Thursday Thoughts-Along the Roads

In the header, something of the new Morocco…on its way? The man talking in his cell phone, standing in the house-to-be…if it is not abandoned.

The Moroccan roads are rather straight and dusty. And along them, life continues as it has always done. Or almost.

 

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In the  cities, the mix of cars and horse carts, donkeys, bikes and motorbikes radiates that special energy and feeling. Most animals are also very well kept, which adds to the friendly atmosphere.

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Either walking or going by van, we saw mostly men, of course, and nobody wanted to have their photo taken. I knew this from the start, so almost all photos of people are taken from the van. Sneakingly…

 

P1030028_copyWhen you have passed the High Atlas mountain range, there are endless, dusty, desert roads. But no matter how long or dusty the road, there are still people going about their daily chores – along the very same road.

P1030167_copyNomad tents rising or falling, and the women and men tending to their camels.

P1030189_copyMost people hardworking…

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…but some, standing and waiting – for something or somebody. In the middle of nowhere.

P1030242_copyA colourful country.

I wonder how they have managed to preserve their old ways of living? Our Berber guide told us they have so many ”tribes” that they are impossible to unite. They have a country of small units who manage to live together – just the way they are. I think that is just amazing.

Travel theme: Sensory

 

Ailsa at Where’s My Backpack ? wants us to use our senses – and one of the places where most senses are at work is the Jokhang temple in Tibet. The dense smoke and all the people – eating, waiting, praying…

Vid det heligaste templet, Jokhang, ligger offerröken tung

…and the Tibetan landscape…its vastness and immense beauty, Its total silence is overwhelming.

Kina och tågresan till Tibet 2009 452

 

 

 

 

 

WPC: Dance

Dancing water in Barcelona and dancing Swedish people – old and young – around the Maypole. Soon we will be there again…

Music is essential to dancing, and the water here danced to classical music whereas the people clapped hands and danced to classical Swedish Midsummer songs.

I think most people love to dance…it is a beautiful, sensual way of showing emotions. Find more dancing here.

 

Old and very young dance around the maypole

Old and very young dance around the maypole

 

A Better Year to Come

I hope the world will see a better year, 2016, with peace and love in heart and mind. And I hope for a joyous, Happy New Year to you and yours!

My last post this year, is from my walk in the forest today. Contemplating 2015 and what will come with the new year. The sun spilled its glory from an almost clear sky  – so – what better to do than spending the whole New Year’s Eve outdoors, hiking?

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Freezing cold from the start…

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…with the sun trying to reach over the tree tops.

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Succeeding now and then – here from the south.

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We had not walked here since the last great gale, and several times the path was totally covered in fallen trees.

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The untouched parts were shimmering in the low, golden sun.

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Some parts remained white and slippery, and my boys had to walk slowly not to fall into the mud.

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Some of my favourite ice – in Sweden we call it håris (hair ice) – and if you look closely, you will understand why. (The header picture)

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Heading home again, the sun setting and the real cold returning.

2016, we do not know what lies ahead of us, we can only hope, and work each one of us to make a better world for ourselves and for our fellow passengers on this planet.

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The road may be uneven, slippery, narrow, filled with obstacles…but I want to believe there is a light shining us through. Safe travels!

 

 

Thursday Thoughts

Thursday happened to be Christmas Eve. So this will be the story of a very special parcel…a present for my mother from her granddaughter.

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This Origami flower ball took some time to make, but Emma is a skilled Origamist (she makes a crane from every small train ticket and leaves it for the conductor…).

Then she drew a picture puzzle on the parcel, for my mother to solve before she was allowed to open it. ( With some help of course!) And we all laughed throughout the entertaining process of figuring out the problem…

This Christmas present was the most loved one on Christmas Eve. Handmade, beautiful, and engaging its receiver for several minutes before revealing its content.

No money spent, but Love, Time and Interest. Sometimes that is just enough.

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WPC: Now

This deliciously crisp chocolate candy we made two days ago – and NOW we are eating it!

 

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#111 Gömma – Hide (327/365)

We visited a lokal minority on the Yangtse River, and they showed us how a traditional wedding was held. Here the friends of the bride hide their faces and cry for the uncertain future for the bride as a wife. The bride herself looks happy…

Vi besökte ett av Kinas många minoritetsfolk, här längs Yangtsekiang. Vi fick se hur ett bröllop gick till – hur brudens väninnor gömmer sina ansikten och gråter för brudens osäkra framtid som gift. Bruden själv ser glad ut…