Thursday Thoughts

9 juni, 20169 juni, 2016 / Leya / 27 kommentarer

We went to the summer house for some days. On the way, we caught our daughter at the airport – summer holidays are here. We also visited a very dear friend of ours and their 7 weeks old puppies. Totti was the proud grandfather – and his daughter Ella was the perfect mother. Busy days….

Meet some of the youngsters here! I do not have to tell you that they were Not posing…not a second…

Are you OK, dear?

Socks taste delicious…

…no use trying to escape!

Maybe a piece of camera bag?

Or a piece of hair…

Or simply one another

A nap after dinner is not wrong…

…nor a kiss…

Mmmm

I guess I got an extra heart ♥ swelling today.

WPC: Numbers

3 juni, 20163 juni, 2016 / Leya / 4 kommentarer

Numbers…I seldom photograph numbers. I’m not that much into mathematics, and my profession includes more of letters…so, in my photos there are … letters instead.

Nevertheless, I do have one of my favourite numbers here, created by a woman of letters, for Ben and WordPress….For more numbers, click here.

And…

… in this second photo, from NZ, you get a free, kneeling, selfie as well!

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Close-ups

2 juni, 20162 juni, 2016 / Leya / 12 kommentarer

Last year I got 11 tulip bulbs from a dear friend and plant expert. Maybe some of you know about ”the little man” and his concerns for ”my” forest and all its inhabitants. He and his wife have travelled the world, collecting memories and rare plants for decades..Now they are too old to travel, but enjoy their wonderful ”Dream garden”.

What a great gift! You can understand how humble and careful I was when planting and tending to these tulips. They are very rare, and one single bulb costs more than 10GBP or 15USD. I still wonder how they could trust me with them…

This week, they shimmer like gems in my garden. Clear red with yellow petals surrounding…and here is a close-up on one of them, in B&W.

For more, click here.

Thank you for being featured last week!

Poppy Love

2 juni, 20162 juni, 2016 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

In my garden I suddenly had a couple of poppies…coming from nowhere, they were just there.

Detta bildspel kräver JavaScript.

This year there are quite many of them, and I love to sit down beside their nodding heads and watch them unfold…

…admiring their fragile beauty.

Travel theme: Neutral

28 maj, 201628 maj, 2016 / Leya / 25 kommentarer

Neutral colours in a neutral Moroccan landscape…go look for details at Ailsa’s!

Djemaa el-Fna – ”assembly of the dead”

21 maj, 201621 maj, 2016 / Leya / 4 kommentarer

Everywhere you look in the Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh’s main square, you’ll discover theatre in progress. The street theatre has a natural home here ever since this plaza was the site of public executions around AD 1050. Even if there are discussions on the origin of its name, Jemaa means ”congregation” in Arabic, probably referring to a destroyed Almoravid mosque. ”Fanâʼ” or ”finâ'” can mean ”death” or ”a courtyard, space in front of a building.” Thus, one meaning could be ”The assembly of death,” or‘assembly of the dead’.

It is not just a tourist attraction since many locals also enjoy the activities that make Djemaa el- Fna come alive. During the day, the square has numerous stalls, most of which sell fresh fruit juice, water and fruit.

By 10am, the daily performance is under way. Snake charmers with their hissing cobras and men with chained Barbary apes, despite the protected status of these species under Moroccan law; henna tattoo artists ( women with piping bags full of henna paste, ready to paint you with “tattoos” that will last up to three months – though beware of synthetic “black henna”, which contains a toxic chemical; only red henna is natural. The Henna Café guarantees to use only natural henna).

Water-sellers in fringed hats, with water-bags hanging and brass cups clanging. Medicine men display their cures, and tooth-pullers display trays of extracted molars to prove their skill. And if you wonder…fortune-tellers sit under umbrellas with packs of fortune-telling cards at the ready.

At dusk people come out for an evening promenade, and the square gradually fills until it becomes a whole carnival of storytellers (telling their tales in Berber or Arabic, to an audience of locals), acrobats, musicians and entertainers. If you want a respite, you can move over to the rooftop terraces, such as the Café du Grand Balcon, or Café Glacier, for a vista over the square and all the activities, and the crowds who come to see them. Very much recommended. We enjoyed a rather expensive bottle of juice and a less expensive mint tee – having a great view without being crowded.

Arrive early in the evening to get a good seat. Applause and a few dirhams will encourage the performers. It’s a great show, but be prepared…taking photos immediately brings at least one man to your door…dirhams!

In 2001, Djemaa el-Fna was recognized by UNESCO in the project Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity – the initiative coming from people concerned about the Djemaa el-Fna. Since long known for its concentration of traditional activities by storytellers, musicians and performers, but now threatened by economic development pressures. The residents wanted protection of their traditions, and called for action on an international level. In 2001, this ”cultural space” got its protection.

In Marrakesh, this meeting place is a must. Remember – this is far from only for tourists. Most people strolling here, enjoying themselves, are locals. This is, even today, a genuine piece of Arabian Nights…no ”assembly of the dead”.

CFFC: What’s This

17 maj, 2016 / Leya / 31 kommentarer

Well – this time we really have to work for it! What’s this?

Have a Taste of Magical Marrakesh

17 maj, 201617 maj, 2016 / Leya / 11 kommentarer

If I were to chose one picture, only, to represent my visit to Marrakesh and the Medina, it would be the one in the header. Colourful, hot and filled with scents. Then, there is of course the multitude of people…here we go!

I loved our little street. Behind the typical pink walls, we had to walk endless tiny streets and alleys to get to our Riad (Moroccan mansion) . But there was no stress, a calm and friendly atmosphere – and no ”special guides” trying to make money out of us.

Just the everyday life going on…young and old, working or relaxing in the shadow.

On our way to the Souks, the principal shopping attraction in the city, I felt a bit worried about how I would cope with it. I do not like haggling, so I had already decided not to buy anything. My husband has visited Marrakesh at least three times before, and had also warned me that we soon would be ”kidnapped” by ”local guides”. (And so we were…)

Marrakesh has the largest traditional Berber market in Morocco, and the souk area has been compared to a micro-medina in itself, where it is absolutely essential to get lost…

But once you’re inside though, the feeling of One Thousand and One Nights ( Arabian Nights), or Aladdin, immediately comes to mind…and if you take a closer look at my gallery photos – I’m rather sure I was caught in the middle of …a treasure chest transport!

Waiting patiently in the heat

Graffitti!

Posing?

A lovely hug

What…is happening?

A Treasure transport!

More of transport in the narrow alleys – here we had to flee into a shop

Historically the souks of Marrakesh were divided into retail areas for particular goods such as leather, carpets, metalwork and pottery. We could roughly see these divisions still, but rather overlaped. Many of the souks sell items like carpets and rugs, clothes, leather bags, and lanterns. Argan oil is popular everywhere.

After a hectic day it is a blessing to come back to our quiet Riad for a delicious Tagine (A specialty of the city and the symbol of its cuisine. We had a local tajine prepared with beef meat, spices and ”smen” and slow-cooked in a traditional oven in hot ashes. )

Then finishing the evening with a slow walk on the roof top. In silence…

…before going to sleep.

SL-WEEK: Reflection

16 maj, 201616 maj, 2016 / Leya / 24 kommentarer

For Sylvain Landry – Reflection. I love the way the world changes in reflections. In the header, a photo from somewhere in China, where many separate worlds are revealed …and the second photo is from my forest at home. My world.