Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
I love you Anthony 1000 days Old....
You're the song writen by the hand of God!
You are the place where all my thoughts go hiding
Right under your clothes!....
is where I find them.
Underneath your clothes
there is an endless story
the man i chose
my teritory
and all the things
I deserve for
being such a good girl!!
Friday, November 20, 2009
A Paradise that is lost
There was a time in the time when we were innocent, and every thing was immense.Maybe, in those times, we were waiting for something that never came.Or maybe we were hurt.
In those times...
But our heart was little; because little we were.
In those times such an open bread?
...Times when we were corduroy of iron.
I won't may walk with the child I was nevermore; and he couldn't wash my sins away.
Because he couldn't save me from my evil of man.
But learning to love; maybe, I could make him smile in peace.
Wherever he is.
...Though is getting late now.
Late now.
II
My life was a complete...waste...
I never saw the good or the sweetness in my days: the nömenclature of the sky stars just escaped from my path, with rëpugnance: the light started fading. Fading away.
Because I didn't know about Heaven & the Hell; but now.
Now I'm goin' blind (can't you see the waters reached till the soul?)
Ev'ry night i screamed for my liberation: where is the light at the end of this corridor. Where the light is?
Shadows of death surrounded me...if I could kiss you, my love; my sweet, sweet love.
________________________________
In days of my youth, I used to laugh like a little girl: that sunny street was a friend of mine, and this black raïn seemed so distant.
Distant.
But now my blood was removed and changed, I was absolved and apart from all my tasks.
But from all my dreams, too.
It’s going to rain love from Heaven for me?
III
I just was a defect to be fixed. Or better yet: removed.
Just a loser; I'm just a loser; a loser; I can't win.
I don't...
compute for the celestial lights above; I'm a living dead.
Like a fallen being, whose hopes are all dead and gone; is in the shadows were I will stay.
And in the shadows i want to stay.
It feels like a departure in the night.
There is a strange force, a brand new...
and is pushing me towards...I feel I got to get in too deep...deeper.
I was cornered, dehümanized. My mind is getting törtil now, unpredictable.
Is here and is now: an eternal summer in the black: opaque images, obscene yearnïngs...
The Lady of Elche did rise from the tomb: the monolith woman...this is a cürse; a fucking damned cürse, and I hate, hate, hate.
I hate it.
I hate myself and I never wanted to live.
In my dementia I see it like luminous.
Is time.
Now.
If I were a God's son...could I beg?
Would you hear?
Hear.
Hear.
Hear.
Hear.
Hear.
The grudge did fill my eyes: the days go by all the same and while the sunlight gets filtered acröss the air all in yellow...
All fades to grey mud.
Now I run away like a shade into that interminable chasm.
Cut off.
Where all these worries are goin' to go, my?
The life is just a dream of ashes; and the dreams, dreams are.
The obscürity shall prevail, I know.
The death is the definitive reality.
Certainly I was vile like a worm; because ¿what is the man born from a woman? What is the human, to be counted?
To matter...
The sepulchre awaits and on its bitterness my eyes are fixed under the Sun.
The designs of my hëart were all darkened, and thrown to the oblivion...I know the time is near; and my place won't be found anymore.
Because their scorn has come to be like my clothing: free me; free me please...
whoever used to see me, avoided my presence.
Because I was forgotten by their hearts like a dead man.
Let me drown away; down.
Down into the nothing, the hole. And the hole never ends...
Is getting late.
In those times...
But our heart was little; because little we were.
In those times such an open bread?
...Times when we were corduroy of iron.
I won't may walk with the child I was nevermore; and he couldn't wash my sins away.
Because he couldn't save me from my evil of man.
But learning to love; maybe, I could make him smile in peace.
Wherever he is.
...Though is getting late now.
Late now.
II
My life was a complete...waste...
I never saw the good or the sweetness in my days: the nömenclature of the sky stars just escaped from my path, with rëpugnance: the light started fading. Fading away.
Because I didn't know about Heaven & the Hell; but now.
Now I'm goin' blind (can't you see the waters reached till the soul?)
Ev'ry night i screamed for my liberation: where is the light at the end of this corridor. Where the light is?
Shadows of death surrounded me...if I could kiss you, my love; my sweet, sweet love.
________________________________
In days of my youth, I used to laugh like a little girl: that sunny street was a friend of mine, and this black raïn seemed so distant.
Distant.
But now my blood was removed and changed, I was absolved and apart from all my tasks.
But from all my dreams, too.
It’s going to rain love from Heaven for me?
III
I just was a defect to be fixed. Or better yet: removed.
Just a loser; I'm just a loser; a loser; I can't win.
I don't...
compute for the celestial lights above; I'm a living dead.
Like a fallen being, whose hopes are all dead and gone; is in the shadows were I will stay.
And in the shadows i want to stay.
It feels like a departure in the night.
There is a strange force, a brand new...
and is pushing me towards...I feel I got to get in too deep...deeper.
I was cornered, dehümanized. My mind is getting törtil now, unpredictable.
Is here and is now: an eternal summer in the black: opaque images, obscene yearnïngs...
The Lady of Elche did rise from the tomb: the monolith woman...this is a cürse; a fucking damned cürse, and I hate, hate, hate.
I hate it.
I hate myself and I never wanted to live.
In my dementia I see it like luminous.
Is time.
Now.
If I were a God's son...could I beg?
Would you hear?
Hear.
Hear.
Hear.
Hear.
Hear.
The grudge did fill my eyes: the days go by all the same and while the sunlight gets filtered acröss the air all in yellow...
All fades to grey mud.
Now I run away like a shade into that interminable chasm.
Cut off.
Where all these worries are goin' to go, my?
The life is just a dream of ashes; and the dreams, dreams are.
The obscürity shall prevail, I know.
The death is the definitive reality.
Certainly I was vile like a worm; because ¿what is the man born from a woman? What is the human, to be counted?
To matter...
The sepulchre awaits and on its bitterness my eyes are fixed under the Sun.
The designs of my hëart were all darkened, and thrown to the oblivion...I know the time is near; and my place won't be found anymore.
Because their scorn has come to be like my clothing: free me; free me please...
whoever used to see me, avoided my presence.
Because I was forgotten by their hearts like a dead man.
Let me drown away; down.
Down into the nothing, the hole. And the hole never ends...
Is getting late.
REQUIEM POR IRVING PENN
Vivió, fotografió y nos deleitó con sus imágenes.
Un fotógrafo nunca muere, siempre quedan sus imágenes.
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/Necrologicas/Irving/Penn/fotografo/elpepinec/20091008elpepinec_3/Tes
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Vientiane – Charming Sleeping City
Vientiane, the French version of the Lao Viangchan, is the capital city of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is on a sweeping curve in the Mekong River, right on the Thai border. You may find a charming collection of lovely temples, old French colonial buildings, ramshackle riverbank wooden homes and pretty yellow two-storey Indochinese shop houses. Tourists will notice that the city's architecture is largely low-rise.
For those who have been to Vientiane long ago and now, they likely will say that this Laos’ city is changing. For example, where there were once hundreds of bicycles, there are now motor bikes and cars. Whatever it is, Vientiane is marked by a fountain named Nam Phou Place, and almost all of Vientiane's important sights are located within walking distance from here.
Like other tourists, you may find it hard to believe you are in a capital city, i.e. the pace of life is so gentle. You will often meet with small groups of Buddhist monks in orange or rust-coloured robes, and sporting umbrellas against the sun seems to invite you to visit their temples and to practise their English on you!
What are the not to be missed places to see and places to visit in this charming city?
The Mekong River – watch water buffalo as they graze peacefully, you will notice that they barely looking up as you pass, at the same time the farmers are growing vegetables on the banks of Mekong.
Wat Si Saket - Vientiane’s oldest temple. Wat Si Saket was built in 1818 under King Anouvong. Many said it displays the Siamese rather than Lao style of Buddhist architecture. I believe the architecture as well as its surrounding terrace and ornate five-tiered roof, is to keep it safe during the Siamese invasion. Its cloister wall has more than 2,000 ceramic and silver representations of Buddha, and houses a museum as well.
The Great Stupa/Pha That Luang - is an important Buddhist temple built in the sixteenth century by King Setthathirat. I understand that the relics of Buddha are said to be contained here. In fact, the stupa was destroyed by the Thai invasion in the nineteenth century, but was later rebuilt to its original design. Some even said that The Black Stupa (That Dam) is inhabited by a seven-headed dragon which tried to protect them from the Siamese army invasion.
Patuxai (Victory Gate) - this was built in the 1960s to commemorate those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. From what I see, it is quite resembles the Arc de Triomphe, but the style is definitely Laotian, with its numerous kinnari figures, i.e. half woman, half bird.
Talat Sao – is a colourful morning market. Over here, you can find the best of Lao weaving, i.e. glorious silks, cottons and ethnic textiles, both old and new.
Do you think Vientiane is a sleepy city that is full of charm?
For those who have been to Vientiane long ago and now, they likely will say that this Laos’ city is changing. For example, where there were once hundreds of bicycles, there are now motor bikes and cars. Whatever it is, Vientiane is marked by a fountain named Nam Phou Place, and almost all of Vientiane's important sights are located within walking distance from here.
The gate of That Luang and its stupa at sunset
Like other tourists, you may find it hard to believe you are in a capital city, i.e. the pace of life is so gentle. You will often meet with small groups of Buddhist monks in orange or rust-coloured robes, and sporting umbrellas against the sun seems to invite you to visit their temples and to practise their English on you!
What are the not to be missed places to see and places to visit in this charming city?
The Mekong River – watch water buffalo as they graze peacefully, you will notice that they barely looking up as you pass, at the same time the farmers are growing vegetables on the banks of Mekong.
Wat Si Saket - Vientiane’s oldest temple. Wat Si Saket was built in 1818 under King Anouvong. Many said it displays the Siamese rather than Lao style of Buddhist architecture. I believe the architecture as well as its surrounding terrace and ornate five-tiered roof, is to keep it safe during the Siamese invasion. Its cloister wall has more than 2,000 ceramic and silver representations of Buddha, and houses a museum as well.
The Great Stupa/Pha That Luang - is an important Buddhist temple built in the sixteenth century by King Setthathirat. I understand that the relics of Buddha are said to be contained here. In fact, the stupa was destroyed by the Thai invasion in the nineteenth century, but was later rebuilt to its original design. Some even said that The Black Stupa (That Dam) is inhabited by a seven-headed dragon which tried to protect them from the Siamese army invasion.
Patuxai (Victory Gate) - this was built in the 1960s to commemorate those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. From what I see, it is quite resembles the Arc de Triomphe, but the style is definitely Laotian, with its numerous kinnari figures, i.e. half woman, half bird.
Talat Sao – is a colourful morning market. Over here, you can find the best of Lao weaving, i.e. glorious silks, cottons and ethnic textiles, both old and new.
Do you think Vientiane is a sleepy city that is full of charm?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Ogasawara Islands – the Chichijima and Hahajima
If you like to watch whale and many different types of dolphin, and also looking for a chance to swim with bottlenose and spinner dolphins, then Ogasawara Islands (also known as Bonin Islands), a remote group of 30 small and flat islands in the Pacific Ocean should be in your travel itinerary. In fact, they have a sweeping, white beach which is also ideal for swimming, but do watch out for highly endangered green where they do come to lay eggs.
Anijima and Chichijima Islands
Ogasawara Islands, about 1,000 km away from Tokyo, were the result by ancient submarine volcano. What I understand is that they are home to more than 140 species of indigenous plants as well as insects such as the Ogasawara damsel fly. You may want to know that of the 97 species of tree on the islands, 73 are endemic.
Out of the 30 Ogasawara Islands, Chichijima (father island) and Hahajima (mother island) are the only inhabited with a population of about 2,500. Their main products are timber and fruit such as pineapples and bananas. True to be believed, Ogasawara is unspoiled and unpolluted, that I think is the reason the waters are crystal-clear and full of coral reefs and tropical fish.
Those who went there have commented that Ogasawara Islands is truly a great place for watching whales and dolphins. I suggest you to take a day trip out to the open sea for an amazing day whale and dolphin watching. While available to see all year round, humpback whales and their calves can usually be seen between February and April, while the best time to see sperm whales is from August to October.
Anijima and Chichijima Islands
Ogasawara Islands, about 1,000 km away from Tokyo, were the result by ancient submarine volcano. What I understand is that they are home to more than 140 species of indigenous plants as well as insects such as the Ogasawara damsel fly. You may want to know that of the 97 species of tree on the islands, 73 are endemic.
Out of the 30 Ogasawara Islands, Chichijima (father island) and Hahajima (mother island) are the only inhabited with a population of about 2,500. Their main products are timber and fruit such as pineapples and bananas. True to be believed, Ogasawara is unspoiled and unpolluted, that I think is the reason the waters are crystal-clear and full of coral reefs and tropical fish.
Those who went there have commented that Ogasawara Islands is truly a great place for watching whales and dolphins. I suggest you to take a day trip out to the open sea for an amazing day whale and dolphin watching. While available to see all year round, humpback whales and their calves can usually be seen between February and April, while the best time to see sperm whales is from August to October.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
PREMIO NACIONAL DE FOTOGRAFIA 2009
NO QUEPO EN MI DE GOZO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Por primera vez desdes hace unos años se le entrega el Premio Nacional de Fotografía a un fotógrafo ¡DE VERDAD!!!!!!.
El Ministerio de Cultura ha otorgado el PREMIO NACIONAL DE FOTOGRAFÍA a Gervasio Sánchez (Córdoba 1959), fotoperiodista que lleva más de 25 años documentando la realidad de muchas zonas de conflicto.
El jurado ha valorado "su continuada labor a favor de la justicia y especialmente por su trabajo sobre las minas anti-persona". Asimismo se reconoce "su aportación a la fotografía de reportaje y cómo a través de ella se dignifica a las víctimas fotografiadas, con una mirada particular que enaltece los mejores valores del fotoperiodismo".
Gervasio Sanchez lleva ya en su carrera multitud de premios y éste confirma plenamente la gran labor de un fotoperiodista entregado a su trabajo. Es un premio ya no solo a la persona si no también al trabajo del documentalista que, como el mismo Gervasio reconoce, tan poco valorado esta en los medios.
"Es una gran sorpresa por ser la primera vez que se valora a un fotoperiodista. Y es un orgullo sobre todo cuando en los medios se valora tan poco la fotografía de prensa".
Quiero aprovechar aqui tambien para poner el discurso que el mismo Gervasio pronuncio en la entrega del premio Ortega y Gasset. Al igual que sus fotos, no tiene desperdicio.
"Estimados miembros del jurado, señoras y señores:
Es para mí un gran honor recibir el Premio Ortega y Gasset de Fotografía convocado por El País, diario donde publiqué mis fotos iniciáticas de América Latina en la década de los ochenta y mis mejores trabajos realizados en diferentes conflictos del mundo durante la década de los noventa, muy especialmente las fotografías que tomé durante el cerco de Sarajevo.
Quiero dar las gracias a los responsables de Heraldo de Aragón, del Magazine de La Vanguardia y la Cadena Ser por respetar siempre mi trabajo como periodista y permitir que los protagonistas de mis historias, tantas veces seres humanos extraviados en los desaguaderos de la historia, tengan un espacio donde llorar y gritar. No quiero olvidar a las organizaciones humanitarias Intermon Oxfam, Manos Unidas y Médicos Sin Fronteras, la compañía DKV SEGUROS y a mi editor Leopoldo Blume por apoyarme sin fisuras en los últimos doce años y permitir que el proyecto Vidas Minadas al que pertenece la fotografía premiada tenga vida propia y un largo recorrido que puede durar décadas. Señoras y señores, aunque sólo tengo un hijo natural, Diego Sánchez, puedo decir que como Martín Luther King, el gran soñador afroamericano asesinado hace 40 años, también tengo otros cuatro hijos víctimas de las minas antipersonas: la mozambiqueña Sofia Elface Fumo, a la que ustedes han conocido junto a su hija Alia en la imagen premiada, que concentra todo el dolor de las víctimas, pero también la belleza de la vida y, sobre todo, la incansable lucha por la supervivencia y la dignidad de las víctimas, el camboyano Sokheurm Man, el bosnio Adis Smajic y la pequeña colombiana Mónica Paola Ojeda, que se quedó ciega tras ser víctima de una explosión a los ocho años.
Sí, son mis cuatro hijos adoptivos a los que he visto al borde de la muerte, he visto llorar, gritar de dolor, crecer, enamorarse, tener hijos, llegar a la universidad. Les aseguro que no hay nada más bello en el mundo que ver a una víctima de la guerra perseguir la felicidad. Es verdad que la guerra funde nuestras mentes y nos roba los sueños, como se dice en la película Cuentos de la luna pálida de Kenji Mizoguchi.
Es verdad que las armas que circulan por los campos de batalla suelen fabricarse en países desarrollados como el nuestro, que fue un gran exportador de minas en el pasado y que hoy dedica muy poco esfuerzo a la ayuda a las víctimas de la minas y al desminado. Es verdad que todos los gobiernos españoles desde el inicio de la transición encabezados por los presidentes Adolfo Suarez, Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, Felipe González, José María Aznar y José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero permitieron y permiten las ventas de armas españolas a países con conflictos internos o guerras abiertas. Es verdad que en la anterior legislatura se ha duplicado la venta de armas españolas al mismo tiempo que el presidente incidía en su mensaje contra la guerra y que hoy fabriquemos cuatro tipos distintos de bombas de racimo cuyo comportamiento en el terreno es similar al de las minas antipersonas. Es verdad que me siento escandalizado cada vez que me topo con armas españolas en los olvidados campos de batalla del tercer mundo y que me avergüenzo de mis representantes políticos.
Pero como Martin Luther King me quiero negar a creer que el banco de la justicia está en quiebra, y como él, yo también tengo un sueño: que, por fin, un presidente de un gobierno español tenga las agallas suficientes para poner fin al silencioso mercadeo de armas que convierte a nuestro país, nos guste o no, en un exportador de la muerte.
Muchas gracias."
Enhorabuena a Gervasio, a todos los fotoperiodistas y a todos los fotógrafos
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Lake Pichola | Udaipur - the city of lakes
Have you ever visited a beautiful lake surrounded by stunning scenery? If not, you may want to travel to the foothills of the Aravalli Hills in southern Rajasthan of India, where the beautiful Lake Pichola lies.
What is Lake Pichola most famous for? Those beautiful royal palaces and temples that lie on its islands and around its shoreline. One that impressed me the most (guess many tourists too!), and also the most famous sights on the lake is a beautiful shining white building that appears to float on the lake's clear blue waters, i.e. Jag Niwas, but now the Lake Palace Hotel, which was built in the 1740s and is made entirely of marble.
You may want to know that the chief town in the area is Udaipur (also known as the city of lakes), was founded on the advice of a hermit in 1559 for the residence to Maharana Udai Singh. Among the highlights in Udaipur included the City Palace and Museum, the many smaller palaces and temples, as well as those tourist attractions picturesque streets, gardens and fountains.
What follows are some of the places to see and places to visit on Lake Pichola’s islands that I think you might be interested:
What is Lake Pichola most famous for? Those beautiful royal palaces and temples that lie on its islands and around its shoreline. One that impressed me the most (guess many tourists too!), and also the most famous sights on the lake is a beautiful shining white building that appears to float on the lake's clear blue waters, i.e. Jag Niwas, but now the Lake Palace Hotel, which was built in the 1740s and is made entirely of marble.
The Lake Palace Hotel - in the centre of Lake Pichola
You may want to know that the chief town in the area is Udaipur (also known as the city of lakes), was founded on the advice of a hermit in 1559 for the residence to Maharana Udai Singh. Among the highlights in Udaipur included the City Palace and Museum, the many smaller palaces and temples, as well as those tourist attractions picturesque streets, gardens and fountains.
What follows are some of the places to see and places to visit on Lake Pichola’s islands that I think you might be interested:
- Sajjangarh Palace - this palace overlooks the lake from the top of a hill and was the summer palace where the members of the royal family spent the monsoon season.
- Shah Jahan’s refuge - i.e. the Jag Mandir, is a red sandstone complex with cool courtyards, a small museum, and the massive Jagdish Temple that lies within its walls. Some said this has provided inspiration for Taj Mahal.
- Shilpgram - a craft village that is in the north-west of Udaipur. In fact, Shilpgram is a centre dedicated to preserving and enhancing the craft and folk heritage of western India.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Seoul - Economic Powerhouse to South Korea
Feel like to visit a city that has the most skyscrapers than any Asian city? Or want to see how a city that was left in tatters by war has reinvented itself to be one of the most populous and successful cities on earth?
Read the full article here...
When is the best time to go? September to November or March to May. For great travel deals and ideas, please visit www.journeyonearth.com!
Read the full article here...
The skyline at dusk
Changdeokgung Palace in winter
When is the best time to go? September to November or March to May. For great travel deals and ideas, please visit www.journeyonearth.com!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Komodo National Park - Largest Dragon Lizard
Do you or your kids like to see the world's largest lizard? Or perhaps like to enjoy some of the world’s best marine life?
If so, then have a guided tour to Komodo National Park located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, a country in South-East Asia...read more
If so, then have a guided tour to Komodo National Park located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, a country in South-East Asia...read more
Komodo Dragon
The welcome signboard
Monday, November 2, 2009
TQMMM
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Bangkok – City of Angels
Those who have been to Bangkok will usually said that the more time you spend in Bangkok, the more you will enjoy yourself. Why so? One of the reasons that I can think of is that it seems impossible to get bored, i.e. there are so many monuments, museums, exhibitions, restaurants, clubs, bars, shops and markets, which means there's always somewhere new to go, something else for you to try in those places of interest, places to see and places to visit in Bangkok.
What follows are some words of mouth that you probably want to know about:
Other tourist attractions, interesting places and places to see, and places to visit that you might not want to miss are:
Do enjoy yourself while in those places of interest in Bangkok and don’t be put off by its immensity, just go with the flow and you will find innumerable treasures and pleasures there!
The Grand Palace
What follows are some words of mouth that you probably want to know about:
- The Grand Palace and the Temple of Emerald Buddha site as well as the Wat Po (i.e. Reclining Buddha) should be on everyone's Bangkok itinerary.
- Bangkok with its Thai name as Krungthep (meaning City of Angels), is truly magical. If you stay on the river, It's a respite from the frenzy. You may want to know that Bangkok full Thai name is Krungthep mahanakhon bowon rattanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchatani burirom udonratchaniwet mahasatham amonpiman avatansathir sakkathatitya visnukamprasit, what a long yet interesting name!
- One of the favourite things that tourists will enjoy is to hire a longtail boat just before sunset and work their way upriver towards the Grand Palace to see it lit up at night. They usually can stop at Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of the Dawn) and/or the Royal Barges on the way up during daylight assuming they are still open, and wander the little canals as well on their way up and back.
- Taxis are cheap and air conditioned for tourists to visit those tourist attractions spots, and that street food ubiquitous and delicious.
- If you want some peace go to the Suan Phakkard Palace and admire the five traditional wooden houses, which are filled with wonderful antiques and artworks.
- Taking an express boat trip in Chao Praya River is an excellent way of seeing Bangkok, even allow you to stopping off to see the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and even Wat Po, containing the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand and perhaps also enjoy a traditional Thai massage there. Who knows you may also want to enjoy a cool drink on the terrace of the famous Oriental Hotel!
- Bangkok is not a city to walk about as it is too hot and too busy.
Some close views of The Grand Palace
Other tourist attractions, interesting places and places to see, and places to visit that you might not want to miss are:
- Lumphini Park;
- Chatuchak Market;
- Chinatown and Pahurat, the Indian district; and
- The National Museum.
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