Silent night

Maybe because I thought really hard about the snow, it really happened this time! Yesterday Richmond had a snowy evening...such a blast! The silence and the beauty caught together in the same night...

Kiss, kiss

JB*

Men & Horses

"Atlanta has Coca-Cola and 'Gone With the Wind.' Seattle has the Space Needle. Houston has oil. Richmond has Monument Avenue. Even people who haven't visited know about Monument Avenue." said Edwin Jr.

I agree: you just have to drive down Monument Avenue to get to know Richmond's most emblematic place. It was originally a upper-class residential area and it still is, where you can find many huge mansions! During the American Civil War, Richmond served as the capital of the Confederate, and the Monument Avenue was the chosen place to honor Virginian soldiers in Civil War. 
There is a particular set of statues, representing 4 important men, that comes with a curious trick: some people say that if the statue faces north, it means that he died in the war, If they survived, they face south. Well, it seems that the formula is correct but is it really true? Some argue that the position and pose of each statue only correspond to the sculptor's creative impression. Plus, according to G. Campbell, the equestrian statues usually follow a distinct pattern:

• When the horse had one hoof off the ground, the rider was wounded.
• When two hooves were off the ground, the rider was killed during the battle.
• When all four hooves were on the ground, the rider was unharmed in the battle.

Isn’t that neat? I’m not a huge fan of horses (and dolphins! - I'll explain later...) but I find equestrian statues so powerful, so strong! 

Kiss,kiss

JB* 

PS: Do you remember the post about the Victorian houses? The photos were taken in this neighborhood near from Monument Av.

 more photos with men and horses and muscles:

some *snowflakes*

Ok, I get it. We are not going to have snow. Tu-ru-ru

Last year it was so fun! In Portugal, I've got to ‘travel to the highest mountain (named Star) if I want to see some snow’. Here, the snow comes to the city and paints the buildings in white... My lack of experience in snowstorms makes me a snow lover... I'm still fascinated, that's why. Poor Europe that is now struggling under a record cold wave. Some with too much snow, others with none! Please, don’t get me wrong, I just want a couple of inches ok?

Although I’m not a huge fan of winter sports (I know my boyfriend would love to) it’s really cool to walk the streets and to feel the snowflakes on my face (that´s my winter sport). I love to watch the landscape all covered in white, the water frizzing turning into ice crystals and to see the buildings with that funny white hat... what about the white capital house? Does it gets whiter?

For me to remember last year, I took some pictures. Do you want to see them?

Kiss,kiss

JB*

February's quote

Feel free to save the pic and set for your desktop background :)

the longest January ever!

I'm so sorry January but I'm not sure if I'm in love with you or not. It's been 21 days from my vacations but it seems like 21 weeks. bah! Plus:

• You didn't bring me any snow! I mean, just for fun, man! common! -.-'
• You didn't bring me any sunny and warm days to ride my bike either
• You brought me just a few moments to be inspired with.

At least, are you going to work with me in my resolutions for 2012? Please be gentle this time and ask February if I can have some more energy and have more fun this time! And ok, ok I have to behave and be a better student, I get it! ;) Well, I think it's going to be a good year though. I will be unstoppable with my black lab gloves and laundry detergent approved by Chuck Norris. I will fight every stain I will find on my way. haha

Check the posts from January here:

Coimbra tem encanto

one month ago   January quote

Coimbra tem encanto

Today I'm going to show you some photos of Coimbra, an historical city which is located over a hill by the Mondego river, in central Portugal.

Coimbra is amazing and you can breed its history all over the place. Walk in the streets, seek for the monuments and finally, sit by the river and enjoy the view. At night, search for the Tunas (students musical groups) and hear its music...They will sing a serenade just for you...and then Fado de Coimbra will make you cry.

The intense cultural life centered on the university, one of the oldest in Europe, attracts every year students from all over the country and many international students.

Did you know that Coimbra served as the capital of Portugal, from 1131 to 1255? Or should I say Kingdom of Portugal, since I’m talking about our first king D. Afonso Henriques? Cool, right? The architecture is a result of many influences, considering, for example, that Visigoths, Moors and Germanic people invaded the city before the Christian reconquest.

Back in the Middle Ages, Coimbra was divided into an upper city (Cidade Alta or Almedina), where the aristocracy and the clergy lived, and the low city (Cidade Baixa) near the Mondego margins, where the people lived and the most part of commercial activities took place.

I took some photos at the baixa of Coimbra as I was waiting for my ride. I hope you enjoy it.

Portugal is really beautiful and magic; there is always a story behind each city, each monument, each corner. Be proud! I am proud!

Kiss, kiss

JB*

one month ago.

It’s tough being an emigrant!
Everytime I go to Portugal is such a blast! I always want to do so many things: visiting so many places I miss, eating all my favorite dishes, hugging and kissing my beloved ones…and yet, the time flies and there is always something left to do... When I arrive in Portugal I just don’t care about jet lag, you know, I simply don’t have the time for it! I’m always so excited that my body almost forgets that I've just slept a couple of hours. Unfortunately, my clock doesn't care about this excitement and steals 5 precious hours in Portugal.

This year, it was even more difficult to manage my time specially because Christmas and the Revellion were at weekend! However, I did visit my favorite cities!! I went to see my sister in Coimbra and my friends (and my boss) in Braga. I wish I took some more photos though… And I’m sorry Aveiro but I just didn’t have the time to take photos at your beautiful Ria.
The next collage of photos is just a little smell of my holidays back in Portugal; as you can see, I've manage to take photos of some great portuguese food that you would certainly enjoy :D .

Now, I'm back to the lab..and back to the gym too! hehe
Enjoy!

Kiss,kiss
JB*

January's quote