Mike Kraus: Monument

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

For the Best Coverage of Minor League Sports

Lancer Louie is Megan's favorite mascot because he is a sharp dresser in his tux.

More evidence that Rochester is crazy about their bounce houses.

Foodlink's Cool Can made the honorary "first kick" of the game. And notice, he's not wearing a tux for such an occasion...

Indoor soccer is kind of interesting because it's a lot like basketball and hockey. Things like three point shots and power plays.

THANKS MEGAN! Now my xmas is officially over. And, in their first season, the Lancers are in the playoffs.

I use to think people in Michigan were overly impressed with cars and highways. But, this shrine to the Madonna of the Highways at St. Mary's is a little over the top. Although, when you ask Rochesterians "what's the best thing about living here" many times they will say "you can get anywhere in 15 minutes!"

Occupy Rochester in Washington Square Park. I have to admit that I'm naive about what they are doing, but they do entice me with camping
http://occupyrochester.org/

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Mike and Megan's Honeymoon: Day 6 - Dedicated To Rick Steves

July 3

HALF WAY THERE! Only another 6 days worth of photos left. Be prepared! We will see everything today... Enjoy!

We never got use to the sun's intensity. This is at like 9am...

Despite me messing it up, our hotel, Solar do Castelo was really, really, nice!

See!

Megan posing with outside thing at hotel

Look at this. It's like those pics you see of other people's vacations. Look at the street. These little slabs of stone are used on all the sideways and roads. I don't think there's even mortar. I guess they use to have prisoners install them.

Castle of São Jorge. Afonso Henriques welcomes us to the castle built in the 11th century originally by the Moors, used as a royal residence from the 12th-15th century. In the 1500, the royals moved to the residences downtown until the 1755 earthquake. The castle was abandoned and left to decay until the 1960s when the dictator Salazar began restoration.

now for the views!

Megan overlooking the Tagus River

25 de Abril Bridge looks almost identical to the Golden Gate Bridge because it was built by the same company. It was originally named the Salazar Bridge after the dictator who also restored the castle we're in.

The Baixa district

What seems to be the set of Monty Python's Holy Grail.

My lovely wife tolerating all the photos I've taken and going to take of her...

She thinking she's getting even by taking my picture.

While Megan was in the bathroom, some guy walked by saying "Kittikesh, kittikesh (sp?)" in a normal tone and 50 cats came out of nowhere. From bushes, trees, roofs, flying. He led these cats into the castle where he fed them and then played a recorder. He's in that entrance. Very interesting...

Portuguese pride!

My lady pondering things...

Moorish ruins of the residences

The castle kitchen, which happens to be our hotel. We are the middle floor and the top floor is there little museum, we believe.

Did we time travel? It doesn't get more Old World Portuguese than this, does it?

The Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora

The view from St. Vinny's

Hey! We were at that castle!

Inside St. Vinny's

Notice the little wrap around steps to Jesus. It looks like Jesus is in his "Fat Elvis" stage...

The Alfama neighborhood

The Museu Militar (Military Museum).

Tram

Now in the Baixa district

Ginjinha or Ginja. It's a cherry liqueur that is served almost everywhere for 1 Euro and packs a punch.

Praça de Figueira with the João I sculpture.

"Be stupid." Cracks me up every time.

As if we haven't done enough already, let's check out Balém by taking the very sleek streetcar

Very clean and efficient!

Well, efficient as long as some douchebag doesn't park his car slightly on the tracks. Here's a group of locals picking up the car and moving it so we can continue.