education – photography

New Orleans Waldorf Astoria

The Waldorf Astoria, the palace of gold interior design built to make one feel like a princess in a castle.
The Roosevelt Hotel along with the land it sits upon which amazes locals and visitors from all over the world with it’s historic past. This 504 room hotel with three separate towers along with a rooftop pool and three restaurants, used to be inhabited by the State Capitol, Charity Hospital, Christ Episcopal Church, and the mansions of famed Lousianians of French and Spanish descent during the 1830’s.

The jaw dropping building has a story of rebirth. It’s incredible restoration had awaited four years before it was allowed to be seen by the public in 2009. The 116-year old building had been destroyed from the terrible Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Life in NoLa

The lifestyle of New Orleans is so unique and beautiful, it can almost be compared to the originality of the European atmosphere when it comes to free-for-all partying, drinking and just having a great time. Throughout the many corners of this musical city, you can find local boutiques filled with VooDoo dolls and the most outgoing artists you can find. Everyone who lives here is on a musical party vacation everyday with jazz bands on the sides of the road, or with nearly 10 kids playing the drums in a unique rhythm against upside-down buckets. From 120 year old restaurants to ghostly tours, this city is full of life for all ages!

Almudena Cathedral

The capital of Spain was transferred from Todelo to Madrid in 1561, and the new capital had no cathedral. Soon after creating a new capital, King Felipe II desired a new cathedral to be built for his reign. Construction was consistently postponed due to political judgements and turbulence, along with Spain having centuries old cathedrals. Spain built more than 40 cities in the new world during the first century of transfer, and the cost of expanding and keeping the Empire came first in regards to the importance of the creation of a new Church.

Construction of Almudena only began in 1879. There had been a medieval mosque that was destroyed in 1083, when Alfonso VI reconquered Madrid. The cathedral seems to have been build on this same property. It opened nearly 110 years later in June of 1993. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid, consecrated by Pop John Paul II. Five architects worked to create this beautiful building that expands 104 meters long and 76 meters wide with a central dome obtaining a diameter of 20 meters. The building is situated adjacent to the Royal Palace.

2018: Almudena Cathedral, Calle de Bailén, 10, 28013 Madrid, Spain

Life in the Museum

A night in the home of the famous Mona Lisa, is nothing like the movie, although the beautiful artwork and sculptures that fill the rooms provide just as much excitement. The famous Mona Lisa is held alone, for viewers to awe in it’s beauty. The woman is held in a glass case nearly four times the size of the painting itself. Along with a wall of security.

Before the Louvre, the famous Mona Lisa was hung beside da Vinci’s bedside. Following the artist’s death in 1519, the king of France purchased the painting from an assistant. The painting spent centuries being shuttled throughout may different royal palaces, spending time at Fontainebleau and Versailles. After the fall of the monarchy, the work of art found a more permanent home during the establishment of the Louvre becoming a public museum. The painting’s home has been the Louvre since it’s formation, although it had been removed periodically.

Napoleon Bonaparte had the painting removed from the museum to be hung on his bedroom wall, when he came to power in 1804.
During the Franco-Prussian War and World War II, the painting was taken to safety in a secret location.
In 1911, she was stolen right off the walls of the museum by an Italian criminal.

After its return once being found in December of 1913, Mona Lisa was then put in a concealed case where improved security measures would ensure protection.

50 years after 1913, the First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy convinced officials of France to allow the painting to roam and tour museums in New York and Washington D.C for immensely popular events.

The museum holds so much more than just the Mona Lisa, although that is the main attraction. You cannot go to Paris without going to the Louvre. It’s a sort of obligation to many of the people who work there. Not going to the Louvre when you’re in Paris is like not seeing the Eiffel Tower. Museums need more people, more people need to discover the beauty and pleasure in admiring artwork. Works of art are not easy to understand, and many people lose knowledge of it’s importance without art education in schools.

2015: The Louvre, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France *iPhone 5 Camera

2015: The Louvre, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France *FugiFilm