The sun finally shone, for a little while, just enough to catch some glimpses of its tender and sparkly love with the snow…
Light and shadow in Gherla’s central park.
The river, covered by ice and snow…
The main entrance into the park.
Blue sky and the back of the Roman Catholic Church, in Gherla, Cluj County, Romania. Photos taken by me, February, 2012
No, summer is not over yet, but I need to be reminded that it will be, quite soon.
Summers have this elusive quality. No matter what you do, how hard you try and enjoy them, they escape way too soon and in the end, you feel that you haven’t had enough. Not the same with winters, who always have their way in driving me mad with the cold and the darkness, especially when the spring is near, in late March/April when the snow and the cold are still present. That’s when I feel that I am about to lose it.
This summer has been no different. Hectic, terribly hot, full of traveling, people, changes, not a moment to breathe (except now) and just like all the others before, it is almost gone. It can be too much, it can be too good, but I’d rather have this any day now.
And because it is still too hot, I dream of haystacks to jump on, of soft breezes, generous trees in offering rest and shadow, quietness, solitude and nature close at hand…at least from inside my city room.
Claude Monet, “Wheatstacks, end of summer”, 1890-91. Found at The Art Institute of Chicago.
In the mood for some Maria Tanase, one of Romania’s most beloved and talented folk singers.
Because it is (still) summer, because the sun shines just as powerfully as it did in July, and because this song makes me feel like dancing. And if all of this wasn’t enough, another master is paying her a wonderful tribute: Nigel Kennedy.
He is a breathtaking violinist, do check him out if you haven’t already!
Salzburg, Austria. June, 2011
Last weekend, I took a short trip to Salzburg and I just couldn’t get enough! the scenery, the quaint houses, the Salz river with its incredibly sea-like green color, the multitude of couples – all ages! holding hands and smiling, charming little churches and monasteries, and overall the positive vibes I got while being there just got me hooked. Austria, you keep on surprising me :)
Anyway, here’s a little sneak peak of my trip! more photos next weekend ;)
Little girl in Vienna, Karlsplatz, just before she touched the water. May 22nd, 2011.
Poppies near Traisen River, Sankt Polten, Austria. May, 2011
Neulengbach, Austria. May, 2011
May! glorious month! And with such a perfect weather…not too hot, not too cold and not too rainy or windy either. With bright sunny mornings. Everything is buzzing with life and joy. By far, my most favorite month of the year.
We took a trip this Saturday to visit Neulengbach, a small town in between Sankt Polten and Vienna. That has one long street on which you can find the church, the theatre, the city hall…and all the other institutions and shops that you might need. And lovely coffee shops :)
But it’s the space in between that makes all the difference…that space in between major moments of your life when you can stop, look around, and decide your attitude or your actions. Or the time between daily busy tasks when you enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or the look of the way trees sway in the wind outside your window, while still standing. Or, when traveling, you let your eyes and mind capture, in a rapid pace, dispatched moments of ordinary life, plain and simple, but absolutely perfect.
This place is just like that…
View from Sao Jorge’s (Saint George’s) Castle, Lisbon, Portugal. August, 2007
Overlooking the Tagus River, Lisbon, Portugal. August, 2007.
Lisbon is such an amazing city! rich in culture and history, with all its influences displayed, layers upon layers, on its grand architecture, it’s so wonderful to visit and the view over the city, from Saint George’s Castle, breathtaking!
Take a look at it here!
Blessed is this day, because everything is as it should be and it is not in any other way different than what it already is. The sun came up, with the same force and shone on everyone. Good and bad alike, whether we saw it or not.
Blessed are all the things that can’t be changed. They all have their place and meaning, on this earth, this lifetime. Even though we do not know it.
Blessed are the oranges and all the fruits of life and the moments of solitude, for that is when we learn that we are strong. And blessed are the ones who hurt us, for they show us our own freedom.
Blessed are all our travels, wanderings, journeys and lost roads…for they always return us to ourselves.
Blessed is the hope and the faith for we can accomplish nothing without them, even though they are frail and unsubstantial; they hold the miracles of life in their hands.
Blessed is this worm that only squirms the earth once, blessed is the futility of our everyday lives, blessed am I and you, in spite of all our faults and nothingness…
