The Colours of China

5 november, 20157 november, 2015 / Leya / 14 kommentarer

I am very grateful that this was my fourth time in Beijing – the weather made the Great Wall almost invisible. The autumn colours – that’s what I had been waiting for, and they were there…somewhere in the fog and drizzle.

My last visit was an early morning some years ago, and the Great Wall emerged in all its splendour in the morning haze.

…this time

the most colourful things were all the umbrellas. It takes some imagination to see the colourful surroundings here, but on our way down, the fog decided to reveal some of its secrets.

A small glimpse of jewellery …

…before settling again.

This drizzle followed us and haunted us for many days – but I found other things than landscapes to shoot…and the one day on the Yangtse River with the most spectacular views…the sun came through. And not a wind.

4 Million Books, but…Where are they?

29 september, 201529 september, 2015 / Leya / 16 kommentarer

Riga is the capital of Latvia, and situated on the river Daugava. Inhabitants about 707 000, a third of the country’s total. Riga is also the biggest city in the Baltic area. Together with Umeå in Sweden it was the 2014 European Capital of Culture. More: USA Today’s readers voted Riga as Europe’s most attractive city and CNN Travel and Lonely Planet also give their praise to the city.

We visited for three days and fell in love with the mix of green areas, old and new, worn, dilapidated, beautiful houses, Russian style ”boxes”, the massive Jugend areas and the restored gems. And the people. The span is refreshing and we enjoyed every minute.

One of the newest buildings here – which you cannot miss when you arrive – is the National Library. Gaismas pils, or The Castle of Light, at Mūkusalas iela on the river Daugava opposite Riga’s Old Town. Latvian architect Gunnar Birkerts, was inspired by Latvian folklore in his construction.

The building is 40 000 m2, built in 13 stories, where the two on top is only meant for cultural arrangements and for rent (having a party? I didn’t ask the cost…) There are approxiamately 1000 study seats in several rooms, and storing room for six million books.

The Library opened August 29, 2014.

Already in the entrance, I loved it…but with a strange feeling in my stomach…

We had to put all our things in lockers and you were not allowed to bring any drink or food – not even water. You had to get a visitors’ badge too and display it clearly. Then you had to pass the gates and a sighing lady…who looked like ”it would be really nice here… if it weren’t for the visitors.”

Large empty spaces and mirrors called for a selfie first…

As we went searching for the books, suddenly there was a marvellous display right ahead – up in the air.

Beautifully displayed – we headed for them immediately. But, being there, we realized that they were locked in behind glass – only eye candy…

We entered stairs and elevators, slowly becoming more and more desperate…where were the books? And the people? Students? Children?

We tried every door on every floor, but no. They were all locked. We saw the children’s books department – but only through a tiny window…the door was locked.

Finally we managed to find one door open. Some students were sitting there, studying. You could hear a needle drop…And, there was something strange about the room. Not the artsy furniture….not the silence…but – look up in the right corner of the photo: There Were Some BOOKS. In a LIBRARY ?- WOW.

In fact, these were the only books we saw and were able to touch in this building…But the view of Old Town was not so bad.

Giving up on the books and about to leave we saw another open door and peeped in. No people of course, but a beautiful aula.

We decided for a last try to reach the uppermost rooms on level 11 and 12. Found an elevator, and a cleaning lady on her way up. No admittance except for guided tours…She agreed on her being our guide and up we went.

This was only for special guests – and no panorama view was possible to photograph because all windows were filled with giant black dots.

As we went down again in the elevator, passing corridors after corridors after corridors…

…we talked about how much this reminded of North Korea and the library in Pyongyang. My husband’s pictures in my head, and he could confirm the feeling…

Leaving through the entrance, we agreed on this: What you can do here is enjoy the architecture and the fine materials used – and fiddle with your phone – there is no joy in books or reading visible here…

…as there is in this old ”biblioteka” where there is soul and warmth! A true home for books, readers and the joy of stories.

What do you think? Do you go to the library still? Should it be ”alive” or only for display?

# 82 Front – Front (271/365)

27 september, 201527 september, 2015 / Leya / 6 kommentarer

Very special plate – found in Riga. In Swedish Gud means God. There was no driver in that car…

Nattens Prinsessa – The Princess of the Night

25 september, 201525 september, 2015 / Leya / 27 kommentarer

The Queen of the Night (Nattens drottning, Selenicereus grandiflorus) and The Princess of the Night (Nattens Princessa, Epiphyllum oxypetalum) are two species both flowering during night time. Both of them with big, white flowers emitting showers of exquisite scent. The flowers are almost identical, but the stems are different.

My flower – the epiphyllum originates from Mexico.

I was sent a leaf last year from my blogging friend Maria, at MariaYarri, and now, for some weeks, a giant bud was growing, fast, by the day…

We went to Riga for a couple of days, but I was constantly thinking about the fact that I might be missing out on this glorious event. But I was so lucky…

Yesterday we arrived home again – the bud was rising and now measuring about 20 cm.

Suddenly, towards evening, my daughter called from the living room that the Wonder was happening…an about 25cm large flower was unfolding.

I cut the corners short – meeting the flower from behind it looked like a star or a rocket…I was totally mesmerized by it and could not leave the room but for my cameras.

The lovely scent filled every corner, every tiny space of the room, and the two of us were both sinking into a trance…

…I simply had to catch this moment…tried the flash…but no…

It had to be natural…and from every thinkable angle. True beauty – I could not breathe.

Inside…

…another world

We stayed with her through her best, 2-3 hours, but went to bed when she started to fade and lay back her petals.

This morning – she was gone.

So grateful for this moment we had together. Nature is magnificent in all her splendour.

WPC: Grid

18 september, 201518 september, 2015 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

WordPress – Grid, make it the most important in your photo. Well, grids are not always manmade – you find nature’s grids everywhere…My choice fell on a Vanda, a remarkable Asian orchid, intensely coloured with a splendid grid. This Vanda I found standing in Denmark, outside a hotel.

For more grids – click here.

# 132 Ihärdig – Persistant (253/365)

6 september, 20156 september, 2015 / Leya / 13 kommentarer

Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: Reflections and Shadows

4 september, 20154 september, 2015 / Leya / 10 kommentarer

The Cisterns in Copenhagen is a dream of vaults and reflections. For more, click here.

Another Challenge

30 augusti, 201513 september, 2015 / Leya / Lämna en kommentar

A challenge from Otto vM…the idea is to break as many of these ”rules” as possible. Here’s mine for the try! Conclusion: It seems impossible to break them all in one photo…but many are possible.

1) Focus on the centre of interest.
2) Fill the frame with the subject.
3) Do not shoot between 10 am and 3 pm (the light is too harsh).
4) Don’t shoot against the light.
5) Hold the camera steady.
6) Follow the rule of third, e.g. 1/3 sky and 2/3 land or vice versa.
7) Obey the light meter.
8) Photograph children (or pets) at their own eye level.
9) Avoid lens flare when shooting against the sun.
10) Keep the camera level with the horizon.

Before I get to the challenge, I need to tell a saying we have in Scandinavia about the differences between the countries when it comes to rules. Do you know what separates Swedes, Danes and Norwegian from one another? The Swedes follow the rules, the Danes don’t give a damn about rules, and the Norwegians break the rules.

As the good Norwegian I am the challenge will be in accordance with my inherent being: How many of those previous mentioned rules can you break in one picture? Like last time, post a link to the photo here in a comment, and I will pick up the photo and showcase it in a later post.