Oct 6, 2015

Europe in sketch format

Hello everybody,
we just got back from our honeymoon/wedding in Europe. I am now Ruth Squitieri, I married the best man in the world!
Hallo Ihr alle!
Wir sind nun zurueck von unseren Flitterwochen/Hochzeit in Europa. Ich heisse nun Ruth Squitieri, ich heiratete den besten Mann der Welt!

We toured Paris and Amsterdam for one week, then crossed the whole of Germany by river boat on the Rhine for one week, and then stayed with my parents in Southern Germany for a week for the wedding there. Here is a picture of me and Austin right after the wedding in the town hall (built 1562) of Bad Mergentheim.
Wir waren fuer eine Woche in Paris und Amsterdam, dann durchquerten wir ganz Deutschland auf einer Flussfahrt auf dem Rhein, und blieben dann eine woche mit meinen Eltern/Verwandten in Sueddeutschland, wo wir heirateten. Hier ist ein Bild von mir und Austin nach der standesamtlichen Trauung im Rathaus in Bad Mergentheim.



During our travels we saw and experienced a lot. I also found a bit time to fill my sketch book that I had brought along. Every time we sat and Austin had a beer, or we had to wait for a tour or transportation, I did a little sketch. Usually they took about 5-15 minutes, and I filled them in with gouache color later in the day by memory.
They are shown in chronological order and are about 7-11" wide and about 6-9" high on average. Enjoy!
Waehrend unserer Reise sahen wir unglaublich viel. Ich fand aber auch Zeit, mein Skizzenbuch aufzufuellen. Jedes Mal, wenn wir in einem Cafe was tranken, oder wir auf eine Tour oder Transportation warteten, fertigte ich eine kleine Skizze an. Ich brauchte ungefaehr 5-15 Minuten im Durchschnitt, und malte sie dann mit Gouache Farben spaeter am Abend aus dem Gedaechtnis an.
Ich zeige sie hier in chronologische Reihenfolge, sie sind etwa 25cm mal 20cm gross.
Viel Spass!

Layover in Atlanta on our way to Paris.


 **** PARIS ****
Waiting at a bistro in Paris to check in to our AirBnB apartment.

View of the rooftops from our apartment, would look better in color...

Arc de Triomphe, Paris, during a small thundershower.

Sacre Coeur at Montmartre, Paris.

Bridge of Alexander III, Paris.

During a concert of medieval songs in Notre Dame, Paris

Waiting for the train to Amsterdam at the train station in Paris.

**** AMSTERDAM ****
Our houseboat on the Rozengraacht (canal of roses) in Amsterdam.

Street scene at a cafe in Amsterdam.

View from the window of our houseboat.

Quick view to the modern side of Amsterdam from our ship MS Bellevue.


 **** GERMANY ****
Various small views from the ship as it passes landscapes at about 10 miles/hr.

Anchoring the ship along the riverfront of Cologne.

Sitting on the steps of the magnificent cathedral of Cologne, sketching the church opposite, while having a beer and a curry sausage.

Waiting for the ship along the river promenade in Cologne.

View of Cochem.

View of Koblenz from the ship while anchoring.

More quick views of the landscape and industrial scene from the cruising boat.

Heidelberg from a cafe.

Again Heidelberg from the same cafe after switching seats with Austin.

Back for one day in France, visiting Strassbourg. The most picturesque town ever!

Strassbourg at the main plaza while waiting for the bus.

Entrance of the magical castle of Neuschwanstein (the Disney castle is modeled after it)
while waiting for the tour.

In the courtyard of Castle Hohenschwangau next to Neuschwanstein.

Tower in the center of Wertheim while talking with my sister Edith and entertaining the nephews.

Hope you enjoyed coming along on our journey. It was truly breathtaking and we could never choose a favorite city.
Ich hoffe, Ihr hattet Spass bei dieser kleinen Reise. Es war wirklich unglaublich schoen, und wir koennen uns nicht entscheiden, welche Stadt uns am besten gefallen hat.
Ruth