This blue marble

– and yet it spins

Category Archives: Travel


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Headspace on the Hebrides

scotland-34

There is something magical about the stones of Callanish, facing weather and time out on the Isle of Lewis, at the edge of the world. As if the wind has eroded the monoliths so that only the cores are left, the strongest still standing. Sometimes I think this applies to all of us left standing in this windy world.

I read William Horwood’s book “Callanish” when I was about 10 years old. It describes these stones as a center of power, both for eagles and humans; and the long journey of an eagle, captured at London Zoo, back home to the outer Hebrides and to freedom. I still need to rediscover my own source of power but moments of headspace on our beautiful blue marble help with the recharge.

(Callanish standing stones, Isle of Lewis, outer Hebrides; July 2011)


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Once upon a time there was a citadel

Milan castle

Once upon a time there was a citadel, built to resist and to conquer. In the setting sun it was a thing of beauty, but once darkness fell it seemed a formidable prison of cold stone and shadows to get lost in. Visitors were duly warned by the weapon above the entrance illustrating a dragon on the back of a knight, swallowing a screaming man whole.

But those brave ones who defied the scares and entered were greeted by one of the grandest courts in existence: one that inspired Leonardo da Vinci to intricately paint a whole ceiling, and a vast courtyard that captured the last, dancing rays of the sun.

(Milan, Italy; March 2013)


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The skinned saint

skinlessman Milan

Saint Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, and the story goes he was skinned alive. With a sensation that something was clearly wrong, I stared at this statue for quite a few minutes before realizing that he was not wearing his skin – he was carrying it wrapped around his arms – holding his hand in the most gruesome way possible.

(In the Duomo, Milan, Italy; March 2013)


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This Universal marble

Image

Ever wondered what a job description or advert for a manager of a theme park would look like? Is it even possible to combine a solid business mind with a crazy creative dreaming mind?

On another note, who decides on the attractions, and who decided that simulating the future great San Francisco earthquake while trapped underground in a subway car full of people is good entertainment?

(Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida; February 2013)