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Mixed messages, Bungamati, Nepal. No matter where one travels in the world, mixed messages abound.
Himalayan Valley, Nepal.
Bhaktapur, Nepal. A temple money changer?
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Faded flyers, Bungamati, Nepal.
Madaba, Jordan.
Aqaba, Jordan.
Amman, Jordan.
Amman.
New Orleans, Louisiana.
Sidewalk declaration, French Quarter, New Orleans.
Farmer's Market, New Orleans.
Gulfport, Mississippi.
Turning the clocks back: the 15th-century church clock and bell tower photographed early in the morning. Click photos to view detail.
The same tower photographed over the roof from our second-floor balcony at 11:05 one night last summer.
Sans flags, photographed from the balcony.
The bell tower viewed from our third-floor bedroom window.
When we move, we won't miss the church bells playing melodies every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. After the tunes stop, the church bells continue to ring at the top of the hour, every hour.
I've yet to meet a local resident who doesn't wish that the bells would ring every 15 minutes, rather than the pop or Christmas (in July) tunes played relentlessly throughout the day and evening. Apparently, officials at Town Hall - who purchased the bell rights from the church - consider the tunes a tourist attraction. At the moment, the bells are playing "All You Need is Love."
A ghoulish grimace at a construction site in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
A kinetic sculpture resembling the Sword in the Stone, shot through glass.
Do not park your bike here - or else!
Bending, tubular shapes in Delft.
And flickering flames to light the way for Halloween tricks or treats. Hope you have a safe and Happy Halloween!
One of the places we've been house-hunting is Vermeer's Delft. I adore this charming city and fell in love with a 1920s house, simply because of its original stained-glass windows and doors. But it's a bit small, so the search continues.
Strolling along this canal, we came across a swan paddle boat. Click photos to enlarge.
And this building boasts its original hand-painted sign, stained glass windows and a trompe l'oeil mural on one window.
The search continues!
The recent 740th annual Horse Market and Parade featured Dutch cowboys (and cowgirls) and some beautiful horses.
A smile for the camera.
A steady rain didn't dampen the spirits of local residents and horsing enthusiasts.
The American flag and horse blankets referencing the Texas state flag were on display.
Wait for me!
On a rainy Wednesday, Oct. 12th, Dutch horses and riders gathered for the 740th Annual Horse Market and Parade. Click photos to view detail.
Sorry to delay posting these pictures, but between fighting a nasty bug and house-hunting, I haven't had much time or energy to blog.
Check back this week for photos of Dutch cowboys and more horses from the Horse Market and Parade.
Sunset over the hills of, Petra, Jordan.
Today marks a joyous beginning for the people of Libya and an ignominious farewell to Muammar Qaddafi. At last the sun has set on the Libyan dictator's long reign of terror.
May the Libyan people enjoy the fruits of their hard-fought freedom, as they work to rebuild their country.
Imagine if you lived a nomadic lifestyle, like these Bedouins camped out in the ruins of a village near Kerak, Jordan. Think what it would be like if you had to take your food source with you, everywhere you went. (Click photos to enlarge).
Consider the difficulties of moving not only your family and essential possessions, but goats, roosters and hens as well.
Imagine that without the eggs, milk and cheese from these animals, your family might go hungry.
These Bedouins are nomads by choice. But millions of people around the world are living like the Bedouins, forced by political turmoil, floods or drought to flee their homes carrying whatever food sources they have or face starvation. Some refugees are able to find temporary respite in an encampment run by the United Nations or aid agencies. They don't get to choose what they have for dinner; they're just relieved to have a meal. But thousands of people aren't so lucky, dying of hunger or disease before reaching shelter.
When climate change, conflict or war tip the balance, the safety nets vanish. Together, we can fight famine. Add your voice:
Oxfam's East Africa Food Crisis Appeal
Recently we dined at a 19th-century brownstone restaurant which was so beautiful, I skipped the first course to go home and get my camera. The main dining room is accented with bronze candelabra, gilt mercury-glass mirrors and bronze wall sconces dripping with crystals. As if that's not enough glamour, white roses tumble out of a silver champagne cooler and hand-appliqued gold leaf fleur-de-lis accent the pale gold plastered walls.
White roses fill a black glass urn on a fireplace mantle and a tall iron stand holds a whimsical arrangement of ivy and white flowers. An appliqued chandelier enhances a sliding door, echoing an antique crystal chandelier reflected in the glass.
An 19th-century crystal chandelier and framed tapestry are reflected in the mirror's mercury glass.
A 1940s French crystal chandelier highlights a private dining alcove. I have a pair of 1940s crystal wall sconces from Paris modeled on this same design. It is hoped I'll find space for them in our next abode.
The restaurant's ceilings are centered with a gold leaf-etched Art Nouveau design, next to a moulded wooden cherub. Not only is the interior an aesthetic delight, the food is superb.
Wishing you some candlelit magic of your own this weekend...
A young Dutch rider waits to participate in festivities Wednesday at the 740th annual Horse Market/Parade (click to enlarge). Taking photos in the rain probably didn't help my fight with a virus that's making the rounds...Back with more photos of horses and cowboys when I'm feeling better.
Horses at midnight...Lighted images of horses and their reflections in a canal.
The horses are in honour of the annual horse market, conducted in this area for the past 740 years!
A deserted Voorstraat at midnight, with platforms ready for festivities that begin early Wednesday morning, October 12th. Stay tuned for photos of the Horse Parade!
A handmade pottery bowl with tiny aqua-centered mushroom caps sits on a windowsill. The bowl contains Dutch bulbs (autumn crocus is the American equivalent) that bloom without water. Click images to enlarge.
While some bulbs are flowering now, others will take a few weeks to bloom.
This weekend, may you have a cozy thatched-roof cottage - or its equivalent - in which to shelter, read and dream...
...well-tended flower gardens to admire...
...Nature's wonders to appreciate...
...long walks or bike rides in fresh air...
...vibrant fall colours matching the warmth of family and friends...
...and bright bouquets to cheer even the darkest moments.
Photos taken in two villages in Zuid Holland. Click to enlarge.
Mother and daughter, Bungamati, Nepal.
I am pleased to join hundreds of bloggers participating in The 2011 Girl Effect Blogging Campaign. Read more about the campaign and how you can help young girls reach their potential.
Won't you consider writing your own Girl Effect blog post this week? For details, go here. See posts from other Girl Effect Blogging Campaign participants here.
Bedouin girl, Petra, Jordan. Images and poem by Tara Bradford.
Give me a chance
I need a chance
to study at school
to seize opportunities
to learn just like you
I need a chance
to grow, think and reach
to wander and wonder
defy tradition's long reach
I need a chance
to make my own decisions
to carve a career
not marriage as prison
I need a chance
to discover my worth
to nurture my talent
before I give birth
I need a chance
to choose my own path
to plan my own journey
without family wrath
I need a chance
to remain strong, in good health
to be who I am
not some man's chattel as wealth
Give me a chance
you'll see what I can do
surpass expectations
be independent like you
With the exception of 2006 when I was in Seville, it's the first time in 11 years that I'm missing the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris. It's disappointing not seeing the beautiful racehorses and the unusual hats in person. So I'm doing the next best thing and watching the festivities on television.
Here are photos from the 2010 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (click images to view detail):
Trying on hats.
A little girl looks through a hatbox of fascinators.
Race winner.
Serving Belgian waffles.
Buying sweets.
All photos from the 2010 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Hortensia blooms in muted colours.
On today's radar:
Putlizer Prize-winner Jhumpa Lahiri: Trading stories
Inside Libya's notorious Abu Salim prison. Two brave men I knew are believed to have been murdered in the prison massacre. They are mentioned in my 2006 poem Dead or disappeared.
Palestinians say they are victims of collective punishment, as the pro-Israeli US Congress withdraws aid to the West Bank and Gaza. The move follows the Palestinian's president's statehood request to the United Nations.
Labor unions plan to join Occupy Wall Street protests. And you can send pizza to protesters at Liberty Square!
If you're a fan of the late singer Ella Fitzgerald and the Paris-based Hermes, act fast to bid on Miss Fitzgerald's handbag at auction in New Orleans.
The contrarians: 18th-century furnishings in a Chicago apartment.
This video filmed in Paris is achingly beautiful in its wistfulness.
