In Blogging and the Web, Geek Talk, hobby, Sreisaatv2

The Pont de l’Archevêché

Author sreisaatPosted on 5 Comments

Apologies for my absence from the weekly postcard blog post and missing Sunday Stamps and Thursday Postcard Hunt! I was away on a work trip and couldn’t keep up with my usual posting schedule. But I’m back now and ready to share this fascinating vintage postcard, which I inherited from a fellow expat who recently returned to his home country.

The Pont de l”Archevêché and Notre Dame. Postmarked in 1930. This vintage postcard offers a window into the past, capturing the Pont de l’Archevêché in its early years.

The Pont de l’Archevêché, or the Archbishop’s Bridge, is a stunning structure that spans the Seine River. Built in the 18th century, it’s one of the oldest bridges in Paris. Some parts, like the parapets or railings, have been replaced over the years with stronger and safer ones than what were originally constructed out of cast iron.

The Pont de l’Archevêché is the narrowest road bridge in Paris and features a central arch and two smaller supporting arches, spanning the Seine River. This design allowed for boats to pass underneath without obstruction. The bridge’s Baroque architectural style contrasts the nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral, with its pointed arches and ornate details. 

The bridge’s significance to France extends beyond its architectural beauty. It’s named after the nearby archbishop’s palace, which was a center of religious and political power in medieval Paris. The Pont de l’Archevêché has played a vital role in connecting the Left Bank and the Right Bank of the Seine, facilitating trade and commerce for centuries.

Today, the Pont de l’Archevêché remains a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Paris’ rich history. Its elegant design and historical significance make it a must-see for visitors to the City of Lights. The bridge is now known for its charming tradition of lovelocks, where couples attach padlocks to the railings as a symbol of their eternal love. While the practice is seen as romantic by tourists, many locals believe that the padlocks clutter the bridges, detract from their aesthetic appeal, and can even pose a safety hazard.

In Cambodia life, Expat Life, Sreisaatv2

Sneeze attack

Author sreisaatPosted on Leave a comment

I have a story to tell, a true story that happened to me a week ago today and I’m still laughing about it.

My day started like any Monday in the city: a chaotic tuktuk ride, traffic jams, and the usual morning madness. Tuktuks, motorbikes, cars, and buses were all packed to the brim and the Steung Meanchey flyover area was a nightmare. While stuck in traffic, I was mentally mapping out my day when I felt a familiar tickle of a sneeze began to creep up on my nose. I knew right away a sneeze was coming, but I wasn’t prepared for the force with which it would hit.

Sure enough, when the traffic came to a halt at the next red light, I let out a sneeze. A sneeze that could have rivaled a lion’s roar. It rattled the tuk-tuk I was on, and I’m sure the girl on the motorbike next to me thought I had a bomb on my nose. That, or I was possessed. To make matters worse, I felt a sudden snap around my waistline. The clasp on my skit had undone! I was panicking and quietly crying inside, my mind racing with the horrifying image of my skirt falling down to my ankles, in public, when I got off the tuktuk. Memories of the last time I’d experience a wardrobe malfunction flooded back with the associated PTSD. So, never again!

I spent the rest of the ride, fidgeting with my skirt, trying to discreetly fix it, but it was difficult with one hand clutching my backpack (which, by the way, is never let go of in Phnom Penh). Anyways, I was relieved when I finally managed to clasp it back together as I was nearing my office. I’m so good with my hands, eh?

Disaster averted. Lesson learned? Maybe invest in better quality skirt. Or avoid sneezing in public altogether. Or, as my mother would often say, just stop sneezing dramatically, like a dragon, in public. LOL. Or maybe I should just embrace the chaos and embarrassment, and laugh it off. Well, in the end, I did just that. After all, these are just the kind of [mis]adventures any girl goes through. Imagine if I could translate all these embarrassments into a comedy routine, or a hilarious artwork, I’d have a book by now! As the saying goes (in the Visayan language), “Unsaon na lang jud kaming mga, ahem, unsay Ininggles sa danghag... clumsy? Danghag noon, danghag pa rin ngayon.” Translation: Clumsy then, clumsy now. I guess some things (about me) never change. I’m not sure if it’s a genetic trait or just a bad habit. Either way, I’m still laughing about this whole ordeal.

In Blogging and the Web, Geek Talk, hobby, Sreisaatv2

Cheers to Czech Food and Drink

Author sreisaatPosted on 6 Comments

Behold the Czech Republic’s EUROPA stamp a philatelic feast for the eyes, and my entry for this week’s Sunday Stamps with the theme food. Issued by the Czech Post in 2005, this illustrated stamp celebrates the nation’s culinary delights, where meat reigns supreme.

Czech Republic’s EUROPA stamp classified under the Food and Cooking category. Issued by the Czech Post in 2005.

Poultry, pork, beef—you name it, Czech cuisine offers a variety of hearty options, often accompanied by their beloved knedliky. These dumplings are a carb-lover’s dream are a comforting staple, made from wheat or potato flour, lovingly boiled into a roll, then sliced and served piping hot. I stumbled upon a photo online that’s a virtual twin of the stamp’s illustration, minus the beer.

I found the this photo online, almost exact copy of the stamp, save for the missing beer. Source.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or should we say, the beer in the mug? The stamp proudly features a frothy mug of beer, which is practically a national treasure in the Czech Republic.

Beer is not just a drink in the Czech Republic; it’s a way of life. The country boasts the highest beer consumption per capita on the planet. With legendary brands like Budweiser Budvar and Pilsner Urquell, the Czechs have made their mark on the global beer map. But wait, there’s more! The Czech Republic is home to over 470 different types of beer. That’s right, folks, 470. And with that 470 different types of beer, the Czech Republic offers more than one brew for every day of the year. Everyday is beer festival, hurrah!

I love this stamp. As a foodie and a stamp enthusiast – it’s a small rectangle of joy celebrating the big flavours of this vibrant culture. Collect, lick, and post… or better yet, I’m going find myself a Czech beer and pour myself a cold one and toast to the love of food and stamps! Na zdraví!