My plan was a nice picnic and some rest in the famous gardens of Baha’i.
The Hanging Gardens of Baha’i are on the slopes of Carmel mountains and overlooking Haifa and its bay.
They surrounds the Shrine of Bab, where the founder of the Baha’i Faith is buried.
Unfortunately, only a small part of the gardens are open for the public. The shrine itself was not to enter.
However, i could had a little stroll in quite, peaceful surroundings and took some picturres.
Talking about beaches i’d rather prefer a lonely spot under a palm tree, where i could read and enjoy a sea breeze.
The city beaches of Tel Aviv are certainly different. That means not less interesting. In the opposite, it’s not even mainly a beach to sunbathe and for swimming. The latter is officially forbidden on many stretches anyway. But it’s the place to meet people, going for a run or any other sporty activity, including playing ball sports with friends.
On a Shabbat, the Judaism day of rest, commonly known as Saturday, the public transport aren’t working and most shops, bars and restaurants are closed as well. The beaches, on the other hand, are always open. So they become the meeting points. People come with friends or family to picnic, roam in the park, listen to street musician or gathering for whatever their interest is.
A group placed a huge tripod on a place, attached ropes and rings on it and started doing acrobatic performances for the spectators.
A bit further i heard drums and followed the beat sound. At least a half dozen men practicing Capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art, where the participants rather dance than really fight. It looks spectacular anyway.
More peaceful sounds from a saxophonist, who’s sending the descending sun his last greetings.
It doesn’t mean the day comes to an end quickly now, but while in some places another party starts, i join a group of sunset watchers on a quite corner and look back on another beautiful day in Tel Aviv.
It’s a must, they said.
My first impression was, it’s just another market like so many other ones.
But when you look bit closer, you find many local specialities, worth to try or consider to take as a souvenir.
Just a few photo impressions:
Tel Aviv.
A vibrant city indeed. People strolling along the pedestrian zones, sitting in one of the many cafes at a square or in a park or just going shopping in one of the big malls. The mild climate makes it even more comfortable to be in the streets and parks, especially now in the wintertime.
So far not really different to many other modern cities on the world. But then, there’s that mix of smaller, older buildings between big, modern skyscrapers. I can’t make it out a clear line between living area and business district. It’s all fluently.
It’s also lively and colorful, as i find bigger or smaller graffiti everywhere. And a lot of movement too, not only by car, but many by bicycle and e-scooter. A network of bicycle paths makes it easy to navigate trough the city. It’s fun to take one of the rental e-scooter and roaming trough the neighborhood. From time to time i have to stop for a photo or a nice cup of cappuccino, of course.
It was pure coincidence i was on side of the track of the annual Tel Aviv Marathon yesterday.
The blocked road and a water supply station got my attention when i was wandering along the seaside.
The marathon is started just now, i got informed. So, i took my camera out and started to shoot.
And i keep pressing the shutter since there was so many motivated, smiling, waving, thumb-ups and even hearts.
You all guys get my fully respect!
I decided to publish the pictures on my blog. If anyone recognize him-/herself and want that photo, just send a message.
Bad weather forecast for all the Northern Italy. Not only cold, but also lots of rain was predicted. No fun for camping at all.
I had to move on anyway. So i looked up for an alternative route and accommodation.
Go to the Apennin, they said. It’s fun, they said.
Fortunately i booked an apartment, i thought, when the cold creeped in the car as i gained more and more altitude. Around 1200 m a.s.l. the narrow, winding road got snow covered and icy.
Happily and safely i arrived that small unknown village, hidden in the thick fog,
Nobody to see on the street. Even the building, where i booked my apartment seemed abandoned. Only the neighbor opened his window, glared to my car and let me know, i’m parking on his property and have to move the car on the right place. The neighbor watch works all over the world, i thought amused.
Eventually i got into my warm, heated rooms and went out to explore the village. I passed the church and the memorial, which looked even more sad in the cold. A board at the pharmacy shows 4°C only. Many shops are closed down for the season. So are most restaurants and bars.
On the main square were some cars parked. Indeed, there’s a cafe open. Old men were sitting on tables, drinking coffee or beer and playing cards, while other watching and commenting the game. I could feel the eyes following me, when i entered and approached the waitress behind the counter.
Eventually they turned back to the game and to their conversation, while i sip on my cappuccino and observe the scene. The fog made the glass door milky, as if it try to push into the room. I felt like in a time capsule, thrown back 50 years or so, when the only bar in the village was the meeting point and source of the news, inside and outside of their world.
On my way back i found a little store, where i got some groceries, but most important some fresh bread, a small, typically cake, called panettone, and a bottle of red wine. What a cosy evening was awaiting me.
My local friend felt already pity for me and assured me, it’s unusual having so many misty and rainy days in a row here.
On my last day in Milano it happened: The sun appeared with an unexpected power, to this time of the year, and lifted the mist over the city. Let’s go again to the city centre for a stroll, i told myself.
After a cappuccino i was ready to walk under the blue sky. I was not alone. The entire town seemed to enjoy the sun again too. The place in front of the cathedral was full of people. Amused to watch all the selfie freaks with their duck faces and the shopping addicted in the holy halls of commerce. I got myself lost in the streets of Milano, found another nice, little restaurant with tasty ‚panzerotto‘ and of course coffee, my personal addiction.
Just a stroll trough the some neighborhood was my plan. But it’s happened, that a workmate, who lives here, invited me to a coffee.
What a nice surprise to meet a local and listen to real life stories. After the cappuccino we went to a local market. Unfortunately i didn’t take pictures there, was just to busy to listen. I learned, even we are neighbor countries, there are already so many differences in mentality and life style. It’s not completely new for me, but learned more specific things. As they sell pork never in the same butchery as the red meat. Or the Milanese people love fish so much, they get actually the freshest fish here, rather than near the sea.
But there’s also a discrepancy in the income and the society get more and more divided in poor and wealthy people. But still the style of clothing is very important, especially here in Milano, city of fashion. „They rather eat all week plain rice, so they can go shopping at weekend“ my friend explained me.
We arrived one of the newest shopping complex in town, The City Life. Its architecture is stunning, i have to admit. From the outside as interior as well. Like three giant guards rising the office towers skywards, seem to protect the shopping complex. A park surrounds the district, gives green space for weekenders or afterwork strollers.
My way back to the camp leads me to extravagant living areas and passing the old, honorable music conservatory with the statue of Guiseppe Verdi in front of it. Life style and art, belongs inseparable to Milano. But when i got to the outskirt of the city i found another reality, the rundown living places of the less fortunated
Can we do some boudoir photography? Thembi asked me.
At least we gave it a try…
On our search of a good and cool location for another photo shooting we came across this abandon pump station on a farm. We decided for a rather shabby but sexy look. Maybe a bit like the pin-ups from the 70’s, but darker and less colorful.
Thembi got an old, stained, short trouser and a teared shirt. With her curly hair and a stern look, she posed in front of the huge petrol drum. The gas pipe in the hand she gave a self confident look to the camera.
Despite the serious look, it was all fun and we captured few shots. But decide for yourself…
rene bauer photography 