Last Thursday I read in my tech feeds that Google had released a standalone camera app in the Play Store, to simulate depth-of-field lens-blur effects programmatically 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 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 it 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 (hosting a permanent exhibition), in the Euroairport, and in this fountain located where the old city theater was once located. The artist set up these nine iron pieces in constant movement, interacting with each other. Today at lunchtime, I was walking in the city center and 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 Christmas emotion and spirit I used to feel when I was a kid that was long gone. Last Friday we went to visit the market in Basel, located in Barfuesserplatz, and on our way we found out that one of the places serving Glühwein 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 Christmas, and I'm ready to party today. If I don't post anything before the 24th, Merry Christmas to all of you!