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.

CFFC: Pets

I have always had pets…everything from worms to cats and dogs. I could not live without them, but I bet sometimes my parents could have…

In the header, it seems the young cat staring at me never had a camera pointing at him before – or maybe he’d never seen such a weirdo as this one…

Of course my own sweetie, Totti, must be here as well! This weekend he had a short, but delightful, visit from his granddaughter – Diva.

See more pets here.

WPC: Admiration

I admire many people. People who struggle hard to get a decent life, people who save other people’s lives, people who have accomplished great things… But there is one man I admire perhaps the most of all. The Dalai Lama.

We all know his story, how he was taken from his parents at an early age – being the chosen one. How he had to flee his country from the invading Chinese, and how he has managed to survive and be the leader and role model for so many people in the world. His gentle wisdom, his smiling eyes, his message of peace and nonviolence is recognized worldwide.

The Dalai Lama has my deepest admiration .

In the header is a picture from Malmoe, when he visited in 2011. I had listened to him once before in Lund, but this time I also happened to be right at the entrance just when he left the building.

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After the interesting and joyful interview, he walked out to the waiting car…

Dalai lama Lund 16 april 2011 024_copy…saying his gentle goodbyes to all of us. For this time. In my heart, I hope to see him again. Some day. Somewhere.

 

 

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Thursday Thoughts – Desert Inhabitants

Life in the desert – we all know there is life, but for me it was rather a shock to see how Much life.

Human beings might turn up – like in the header – but seldom without camels.

If you walk the dunes of the Sahara Desert an early morning, waiting for the sunrise, there are other creatures catching your attention…

…like this super fast moving gerbil, or desert rat. Puffs of sand coming up of this hole made me curious…

I waited for him to show himself properly…but swooosh, and he was up and back in his hole in less than a milli – second, digging along again. At least I got a glimpse of his fascinatingly big eyes!

After the sunrise, we walked over the dunes towards the camp. The grey light had shifted into pink, and was now turning more and more into a warm yellow. But who is making these patterns then? And, looking at the tiny footprints, there must be a multitude of these creatures…

And here he is – a scarab beetle scuttling the big sand waves. I guess a cousin to those scarabs highly revered in old Egypt. In the shadow of a dune I found this little one digging along.

We rode camels to the dunes and watched the sunset from one of them. A beautiful experience – beyond words. One of the Berber men told us we had been followed by a desert fox – I was sorry he did not tell us when the fox was still there.

Lastly – a picture of the scarab footprints…and something else…Who made these tunnels under the sand? I hope someone out there in the blogosphere has the answer!

Travel theme: Balance

Balance – here is my absolute favourite from Madrid and my Glorious students!

Go to Ailsa for more interpretations.

Students' intricate connections...

Students’ intricate connections…

WPC: Landscape

 

For this week’s challenge, Cheri wants us to share a photo of a landscape: a wide establishing shot of a scene in nature or an urban setting.

This is the Flüela Pass in Switzerland. Summer morning, crystal clear, not a wind. Breathe!

For more of landscapes, click here.

Cee’s Black&White Photo Challenge: Candid Photo, People or Animals

For Cee this week – Denmark, Louisiana. More candid shots here.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday Thoughts – A Man and His Dog

I have spent a couple of days at a seaside resort on the west coast. We had some sunshine and a slightly chilly wind, and enjoyed the stay very much.

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Last night and late evening, we walked the pier before dinner.

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Many dogs were out walking their masters, but I especially noticed this man and his best friend. They had that special friendship that made them play so well together.

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The way it should be between man and dog. Between best friends.

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Just watch them together. The listening and total understanding – no loud voices…

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…but talking all the time…

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Cooperation – and perfect understanding

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Who needs anything more?

 

I wish you all a Happy and Joyful Easter Holiday!