I MISS ROME, I MISS HOT WEATHER!

When I think of hot weather, Rome in summer comes to my mind. It was extremely hot that walking outdoors was only pleasurable either early in the morning or in the evening. It was precisely early in the morning as I strolled through the Navona Square that I took the above photo of the Fountain of the Four Rivers that collectively represent four major rivers of the four continents: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges and the Rio de la Plata for Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas, respectively.

Fortunately, Rome has so many ice-cream shops at which we can get our palates refreshed.

I miss Rome, I miss hot weather!

Thank you!

A NICE RAINY ARTY DAY!

The weather has been very weird all over Portugal this winter and, today, worse than ever: very strong wind and heavy rain pouring almost all the day long. A good day to paint...

I have been wishing for warm breezes, sunshine and naturally 'flowers' of every colour and shape. So,  I started with brush strokes of greens followed by red, blue and yellows. For a while, I had the illusion the colourful flowers were all blooming before my eyes. I completely forgot the bad weather outdoors. 

Fine weather is not only related to colourful flowers but also to meals taken in the open air. Long hours of conversation with friends as we enjoy a good wine and different varieties of home-baked bread. How I'm missing all these and much more!

Painting helped me to dispel gloom...

Thank you!

LISBON DRESSED IN A WHITE BLANKET

This morning, as I woke up and opened my window, hardly could I believe my eyes... the grey colour of the pavement and of the ground around it had turned into white. Yes, white. A severe hail storm had swept through Lisbon.

I have lived most of my life in Lisbon and it was the first time something like this happened.

I really liked this little gift presented by Nature but I know, like everything, it has had its bad side-effects. Traffic was chaotic for many hours. Some roads had to be closed. Nature wanted it so!

 Enjoy the weekend!

IS ALEPPO STILL THERE???

I could not find a better way to start off the New Year but recalling my visit to Aleppo, a city  meanwhile destroyed by religious fanaticism and political interests.

                                     

Did you know that the said to be the first evidence of production of soap-like materials dates back circa the year 2 800 BC??? It was located in Babylon. From there, the soap spread through the Mediterranean world on boats loaded from Damascus, Aleppo and Phoenician cities sitting on the coastal area (Lebanon).

I did find in Sidon a small production factory which sells olive oil soap cakes from Aleppo. They show exquisite shapes and very beautiful decorations. Which of which to bring back home was a hard task, indeed. I would have liked to buy one of each, at least. 

                                  

Is Aleppo still there???

Thank you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

When in Beirut (Lebanon), I had lunch at the restaurant pictured above, in which glamour met cutting-edge cuisine, that would perfectly suit this time of the year. So, I chose it to be my last post of this year.
Located on the famous Corniche, a classic of a Mediterranean city, the view over the sea was relaxing and a nice place for one's soul. 

The wide promenade seemed to have no end, giving you the opportunity to get a real feel of Beirut. It's a favourite place of locals other than tourists, specially in the weekends.

                                  

May the New Year be beyond your expectations!

~~See you in 2014~~

MYSORE PALACE THAT DELIGHTED ME

Mysore Palace, in Southern India, was truly spectacular. It was built by a British architect named Henry back in 1897 after the former wooden palace burnt down for the second time. Henry loved religions and traveled to many far reaches of the earth … and this is all evident with this palace he designed. On the outside one can notice the Arab/Islamic style rounded roofs, and a Hindu style monument at the top.

The palace used to serve as the official residence of the former royal family of Mysore and also housed the royal offices.

I couldn't miss going inside the palace hall, but I could not take any pictures inside it. Cameras were not allowed. There were high ceilings with stained glassed designs. Fans, whose wings were twisted so that the air reached the ground and much much more that words can't describe.

I was told that every Sunday evening, the Palace is illuminated with no less than 1,000 bulbs. Unfortunately, my visit to Mysore happened on a weekday.
I still keep hope that some day in the future I'll make a chance to revisit it on a Sunday and then let my eyes be delighted with all the splendor of the illuminated Palace.

Thank you!

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOUR

India is a land of beautiful things and its temples are no exception to the rule. I explored a few of the hundreds that lie in and around Madurai, one of the oldest cities in India.
One of the first things that tells a foreigner that they are in India are the temples. They come in all shapes and sizes. Their silhouettes cut upwards into the skyscape; they tower over streets; their red-and-white candy cane striped walls enclose them from the chaos of everyday life. 
Madurai is dominated by the mind-blowing Sri Meenakshi Temple (photo above). The city's greatest joy is getting lost within the red and white striped walls of this place of worship.

Back in Portugal and passing by a Portuguese region not far from Oporto, I realized that its typical architecture was also characterized by red and white striped walls. The photo below shows it in a fisherman's cottage. Interesting coincidence, isn't it? 

The more I travel, the more fascinating I find it as it makes me think about the world, about my country.

Thank you!