Photographs

    I have a number of photographs from our trip to Portugal last year which never saw the light of day because of me catching pneumonia and becoming so unwell. So I am revisiting a Sunday day trip to the town of Beja. During our walk around town we came across some interesting graffiti. Here is a selection of it.

    Graffiti art on a door depicting an evolutionary transition from an ape holding a spear to a modern human wearing a beanie and Crocs, while holding a fast-food sandwich and with his hand over his genitals

    A vibrant painting on an outside wall of three giraffes against a pink background with silhouettes of tree

    Street art mural depicting a topless woman with red hair and eyeglasses lounging on a lifebuoy in water, accompanied by a white cat, with stylized faces of two people in the clouds above. The artwork is framed by a real door

    A colorful mural painted on a door depicting a tower of stylized skulls with a background of leaves and two large sets of eyes above. A pink uterus-like shape with a red heart hangs in the center between the eyes, and cut apples on either side

    We are really getting a cornucopia of weather conditions at the moment. Days of still weather, clear skies and sun, were replaced with two days of howling winds, though clear skies as well. Now the clouds have come in so thick that all views are obscured and it has just started raining.

    Grass in the foreground, a shrubbery bed behind that, and a dark misty sky above it all

    Cartoon drawing of a man in a tracksuit running, a headband on his head, and writing below saying that week 2 of couch to 5K program has been completed

    Well that is week two of the Watch to 5K completed. This week was harder than the second, though I am also seeing progress. I am running a little further than the previous week. At the moment I am finding it hard to imagine that I’ll be running 5K by the end of the program. However, there are still seven weeks to go, and it is a gradual build up each week. Onwards and upwards πŸƒπŸΌ

    The dawn chorus yesterday morning.

    Dawn, a graduated sky going from yellows on the horizon to dark blues higher up. In the foreground is a silhouette of a bush, and silhouettes of tropical trees and other shrubs appearing over the bush

    Dawn this morning, a couple of hours ago.

    The sky at dawn, just before sunrise with scattered clouds in shades of orange and gray above a dark silhouette of trees and shrubs.

    The Story Behind the Photo: A Bus Full of People

    A bus, that is so full that people are sitting on top of the luggage on the roof, winds its way up a narrow road in a rural setting
    The original of this image was a slide. I projected it onto a wall and took this photo.

    I initially posted this photo on September 3, 2023, but offered no context for it. Following the reception to my story about a photograph that I took of Mt.Everest at sunset and encouragement of Miraz and Maique, I have decided to revisit other photos that I have posted of my travels, as well as ones yet posted, and share their story. Retelling the story behind the Mt. Everest photograph took me back to a time in my life that was important to me, reshaped my life, and delving back through my journals deepened my memories of those journeys.

    This story starts almost where the Mt. Everest photo left off. My trek to the Solo/Khumbu region of Nepal, where Mt. Everest sits, ended at the small village of Jiri. From there I had to catch a bus to Kathmandu, a day long journey. I had been out trekking for thirty days, and was sad to be leaving these mountains, though illness was calling for me to rest.

    I arrived in Jiri on October 28, 1989, with my stomach feeling none too good. That night I had to make two runs to the toilet, explained in my journal as being made…

    …none too easy by the fact that the toilet was a good 70m away outside and I had to get past 2 locked doors to get there.

    As I read that entry, I could picture the battle to get to the toilet that night. I think that I had giardia due to the sulfurous burbs that were accompanying the upset stomach. Dirty water, or food were probable causes.

    I was considering staying put in Jiri for another day just to rest, but sooner or later I would need medication to fight the bacteria in me, something that I was unlikely to find that in this village. The next morning I felt a definite improvement, skipped breakfast in order to give the bacteria nothing to feed off (and my body nothing to get rid of!), and an American couple gave me four tablets to “nuke it."

    I got on the bus early, put my pack under the seat instead of on the roof as it had amongst other things the underdeveloped slides of the trek that I gratefully still have, this image being amongst them. However, by the time that the bus left I was feeling tired and nauseous, not helped by the man next to me smoking. Two hours into the bus ride, we stopped. I used the opportunity to grab my back and climb up onto the roof. Surrounded mainly by porters and a couple of westerners, I spent the rest of journey on the roof top. Again, I’ll share from my journal,

    No rain, just sun, blue skies, a little wind and beautiful views. The Himalaya rose up abruptly behind terraced hills and lower lying cloud. Orange flowers decorated houses, dogs, cattle. People picked more <flowers> as today is the 2nd day of the festival marking the new year. I dozed for a while and marveled at the country side…

    Along side the road chautara (or store rest stops) appear by paths. I wonder whether this is part of the old trail <coming all the way from Kathmandu> or just another trail between villages. Gaurishankar and the surrounding range become even more impressive than yesterday, rising up shear and dominating the skyline to the north.

    On the way we passed a bus going in the opposite direction, the photo that is at the top of this piece. I did not record how the two buses past each other, but be sure that they did as I am writing this now!

    The tablets that I was given in Jiri must have done their work, as I was feeling better by the time that we reached Kathmandu. The city was busier than when we left. Trekking season had arrived. I had picked just the right time to head up to the mountains. The hotel where I had left the rest of my gear, that which I didn’t need during the trek, was full. Despite the friendly staff, I was silently happy that I could not stay there as the area surrounding the hotel was now busy and noisier than before. I repacked everything and headed across town to find a quieter hotel.

    That evening, with a settled stomach and having not eaten all day, I had some dinner and then headed to bed for a good night’s rest.

    Good morning β˜•οΈ. What will this week bring?

    A cup of espresso coffee sitting on a mat on a marble table with a pile of white books behind it

    Photographs from a walk along the cliffs near to Ho’okipa Beach, Maui last Friday evening.

    Ocean waves crashing against rocky coastline with grassy foreground and the Hawaiian island of Molokai in the distance at sunset. The island in the distance is Moloka’i.

    Sunset over the ocean with the sun peeking through the silhouette of the West Maui mountains, with a grassy foreground and a rocky shoreline. The sun is setting behind the West Maui Mountains.

    A tranquil sunset overlooking the ocean with a gradient sky, viewed from a grassy hillside.

    That was not easy, but a good challenge. A 500 piece jigsaw puzzle of rocks, a Christmas present that I have slowly worked on, a few pieces each day. 🧩

    A 500 piece completed jigsaw puzzle on a wooden table. The puzzle is of rocks in different shades of browns, blacks and whites.

    The summit of Mt Everest, peeking out from behind surrounding mountains, coloured orange as it catches the last rays of sunlight at the end of the day. This image was captured during a month long trek to the Solo/Khumbu region of Nepal around September 1989. Photo of slide projected onto a wall.

    The summit of Mt Everest, peeking out from behind surrounding mountains, coloured orange as it catches the last rays of sunlight at the end of the day. Clouds are building up

    This morning’s rainbow 🌈

    A full rainbow arching across a blue sky with scattered cloud. Beneath the rainbow is a tropical rural scene with a couple of houses a road going up a hill and curving away. The grey ocean is in the distance

    This place is called the Fun Factory and is a favorite of my grandson’s. I’m not in agreement with him on this. I call it soul destroying and a money burner. I wouldn’t tell him this and such, of course, is lost on him anyway.

    An amusement arcade with a variety of brightly lit games

    As Boxing Day comes to an end, celebrated in my mind if not in the country where I now live, I look back on the beginning and end of yesterday.

    A table laid out for breakfast. In each plate is a Christmas cracker. At the far end of the table is the food, so people can help themselves buffet style. Sun light shines the length of the table

    A late winter evening. A lawn and been in the foreground. Tree covered hills in the distance. Low clouds, with a break in the cloud where the sky meets the hill, the setting sun shining through

    That time of year when I go searching for the ghosts of Christmas past, the good ghosts.

    A boxed, blue box,Terry’s Chocolate Orange confection on a reflective metallic surface.

    As Christmas night falls here in Hawaii, I wish all those who celebrate, in whatever shape or form, blessings, peace and all good wishes.

    Close-up of a Christmas tree with various decorations including a felted owl ornament, a string of colorful felt balls, and miniature Santa Clauses.

    Joining in the current online fun. I experimented with a few descriptions and think that this one resulted in the best likeness.

    AI generated Funko Pop vinyl model of me standing next to a box with another model in. Dressed in blue jeans, blue sneakers, grey t-shirt, blue, white & black plaid t-shirt, and green rimmed glasses

    My favourite coffee shop, and my local one when we lived in Portland was Sterling Coffee Roasters. I still order from them - only three days from Portland, and free postage. A great service. These arrived yesterday, including their Holiday Blend for the Christmas/New Year period.

    Three bags of Sterling Coffee Roasters coffee on a kitchen counter: “Blendo Stupendo,” “Holiday Blend,” and “Chiapas Eupromex.” The bags are labeled with flavor notes, processing methods, and elevation of the coffee beans

    Two sides of this evening.

    A vibrant rainbow arcs across a cloudy sky at sunset, above a trimmed hedge and a leafless tree in the foreground.

    A dark sunset sky with clouds and a crescent moon, with silhouettes of trees and hills on the horizon.

    From a walk at Ho’okipa cliffs just over a week ago.

    Small red graffiti-covered concrete building with a tall pole on top, set against a coastal landscape with grass in the foreground and a sunset sky in the background.

    Inspired by the sticker posts of @maique. I spotted these while waiting to cross the road with my grandson.

    Stickers, including some pink bananas, on a pole at a street light crossing

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