Memories

Thursday Thoughts -The Road to Tibet III

/ Leya / 8 kommentarer

An early wake up again on the train – the last part before Lhasa. The Tanggula pass is more than 5000 meters above sea level, but we were well taken care of with oxygen in our compartments.

The Tibetan Plateau is breathtakingly beautiful – I still have tears in my eyes when I look at the old photos-

– and again we were glued to the window. The whole journey is almost 2000 kilometers and today it takes some 40-45 hours. I guess hour train ride took a bit longer 16 years ago.

We passed by majestic rivers, lakes, mountains in every kind of weather – but I think above all we loved the magical cloudscapes over the vast open spaces.

I remember we didn’t sleep much…as we didn’t want to leave the magic outside that train window. In fact we were earlier up than ever. We rose with the first light shining in.

The colours were beautifully contrasting between warm and cold, and the numerous jaks and sheep were grazing everywhere. We also saw a wolf, but weren’t quick enough to photograph it.

The clouds created a moving palette on the ground – with shadows and light playing. Sometimes we felt the clouds were sailing so low we could have touched them had we been able to get off the train for a minute!

As we approached Lhasa, we came closer to the mountains and the valleys –

which we hadn’t done before. There were some people too out there – but very few and not easily spotted. If you can see them, they speak of the vastness and grandeur of the landscape.

Time stood still during the train ride, so we couldn’t imagine we would soon be there – at our final destination Lhasa, Tibet. A destination longed for since I was a child, but I never could have dreamed of such an amazing journey to get there!

A couple of minutes left, and then – a new adventure would unfold. Tibet. We were sad to leave the Plateau behind, because we knew we would fly back to Beijing in a couple of weeks, never to see it again.

Thank you for taking the Quinghai train with me – at least a bit easier than staying glued to a train window!

Thursday Thoughts – The Road to Tibet

/ Leya / 14 kommentarer

In 2009 we travelled by railroad to Tibet from China. A grand adventure on the Tibetan Plateau.

It is the world’s highest and largest plateau above sea level with an area of 2.500.000 square kilometres. The average elevation is more than 4.500 meters (14800 ft)

I have gone back to look at my old photos from the train – a train that never stopped and only let us take photos from where we sat. All four of us were glued to the windows those few days.

The landscape was breathtakingly beautiful, vast and wild – and I tried to capture it all with my simple, little Canon camera.

I am so grateful to have these memories, and despite the old camera, I will post some more pictures next Thursday as well.

Thursday Thoughts – Autumn Colours

/ Leya / 36 kommentarer

This morning I had an appointment for Milo – his annual big haircut, bath and spa (if I can call it that…). He has a love/hate thing with it. He rushes to his beloved Mia – and doesn’t want to have an ordinary walk before the ordeal. But after suffering a couple of hours at her hands, he then emerges as a RENEWED DOG.

While he is there, I take a long walk in my old surroundings, where I worked for about 20 years. This walk was always a pleasure, and now, with some colours still lingering – it’s a treat.

Please walk with me even if it is damp and foggy in the morning –

– it will get brighter when the sun has soaked up the mist.

And it’s on its way now…

I can feel it!

The forest is silent and the air crisp and clear. Autumn at its best.

Now when Milo was his loveliest self again, he happily jumped into the car to go home. But first another walk where I always used to stop after work – The Old Mill. See you there next time!

Thursday Thoughts – Hachikō

/ Leya / 32 kommentarer

Everyone who once has owned the friendship of a dog, will love the story of Hachikō – Japan’s most famous dog.

Hachikō was an Akita-inu, born in 1923. He followed his master to the Shibuya station in Tokyo every day and met him there every night when he returned.

But one day, professor Ueno suddenly died and never came back. Hachikō waited for almost ten years for his master, sitting at the same place outside the station. Many people cared for him and helped him, so…

…his story got wings and travelled around the world, even to Sweden. As a child I read about him and was very moved by his faithfulness. At home we always had both cats and dogs, so my heart was aching for his fate.

In 1934, his statue was unveiled, and Hachikō himself was present too. Today there is always a long queue to his statue – young and old – everyone wants a photo with him by their side. Even if it is heavily raining…The station gate and exit wear his name and on the wall there are several Akita-inu dogs portrayed.

This was one of my must-see places in Tokyo.

The whole story of the faithful Hachikō is here.

Thursday Thoughts – Back to Seattle

/ Leya / 15 kommentarer

Some memories from a beautiful city – starting with Chihuly of course!

It was also wonderful to photograph something for my uncle’s wife, Ann-Marie. She and my uncle, Kurt, lived over there for 17 years, mostly in Houston, Texas, but they got married in Seattle. At the World Fair in 1962, Kurt hosted the Swedish section, and met some famous people (like Robert Kennedy…) – I don’t know if he met Elvis, but I saw photos of him too at the inauguration of the Space Needle.

I know the young couple tried the monorail, which is still there today, but I could not find the exact place for the Swedish pavilion.

The more I visit cities with high rise buildings and skyscrapers, the more I use B&W. But Pike Market had to be featured in its own colours!

I loved especially the fish market, where fishes were thrown out to the buyers – from one hand to another. A merry market indeed!

Finally something seen from the Space Needle,

and from above the harbour area with all its piers.

I loved the view of the Seattle Great Wheel (opened in 2012) and its surroundings. In morning haze and B&W it emitted the atmoshere of an old movie.

So, Thank you, Seattle, for having us!

Lens-Artists Challenge #264 – Primary Colours

/ Leya / 60 kommentarer

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.

– Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Sofia challenges us with primary colours. I realise that I seldom – or never – use these colours. Not in my home, not in my clothes or presents. Not much in my paintings, but in photos!

My first associations with primary colours are grounded in their old meanings. I know there is a whole science about this, but my grandmother taught me: Red for roses and love,…

…Yellow for the sun and for Autumn to come.

Blue for the blue hour, the blue sky and sea.

A perfect combo for me would be a picture like this – in muted, soft primary colours. Because My greatest love lies in the seconday colours: orange, green and violet. A ”mixed” person? Maybe. And – who are you in colours?

In daily life, red and golden yellow is also significant for Christmas…

…and for old time fairs and celebrations.

In some countries red is the colour to get married in…

…come rain come shine.

In Prague I found this colourful and patterned couple. Not on their way to church…I think.

In China, yellow was only for the emperor, and still yellow, blue and red seem to be the preferably used colours in their art works. Yayoi Kusama, Japan, is an avid user of primary colours as well – but with dots.

Swedish summer means much of the colour blue – but not this year…rain and wind were the primary ”colours” for our three summer months, June, July and August.

And soon, the cold, blue winter nights are awaiting.

Finally, Ukraine and Sweden have the same colours in their flags. A fact we are reminded of every day. Freedom is the difference. May it come to all of us – to stay.

This week Sofia invites us to play with primary colours. Red, Yellow, Blue. You can pick one colour or show us examples of all 3, separately or together. Looking forward to seeing your replies! Please link back to Sofias original post and tag Lens-Artists so we can easily find you.

Last week it was all about Faces in the Crowd with John’s challenge. So many fun expressions and creative approaches for this theme. Next week, Anne will be our host with Black & White and Monochrome. Please visit her lovely site and be inspired to join us, Saturday 2nd of September. Until then, be nice and take care.

If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

Thursday Thoughts – ABBA

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

These four – two girls and two boys…were my teenage idols. So, when in Stockholm we had to visit the ABBA museum.

I don’t think they need any further presentation…

Of course the fanatic fans get their oxygen from here, but we ordinary admirers found it both interesting and fun. This is only a very small piece of what the museum has on display.

Their usual brand was also imprinted in the museum – well organized to the tiniest item.

Home

And lastly, click the link to see their avatars in concert in London. We don’t plan to go, but we never say never…

Thursday Thoughts – The yearly visit to Wanås

/ Leya / 48 kommentarer

My dear friend Viveka (of Myguiltypleasures) and I went to Wanås Castle – we usually do once a year. And we enjoy the art and our delicious meal, chatting along together.

If you like outdoor exhibitions – and surpises – let’s go!

Carola Grahn is the new artist this year, and she deals with Sami art and beliefs.

The giant boxes with logs at the entrance were impressive, but then the glassed wall was our first stop – at the sight of the blue mountain.

This is a rather impressive size of art work for the little pond, but we liked it. You can read about the artist’s idea below in the gallery.

The natural theme as well as the Sami connections were ever present. The ”building” made of birches shows a free interpretation of a sign on a Sami sacred drum.

Thank you for being our lovely company here at Wanås, and hopefully you want a new tour next year!

Thursday Thoughts – Vyšehrad cemetery, Prague

/ Leya / 17 kommentarer

The Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul is a neo-Gothic church in Vyšehrad fortress in Prague. It was founded in 1070–1080, and in 2003 the church was elevated to basilica by Pope John Paul II. Behind the church is located a large park and Vyšehrad cemetery, which is the final resting place of more than 600 distinguished Czechs, including the composers Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana.

I love walking in cemeteries, and today I want to walk this beautiful cemetery again, with you. I found some very special statues and monuments that really caught my attention. Some serene, some rough and some more strange than others. In fact, so strange that I could hardly believe I was in a cemetery.

It is not a big cemetery, but on some stones there were familiar names of famous people. Kaja Saudek was one of the most influential cartoonists in the Czech republic and was called the ”King of Czech comic books”. Dvořák and Smetana both had beautifully. ornamented headstones.

The strange woman statue leaning forward was made by the reputable Czech sculptor Olbram Zoubek. The fallen eagle was spectacular – but who would want it on a grave? I found out that Josef Suk was the grandson of Antonín Dvořák. I loved his beautiful broken violin.

I so enjoyed strolling here again, I hope you did too. This is a very special place indeed, and the church door in the header belongs to this basilica.

I do think the most ”normal” in this cemetery was this lovely lady tending to a grave.

Lens-Artists Challenge # 244 – Glowing Moments

/ Leya / 65 kommentarer

This week we are honoured to have Siobhan from Bend Branches as our host, and she invites us to share those special, glowing moments in our lives.

Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other’s good, and melt at other’s woe.

– Homer

Now I will share some of my glowing moments with you. Some are literally glowing…some of them yearly glowing, and some are for once in a lifetime.

The glowing reeds on a warm summer’s night – a treat every year at our summer house. The warm wind and the soft sound of the waves, the mosquito bites and Milo taking the last swim of the day.

Another way of glowing is the wine in my garden – a treat to the eye.

Spring! A glowing moment every year, and without it, life would be rather miserable.

When you have light in your mind, you shine.
When you have light in your heart, you glow.
When you have light in your soul, you rise.

― Matshona Dhliwayo

Some people stay with you forever…especially old people who have been through the ups and downs of life, and then share their wisdom with us. They make their golden years a gift to others as well. This is Stig, the father of my childhood friend. He was always funny and clever, wise and sweet…and I bet you can see it in his eyes as he is smiling over the reading table.

Another golden moment was when Milo moved in with us – who could resist those eyes? I still can’t…

Te Matua Ngahere

New Zealand was full of glowing moments, but maybe the most spectacular one was the first time we met one of the endemic Kauri trees in their North Island forest. We could not even see the top of the tree in the dense forest – only the gigantic trunk. Majestic, and holy to the Maori.

When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things – not the great occasions – that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.

– Bob Hope

Late evening in the orchid meadow. I visit every Spring, and lying down on the sun warmed boardwalk, looking up at the sky – are moments to treasure.

The most wonderful of all things in life, I believe, is the discovery of another human being with whom one’s relationship has a glowing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase.

– Hugh Walpole

There was a special glow that day, when this little lady made her entrance into this world – and the contact between her and her father was instant and loving. Every moment with her is golden. But I guess it is the same for every grandmother!

So, now we are looking forward to seeing your own glowing moments! Be sure to link your contributions to this post and include the Lens-Artists tag.

Special thanks also to Donna of Wind Kisses for her “It’s Tricky” prompt last week. So many fun and “tricky” photos, including reflections, artistic effects, and different perspectives. It’s great to practice thinking outside the box!

Next week, Tina of Travels and Trifles will be our host, so be sure to visit her site and enjoy her amazing photography.

Until then, stay calm and be kind.