Malta: Living on the Edge of Europe
Thoughts and happenings from a life on Malta
Archive for the ‘ Architecture ’ Category
Once there was a view
The photo above depicts what one sees today upon reaching the car park of Gnejna Bay - three aluminium container-like structures housing two kiosks and a water sports centre, all partitioning the beach from the parking area. In the eyes of some, the sight of silver aluminium shining in the sun is more satisfying than tanned sand, shimmering sea and crumbling cliffs. In the pockets of others, it is more rewarding to allow businesses to appropriate what, until recently, belonged, at no charge, to all those who frequented the bay. Where once upon-a-stormy-day it was possible to sit in the relative comfort of one's car while watching nature unleash its fury, today one can still sit in the relative comfort of one's car but, watch what exactly? Aesthetic idiocy unleashed.
From Nordlingen to Novosibirsk
Postcard #5, from Germany
The circularity of the town is what caught my attention. It's shaped that way with good reason too - a meteorite crater serves as its foundation. Today, 20,000 people have the unique opportunity of climbing into a hole when returning home after having climbed out of it to get to wherever they had to go.
Postcard #6, from Russia
Blue skies, fountains, T-shirts; easy enough to be gulled into thinking that this must be some warm-weather destination. The climatic facts of Novosibirsk tell another story. Average high temperatures in excess of 20°C (but less than 30ºC) only occur in June, July and August. The daily mean temperature for the whole year is a brrrrrrr 2.4ºC.
The green-breasted building you see is the State Museum of Local Lore on Krasny Prospect. Number 23, should you care to visit.
Ladies for tea & a stroll down the streets of Minsk
Postcard #3
This arrived from London and although there's nothing Londony about it, a smile covered my face when I set eyes on these charming women with their cone-shaped hats. The black and white just gives it more old-time authenticity.
Postcard #4
On the same day, I found a street in Minsk in my letterbox. I must confess to having a dearth of knowledge about this city or the country it belongs to - Belarus. So I did a search using, no, not Google, but Alexa (which is powered by Google anyway) and can direct you to this site http://www.privet-minsk.com/
From the crypt of the Carmelite church
Entrance to Carmelite church crypt
In keeping with the spirit (or soul) of November, I'm publishing a video taken in the crypt of the Carmelite church in Mdina.
Over the decades, I had on countless occasions been drawn down the few steps leading to a dusty and paint-peeled door, which unfortunately was always closed. From behind the chicken-wire that weaved in and out of the pillars decorating the upper half , I would squint into the gloom, entranced by the flickering light of candles ensconced in red, translucent plastic. My nostrils would also work overtime, overdosing on a fug of mustiness that might easily have been the scent of souls trying to escape the confines of that underground space.
This time the doors had been swung open and light had been let in (albeit an artificial one), finally allowing me to penetrate a place that had only resided in my imagination.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Evw9QAYpy0
Eleanor Roosevelt:
"Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are."
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