Which way to the Galapagos?

Couldn't help but post these guys, the results of a colleague's 6th grade art class at the school where I teach. The New Year 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth (Feb. 12th like President Lincoln). Students are learning all about Darwin in their cross-curricular program and will celebrate Charlie's birthday when the time times.

If this looks like deja vu, it is. On December 11th, I was using scheduled posting to upload some photos and goofed on this one, putting "1" instead of the intended "15"!

Branka's "Crazy Boxes"

This is my friend Branka, a psychologist by profession and artist by personal choice. She makes these catch-all "Crazy Boxes" out of papier-mache and each one is unique. This photo was taken on Wednesday at the opening of her exhibit downtown. I hope she sells them all!

P.S. It's Branka's birthday tomorrow.....! Happy Birthday!

Mysterious traveler....

Another "taken while stopped at a light" shot. I couldn't make up my mind which version I liked better, so I posted them both. Which do you prefer?

The Evil Chipsy Eaters

Okay, well, maybe they're not all evil, but the girl on the right definitely has a malicious look as she bites into her chip. The one in the middle looks seductive, and the one on the left just looks happy, as most of us are, to be nibbling a potato chip. "Chipsy" chips are really good, too. I took this photo out of my car window while waiting for the light to change.

Dogs on Thursday: And you're worried about YOUR wrinkles!

Many visitors to Belgrade's recent Dog Show thought this Shar-Pei puppy was awfully cute. He'll grow into his skin a bit as he develops, kind of the opposite of humans, who are born nice and smooth, but develop wrinkles as they age!

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ABC Wednesday "U" is for "umbrella"

Not too original with "umbrella," but it has rained recently, and it's supposed to pour tomorrow! Where's the snow?

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White door and wreath in "Bela Crkva"

Taken just a few weeks ago in the town of Bela Crkva (BEH-la TSURK-va), which means "white church." Wreaths here are usually hung on doors for saints' days or village celebrations. Not sure what this one was for, but even though it's seen better days, it's still pretty.

Nadezda Petrovic

Nadežda Petrović, born 1873, is considered the most important Serbian female painter from the late 19th and early 20th century. She is also known as Serbia's most famous Fauvist. In 1912 she opened her own studio, which was sadly short-lived, as Nadežda volunteered in 1914 as a nurse in World War I and died with many other soldiers in 1915, of typhoid fever. Nadežda Petrović on the 200 Serbian dinar banknote.

Fresh fish!

In medieval times, signs like these (without the text) helped people recognize shops. This shop in Zrenjanin (ZREN-ya-neen), about 76 kms from Belgrade, sells all kinds of fresh river fish and will even grill or fry it for you. The Cyrillic text reads, "Ribarnica" (Ree-BAR-neet-suh), and means fish shop/market.

Almost symmetrical

The ground floor of this building is a "bistro-baked goods" shop in Pančevo, a half-hour drive from Belgrade. I was struck by the building's symmetry (or almost!) and that it looks a bit like a movie set. Looks like "things go better with Coke" here, too.

Bugs in Belgrade!

Every year Holiday on Ice comes to Belgrade and is a big success. Every year of course it's on a different theme, and this year it's our friends from Warner Brothers, Bugs and the gang. Here Bugs Bunny is known as "“Duško Dugouško,” the latter word meaning "long-eared." “Duško" is the shortened form of a man's name. Whatever his name is, he's an awful lot of fun, and I am considering buying a couple of tickets. The least expensive mentioned on the billboard ones are 999 dinars, or about 11 euros or $14.00. Just under the word "Bugs" are a number of our City Daily Photo landmarks! Free advertising!