FSO - Look up / Look down

I took pictures with this post in mind for over 3 weeks, a snap here and a snap there - then the hard part comes, how to put some of them together to tell you a coherent story about Rio or Friburgo - I've ended up with a somewhat eclectic post including a bit from each city.   

In Rio there is a new building near the division between Leblon and Ipanema, from the street level is just an ordinary building but if you look up it becomes a visual pleasure as it shines blue against the blue-gray sky, reflecting the gentle wisp of clouds in the sky behind me.

 

I also took many shots of the sidewalks and entranceways of Ipanema. It is common in Rio to use white / black stones in curving or geometric design. Photo 2 is a simple example.

  

But as you walk along the sidewalks, you have to take special care with the breaks, holes or piles of stones that may lay in wait to halt your feet, twist your ankle, challenge your balance. It is always astonishing to me that the women of Rio wear high, pointed heeled shoes - however do they stay upright on these stone walkways.

  In Friburgo it is a normal that the streets, both public and private, are made of granite stones. They are a bit rough on the car shocks but seem to last forever.

 

My favorite shots though are those from our veranda looking down the valley, whether it be in the yellow of early morning light or the last gray/pink rays of the late afternoon sun.

          

and the last, standing in the garden looking down on the old steps now covered in moss and slowly breaking up, and up above them the house rising high above the trees.