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Another Spain: Alhambra and Siera Nevada

Granada - the pomegranate city, turned out to be another stopover of my ignorance about Spain. Lorca, flamenco, corrida -- all stereotypical images of Spain -- were crushed away by the reality of this pre-Medieval settlement on the skirts of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada. And the crown of it is Alhambra: the Arab city overseeing the valley, miraculously preserved in its ten-centuries-old splendor. Our five-hour guided tour of Alhambra made me think of Granada as a city of the interface between Muslim and Christian traditions. It is instructive, I think, for us, secular people, who tend to underestimate the power of religion, to pay closer attention to such enclaves of peaceful cohabitation such as Granada, where the two religions interface.

Jan 6, 2012

Photos: 48

Spanish colors: Malaga and Ronda

How could I know that Malaga is something more than the birthplace of Picasso and the city that christened the famous Malaga wine? Simple answer: by going there. A super-tech highway built across frightening mountain peaks takes you to this huge city that lies as a polluted modern beast on a valley that expands into the Mediterranean Sea. But again, as in all old cities of Andalusia, the Medieval part speaks of solid history and non-transitional values: religion and nationalism. But the name Ronda, I guess, would be unfamiliar to you, too. Who knew that such an imaginative small town was built on top of these rocks, connected by a tall narrow bridge? Living people were thrown from here during the Civil War, but today it is a peaceful touristic village, with a parador and several churches that quietly surround squares and narrow streets to remind the people that God is on top of everything.

Jan 5, 2012

Photos: 46

Spanish colors: Sevilla and Cordoba

When we reached Seville, it was a warm early afternoon, and there was a strange sense of beauty expectation in the air. I must admit: this expectation was far exceeded by the sensory effects of the walk within the Alcazar, a remain of the Moorish times. A don't recollect having experienced any time before such euphoria, such adrenalin rush, by just seeing--being immersed in--old buildings and tropical vegetation. I'm not sure the photographs can convey this euphoria. But I swear it was incredible. Then, we dined with tapas in a restaurant decorated with a full-size bull, and drank vino tinto from Rijoha, and after that, the streets were full of people celebrating the New Year, no matter that it was three days later. By the way, in Spain the All Saints Day is on January sixth and the children receive their gifts on that date.

Jan 4, 2012

Photos: 49

Spanish colors: Cadiz

The port of the Spanish Armada, and also the port from which Columbus took off on his endeavor to discover India and got the world America. A friend had told us that, in his mind, it is the most beautiful town in the world. As far as the old town is concerned, I'm inclined to share his fascination. These pictures don't do justice to what I experienced walking the streets and sipping chocolate in a French pâtisserie next to the market. It is a full blow of one's senses, punched under a blinding sun on the shore of a calm, almost Mediterranean-feeling Atlantic Ocean.

Jan 3, 2012

Photos: 20

Spanish colors: Toledo

Jan 1, 2012: we enter Toledo in blowing sunshine. Until now, Toledo was for me just a name, associated with El Greco. We walk the meandering streets until dusk, have a drink in an University Bar, and dine at a four-floor restaurant, Alfiteroli 24. Next morning, we visit the Medieval-armament and mazapanes* shops that are at every corner. Two stunning things: Toledo's colors and its fully preserved Medieval look. Yellow, ochre, siena, rust, and brown paint the city as if it lives in an eternal autumn. But yes, it actually epitomizes the autumn of the former Spanish Empire, with its overwhelming catholicism and nationalism. I don't know if it is bad or good, I'm just a visitor. But I can feel that Spaniards live comfortably and in peace with themselves. *typical Toledo sweets made of almonds and honey

Jan 1, 2012

Photos: 37

London, Nov 25, 2011

Nov 25, 2011

Photos: 24

Winchester Nov 23, 2011

Nov 22, 2011

Photos: 51

Zarautz&Pamplona

Oct 16, 2011

Photos: 46

French atlantic coast

A slow drive through Biaritz, Baonne, Capbreton, up north to View Boucau, yielded this set of photographs. It was a sunny October day, low season, low tide, calm ocean, mild road traffic, and toward sunset, the pines and the sandy land along the roads exuded melancholy.

Oct 15, 2011

Photos: 57

A Charming town to live in

This is an illustration of how people can care about their neighborhood.

Oct 10, 2011

Photos: 59

Green-brown-white abstractions

This should be viewed as an exhibition of abstract paintings made by the ocean.

Oct 10, 2011

Photos: 44

Peeling the onion: new layers of beauty in San Sebastian

Oct 10, 2011

Photos: 48

Sunday sunchine in San Sebastian

In today’s sunny afternoon we went to the beach at La Concha, took pictures, then, had a drink and again took pictures. We wanted to give you an idea of the town’s flavors, colors, ocean-scape, skies, and buildings. Of the people it is difficult to show anything but the crowd, as they are strangers to us. We feel at once out-of-towners and local—a unique feeling that will either reinforce itself during the following year or disappear. But it is good to be in a place where the time goes languorously and where one has no other obligations but those deriving from one’s own creative energy.

Sep 25, 2011

Photos: 28

My Berlin walk, 7-9 september, 2011

Sep 15, 2011

Photos: 111

Koprivshtitsa, August 17, 2011

Aug 17, 2011

Photos: 37

Shrines and Zen in Tokyo's Asakusa and Kyoto

Shrines are the touristic attraction in Japan: everyone asked us if we saw this or that temple? Being non-religious, we did try our best to appreciate their aesthetic and cultural value--part of it captured in this set of pictures. It is huge, indeed. But above all tower the Zen gardens. The one we visited is considered THE garden of zen-buddhaism, made in the 18th century and consisting of 15 stones, placed in 25 x 10 sq. meters pebble rectangle. Time stops when you sit at its sides. I admit being brought closer to my self, and feeling a connection between my soul and the cosmic world. The caveat is that everyone in the Christian world should make a distinction between adoring a made-up figure and contemplating the world's meaning as amorphous, individual-based, and un-achievable.

Jun 18, 2011

Photos: 84

Food and drinks in Japan

Here is a poor and non-representative set of images from places to eat in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe. Food and clothing are two fundamental cultural features, and Japan demonstrates uniqueness in both. Japanese are fond of their specific modes of preparation, but fancy kitchens from all around the world. We tasted Malasian, French, and Italian along with okonomyaki, takoyaki, sushi and sashimi, macrobiotic food, unagi, soba-okonomyaki, house food, and green tea ice-creams. Pictures cannot manifest the tastes, alas, so, these images are an invitation to visit Japan and taste it for youselves.

Jun 12, 2011

Photos: 48

Japanese gardens: sublime serenity

Let's forget about democracy, economy, culture, depth, etc., and simply contemplate the beauty of these calm, verdant places. The pictures were taken in the Shinjuku garden (1-38), the Osaka castle (39-48) and Nijo-ji in Kyoto (48-84).

Jun 9, 2011

Photos: 84

Fashion district and gay people

Gorgeous young women and men can be seen on all avenues, bridges, escalators, terraces, and corners of Shinjuku. But the real deal is Harajuku: the fashion district. All the world fashion designers have their shops here. What you see in their exhibition rooms, you also see on the people walking the streets. It is relaxed, vibrant, energizing, and beautiful. Neighboring Shibuya has the most crowded five-street intersection for pedestrians in the world. One little toucjh: you feel safe and sure that nobody will try to snatch your purse or wallet.

Jun 5, 2011

Photos: 49

Tokyo & Osaka from above

I'm not particularly fond of urban landscapes, but Tokyo and Osaka offered breathtaking architecture and space organization. Here are pictures taken from high rises in Tokyo (the first part) and Osaka (the second part). Try to discover where Tokyo pictures end and Osaka's begin. The sunset pictures have captured Kobe and the Rokko mountains in the very far distance.

May 31, 2011

Photos: 54

The long-awaited Spring of 2011

May 8, 2011

Photos: 47

Aruba, New 2011

Christmas Day, an Aruba week, and new Year celebration in Amazonia, a Brazilian-type churaskeria

Dec 31, 2010

Photos: 135

Pali Ke Kua and St. Regis beaches

These are the best beaches we've visited ever, with one more on Kauai, The Secret Beach, which is perhaps the most beautiful but not so good for underwater seeing

Aug 13, 2010

Photos: 38

No, this is not Paradise. It's Hanalei Bay (and Na Pali coast).

This is a breathtaking place, and not only at first seeing. Every time, under any light, at sunrise and sunset, it is the view that makes you at once happy, because you can see it, and sad, because you cannot make a living by just looking at it.