.train station brunch

.the weather didn't prepare too many lovely sights for today. Ever changing periods of rain, sun and clouds... However, we decided to go for a small trip to France. To be precise by tram to the near Sarreguemines. We've been there at the beginning of our stay here, but on Sunday every shop is closed. Today we had a chance to buy some delicious French stuff.

After some delay (due to heavy rain) we've headed to the bus stop. We arrived to the French town, welcomed by shining sun. That's the difference between Germany and France - there is always nicer weather (no I'm just kidding, not always, only usually) ;)... We walked around this small city in the search for some grocery. It looked like they don't eat very regularly, because shop net is really sparse. Finally with some luck we've found what we were looking for. And so 4 types of French cheese and some nice wine were bought. The only thing still missing were baguettes (you cannot return from France without them...). Rain started to pour from the sky, but we were strong and sustained these bad conditions while looking for some bakery. To make the long story short, our mission was a success ;). And so fully equipped, we returned to the train station. We had some 20 minutes until the next tram. And because the hunger is a strong master, we decided to open a quick brunch directly on the platform (sheltered from the rain), using nearby bench as a table. It had to be a really nice sight, three students enjoying their cheese plate with fresh baguettes and tasty red wine... Viva la France ;)!

The rain hasn't stopped since then, but at least a wonderful sight on the rainbow in Saarbrucken was worth it!

.one chapter ends...

.so this is it. The time has come, we've done our exams and the stay in Germany, our Erasmus, is almost over. Only few days left, then we'll restart our routine lives in Prague. Hopefully with the successful final exams and master degree in computer science somewhere during this summer...

As with everything in life, I start to realize, that I'd miss this place. There were days I liked this city, university and people here, there were days of opposite feelings. Yet only now, at the end, I know that the positives were stronger. As always, you see that you like/love something only when you're about to lose it. As always, now you see quite brightly, that many things could have been done other way, some words could have been spoken, some deeds carried out. Yet they were not...

So here they come, last 4 days of our adventurous stay in the west European country. Will they bring something new, refreshing or are they designated to be dull and boring? This time, I'm going to let the fortune to decide ;).

.spring (already)?

.the sunny weather has arrived... Of course exactly at the moment when I need to study a lot (two big exams next week). What is positive, I've managed to succeed in four language exams (and that means a lot of ECTS points ;) ). I guess I'll get past these next 6 days somehow and then the freedom awaits ;)... And my diploma thesis, as well :(.

Nothing too exciting is going on here, I've only been to a Czechoslovak party (not very successful try to get all people from these countries together) and a really nice Russian-conversation-lecture-ending party (I've never ever before been to a party because some lecture was at the end...).
So, as I've said at the beginning, only that weather situation is worth to mention ;). Blue sky, quite hot on the sun and green everywhere... Is it spring already?

.her majesty, Paris

.it's very hard to find appropriate words to describe Paris (12 millions inhabitants, metropolitan area)... I think that the best would be "wow" :). This city is really beautiful, a must see for every tourist interested in architectural sightseeing. There was a possibility to visit Paris by bus (one day trip) directly from Saarbrucken and we took it. So this is our little story...
The weather forecast was quite sad, rainy and cloudy with low temperatures :(. At the beginning of our trip it looked precisely like this. Bus was leaving at 5 AM (return was planned for 12 PM). The distance towards Paris (375 km) was covered with only one remarkable incident (driving few meters with baggage door open ;) ). A few kilometres before entering the city rain suddenly stopped. We arrived at the central part of Paris (2 millions) around 10 o'clock. Some free time sightseeing was scheduled for afternoon and so first we took some photos during bus drive around the most interesting sights (Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Eiffel tower, Notre Dame de Paris...) . After some stops and obligatory photo shoots :) there came a new attraction: boat trip on Seine, to show us all the most important from a bit different perspective...
Suddenly the clouds started to tear and we have seen the sun ;). With such improvement in the weather situation the boat trip was an absolute must. It was superb, we cruised along the sooo long Louvre, under the nice bridges, around the oldest part of Paris (Ile de la Cite, island first inhabited by the tribe of Parisiens, thus the name of Paris is quite well explained :)... Now we can see here for example the famous cathedral of Notre Dame, built in 12th century), etc. It was an interesting sail, with plenty of photo taking opportunities.
And finally came the time to walk through the heart of the town on our own. We were free to go, just after parking the bus under the Louvre. I've recharged my energy with tasty and fresh baguette. We sat for a while in the gardens near the Louvre, watching pigeons and seagulls fighting for bread crumbs and bathing in the winterly warm sun :). Then I've met some Senegal guy, who was really persistent to make me a bracelet of luck, "hakuna matata, man ;)!". So, why not, maybe it'll work :)... Then we walked through Louvre courtyards (visiting this great museum requires more than a day and we had only a few hours, so we decided not to enter). Even this way is the building awesome with it's monstrous 1,8km length. Along the river Seine banks, many artists were selling their pictures, which reminded me of the wide spread romantic notion about Paris. The next stop was the Notre Dame, it's nice and crowded with tourists (who, as always, absolutely ignore the signs forbidding using flash when taking photos, are noisy, etc.). Unfortunately we didn't find the way to get upstairs, on the roof and to see Paris from the hunchback's perspective :(. It was getting late and so we had to move on. Another stroll through the streets full of perfect mixture of people from all around the globe. Yeah, Paris is multicultural. Final glance at the fine Opera, then river Seine covered with setting darkness, which uncovered the night beauty of this pearl of a city. After that only the return trip was on schedule...
I hope I will have an opportunity to visit Paris once more in the future, there is so much not uncovered left... So, maybe next time ;)!

Some of the better photos are available here, to give you a taste of this place ;)...

.and the winner is...

.finally, the time for the announcement of rendering competition results came today... And to my big surprise my tiny picture was worth a third place (among 39 submissions + first and second place was taken by two-people teams, while I worked alone...)! So I got some nice T-shirt as a souvenir and poster to remember this competition forever ;). And what is more important, the main prize is a good feeling that many days long labour was good for something :).

Here is a link to the website dedicated to the rendering competition 06/07 at Saarland's University.

At the same time I have to admit they I don't really agree with the jury verdict, there were definitely better works available than mine (for example "A Translucent Fairyland" is technically and artistically excelent)...

.party is over

.yeah, last 10 days were great. So much different from what we do here normally. Lots of traveling, lots of talk, plenty of fun and of course some wine ;). Party is over and all what is left are another 21 days in this city, let's hope a good ones...

Sasa left today in the evening (I drove her to the Mannheim, where she boarded her bus) and so the last visitor has gone. What awaits us now is not so enjoyable but it's also a part of university life - exams. Because we're here on Erasmus, the important ones like languages prevail ;)... So starting tomorrow, I have six exams to undertake (German, English, Russian, Spanish and after all this Computer graphics + Image processing).

Hopefully, all will go well and I will have time to write some posts from time to time :). See you!

.peaceful Karlsruhe

.morning welcomed us with shiny and warm sun peaking from behind the hills. Finally some nice and smiling day! Today we chose to discover beauties of the town called Karlsruhe. And it was really different than previous sightseeing journeys...
First of all, there is no direct highway connecting Saarbrucken and Karlsruhe (in Germany you have speedways absolutely everywhere, so it's highly untypical to use other roads for long trips). The drive was much more interesting this way, leading it's way through woods and mountains with charming views on natural sceneries. It's a balsam for a driver bored with unending hours of highways, where the only thing changing is the level of traffic...
Then we entered the city, with its castle built on the verge of a huge forest park. Sun high above our heads, spreading life giving warmth... Walk under the mighty trees, through glades, enjoying wild ducks and geese, it all recharged my energy. If you want to relax a bit in a town without millions of tourists, yet beautiful, this is the right place! I guess the name is right (ruhe means peace, rest in German) ;).

Would you like some more photos?

.jewel of Nancy

.i'm not sure what name would be the most suitable for Nancy... Jewel of Lorraine (province in France), golden city, or something else? French dominance here during the 18th century is so visible. The main square (Place de Stanislas) is huge, full of beautiful golden details, lamps, fountains... All you need is to let this amazing sight overwhelm your senses. Polish king Stanislas, duke of Lorraine really knew how to surround himself with artistic masterpieces and luxury. This place is a rival to the famous Paris sights.
But Nancy is not only about 18th century architecture, many Art Nouveau buildings are spread around the city, as well as sights from medieval times. Unfortunately the main cathedral is undergoing a huge reconstruction and so it's closed for public...
Our group was smaller this time, only 3 people (Sasa, me, Igi). The weather was really unpleasant, but it was definitely worth the risk. After cruising around the town centre we took a break and drank a coffee in a really tiny café. It was nice and refreshing and that's true about this whole trip :).

As always, some additional photos can be found here.