Thursday Thoughts

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 – He’s got the look

/ Leya / 14 kommentarer

This bust in Kokura Castle intrigued me. The man’s name was not possible to read, neither was the artist’s name. They were only written in Japanese, and there was nobody to ask about it.

I walked past him several times, as he was standing (if a bust can stand?) close to the entrance gate. Each time I felt someone was watching me. It was something with his eyes.

I know about (and have seen such paintings) Renaissance painters who could paint eyes that seemingly followed you, but sculptures? They say it is about how the iris is placed against the white part of the eye. Anyhow, he was creepy. And in my picture, the surrounding photographic blur mirrors the look in his eyes.

What are your thoughts? Have you experienced something similar? Has someone got a further explanation to the phenomenon?

Thursday Thoughts

/ Leya / 19 kommentarer

When visiting the reclining Buddha, we passed by Acalanatha, the fierce Buddhist deity, god of fire, said to protect worshipers from disasters or harm. At his feet were numerous Buddha disciples. I was fascinated by their expressions – everyone different. Fantastic work.

Enjoy some of them from a closer position. They were covered in moss and lichen, but their faces and gestures were so very alive.

I hope you too found them fascinating!

Thursday Thoughts – Todai-ji, The Great Buddha Hall (daibutsuden)

/ Leya / 17 kommentarer

The Great Buddha Hall was founded in 738 by Emperor Shomu, and is now a UNESCO World heritage site. An impressive sight, and it didn’t get less impressive the nearer you came. There are numerous temples everywhere in Japan, so you must decide for only some, or you will get tired. And, you do want them to shine – each one of them!

The temple complex was once the world’s biggest wooden building, but is now only 2/3 of its original size. It is situated in Nara, the old capital, and I am sure you remember the deer, roaming free there.

To get a hint of its size, see the Shibi and explanation below.

Inside is the world’s biggest bronze statue of Buddha, 15m high, weighing 500 tons. Only the ears are 2.5 meter tall. The head is 5m, and sitting there since 1632. It has fallen off several times due to fires and other disasters over the many hundreds of years the statue has existed.

The Buddha is accompanied by two Bodisattvas and some grotesque guards. There was also a model of the whole complex as it once looked. The Great Buddha Hall to the right, and then some pagodas that is no longer there. I found the doors so very beautiful.

The giant pillars holding the structure, were of almost massive wood, and in one of them there was a ”shortcut” to Nirvana – that is, if you were small enough to go through it… This little girl and her brother managed after some wiggling – and patience. Lucky for the Japanese they are so slim!

In Japan there is much queueing, but people are very disciplined. As in everything. No big gestures and no high voices. The warning signs for people visiting Nara, certainly did not apply to anything but the deer!

An impressive day throughout. But thinking of how much we had to leave out because there was no time… I think I have never felt that harder than this time. Maybe it’s because I am getting older and know – that probably I will never visit Japan again. When we are younger, we feel there are so many options. But I am so grateful to have experienced all this. It still is a wonderful world.

Thursday Thoughts – More Mediterranean Musings

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

Let’s start with St-Paul-de-Vence and then another post on Eze. Two beautiful medieval towns close to Nice. Each one perfect for a day tour.

This is St-Paul-de-Vence, clinging to the rocks and still a magnet to all kinds of tourists. Filled with galleries and art, and Fondation Maeght close by, a private museum with collections of modern and contemporary art.

Here’s some different ”street art” – I loved that hanging lady – real size!

Stars like Greta Garbo and Sophia Loren stayed at this hotel. It still looked fashionable.

I loved Fondation Maeght, and especially the tall, thin figures by Alberto Giacometti, the cat and the dog. I have seen some of them at Louisiana in Denmark before.

So, when in Nice – take the bus out there and enjoy!

Thursday Thoughts – A Peaceful Olive Grove

/ Leya / 33 kommentarer

In Nice we also found the most beautiful olive grove, with the old old trees standing silent and impressive.

The Olive tree is one of the most beloved, sacred trees and its place is firmly rooted in Ancient Greek tradition and mythology.

Traditionally, the Olive tree is a symbol of peace and friendship, this association began in ancient Greece, as early as the fifth century.

We constantly hope for peace in this world. During this silent walk, some rays of sun hit a friend (a palm tree?) in one of the trunks in quite a spectacular way – and it felt almost like a sign. May peace come to us all – soon.

Thursday Thoughts – Greenland Nostalgia

/ Leya / 38 kommentarer

We finally decided to get a DigitDia to be able to see our many travels from the 1980’s and onward on the computer. We started yesterday with Greenland, of 1982. Here are some of the first photos from that trip, taken with a Konica and Kodachrome 64. And yes, it is a young Ann-Christine sitting there, 42 years ago.

We went to Narsarsuaq and expected a beautiful country with untouched nature. The viking, Erik Röde, arrived here in the year 982, so 1982 was the year of celebrating 1000 years of ”discovery”. The Inuits had been here for long, but as usual – the white man ”discovers”… Erik called it ”Greenland” to get followers to settle here. And yes – it was more green than I had thought.

I know I have written these words before – but I never wanted to leave and go back home. The air was extremely clear and fresh to breathe, the nature was amazingly beautiful and the water – was the most fantastic of all. I brought back two big bottles from the glacier streams. I drank one of them, the other one was saved for a long time… It felt like the water of Life.

I am happy. I will be able to easily relive our old travels. Egypt, Nepal, Peru…I hope to post some of them this year.

Thursday Thoughts – Colourful Menton

/ Leya / 24 kommentarer

Menton was a sweet surprise – despite les citrons! There was the beautiful festival of course, but I fell in love with the town itself, so colourful and lovely architecture.

Menton has about 30 000 inhabitants, and a pleasant micro climate, which makes it an ideal place for growing their fruits. I could stay here for a while…Just let these harbour pictures charm you!

Of course I must finish with another couple of pictures from this year’s olympic theme. And the last picture goes to my son, who still is an avid skateboarder.

Thursday Thoughts – A day at Phoenix Parc

/ Leya / 26 kommentarer

We had missed that in Nice they do not close their museums on Mondays – but on Tuesdays. Instead we went to Phoenix Parc near the airport, a short train ride and we were there.

Many flowers and some animals – a sunny and relaxing walk! One of the peacocks decided to show off his beauty – and we had a hard time figuring out if his front or back was the most attractive part of him…

The flamingos were spotted from down under the foliage, pruning and prancing…

So, feathers and flowers – another lovely day in Nice!

Thursday Thoughts – Nice again!

/ Leya / 29 kommentarer

Do you love dragons?

Warning – I do and always have…So, the night light carnival was absolutely mezmerising. Ever since I first read about dragons, I have loved them. My daughter played with dragons and built dragons instead of dolls or cars. I still love animated movies with dragons in them. Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki on Japanese myths of old) and How to Train your Dragon (charming and clever), both have much to teach us. Fun, inspiration and wisdom in one. I hope to see them again with little Myra.

Time for the Light festival then. Promenade des Anglais looked wonderful in the sunset. But now – let’s get started!

The Carnival King arrived in confetti showers. At least 10-15 meters tall. Impressive.

Then another king came along – you all know who he is!

This car was obviously every year in the parade. I don’t recognise the animals or drivers. Do you?

Now – my dragons! Some skilled building here and I don’t want to know how many hours’ work. Look at the details. He walked, moved his body parts separately, sent flames and smoke, and juggled artists from his neck and head.

We climbed down the stairs to see him from ground level too. What a treat! My little grandchild looked at the movie clip I sent, and was at first a bit scared, then fascinated. I hope she will love dragons too. My fascination still burns. It is good to keep the child in you even as a grown up.