SOUL in Beijing

There are a lot of things I miss about not going to China this year. Not the "new" things, but those with "soul". There are a lot of things that still have those special feelings of a place, the depth, the beauty, the poetry. Those people who practice the things that you know one day won't exist anymore, so now they are gold in value.

One day in a park I saw this man who was 80 years old, with a glowing smile, beautiful posture, and a gracefulness that only a person in great shape can have. He walked around and around these shaded trees, with a stick, deepening the already written lines that he carefully created to embellish the area, that by now had become "his". The symbols around the trees were explained to me by my daughter. We followed him both with our steps and with our eyes, admiring his silence, his precision in creating such a beautiful design with pure earth, actually, at times with mud. He would add water when necessary, and return often to make sure the lines were deep enough to maintain the many curved lines that he created. He would also brush away stray leaves, anything disturbing the clean design.

It was beautiful in all ways. His devotion to this special dance, this exercise, all of it leading to beauty thanks to his work and passion.

He would get close to the earth to work on the lines, digging them deeper and deeper to make sure they would keep.

A year after we returned to this area of the park.

Only a faint faint line remained. Only an intent eye would notice it, one who was looking for it as I was.

The lines were gone, I imagine, forever.

Sad and disappointed, I searched and found nothing that showed any life of this excellent and unique area.

Was the man gone as well?

Perugia Italy from the air

Flying over Perugia is like flying over a quilt. Patterns of different crops, lots of greens, each area divided into shapes, like a puzzle. Here is a view from my plane window on the way to Rome, and then to Madrid, where the green seemed to disappear for the dryness. 

Prague, Czech Republic

WONDERFUL trip to Prague, first time there and I hope not my last time!

Beautiful city with lots to see, beautiful buildings, wonderful art, interesting change from one section of town to the next. Easy to get around, good food, and a comfortably planned city for tourists. The weather was not great the first couple of days, with increased rain at times, that was definitely not wanted nor needed by anyone after the flooding they have had just recently this month.

As you can see in this picture below, the level of the water was up, and many streets were closed off, being controlled by a lot of police, keeping traffic and pedestrians away as to not enter with their cars or by foot where work was being done.

But then the weather cleared up, and we had several very nice days, at time very warm, even at night.

My best day, although I had very many good times, was when I decided to take the tram all day long and without any given plan, just started to go on one of them into an unknown section. When I realized that I was getting out into the country, I just got off, and decided to go back the other way. I saw things that looked interesting and could just hop off and get on again. Very easy, and a good way to see the city.

I liked the area I was in, the signs were not written in English, and so my adventurous side was very satisfied. I liked to be able to guess what was inside of shops by the store windows, which didn't always give me a real clue. I went into one, thinking they had office supplies I might need, and instead they sold computer inks, etc and there was a very interesting collection of old typewriters in the back room. Another antique shop had many books, and lots of old ceramics from the city, metal objects, and glassware.

I found a shop I had been in the day before, and was very happy to find some paints and brushes. I asked the salesgirl if she spoke English and she didn't. But she was very clever at understanding, and with sign language I got across the idea that I was looking for modern galleries, or an artist neighborhood. A client overheard me, and I was so lucky to get the name of THE modern art gallery DOX, which was just minutes away on a tram she guided me to. She gave me her card, she is a young publisher of art books and children's books, very kind and helpful.

I got to the DOX museum and was so impressed by the very modern work of Czech work, the architecture of the building, and the installations. I had a nice conversation with one of the young workers, and enjoyed the photography, installations, huge paintings, and some very unique work. Will tell you more on another post, anyhow, a great museum to visit if you love contemporary as I do.

Here is a view that one gets while walking up to the Castle. It was actually raining in this picture, and I took a long and tiring hike, but it was worth it.

I had never been to Prague before, but definitely reccomend it. It is a beautiful city, and a city that is well adapting to the large amount of tourists. Unfortunately many things that were once free to visit, now have a fee. This is just what happens to cities once tourists come to visit them. Definitely a lot of the prices in general are less expensive than Itay, including much of the food. The beer is excellent, and there is a large selection of everything, including exquisite cakes.

India!!

My blog is being visited right now by a lot of people from India. Don't know exactly why or how this is happening, but maybe it is a sign.
I have always been very interested in perhaps one day visiting India, a country I find extraordinary in its mystic beauty, colors, and the calmness I feel from the people I have met on the net. I have a strong feeling that I would feel this even more, if I was able to visit the country. One day I hope to do so.
I have friends who have been to India, and who have grown passionate about it. Just the other day I went to an art show here in Perugia, Italy, where the painter (Gentili, his last name) had been there, and had shown a lot of influence in his wonderful and sensitive paintings, in which he inserted small pices of mirrors, as I know the Indians have done on their fabrics.
I have other friends who have gone there for health cures, and others who are impassioned about the culture, yoga, or the simplicity and gentleness of the people. I know I would be inspired by the colors, and the tranquility which I feel when I read words written by Indian friends met on the net, or when I see photographs of the clothing, the people, the spices, and rich tones which I adore.
One day I too hope to go to India.
I guess I should plan for that day....would hate to think that I can't realize this dream.

View from the airplane, possibly Utah

When you see things from an airplane......

you realize just how tiny we all are!!

Interesting people on my flight - Los Angeles, Rome

WELL!!!!  FINALLY BACK IN ITALY!!
THAT was an interesting trip....because I love watching people. There were some INCREDIBLE people to see this time, so original, so totally different to those I am used to seeing!
Not only did I SEE some original styles, very colorful, and some who were also quite amusing, but I met some VERY unique people, spoke to some, and heard some stories that were completely new. Travelling is great for this - you can meet people, and each one has their own story.

SAMI
Waiting in a LONG line at the L.A. airport, was a young man, probably about thirty years old. We talked about the length of the line, and I asked him where he came from. He was born in Marakesh, Morocco, but lived in Paris in the past, and spent a lot of time travelling. He had been to Los Angeles now visiting friends, his second time there.
Although he was quite young, he was very well informed about politics. He said he began the day by looking on the net at three different viewpoints, three newspapers, and then chose the articles that interested him. He said that France (as well as Italy) was not doing well at this moment. He said he was surprised also at how "laid back" Los Angeles was, and although quite fun to visit, could not live there. It seemed also to Sami (and myself) that people don't realize how Europe is doing, that Europe is very far from California so, people aren't that knowledgeable about our problems here. But we both agreed that we had a wonderful time here, and my conversation with this young man made the wait in line more enjoyable.

THE WOMAN FROM ALGERIA
Sitting in my same row on the plane was a woman my age from Algeria. At first she was quiet, then she asked me in broken English "You come from..?" We immediately spoke, and I discovered that she knows 8 languages! This can happen in various countries in Europe, people know many languages, because their countries border others, or their lives make it necessary to learn other languages. She had 5 children, three of them married. Some of them live in Los Angeles, and she goes there up to three times a year. Her son sends her a ticket. At a certain point she and I stood up (we were in the bulk head seats, right at the front) and I was stretching, she also was doing some movements to help knees that were a problem to her, especially during the flight. I joked that we could lead the plane in exercises, and this got a pleasant smile and laugh from her.

THE MAN....WITH A PLANT FROM IRAN
THIS was a first for me!! At one point a man was standing, holding a glass, and speaking to the above woman (both of them spoke Farsi). In the glass was a little PLANT!! I curiously asked him what and how he could be holding this and taking a plant...to Iran!! He said that coming INTO the USA you could not take anything like this, but coming OUT of the States, you could. It was aplant from his relative's garden, and he wanted to grow it in Iran!
We talked, and he told me his daughter had just had her first art show in Beverly Hills! What a wonderful thing, I said. At that point he asked me what I did, and when I said I was an artist, he asked for my business card. The exchange of conversation was pleasant, and he said he would show my card to his daughter.

THE TWO WOMEN...IN RED AND WHITE
As soon as I arrived to my seat on the plane, there was a woman in red and white....and with platinum blond hair. And a HAT! A baseball hat, in red. She had made a mistake about her seat, hadn't read carefully, and giggled when her friend (who was a similar version of herself, both dressed the same, as if a team but I don't know what for!), both with the same kind of hair, and both who had undergone surgery or shots for large lips, which made the two even more amusing to see....probably in their middle or late forties, dressing like two teenagers......finally I got my seat. They sat together, each time calling much attention to themselves when they got up, totally glowing in their white pants and red tops, and the attention continued when they arrived at the Amsterdam airport, stopping people who smiled and stared.

THE LEOPARD HAIRED WOMAN
Arriving to the beautiful airport in Amsterdam, the most incredible hair style ever seen on a 60+ year woman. She was seated, probably waiting for her flight. The hair was like this. Short, but long enough on top for a RED AND WHITE striped pattern. The hair was straight, sticking up and dyed, naturally, to form large stripes. On the sides.....a LEOPARD pattern. All around was the design of real leopard skin. I only had a moment to see her, as I was walking with my carryon to get to the next flight, but I noticed that the leopard motif carried over into her shirt or jacket...it too leopard print. Interesting, original, totally UNIQUE!!

After seeing and meeting the above people, and having a long flight from Los Angeles to Amsterdam, I still had a few hours until my next flight to Rome. Luckily in this airport there were marvelous lounges and all types of sofas and chairs to relax in. I found one with music incorporated into speakers, right and left, where one could use a small laptop computer attached to the comfortable chair/sofa, and listen to and watch videos about artists in Holland, or music of various kinds. I chose to watch six short videos of the artists, after falling asleeep with my carryon bagge in front of me, and clutching onto purse and camera case for about an hour.

Pixel Party Perugia - bellissima iniziativa

PIXEL PARTY PERUGIA - Friday 17 at Mercato Coperto.
Francesco Guarino gave a stimulating, inspiring talk about his travels, photography and life. His philosophy, his experience, his sensitivity made for an exceptional talk, along with historical photographs taken during his world travels. I personally never heard anyone say as many important words as his, about travel, equality of man, the true meaning of getting to know all people, and how we are all the same. With him Matteo Grandi, Giovanni Picuti.
Fabulous evening, something really special for Perugia.

PIXEL PARTY PERUGIA - Venerdì 17 settembre, Mercato Coperto
Francesco Guarino ha parlato dei suoi tantissimi viaggi, la sua filosofia, e la vita in generale. Raccontare delle sue esperienze, la sua sensibilità ha creato un atmosfera molto affascinante, molto apprezzato dal pubblico, insieme alle sue foto storiche dei suoi viaggi e avventure. Personalmente non ho mai sentito parlare uno come lui, con parole tanto importante dell'ugualanza dell'uomo, e il vero significato della vita, l'importanze di conoscere l'altro, e come siamo tutti uguali.
Con lui, Matteo Grandi, Giovanni Picuti.
Serata favolosa, qualcosa di molto speciale per Perugia.