French Quarter II
French Quarter
The French Quarter is the oldest and most famous neighborhood in the city of New Orleans. Many of the buildings date from before New Orleans became part of the United States, although there are some late 19th century and early 20th century buildings in the area as well. Since the 1920s the historic buildings have been protected by law and cannot be demolished, and any renovations or new construction in the neighborhood must be done according to regulations to match the period historic architectural style.
Most of the French Quarter's architecture was built during the Spanish rule over New Orleans. The Great New Orleans Fire (1788) and another great fire in 1794 destroyed most of the Quarter's old French colonial architecture, leaving the colony's new Spanish overlords to rebuild it according to more modern tastes -- and strict new fire codes, which mandated that all structures be physically adjacent and close to the curb to create a firewall. The old French peaked roofs were replaced with flat tiled ones, and now-banned wooden siding with fire-resistant stucco, painted in the pastel hues fashionable at the time. As a result, colorful walls and roofs and elaborately decorated ironwork balconies and galleries from both the 18th century and 19th centuries abound. (In southeast Louisiana, a distinction is made between "balconies", which are self supporting and attached to the side of the building, and "galleries" which are supported from the ground by poles or columns.)
The French Quarter is the oldest and most famous neighborhood in the city of New Orleans. Many of the buildings date from before New Orleans became part of the United States, although there are some late 19th century and early 20th century buildings in the area as well. Since the 1920s the historic buildings have been protected by law and cannot be demolished, and any renovations or new construction in the neighborhood must be done according to regulations to match the period historic architectural style.
Most of the French Quarter's architecture was built during the Spanish rule over New Orleans. The Great New Orleans Fire (1788) and another great fire in 1794 destroyed most of the Quarter's old French colonial architecture, leaving the colony's new Spanish overlords to rebuild it according to more modern tastes -- and strict new fire codes, which mandated that all structures be physically adjacent and close to the curb to create a firewall. The old French peaked roofs were replaced with flat tiled ones, and now-banned wooden siding with fire-resistant stucco, painted in the pastel hues fashionable at the time. As a result, colorful walls and roofs and elaborately decorated ironwork balconies and galleries from both the 18th century and 19th centuries abound. (In southeast Louisiana, a distinction is made between "balconies", which are self supporting and attached to the side of the building, and "galleries" which are supported from the ground by poles or columns.)
New Orleans
New Orleans is located in Southeastern Louisiana along the Mississippi River. It is named after Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, Regent of France, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. New Orleans is known for its multicultural heritage as well as its music and cuisine and is considered the birthplace of jazz. Its status as a world-famous tourist destination is due in part to its architecture, music, cuisine, its annual Mardi Gras, and other celebrations and festivals. The city is often referred to as "The most unique city in America."
- - - By the Mississippi - - - 
Hilton Head Island
In the Sand
Railroads & Cowboys
Killing time at a café before boarding.
Ocean City
Fell's Point
Austin
Visiting San Marcos
A Walk in the Verdure
Update
After a whole day inside these corridors today I was ready to head outside.
It's spring, it's spring, it's spring!
Over a cup of Starbuck's tea, I met with Ann in the sun after school.
This is what happens with too much time and a camera...
Someone fell asleep at the bench next to us.
Me and Ann.
Thursday at Towson
We started our day trip by taking the bus towards Towson. The bus stop is about fifteen minutes from our apartment and the walk was amazing. Spring overwhelmed us today, it was almost twenty degrees and bright sunshine. Mom eventually regretted that she'd brought her winter jacket.
Towson University
The tiger is Towson University's mascot. This beautiful statue stands in front of the main building.
The same building, although the tiger didn't make it...
The (soon to be) green part of the university area.
A nice old bridge.
Right now everyone is on spring break, but on a normal day these brick paths are full of busy students.
Me in front of the building that holds the English department. This is where I have all my classes.
It almost looks British old fashion.
These are some of the dorms.
The university has its own police. Notice the tiger stripes on the side of the car.
A car on the parking lot seemed to hold a message to my cousin who loves "The Boss" ;-)
It sort of looks like a heart, doesn't it?
After lots of walking around we bought yummy lunch-sandwiches and had a picnic in the park outside Towson Court House.
The flowers are blooming!
Newspapers for sale outside the post office.
The last stop in Towson was Macy's! Mom and I shopped ...
... and when we came home Schmaltz moved into the bag. A happy ending to a great day.
and furry hugs to cousin Ozzy on her birthday!
Wednesday at the Harbor
Mom and me.
The restaurants are ready for spring.
Hard Rock Café á la Baltimore.
The giant among book stores, Barnes and Noble.
The building used to be a factory and the inside the store the feeling still remains.
The harbor promenade.
Hmm... A fish :-)
A boaty bridge.
A R2D2 mail box.
A touch of American history, from the 18th century.
Schmaltz is helping mom read her book.
Mom and her grand-kitty.
Annapolis
A quick stop at Fort Mc Henry
Washington Tour
Winter Being Washed Away
The thermometer jumped of joy and reached 17 degrees Celsius.
Melting snow is good snow! How I love the murmuring sound of winter being washed away.
The art building. This is where I would spend my days if I were an artist, a musician or a ballerina. Since it's the newest building on campus that would be sort of nice. But I'm neither.
Of nearly 19.000 students, this is how many that rides their bikes to school. Impressive!
The Past Week
February
As always my birthday marks the end of the seemingly longest and least lovable month in our calendar. February doesn't fall far behind, although three days shorter it's somewhat easier to withstand. The weather has not been kind to us since we came back. It's usually far below freezing and even though it's less windy than home it's still way too cold to be pleasant.
A fountain outside the Towson University Student Union shows how cold it is.
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School, school, school
To some extent school is pretty much the same here as at home. I think students from e.g. Asian countries find it more difficult to adjust than I do, but there are a few differences also for me. The first thing all teachers do in a new class is handing out the syllabus. That is both a complete schedule with all homework, assignments and tests as well as a detailed description of what the teacher expects of the students regarding behavior, preparation, participation, attitude etc. All that is different from teacher to teacher, but since it is always in the handout there are no questions about it. The syllabus also lists the teacher's course requirements and grading system. For example in my Folklore and literature class the professor writes that the result on the Mid semester exam will answer for 25% of the final grade, the Final exam 25%, the Semester project 25%, Quizzes/exercises 15% and participation 15%. That is a lot different from home where you sometimes don't know what the grade depends on.
I'm in school five days a week, although I have afternoons off. My schedule is as follows;
Monday
10:00 - 10:50 Main currents in American literature
11:00 - 12:15 Folklore and literature
Tuesday
08:00 - 09:15 Applied grammar
09:30 - 10:45 British literature to 1798
Wednesday
10:00 - 10:50 Main currents in American literature
11:00 - 12:15 Folklore and literature
Thursday
08:00 - 09:15 Applied grammar
09:30 - 10:45 British literature to 1798
Friday
10:00 - 10:50 Main currents in American literature
That's broadly what my life looks like right now. Most of my time goes to studying. I wouldn't say school here is more difficult than at home but it's much more to do and every assignment takes me twice as long since it's in English. Nevertheless, all the classes seem interesting, the teachers are great and so far I'm hanging in there.
Books, books, books. The blue anthology over English literature at the bottom is the heaviest book I've ever used in school. It's over 3000 pages!
Just one more thing. In my American literature class we have assignments to write and hand in every day of class. It's a readers' response of whatever text we are reading. Today we got the first one back. Look!!! I got top score, five out of five!!! I can't describe how good that feels. Today I'm proud of myself.
Excellent Asa
Welcome to America
5/5
Today
Here are some pictures from today.
7.30 A.M.
Chilling out at Starbucks with a cup of green tea and a great book.
2.30 P.M.
Half day has gone by without a single picture taken. Well, however. This is Towson University, the side facing the main street.
2.35 P.M.
Same bridge as yesterday. Less snow though.
2.35 P.M.
An intersection. The Starbucks to the left is the same as this morning.
2.45 P.M.
Walking around Towson.
3.00 P.M.
A bumpy sidewalk.
Remembering Maine - Summer of 2005
