Goro - Ôgon no inu



My today's post about dogs reminded me about this Japanese series that was very popular in my country when I was a girl. It is about Reiko Kitamori from Tokyo and her dog Goro. I am sure if you are around my age and from the Czech Republic you will recognize the song from the YouTube immediately :-)

 

(I hope I have the names right)

 

 

Director: Shigeyuki Yamane
Stars: Koji Tsuruta, Yôko Shimada Isao Natsuyagi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How about Christmas piano?

When I was a little girl I remember I wanted to play piano, but my dad played violin (and other instruments), and as it was also less expensive to get violin, it was decided, I was going to start playing violin, and I don't regret it, but I still love to listen to piano music.

So I am inviting you to this Christmas piano concert, let me rephrase that, to a very unusual piano presentation performed by The Piano Guys! If you haven't heard about these guys yet, I am sure you haven't seen anything like this before...

Enjoy!

Philomena

This week I saw the movie PHILOMENA which is based on the book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith "The lost Child of Philomena Lee."

It is based on a true story about an elderly Irish woman searching for the 3 year old son she gave up for adoption as teen living in a convent. She meets Martin Sixsmith , a BBC reporter with whom she decides to discover her lost son.

I love Judi Dench and in this movie I have also seen a completely different performance of Steve Coogan.

Must see!

 

South African nation is mourning Madiba

It was a sad day for South Africa and the world yesterday, when the death of Nelson Mandela was announced. There is no one news channel or newspaper that wouldn't talk about this extraordinary man.

I am married to a South African and have visited this beautiful country a couple of times, so it is especially touching for me.

Nelson Mandela Tribute
http://madiba.mg.co.za/

http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography

Lyon - Fête des Lumières

I have just seen an ad on Euronews TV for Fête des Lumières or Festival of Lights in Lyon, France and have to mention this one as I have heard so much about it.
If you happen to be in Lyon or in the area, you have to see it. It is the best known and most popular festival of Lyon and this year takes place from December 6 to December 9 throughout Lyon.

 

 

 

 

 

2011

 

2012

 

This tradition began in 1852 when households illuminated their windows and balconies to celebrate the Virgin Mary. Today the Festival of Lights showcases the city's architecture, and also includes rivers and parks into the show.
Up to 3 million visitors come to experience this event (free of charge) in many different areas of the city, but the best spectacle is located in the city centre.

I would love to see it myself one day as I haven't had a chance yet. I think it is absolutely amazing!

"Hors de Prix"

"Hors de Prix" was translated as "Priceless" and I wanted to blog about this French movie, starring Audrey Tautou and Gad Elmaleh, a long time ago, but kept forgetting. Finally, I remembered today.

 

I had lots of fun watching this movie!

 

 

 

 

 

Niagara Falls and more - Canada - Part 3

From Toronto we were off to Niagara Falls, but we made two other stops.

First in Mississauga. I really like the name of this place and  don't know why, but according to the Wikipedia it comes from the Anishinaabe word Misi-zaagiing which means "[Those at the] Great River-mouth."

Unfortunately, it was pouring with rain that day, so we didn't want to hang around for too long, but I enjoyed the work of Chinese architect Yansong Ma - "Absolute World" (completed in 2011) - two condo towers near Square One Shopping Centre. I have read that because of the building's curves the residents call the first tower "Marilyn" in honour of Marilyn Monroe.
It was so foggy that my photo wouldn't do justice to the building's architecture, so I am using one from the internet.

  

Instead of just driving directly south on our way to Niagara Falls, we decided to see more of the coast and visited a town called Niagara-on-the-Lake, our second stop.

But before we got there we stopped in a small town - Grimsby to eat something and discovered NYF / New York Fries - Canadian franchise restaurant. I am not a big fan of fast food restaurants, but I will say it, this was tasty and different. We don't have this franchise in Chicagoland.

It was still raining, but we were so glad that we took this detour. What a charming historic town with Georgian and Neo-Classical homes and shops. This region is just beautiful! You can take Niagara Parkway, a scenic road that runs along Niagara River. It begins at Fort Erie and ends at Fort George which is southeast from Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Nice place to eat is Epicurean restaurant (see picture below)

Niagara-on-the-Lake

There are many attractions along the river including Whirlpool Rapids.

 

In the late afternoon we finally reached Niagara Falls.

The Falls are amazing and the town itself is amazingly kitschy, but you can't help yourself, you have to see it :-)

We were also lucky to be at the right time at the right place. You can witness SKYWALK, a rope walking performance of 68 year old Jay Cochrane, when you look up in the sky in the evening. Unbelievable!

You have to watch this video to understand. By the way, he talks to the crowds as he walks...like he is just sitting in his living room.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQMAGPMGtoo

We enjoyed our time in Canada so much and would love to see more of this beautiful country in the future.

In my next post I will tell you how we got back home...