A GOOD COMPANION TO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

One of the books about history and travels that I have recently read was titled "The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean" by Professor David Abulafia who considers Dubrovnik as one of the most important trading ports in the 16th century. Its merchants possessed what was probably the largest merchant fleet. The secret of their success was that they were neutral, paying tribute to the Ottoman sultan in return for his protection. Furthermore, Dubrovnik was a Roman Catholic city, whose inhabitants called it 'Ragusa'. The Ragusans were great specialists in trading woollen cloths manufactured from Balkan wool. 

I love Dubrovnik that still preserves that charming architecture from the Italian Renaissance and sooner than I had ever expected I will be strolling once again those city walls.

        Enjoy every day of the week

TRAVELLERS' WRITINGS - A PRECIOUS HERITAGE

European travellers left us with fabulous descriptive writings over many centuries. "Persia through writers´eyes" is a selection of writings about history and customs of the Persians during three thousand years. I think I could say that one of my favourites is the description of Shah Abbas´s capital of Isfahan by the end of the XVI century.

Isfahan was "most pleasant, elegant as to building, populous for inhabitants, rich in trade and noble by being the usual residence of the court".

 Have an enjoyable weekend! 

 Thank you!

I DO IT VERY OFTEN!

Azenhas do Mar is a quaint little town, perched high on a cliff, with its characteristic white houses scattered for centuries here and there by very old narrow streets designed not for cars but donkeys and people, instead. 

When we walk throughout the village we have the illusion Time has stopped over there like a memory of life struggling either by fishing or farming. In those ancient times, house construction on the cliffs was authorized.

This village, not far from Lisbon, boasts a very peculiar natural light that changes permanently during the day, during the seasons.

Azenhas do Mar is the kind of landscape that teaches her beauty with a cliff until you get closer to a point you have to stop, get out of the car and admire the view. I do it very often!

Thank you!

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!