The Narrow Houses of Amsterdam

On October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Netherlands, Photo Challenge3 Comments

The architecture of the buildings that line the canals of Amsterdam is quite fascinating for many reasons. From the way that they lean towards the canal to allow pullies to bring the furniture to the upper floors to the very narrow buildings themselves, it is very interesting to see the different buildings along the water. Some of these homes are so small that you can touch both walls at the same time as they measure only 2 meters (about 6 feet) in width. The reason for these narrow buildings had to do with the way that the homes were taxed in the past where it was based on the number of windows and the size of the façade that faces the canal. Here are few examples, including the very narrow red home that is one of the three smallest homes in Amsterdam.

One of the Three Smallest Homes on the Canal

Pullies to Get Furniture to the Top Floors

Walking Our Neighborhood in Frankfurt, Germany

On August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany4 Comments

One of the things that we did just before moving back to Colorado from Frankfurt was to take our normal walk through the neighborhood and take photographs. For the most part, we took them so that we would have them to remember our time there and the places that we visited frequently. They obviously aren’t the typical tourist type of pictures, but it might give you a sense of what it is like there. Our apartment was located between the university and the old opera house and we walked these streets every day as we didn’t have a car and used public transportation to get around. We got used to going to different stores with apartments above them for dry goods, meat, produce, bread, and of course the pharmacy. So, join us as we walk from our apartment building towards Altstadt in Frankfurt.

View from the Front of the Apartment Building

The Penny Store (Dry Goods and Groceries) Across the Street from Our Apartment Building

The Pharmacy on the Corner Across from Our Apartment

Offices and Apartments as We Walk Down the Street

View as You Get to the Front of the Old Opera House

Subway Station Surrounded by Stores and Apartments

Shopping in Europe is Different

On August 16, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany, Photo Challenge8 Comments

When we moved into our apartment in Frankfurt, one of the things that we had to get used to was where to go to buy certain things. In the United States, we are used to large chain stores that carry anything and everything that you need. That isn’t necessarily the same in Europe, at least where we were staying. If you need medicine, you went to the apothecary. If you want fresh meat, you went to the local deli. If you want fresh baked goods, you went to the bakery. During our last few days in Germany, we took some photos of the walk along the sidewalk from our apartment to our favorite restaurant.

Another thing that we got used to during our time in Frankfurt was having an aperitif after our meals, something that we don’t see too many people doing here in the States. This week’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is photos of things that start with the letters AP. Here are some pictures of our apartment building, the apothecary on the corner of our street, and the aperitifs that accompanied our meals.