A Place Where Nobody Wanted to Live…

The controversial modernist architect Antoni Gaudí is one of my own favourites…but in his own time – he was not always popular. In Barcelona, you might have visited  his fabulous Sagrada Família, Casa Battló or La Pedrera and Parc Güell. And Marvelled.

Palacio Episcopal (end of the 19th century) in Astorga was seen as rather abominable in appearance and the cost for building it was just too much for the congregation. No bishop has ever lived there since…

Inside, you recognize Gaudí’s style with beautiful ceramics and stained glass.

The palace is now being restored, and I guess its future visitors will continue to admire his outstanding art.

The magnificent cross bows and his colour combinations are simply divine.

So, be sure to visit when your road leads you here…you cannot get too much of Gaudí!

As usual, click to get a larger view – sometimes you have to click twice…and click the links for my previous posts on his art in Barcelona!

 

SL-WEEK 51: Birthday

For Sylvain Landry – the anniversary! For this grand Birthday, I have put together my own 12 favourite entries to SL-WEEK – in no special order. In the header, Wedding, the photo closest to do with celebration… Hope you will Enjoy the gallery just as much as I enjoy the challenges.

Travel theme: Camping

I have done much camping in my days…many of us have. As a child I loved it, then as a young woman in love, we camped all over Europe during the summers. Some camping in the mountains, hiking and some camping with my students…but now, it is over.

Or… almost.

If staying at a Berber camp for two days, in tents, and having a camp fire in The Sahara Desert, is camping, then I have camped again… last month. Our tent was the one to the right, with a yellow entrance carpet.

At the far end of the camp were the toilets – and to my great disappointment, they were ordinary toilets – just like those at home…The washing basins outdoors though.

The adventure started with a marvellous camel ride over the dunes, and enjoying the colourful sunset from the top dunes.Back at the camp, we were treated to a real feast – or at least it felt so after our long day…

We had some delicious tagine by candle light in the main tent, and then we sat by the fire under the stars, listening to each others’ stories. Just existing.

We all slept well that night, but some of us woke up early…trying to find our way in the dizziness of the silence of unfamiliar surroundings.

I had expected it to be very cold during the night – we had been told to bring warm clothes. But three o’clock in the morning the air was soft and smooth, fresh and only a bit cool.

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Finally back at our tent, I admired yesterday’s fireplace in the clear morning light, went inside the tent, and fell asleep again.

Before leaving the camp the day after, I enjoyed the sun seeping through our carpet, and the joy of photographing our tent in daylight. The bed was very warm and comfortable, and we were provided with all sorts of bed linen, blankets, duvets, etc.

A last look at the camp and the ”restaurant”, then we left what had been the highlight of our journey.

IMG_6755_copyThe rest of my desert adventures will have to wait for a post of their own.

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I was just thinking that, maybe one day…we will be back in the Sahara again…

Go for more camping here.

WPC: Jubilant

 

I don’t know anything more jubilant than students storming out in real life,  celebrating their achievements and their last minutes in highschool –

 

– and then freeeeeeedom!

 

Travel theme: Breathe

Ailsa’s Travel theme this week is about taking it easy – and breathe. Nature is the place to be…and that almost says it all for me.

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Autumnal crisp air, walking with my dogs and my children – Breathing. In the header, the Swedish lakes and faraway mountains of Lapland.

Today, May 9

Milles kungarike

Milles kungarike

This day, 14 year ago, a remarkable friendship started between me and one of my most beloved friends ever. Mille. He came to us on May 9 and will stay for ever in our memories even if he left us, May 9, two years ago.

These two pictures were among the first ones I posted on my blog. I am very grateful for all the happy memories.

SL-WEEK 43: Wedding

According to Chinese tradition, the bride always wears red on her wedding day. So, for Sylvain Landry, this week’s wedding pictures come from China. Old tradition in the beautiful water city of Suzhou, and in the header, a modern couple walking the Bond overlooking the Pudong area in Shanghai.

 

 

Travel theme: Poetry

Travel theme this week is all about poetry.

 

William Wordsworth´s poem To Daffodils is one of my favourites. Especially since I found this marvellous illustration on it. Showing my students this piece of ”art cartoonery” from an unknown artist has been one of my ”musts” in life.