summer and winter palaces to the 432 million cellphones used in China 2008.

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Few visit Beijing without at least a quick run 80 km (50 miles) north of the city to Badaling, where a restored section of The Great Wall nearest the city is trod by millions. Invaders of old wouldn’t recognize today’s treed and landscaped route to the capital. From the 6th to the 16th C. there were several walls built and rebuilt to repel northern Mongol invaders.

A million soldiers reputedly stood guard along the 6,700 km (4,160 miles) wall during the Ming dynasty. With the advent of tourism, many more people than that now walk on the Wall just for pleasure. We chatted with a monk who wished us well on our journey.

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Young entrepreneurial artist Zhao Jie presented me with one of his finger paintings done from a vantage point along the Wall. Through a translator, he said that publicity from a journalist would benefit him. Mr. Jie’s shrewd business sense is typical of the new China.

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'Hutong' is a word of Mongolian origin meaning "well", now common reference to a labyrinth community of small one-story homes and narrow alleys which characterized the city before modernization. Also, many were either destroyed or confiscated during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. A concerted government effort now preserves the few remaining designated hutongs from further development --- just in time.

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Rickshaw tours whisk visitors through the many sidestreets too narrow for most vehicles. This is the pre-Olympics Beijing, somewhat gritty but genuine. And here is where I bought my first souvenir: a set of chopsticks from a street vendor.

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Madame Zhang Gong Wu is a Beijing-born resident in one of the city's few remaining hutongs. She delights in preparing lunch for visitors at her home of 40 years which she shares with her 90 year old mother. They live on a government pension. Heartbroken after her husband's death, Madame Wu puts her energies into entertaining tourist guests. She's been doing so for nearly 6 years, cherishing her neighbourhood, which she describes as having a good atmosphere and helpful neighbours.

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It is an old Chinese custom to keep crickets for the sound they make and for good luck. I thought this cage in Madame Wu’s small courtyard bore a striking resemblance to the new Olympic National Stadium.

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The August summer Olympics have been the ultimate incentive spurring a phenomenal rush of development in Beijing as the city puts on a new face for China's 'coming out' party on the world stage. The National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest" due to its interlacing steel girders, was under construction during my visit. Work was completed in March of this year.

Holding 91,000 spectators, the stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies. The main track and field events will also take place within its 45,000 tonne mass stretching in size to 330 by 220 by 69 metres (361 by 241 by 76 yards).

The 'Games of the XXIX Olympiad' will begin on 08/08/08 at 08:08:08 CST (China Standard Time ie. 8 hours ahead of Universal Time/Greenwich Mean Time). The numeral 8 maximizes good luck for the games, according to Chinese numerology. This ancient belief stems from the word "eight" sounding similar to "wealth", and therefore considered to be an auspicious sign.