An Afternoon in the City of My Dreams

Wednesday 9th May, a rare foray.
Bathed in a beautifully unhumid 29ºC/84ºF, from train to underground to streets, to bus to friends to José Manuel, my old mate of a hairdresser to my beloved Gulbenkian garden, like in a dream, warming my heart.
And - as ever - a camera and an 'olhar estrangeiro': the eyes of a stranger, seeing everything & everyone, hungry & thirsty and wondering and rejoicing and drinkinng it all in.
Like in Rua Portas de Sant'Antão, the senses attracted by the huge red fruits, with the sign: "Good Strawberies of Palmela":

 

And the grocer with reasons to look satisfied:

 

And the family of ducks in the pond ringed by yellow iris:

 

And the ancient wall in a quiet street, with the creeping orange flowers, reaching up to the sky beyond the jacarandá trees.

 

A too-rare foray into the city of my dreams.
It is good to share these "small fragments of life" observed. If you like what I see and have seen, just keep coming. I'm mostly just going to post pictures in the next few days. And let the images do the talking.

Erratum

I was wrong! J'ai eu tort!
Wrong Time, wrong Word - it's not until the 29th. Tomorrow just marks one year since I finally arrived in VF Xira from Lisbon. There will be no partying for that.
Clearly, I'm tired from climbing Mount Work.
I think that what I need to do is cross this:

 

Go and see all this again:

 

Wait for this:

 

And then come back again across this:

 

Lightning Fast!!

This my my fastest-ever post.
It is too long since the last one.
I am very busy - today is my work's Super-Tuesday!
So, I made a rapid choice of the 3 pics below, which are also a thank you. The joint-post with Talj & Ruth perhaps gave more contentment & more positive outcome to me personally than almost any other during all of the lifetime of this blog.
Wow, I have just realised: Time & A Word will be one year old tomorrow! No wishes today, please.
I will have to find the time/words/pics to mark it.
Must get on with Super-Tuesday right now.
I hope you are all have your very own Super-Tuesday!
PS: CLICK ON THESE PICTURES, IN PARTICULAR THE WATER LILY. LARGER IS MUCH BETTER, IN THIS CASE.

 

 

 

A Joint-Post With Talj & Ruth, With a Purpose

This post makes me really happy. It is a good story.

Richard Nixon was re-elected to the White House in November 1972.
The following afternoon, after work, I sat on a bench in Soho Square, London, reading a newspaper article the title of which I still remember, but not the journalist. It was: "Why I Fear for 4 More Years of Tricky Dickie".
I agreed.
I wrote those words below immediately. Nixon didn't manage to last the 4 years, but the thoughts I wrote that long ago day have always stayed close to me.

Ruth sent me a link to a series of photos that her blog-friend, Talj (Natalya) from Yorkshire had taken in the garden during the week she stayed with Ruth, two weeks ago.
When I saw the photo below, I instantly knew that at last, after waiting 34 and a half years, I had seen the precise photo that accompanied that poem.

I put them together and sent it to Ruth, asking her to forward it to Talj, asking her authorisation to post it like this and suggesting that all three of us post it simultaneously, as a way of sharing it more.

So, today here is the fruit of our efforts: the photographer, the writer and the hostess of the photographer and the species that can fly.
Talj is at: talj.blogspot.com
Ruth will publish this on: http://mickjen-ruth.blogspot.com

The title of this post contains the word 'Purpose'. It is a way to highlight what has united Ruth and Talj. Talj is Natalya Jagger. Her best friend is Andrew Mcgill, whose daughter, Rose, passed away last November, aged 22. The story of Rose is truly heart-rending, yet inspiring to those who ask "Why?". Andrew & Talj created a fund in Rose's name to raise awareness & contributions to the Clatterbridge Cancer Campaign. They now devote much time & energy to this necessary, worthwhile cause.
Please copy/paste this link below into your browser to learn a little more of Rose's story:

http://www.justgiving.com/rosemcgill

Hopefully, by bringing your attention to the Clatterbridge Cancer Campaign, then this post could actually do some real, positive good.
Thank you friends.
***************************************
A Toast to Richard Nixon’s Re-Election, November 1972,
Sitting in Soho Square after Work.

In praise of Living Things,
Those unafraid to cry;
Of small fragments of life
That only have wings.
There are species that envy
Being able to fly.

Inanimate crowns mean nothing, like kings;
The blood royal flows through
Those who ask “Why?”.

Sinners and heroes and those who pull strings
And every last creature between earth and sky,
Let LIFE be our purpose, whatever it brings.
Without peace, let us cease and quietly die.

The Cycle of Life

With Joana's kind permission & cooperation, this comes mostly with you in mind, dear Ruth.

A few weeks ago, I published "Time and a Word" here.
Then, in "The Flames of Eden", it was the turning of circles.
360º, in a single turn. It seems to me a much better, more accurate way to describe our time. We measure it in years, months, days, minutes, because it is more convenient. Either way, none of know how long it will take for our 360º revolution to be completed.
Maybe long; maybe short. Who knows?
What do we do with it, a single turn of our one circle?
So much can happen in a lifetime. And then again, not so much.
As we alone, among all the species, have the power to decide, we can have aims, aspirations, ambitions, goals.
We can choose to look it straight in the face and plunge in, trying to do the very best we can to make it better. For ourselves alone, or for others.
Or we can sit back, take the easy ride, kid ourselves how tough it is, too tough, be lazy, be afraid if it, moan, blame, live vicariously other people's lives - real or fictitious - that are served up on the TV...A kind of sleep for 75 years or so.
We can live small, we can live mediocre, we can live big - BUT we can choose, to fill it right to the brim, or settle for half-empty, or less.
I know that many only know struggle, enough who drew the bad card, to whom life dictated that it must be that way. But that too can be faced up to; or we can just give up.
Whatever, it is all potentially there in our 360º. Sometimes all mixed up together, sometimes overlapping.
Beginnings know that they will end, in time. Nevertheless, the Spring always returns.

On 6th April, it was Mick's turn to complete his circle.
Last Saturday, the 28th, I learned via her comment to the previous post that Joana, a Portuguese blog-pal living in London, had given birth to her first child on 23rd March.
Ruth, say "Hi" to Filipe, or Piriquito (Parakeet), as he is affectionately known to his Mum & Dad. Here are photos of his first month:

 

Ruth, I was particularly happy to get this news, not only because of the timing, but because Piriquito is especially welcome. Joana suffered so much with, and after, her first pregnancy in London, which ended in a miscarriage and a huge amount of insensitivity from the NHS.
Knowing you as I do, I am sure you will rejoice for this birth and take some comfort from this brand-new cycle of life just starting out. Isn't he something?
And something else: Piriquito is also the world's youngest blogger. He's waiting for your comments at
http://bebecareca.blogspot.com

For the point at which every 360º circle meets, end embraces beginning; I accept to be an intermediary uniting two immense events into one.
Ruth, although your landscape is irrevocably, unequivocally altered, the pain will be relieved from time to time, and with time. Celebration is no bad thing, is it?
UPDATED 3 May, to offer the below also to Ame, in Santa Clara, Cal., with my condolences, after I learned late last night that your Dad passed away last Weds, 25th April. Joana, your landscape too has changed; may it be filled with warmth and joys through a long, happy, healthy & fulfilled lifetime.
I am therefore happy to unite you, in the form of these roses:

 

Joana e o teu marido, muitos parabéns, carinho, beijinhos e abraços grandes para voces.
Ruth, long may our friendship run. long may you be you, with kisses and love.
Piriquito, bemvindo & welcome! For you, here is Álvaro, who arrived on my terrace one night and wanted to come in. We couldn't have him, but we gave him a nice hour, eating, drinknig & playing. he's the nearest thing to a parakeet that I could find for you:

 

When the time comes, Piriquito, make the right choices. Do the right thing. But take your time please, not like your Tio Icarus. It is all yours!

Stewart

25 de Abril 1974-2007+++...Portugal's Carnation Revolution Day

It's getting to be a very long time ago.
Nevertheless, for a very large proportion of the population, the red carnation lives on as a symbol of something immeasurably valuable and worthwhile, even if the memory fades.

 

 

 

"We were born in liberty. 25th April, Thank you"

 

It won't be the same not to be at the parade this year.
In this life, all things must pass. Eventually.

Come on the FORÇA!!!

People, I have been ill. Really ill.
I haven't commented, I haven't posted, because I couldn't. To those friends who have sent me mails that went unanswered, forgive me. I wasn't able to.
This morning, I visited a couple of blogs before starting work. At Audrey's - the very wonderful, special Audrey - I found a post that picked me up, inspired me, repaired me. I am posting the same video and song, but instead of writing anymore, I ask you to PLEASE go to her blog and read her and our comments. You'll find it all explained there.
http://diamondsonthesoul.blog.com/2007/4/
There are so many people in real need of this força, in our different ways, for our own reasons. We cannot do it all alone. We can't all be strong & invulnerable. And would we want to be, all the time, in fact?

As it was the anthem of the Euro 2004 Football Championships hosted in Portugal, here are some pictures before the final between Portugal and Greece in July 2004. What a great day that was, even if Greece won. What an atmosphere! And this song everywhere for more than a month. It still makes everyone want to dance, picks us all up.
"Come on the força, come on the força, come on the força
Que ninguém pode parar!
Come on the força, come on the força, come on the força
Que ninguem pode matar!"
(Come on the força that noone can stop!
Come on the força that noone van kill!)

"Mais perto do ceu!"
(Closer to the sky!)

Team spirit, team work, Força to all my friends most in need!

Passing, Time Passing

Ruth's cherished husband Mick passed away 24 hours ago.
My cherished father passed away 10 years ago today.

I will make my tribute to Mick in some way tomorrow in "The Flames of Eden".
Now I only want to write down this thought that I had quite some years ago. As it never had a title, I see at this instant that its title must be, in fact:


Time and a Word

Standing where we do
Each time
Like trees transcending through
All time
All masters, slaves and ghosts
Of time
A growing plea to make the most
Of time
And somewhere distant from the back
Of time
Weak voices gasp and crack
With time
To be not lost, yet heard
By time
Forgot the very essence of the word
And time
Stands not, nor waits for man
Or time
Each moment knows that it began
In time
Beginnings know that they will end
In time
A memory in pain depends
On time
To dissipate, from space an urging not to waste
Our time
The days will pass until the very end
Of time

********************************************************

Final Visit to Santa Clara

Late April, 2006. I arrive early for rendez-vous with Patti. Find myself in the middle of a Lisbon Fashion Week event.
(1)Here are our 2 friends from last week, this time the full pic revealed! A bunch of models hired to promote the sponsors' products. Had a nice cup of tea or two. No rental car for the weekend, though.

 

(2)I didn't quite see the connection between the flamenco lady dressed up for the sevillanas & the tea..

 

The catwalk was set up inside the covered section of the market, by inviatation only. As I've had enough of those in Paris, was I bovvered? But the hairdressing was done outside under the trees. It was getting dark, which was a bit too much for my camera, as I was trying to be discreet. I was fascinated by the hairdresser's hands - the longest fingers I've ever seen. Shame I couldn't manage it in focus.

 

This was the star moment. How often do I get to shoot a pro model? She happened to notice the camera & couldn't resist striking the pose instantly, just for me!

 

Campo de Santa Clara - a Detail

This second visit to this place is to focus on one particular detail, the tiled facade of one building. While the other buildings in the same parade are elegantly tiled, they are pretty standard for Lisbon. This one, however, stands out as a unique example of the Portuguese tradition of painel de azulejo [tile panelling] that dates back to the 16th century.
(1) On market day

 

(2)A close-up. I have no idea of the history of this house, or the age of the azulejos, but I suspect that they are not as old as they might look. Rather than 18th century, I have a feeling this is late-19th.

 

(3)The facade

 

(4) This picture was taken on another day from the others and is a "taster" for the 3rd and last of this series from Santa Clara, to follow next time. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

 

Campo de SANTA CLARA

Before explaining this post, I am taking this opportunity to announce the arrival of my new, alternative blog. The idea of "The Flames of Eden" (see link on the right, under my profile)is really just to allow me some more flexibility, to give more emphasis to the written word than to the photographic.
What do you think of it?

This & my next 2 posts will be about the Campo de Santa Clara - partly to make the residents of Santa clara, California feel more at home (as if!), partly to show that there is more to it than just the Flea Market on Saturdays & Wednesdays.
These are not great pictures, particularly the older ones, which are digitalised film. These posts are as a complement to Carlos' current post on http:lisbonweeklyphoto.blogspot.com
The first photo shows the most common way in & out to Campo de Santa Clara, alongside the São Vicente de Fora church & convent, on the edge of Alfama.

 

This is the Panteão, inside which are buried the kings & queens of Portugal (monarchy ended in 1910). Looking at the picture above, it stands behind me to my left. This is a Sunday evening view, no people. On market days, the pavement in front and the Panteão looks like Photo 3 below.

 

Market day. It transforms into a mess of people and all kinds of objects & items. The Portuguese name for the flea market is 'Feira da Ladra', which translates into English as Market of Thievery...enough said, as to its origins at least.

 

Lastly, a (poor) shot of the open-air market in the square. Nothing much, compared to its many London equivalents, among others. But Certainly something to see.
The 2 future posts will bring some very different views.

 

Untitled

 

I'm experimenting with "Blog This!". It never works, so.....if you can see a young lady with a unique way of blowing her own trumpet, I'd appreciate it if you tell me.

Peaceful

A cool response to a commemoration of war.
Maybe 'peace' will be better received.
I found these doves last Saturday.
I wish you all a peaceful weekend.

Iraq: It Was 4 Years Ago Today

Friends, do any of us not love peace?
How many of us want war?
But if we love peace and do not want war, then what was there to support about Iraq?
What?
The people of Portugal were overwhelmingly opposed to the invasion from well before 20 March 2003. They thronged the streets, as did millions around the world on that distant, famous 15 February. It is a people who not only wears its heart on its sleeve. Cergie commented recently how the Portuguese do not seem to be sectarian along lines of age, religion, wealth or class in their social gatherings. It's true. These demonstrations were composed of a full cross-section, even if they were primarily organised by the Left. No matter, you don't need any party card to protest an unjust war. All of the days of demonstration were - curiously - beautiful, warm & clear.
One month later, 5 days before the invasion, there was outrage voiced here when the centre-right Prime Minister, José Manuel Durão Barroso, hosted a mini-summit for his friends Bush, Blair & Aznar at Lages U.S. airforce base in the Portuguese Azores islands, where they obviously decided to go into Iraq. 15 months later, Durrão Barroso seized the invitation with both hands to abandon this country while still PM and go to Brussels to become the puppet-President of the European Union Commission.

On a different note, the early months of 2003 marked a radical departure in my photography. I went to the demonstrations, but I spontaneously decided to start doing them like a press photographer. From 15 Feb on, shooting pictures was never the same again. I taught myself rapidly, particularly when I got a decent zoom lens in Spring 2003. I was aggressive in my approach, rapidly climbing walls to aim downward, getting down low to aim up, pushing my way top the front where the politicians & VIPS gathered, constantly looking for something unusual, pointing the camera at everyone & anyone - great or unsung, oldest & youngest.
There are technical reasons why these pictures today are not of the repro quality they were then. You'd need to see the prints & enlargements.
Also, when I make these collages, they automatically cut the edges of the pictures, so that there can be important loss of the subjects.
It doesn't matter. The images come from Lisbon on 22 March 2003 and 20 March 2004, 100,000 people each time. And no police, because they are not needed. Think about that...When the cross-section is that representative of society - and in this case, society said "Não!!!" to war and "Sim!!!" to peace - then why would a massive police presence be required? It's self-policing.
I have made the collages simply to try to reflect this vast, deep rejection.
4 years on, Who was right? Who was wrong?
How many victims? And how many more will there be? All so predictable. All so predicted. Deaf, dumb, blind and self-righteous, Messrs Bush, B-liar, Barroso & Aznar. 360 days after the invasion, Aznar was thrown out of power by the Spanish people for lying to them about the Madrid terrorist bombings of 11/3/04. Barroso, see above. B-liar...crippled credibility and trust forever. Bush, finally punished at the polls last November, but still around in his Ivory-tower House.
But look hard at Iraq, what the day-to-day price is doing to the ordinary people, with their own grief, losses, fears, anxieties, depression. And then ask & keep asking: WHY IRAQ?
Collage 1: The Portuguese people

Collage 2: The "great and good" of the Portuguese left

Collage 3: Instruments of protest. The man's placard reads "Durão & the Govt. lied. What are we going to do with them? Durão, where is the 'irrefutable proof' of the existence of WMDs that you told us you'd seen?"

Picture 4: My personal favourite "We are all Iraqis", in the hands of a young boy. Everyone looks up to their left to see and applaud the construction workers raising a placard and chanting their opposition to the war. Somehow, this boy sums it all up for me.


Peace to all.