The state of public H20

I have been saving this for a rainy day...to remind me of the summer that once was. It seems so long ago that I wore flip flops to ride my bicycle to the pool , I have been wearing socks and boots for weeks now (ok maybe only one but it seems like forever).



I must admit that I wasn't too enthusiastic about going to a public pool, but considering the other option (I will get to that one later) I had no choice when the barometer hit 30°C and M. needs to cool down.








Maybe it's the memory of my childhood summers spent in the pools back in Montreal, all that cement, with wobs of gum stuck to it, the screaming kids from summer camp, no room to run, the chlorine, the lack of shade. Well, I was very happy to find out that, here pools are the main attraction in the park! That is to say, they are not chainlinked into a park area, but are included in the landscape and the greenery defines the limits, the kids' playground, the lawn, the snack bar, WC are all included inside.


There are various outdoor pools located in the city, and are easily accessible by public transport too. They are all equipped with a children's wading pool and with lots of 'perks' to entertain them (slides,fountains,spurts,wheels etc), a middle sized pool for the waders and a big sized pool for the serious swimmers.



And I must mention that one pool even had their winter ice rink converted into a beach - filled with sand, bathers got the impression they were far away on some tropical island!

I must get the babysitter and look into the indoor pools, they also come equipped with saunas!

Opera Rocks

Most of us have preconceptions (BORING, fat lady etc..) when it comes to opera ...





....but here they have given it a new edge.



Pavilion 21 MINI Space Opera, for the duration of a month is the temporary mobile venue for new reflexions and experimentations in musical theater. Designed by the architects of Coop Himmelb(l)au,not unknown to the urban scene, for they have designed other modern monuments in Munich. The pavillion is set up in the Marstallplatz, just behind the National Theater, home of the 'classic opera'. (actually I see know where they took their inspiration :-)











And opera doesn't have to be expensive, Oper für alle, is a festival of opera free for the public to watch at the Max-Joseph Platz, just in front of the National Theater. This year, stage was set up, and hundreds of fan come with blankets and set up picnics as they watch and listen to the live broadcast of Puccini's Tosca being played inside. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me, but let me tell you that a great calm realms over the atmosphere and makes it even more stunning.