Conveuropean

Last thursday I read in my tech feeds that Google had released an standalone camera app in the play store, to simulate programmatically depth-of-field lens-blur effects to the shots taken with the phone. Since I had updated my "old" galaxy nexus maguro to CM11 the night before I decided to give a go to this new app.

Every year the carnival in Basel starts exactly at 4am when all the lights in the old town of are turned off and the different "Cliques" march through it, in different parades playing some traditional marching songs using piccolos and drums. This year has been exceptionally warm so I thought I was a good opportunity to see the Morgestraich again and I was not disappointed at all.

Probably some of the most iconic art pieces in Basel are the ones created by Jean Tinguely, a Swiss artist famous for his sculptural machines. You can find samples of his work in the Tinguely museum (hosts a permanent exhibition), in the Euroairport and in this fountain located where the old city theater was once located. The artist setup these nine iron pieces in constant movement, interacting with each other. Today at lunch time I was walking in the city center and I was able to capture a nice backlight shot that demonstrates the sculptures in action splashing water.

I have to confess I love the Christmas markets in Germany and Switzerland because they gave me back the Xmas emotion and spirit I used to feel when I was a kid that were long gone. Last Friday we went to visit the market Basel located in Barfuesserplatz and on our way we found out that one of the places serving Gluehwein had on top of it one of the traditional Christmas Pyramids. As you can see in this picture this pyramid has the traditional shape with different motives in each one of the levels. I wasn't aware but this type of decoration has its roots in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) region of Germany. Anyway I already had my first cup of mulled wine this xmas and I'm ready to party on today. If I don't post anything before the 24th, merry christmas to all of you!