Stephi's Fotos

The Tale of Two Cities according to Steph and Heiko - Part 519

Since we were out of matching pictures, we improvised and in doing so, we are giving you a little more personal Tale this week. What does that have to do with the pictures above?

These pictures were taken on our way to work and I personally like them both.

The first is from Munich and shows a view from Ostbahnhof in Munich, a train station Stephi passed on her way back home yesterday. From our past conversations I believe to remember that she passed that station on a regular basis. As Munich is a far spread city, Stephi needs to take the train to get into the city. A train station can have some pretty cool views but also some shady and disgusting parts. I decided to go with the better view.

The second picture shows a view on my way to work, when I go by bike. I started a new job last Tuesday and after the tram already was a dread the first day, I decided to go by bike the following days. Since its about 13km (which is a little more than 8 miles) from home to work, I pass a lot of different areas. This is by far the best view and part, driving by the river Rhine, especially when the sun is rising.

How is your way to work? Is there a scenery view or is it rather not worth talking about?

Blue women

Translated from a @stephiramona photo

I tried a portrait ! Yes i tried :)

That's fantastic, Stephane!

The Tale of Two Cities according to Stephi and Heiko - Part 517

Ladies and Gentleman, it is no longer a dream of spring but it’s actually upon us, at least in Munich and Cologne. While this winter wasn’t a memorable one, at least in Cologne, with almost no snow and not that low temperatures, spring is always welcomed. Munich is always a little different with colder temperatures and more snow due to being close to the mountains.

But now it’s not only officially spring but nature also gives us a vibe of spring. Temperatures have been almost up to 20°C and I was able to have a beer in a Biergarten last weekend. More and more people are outside in t-shirts and people are starting to smile again. And the spring flowers are blooming as you can see in the pictures, the first from Munich, the second one from Cologne.

And now I have to stop writing to enjoy spring myself and give you a chance to do the same.

Stephi! How wonderful to see you! Thank you for participating in Selfie Sunday, and thank you for being a member of PWS.

For one day we're turning

INTO

Sunday, March 16, 2025

IS BACK!

There are a lot of new people on Tumblr who have never experienced a PWS Selfie Sunday, so we thought it was time to let them get in on the fun.

We want to see you! Any selfie you like, as long as you follow our rules of submission. Go to photosworthseeing.tumblr.com and click "Submit a photo". It's that easy.

You may submit as many selfies as you like between now and Friday March 14, 2025. We'll put them in the queue.

Any questions?

Cheers

The Tale of Two Cities according to Stephi and Heiko - Part 515

The end of winter is near or already here/there. In Cologne it’s actually almost 20°C this weekend with sunshine and people in t-shirts having ice cream. But this week’s Tale will take you back to winter as we have one more pair of winter pictures. And these items may still be needed as spring may only be temporary at this point.

Actually, I am showing you coverings that prevents damage on certain objects due to cold frost and weather. The first picture form Munich shows a covering of a fountain. That way the structure beneath won’t be damaged by the cold. The cover also prevents people from throwing in trash, which is unfortunately a common thing.

The second picture for Cologne shows two colored motorbikes. These covers are not only used for the cold but also when it rains. Hence you will see these covers most probably all around the year. Still, it's more likely to rain and be frosty in the winter and this way you can start right away after taking off the cover.

Do you have any objects you need to get ready for winter or at the moment in the northern hemisphere ready for spring?

The Taste of Two Cities according to Stephi and Heiko - Part 513

Today has been the general election in Germany due to the collapse of the former government. Over the last two weeks there have been a lot of debates on TV between the politicians of the most popular parties and it has been boring and als very revealing at the same time.

There is a clear right wing movement in Germany as in many other European countries but in these debates and discussions their leadership has shown very little knowledge in factual topics and have been very thin-skinned when they didn’t get through with their arguments or have been shown that they are wrong. Yet, they remain way too popular.

There are many topics that need to be faced but it is only abut immigration and economy while both points have been look at very narrowly without looking at the bigger picture. It has been very frustrating to look at politics as a level headed person.

Still, it is most important to go to the election and cats a vote.

By the time you are reading this, the first figures are out and it might be clear how difficult it will be to find a new government, or not. Still, Germany is possibly at a turning point, as is the whole world when looking at the broader politics.

Stephi this year has chosen to vote per postal voting, something I have done for the last couple elections. Stephi says that it didn’t feel as real to her as going to a polling station. In contrast to Stephi I will have been gone to a polling station and take my daughter with me. That might be fun.

The first picture shows Stephi’s postal voting documents, while I a not sure if I will remember to take a picture at the polling station. Otherwise you will see my voting notification

Since I am writing these lines Saturday even, I am not even sure what it’s going to be. I am only sure about which party I will vote for, which also stands in contrast to Stephi as she stated last week.

Now I could start a political discussion here, but that might be the end of the Tales as you know them.

The Tale of Two Cities according to Stephi and Heiko - Part 511

Stephi started our political weeks last week. As she said, there is going to be an election in two weeks in uncertain times that might lead to more uncertainties in Germany as well. Over the course of the last two weeks there have been a lot of public against right wings, fascism and nazi tendencies in general.

One reason was the the most popular party in Germany wanted bring in new laws against immigration, protect our borders and let no more immigrants into the country. Those laws are at least in parts shady but the worst part was, that they were willing to get help from a fascist party that is considered to be out of the democratic range as they want to get out of the EU, get back to a national currency, abolish gender politics and stuff like that.

The fact that the next German chancellor is most probably part of this party led to a lot of protests in all cities, e.g. more than 100.000 people in Berlin, 70.000 people in Hamburg, etc. The week before last and last week also had two big public protests in Cologne, 40.000 people in the first and about 16.000 people last week even though they only expected 3000 people. The second picture has been taken there and has a local context as the poster shows a former local soccer/ football player that we would rather see than the possible nest chancellor.

The first picture from Munich shows a newspaper that reports about a hug protest that is about to take place/has taken place in Munich on Saturday. Authorities expected more than 70.000 people for this protest. In the end more than 250.000 (!) people showed up and took a stand.

It is most important to stand up against racism, fascism and all kind of -isms that devalue human life and humanity in general. It feels like we are at a pivotal moment (once again) in Germany.

Have you ever been to a protest? And what were your experiences?