Happy 2009!

Happy 2009!
I couldn't decide which photo I wanted to start off 2009 with, so I picked three!

Vienna, Austria
This photo was taken from the big ferris wheel in Vienna, the Reisenrad. I love how there is so much variance in the rooflines - there are the old cathedrals and churches mixed in with the new highrise buildings. Vienna is my favorite city, and I hope that 2009 will take me back there. There is so much of the city that I have yet to explore!

Saint Basil's, Moscow
Ah, Moscow... this is my favorite city to photograph. The architecture everywhere is wonderful, and every street has something of interest on it. I can't wait to go back - I already have a very long list of places to see!

Innsbruck, Austria
Although I only spent a few hours in Innsbruck as I waited to catch a train back to Linz, it was enough time for this city to intice me to return! This picture features everything I love - mountains, old buildings, outdoor cafes, and pedestrian only streets. It sums up my summer of 2007 in one picture! Whenever I am able to return here, I will leave myself much more time!

Here's to hoping for many travels in 2009!

Fountain in Innsbruck

a fountain just past the train station in Innsbruck

There's something about fountains that I just adore... I can't really pinpoint it, but I'm always drawn to them! I love the dragons holding the shields and flags in this fountain. I also love how softly the water was flowing from the fountain, which you can really see when you enlarge the picture. 

Vienna

a street in Vienna, Austria

I was browsing through my photos of Austria, and this one caught my eye. I'm really missing Europe right now, and this made me smile, so I thought I would share it with you! I don't remember walking down this street, but I wish I had because I would have loved to have seen more of the building with the rounded corners! Oh well, there's always next time... :)

Государственный Исторический музей

State Historical Museum, Moscow Russia

The State Historical Museum (Государственный Исторический музей) is my second favorite building on Red Square. My favorite, of course, is St. Basil's. The museum was built between 1875-1881, and opened in 1894. While this building was not demolished during the Soviet regime, like the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was, its beautiful interior was painted and plastered over. The building went through major restoration in the late 1990s,
and is now restored to its original state. The interior is as beautiful as the exterior.
What I love the most about the exterior is how it looks as if it's covered in snow -
even in August, when this photo was taken!

Olympia Eissport Zentrum

Ice Skating Rink in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics.
This rink is still used for skating and hockey events, and many future Olympic hopefuls train there as well. I think that the building fits so well into the beautiful mountain landscape with its weathered exterior. It must look fantastic when the mountains are covered in snow!

Кунцево

Kunstevo Train Station

Кунцево (Kuntsevo) is a train stop that I would pass on the way to my Metro station.
I love the building - it certainly stands out!

Храм Христа Спасителя

Храм Христа Спасителя, Moscow Russia

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was the first church I saw in Moscow.
It's huge, and beautiful! The original church was completed 1860, but unfortunately it didn't even stand to be 100 years old. Stalin had it demolished in 1931 so that he could build a monument honoring Communism. That was never built, but the site sat empty until it was turned into the world's largest swimming pool. Luckily, it was decided that a church was much more important than a swimming pool! This new church was completed in 2000.
The bridge I'm standing on while taking this picture is a new addition, and quite an excellent one, I might add! It allows for people to be able to take photos like this one :)

Think Pink! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Please take a minute to check out Pennies in Action
It only takes a penny to make a difference!

This charity supports research for more than just a cure -
we're supporting a program that is working to develop a vaccine to prevent breast cancer!

New York City

I know, I know - this isn't Europe! But I was sorting through all of the photos on my computer today and came across this one of New York City, and I like it so much that I decided to post it! I took this from my car (don't worry, traffic was terrible so I wasn't actually moving) and I love how it turned out slanted. Completely unintentional - but I think that sometimes accidental pictures turn out better than planned ones!

Gmunden

lovely houses on the shore of the Traunsee Lake

This picture was taken in Gmunden, Austria. We spent the day at the Traunsee Lake. It was beautiful there. The lake was surrounded by houses like these. My favorite house in this picture is the yellow one on the bottom left.