Happy New Year

2014 is a clean slate waiting for you to write on.

The Sacred maze in Chartres cathedral

The pattern of the Sacred maze on the floor of the cathedral. I see people walking it as if it will empower them. Don't they know there's no power in stone? The power is in the Holy spirit that is already in us.

The maze

At Chartres cathedral, at the rear.Its the pattern of the floor tiles in the cathedral.

On the road again

I'm itching to be on the road again. Here, a few years ago in Selcuk, Turkey.

The park

The park at the rear of Chartres cathedral.

Home for the holidays

Its going to be 80 degrees F on Christmas day. I may be drinking tea in the back yard and maybe in my shorts.

Les trois roses of Chartres cathedral

The three rose windows of Chartres cathedral, absolutely stunning. These pictures does not do it justice.

Merry Christmas 2013

Its probably never too early to say 'Merry Christmas' and a happy New Year. While everyone is decorating and preparing for Christmas, I'm  on the other hand, has not stopped working. I tried to retire but my resignation wasn't accepted. I have to post old Christmas pictures. But I'm still grateful that this old shell of mine is still useful. You guys, have a wonderful holiday season.

Chartres cathedral

A Unesco world heritage site, a few fires have ravaged part of it over the years. The only original part is the basement and whatever is under the current cathedral. It is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows. Few people remembers the name of this cathedral but they remember its stained glass windows.

Sainte Chapelle, upper chapel

I was in the lower floor looking at some postcards. I realised that there was an upper floor and that's where these beautiful stained glass windows were. It is a small chapel and crowded and there was work being done to restore some of the stained glass. It is a beautiful place.

Sainte Chapelle, Paris

After all my trips to Paris, I've never visited Sainte Chapelle nor did I intend to visit that day. I was on my way back to my hotel when I saw the line for the church. I said to myself, 'why not.' The chapel was rather small and intimate but then I saw huge stain glass windows and realised they have an uppper floor.

Dinner

A slice of apple strudel and a pastrami sandwich from one of the many Jewish bakeries on Rue Rossiers, Paris.

Rue Rossiers, Paris

 This was not a piano bar, it was on Rue Rossiers, out in the open. This is the Jewish area of Paris.

 A menorah decorate the window of a Jewish bakery.

 More and more Jewish eateries.

A bookstore selling Judiaca. literature. I spent a few evenings here, strolling and eating. It was a lively place.