Fruit trees then and now

The North side of Lake Constance has an ideal climate for apple orchards. Since 1950 when the supermarket consumer wanted perfectly shaped fruits, new trees were planted in rows and kept low for easy harvesting.  It has become an industry and an important source of income.  

In the old times, when farmers lived mostly on milk production and pastures for the cows were more important. fruit trees were planted randomly or bordering roads.

These wonderful pear trees - probably 150 years old - are a living example of the power of Spring rejuvenating and victoriously flowering on each branch to then give harvest in Fall again.

A reminder of a landscape as it used to be before industrialization.

Hanami

Without knowing it, we do 'hanami' all the time!  It is Japanese and means 'viewing flowers'.  While it can be any flower, it now concerns primarily the cherry tree flowers. The viewing is traditionally combined with a picnic in large groups.   Plenty of food and drink included.  Here in Paris the place to go is the Parc of Sceaux just a few miles to the South.  The last very sunny days opened the blossoms and today they formed already pink clouds around dark stems.  Next week they will be at their peak.

The appeal in Sceaux is that one can choose between two large squares planted with the cherry trees. One is all in pink and the other all in white.  The white trees are somewhat less popular and it is therefore a more relaxed area.

We had a 'Zen hanami':  no picnic, just a blanket to stretch out and to watch the busy bees buzzing from flower to flower.   Welcome Springtime!

http://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/en/1202_sakurahanami.html  

Puzzeling Sculpture

Five important museums in Munich are located one next to each other and for the hardy, it is possible to visit them all with one ticket in one day.  In the end one may walk like this sculpture by Dutch artist Henk Visch "Present Continuous"....

A red rod leading from the sculpture's forehead  makes more sense when visiting  the Egyptian museum located below.  There the same red rod continues through the ceiling into the gallery.

http://www.br.de/radio/bayern2/kultur/kulturwelt/neubau-des-aegyptischen-museums-muenchen-126.html

Pleasant surprise

We are all sad when another bookstore is folding and Amazon is getting bigger every day.

A large University bookstore in Munich was forced to close two years ago to be missed by many.

Last year we saw the still unoccupied store and wondered quietly who the new tenant would be. 

This year then we are pleased to see the successfull combination of bookstore and coffee house occupied from morning to evening.  The classic Reclam pocketbooks are popular as ever and displayed in a decorative way.

http://www.spottedbylocals.com/munich/lost-weekend/