I thought, since it is New Years Eve, I would post a photo gallery of shots from some of the places I’ve been around the world. Sort of a “Best of” gallery from previous posts. I’ve been only blogging since August, so I have yet to post shots from everywhere I’ve been. And, I have yet to even start posting video from all of these places. That is what 2014 is for. Resolution 🙂
The world is a big, beautiful place, filled with interesting people, amazing sights, random coincidences and occasional tender mercies. I have been blessed to travel. I have been blessed to make friends on every continent. I hope to keep the friends I have made and make more as time goes by. However, my greatest blessings are found at home, with a warm fire, a good meal and my family, who love me.
I hope you enjoy the photographs. Happy New Year.
Soweto Towers could be one of the coolest places in the world to bungee and base jump.
Corregated metal, cardboard, canvas and the ever-present barbed wire makeup the materials of most houses in the township.
Without education, children growing up in the township face limited opportunities.
The Village Elder gave us permission to take a picture, but, the women of the village, the mothers wouldn’t come out of their huts to be in the shot.
A child can find pure joy amidst the most challenging of circumstances.
The secret to such smooth, smooth skin could be found in the mud of Lubumbashi River.
Working with root fibers in Yamoransah village, Ghana.
When I tried to take her picture, she would hide her face and then laugh. When I showed her pictures of her friends, she opened up enough to let take this photo.
Jacaranda trees bloom in spectacular beauty on a residential street in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The legendary tree of life thrives in Africa.
A thirsty African elephant takes a healthy drink from his own personal well.
Leopard finishing a meal of Impala at the Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa.
One of the greatest achievements of Roman Engineering and Architecture, the Roman Colosseum is still the largest amphitheater in the world.
Kneeling in the attitude of penitent prayer, this woman remains still for hours, hoping her prayers will be answered with coins in her cup.
Late afternoon light illuminates a common staircase adjacent to the Scala Sancta (Holy Steps) said to be the steps Jesus stood upon before Pontius Pilate.
A vintage rainy day in Paris.
KIngs and Courtiers still bask in the lavish extravagance of the Château de Versailles.
Evergreen soldiers await the command to march on the Palace.
One of the islands on the Seine, near the birthplace of Paris.
A woman rests from her burdens.
Can you say Da Vinci Code?
The heart of the ancient Inca Empire
Scones and Smiles, she’ll warm your heart with both.
Shape, pattern, line and light emerge through a high-dynamic-range look into the meadow.
Early morning sun shines on Lone Peak, Wasatch Mountains, Utah.
Temple Square in Salt Lake City is the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Construction of the Salt Lake Temple began in 1847 and took nearly 40 years to complete. The Temple, surrounded by thousands of twinkling Christmas lights, stands as a symbol of faith and hope to more than 15 million Latter-day Saints (Mormons) across the world.
Whether or not Marie Antoinette actually said, “Let them eat cake,” is up for debate. What isn’t up for debate is the fact that the French Aristocracy of the 17th century had lost touch with the plight of the common folk. In 1682 King Louis XIV moved the center of political power in France from Paris to Versailles. His heir, Louis the XV and his heir, Louis the XVI, expanded the elaborate and exquisite palace in a decadent game of one-upmanship, each seeking to outdo the extravagance of the last. The Château, or Castle, or Palace of Versailles represented the system of absolute monarchy in the divine right of kingship.
The people had no bread. Yet the Kings inlaid gold throughout their palace and threw elaborately expensive balls. For this very reason, it may be possible to understand why, on October 6, 1789 the Royal Family was forced to leave Versailles for the Tuileries Palace in Paris as a result of the Women’s March on Versailles and the erupting revolution. Not long after, in spite of lofty ideals, the people’s French Revolution removed the heads of those who ignored the basic humanity of their subjects instead choosing art and architecture over liberty and life.
As I visited the marvelously decadent and brilliantly ostentatious palace, now a historical museum, I felt that traditional photographic images did not rise to the same level of ornate excess demanded by the creators of Versailles or by the palace itself. So, I look through the lens wishing it were canvas and brush, hoping that the images could transcend the common and rise, with the ghosts of Versailles, to the courts of Art.
The Palace of French Kings
Near the entrance to the Palace Grounds, a quaint provincial cottage guards the iron gates.
Used as a military hospital in World War I, this luxury hotel was my home for the short time I spent in Versailles.
Iron gates prevent unwary tourists from entering the garden maze and getting lost forever.
Symmetrically groomed lanes on the Palace grounds provide ample opportunity for gentle country strolls.
A gentle stroll for quiet contemplation or a challenging jog for peak conditioning, the Palace lanes of Versailles offer the perfect environment for physical or mental conditioning.
Fountains and gardens adorn the Palace grounds at Versailles.
Surrounded by dolphins and cupids, young Apollo slays the dragon.
From the dreams of Greek philosophers, statues and trees lead to the heart of French Culture, symbolic tree of life, the Château de Versailles.
Precisely pruned pillars point to heaven while standing guard on approach to Versailles.
An evergreen sentinel points toward heaven outside the Palace of Versailles.
Evergreen soldiers await the command to march on the Palace.
A Grecian Goddess of Versailles ironically holds the flame of freedom in her hand.
In the Palace Garden, the four seasons (three visible) are represented by Grecian like statues.
KIngs and Courtiers still bask in the lavish extravagance of the Château de Versailles.
Statue symbolizing one of the four rivers of France, the pool reflects sunlight up to the hall of mirrors.
Legends of the Greeks express the dreams of French Kings.
The Palace of Versailles from the rear.
Louis IV transformed his father’s hunting lodge into the seat of French government in 1682.
Begun as a hunting lodge by Louis XIII, the Central Courtyard grants entrance to one of the most lavish palaces in history.
Marble courtyard at the heart of the Palace of Versailles, grants entrance to the King’s private chambers.
Inlaid gold embroiders the exterior of the King’s bedroom on the Palace of Versailles.
It took three years to build the Pyramid Fountain near the Grand Palace of Versailles.
On the Palace grounds, the Grand Canal is 1,670 meters long and took eleven years to build, from 1668 to 1679.
They're Calling To Me 