nature sauvage

2009.99 x-country

So 2009 is almost up, hope it has been a good one for you. This year-end is again in the hills with the snow. White Christmas seems more christmassy... the stomach will need a holiday.

There actually isn't that much snow around, nevertheless the little-in-laws put on their tights and took in some cross country skiing. So what does cross country look like? It could be graceful or fluid. It sure requires technique, and a little muscle. When you're at it, it feels like you heart is tying to escape your chest. The nose is burning cold, but the rest of you is burning hot. It can feel a little off balance (if you're  a beginner like me), but if you know what you're doing, it looks effortless. Unless you're racing, then it seems effortful. Since I'm normally not looking around, and following those more skillful, to me this is what cross country looks like, skaters in the snow:

When one is able to stop and take in the lovely views, one realises it a great way to get around in the white hills.

Wishing you a great 1% of the 2009 that remains, and a wonderful year ahead. I hope it is more than just head down, and it is you who will leave the criss-crosses.

musée guimet

Right now there is quite a nice exhibition on Bhutan at Musée Guimet. Lots of little Buddhas, in just about every incarnation, and painfully detailed thankas telling many a story. One thing is clear, I don't understand what I am looking at.

The museum itself is quite interesting though. That, I don't need to understand, just shoot.

And the avenue alongside. It looks sunny, but it's coooold!

cape of good hope

I never did finish the South Arica trip. We had made it down to Cape Agulhas, from there it was on to  Cape Town and its surrounds.

Stellenbosch, nestled in the Hottentot Holland mountains, with the Cape Dutch architecture. A university town, but also home to great wines, restaurants, golf courses, olives, strawberries... the list goes on.

devolution

Sitting in a plane the other day, I decided that I believe in a supreme being. It has nothing to do with the awe that is still there for each take-off, nor the particularly nasty turbulence I wished we weren't going through. It was more of a negative argument that lead me to god.

When one feels like killing the ambiance of the dinner party, you can always bring up evolution and creation type topics. In general the camps seem mutually exclusive. I'm not exactly sure why it has to be so black and white, but it is. So what has this got to do with my hallelujah moment?