https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610300423343-O03BRPBSCS8UJIXXN45Y/BM+MS+banner.png Photos of history culture and daily life https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451366233427-DJY6TG1BO0IUCJGA33XU/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life The gaucho is more than just a figure from South American folklore; it is a symbol of resilience, independence, and tradition. Rooted in the vast plains of the Pampa, which stretch across southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, the gaucho has long been a master of cattle herding, horseback riding, and the art of the churrasco—a barbecue that is as much about culture as it is about food. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452089878018-UKNYFPDLAEFNCQIM0WXJ/capa.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life In the rural outskirts of Venâncio Aires, Brazil, Miguel Clestes Saldanha and his family have spent over three decades cultivating yerba mate. From planting and harvesting to processing the leaves, the Saldanha family’s dedication to their craft is evident in every step. Despite the challenges of economic pressures, their tradition of producing high-quality mate remains a central part of their lives, with each process—from drying to grinding—carried out with care and pride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451366142446-74H8NTF9Z7UHHQCPLJBS/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life In Beijing, a group of passionate young performers is reviving the ancient art of Peking Opera. Led by Liu Feng, a self-taught artist, and supported by social entrepreneur Ian Charles Stuart, the Beijing Youth Peking Opera Troupe has spent years perfecting their craft. Despite the challenges of being self-taught and working outside of traditional institutions, their performances are garnering attention and respect, helping to ensure that this cultural treasure remains alive for future generations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451320710034-K67FVG693L9GXZGN1J1D/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life The asado en el cuero, or barbecue on the leather, is a traditional South American method of cooking meat that dates back to the gauchos. José Silveira, one of the few who still practices this rare art, cooks a whole cow on its own skin, preserving its juices for a tender, unique flavor. This ancient method, rooted in the history of the Pampa, continues to thrive, though it’s becoming a dying tradition due to modern challenges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/a930d5d6-8e55-4169-bc7d-7d583eccd8cf/mengxing.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life Mengxing, a young artist born with brittle-bone disease, overcame significant physical challenges with the help of a few key supporters who provided her with the tools and opportunities to pursue her passion for art. Self-taught, her bold and fresh approach to painting has gained recognition, and with the support of mentors and the art community, she is now pursuing her dream of studying art professionally. Despite her condition, Mengxing’s resilience and determination continue to inspire those around her. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2025/4/29/blackout-in-madrid monthly 0.5 2025-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/ab1d92aa-596b-43e8-967a-a409df245147/BPM_4291.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out At Lidl, the line of customers wrapped around the building. By around 4:30 PM, the store closed after selling out much of its inventory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/70277307-323d-4ef3-80a5-f8ec6dba0d66/BPM_4394.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out One man wearing a helmet stayed beside his high-end bike while relaying radio updates for passersby to hear—never letting the bike out of his sight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/61f06082-b6f5-4901-a69f-e95145979fc7/BPM_4479.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out With the city lights gone, the stars reclaimed the sky—something almost never visible in Madrid. In the middle of the blackout, at least there was this quiet moment to enjoy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/f9300d09-8a14-44ef-b2fb-27af38f25819/1-BPM_4246.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out Emergency services were out in full force. Firefighters, ambulances, and police vehicles crisscrossed the city. It’s easy to imagine how many people were trapped in elevators. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/bc6f3ba7-6379-41e6-8b3e-bc61225ebcbe/6-BPM_4444.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out A police car slowly patrolled through a pitch-black Malasaña, its headlights the only light on the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/164abe29-9cbe-429b-909e-350521fed3d4/BPM_4472.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out As far as I can tell, this was the first time since the end of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) that Madrid experienced a widespread nighttime blackout, allowing the night sky to become visible again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/37029160-1728-4cc1-9311-0452c7ff5800/7-BPM_4462.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out One block away there was electricity, but Malasaña remained in total darkness. It felt like a black hole had swallowed the neighborhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/21880814-20c4-4caa-8889-cf3d64f7321c/3-BPM_4259.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out At Glorieta de Bilbao, traffic became paralyzed, with vehicles stuck circling the roundabout, unable to move due to the lack of signals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/d66d82ee-9d2a-4056-8361-0fd51ac93364/BPM_4317.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out A classic Mini Cooper parked on the curb broadcast the news on its radio for several hours, drawing a small crowd. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/34e342ab-01fd-4711-be49-95a820915a33/BPM_4330.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out Near Plaza de Santa Bárbara, some office workers took their laptops and meetings outdoors to make the most of daylight and mobile hotspots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/97599897-72ba-48ce-ab8e-9e86cf44fe91/2-BPM_4253.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Night Madrid Saw the Stars - Make it stand out Several shops couldn’t lower their electric rolling shutters and instead barricaded their entrances with boxes and furniture to signal they were closed. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2025/4/16/ai monthly 0.5 2025-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/f3d4d1f5-1838-47cb-a388-278ad8359b57/image+%2837%29.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - Generating new content The issue here is that the model I’m using wasn’t trained with early 20th century clothing. It was probably trained with modern brand new clothes. To make this more authentic, I’ll need to either find a model trained with the correct clothing or train a Lora myself (more on that to come). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/5d16a82f-9be8-439a-8a34-f3d4a5d74386/colorize.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/38d12770-5a2d-4667-9c2f-d5fe7c76bbdf/03.5+color.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - Second try This run involved much more image generation, which introduced some subtle differences in his facial features. Anyone who didn’t know my grandfather well probably wouldn’t even notice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/b0e93d2d-7f35-47dd-b3ef-3c5b0c46173a/Captura+de+tela+2025-04-19+030916.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - Make it stand out It gave me a kangaroo. Not what I had in mind, but... sure, close enough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/f2b6d4e7-b2d3-4c7b-bf70-4b3e8e48b9fb/clean.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1b0563f1-cf56-4cc0-97a7-2131f3ea1a1e/alberto02.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - Original Image This is my grandfather Alberto in the 40s. The photo was scanned, this is not a photo of a photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/b4de464a-147c-4445-9ee1-f228d424c086/Step_01__00002_.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - Cleanup and face restore You can see the workflow added a bit of color to the lips and some of the defects are still there. I removed those in Photoshop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/c174916f-c95e-442f-8572-42d516dd9798/03.1color.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - First try The color and likeness are pretty decent, but there are still quite a few artifacts. The skin tone feels too light, and his eyes were actually brown. This is still definitely him, though. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/f54fa709-7560-4c41-8c2b-c5a020b0938f/00-Original-alberto02.gif Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - New Life into a Faded Photograph This animation shows the step-by-step evolution of a single photo — from its damaged original state to a fully colorized and enhanced version using AI tools. What starts as a scan of an old family photo becomes a vivid, reimagined portrait through a mix of restoration, generation, and creative decision-making. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/6e9e4682-8897-452f-bf74-9139d4bb1a59/Captura+de+tela+2025-04-19+024002.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - ComfyUI ComfyUI is the tool I use to build custom AI workflows for photo restoration. It lets me visually design how AI processes my images, step by step. There is a rich community that shares workflows and enables users to learn from other’s experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/82a962a2-0732-4a18-9c40-54b0995d24c3/controlnet.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Clothes are Harder than Faces: Restoring Photos with AI - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2025/1/9/long-term-plan monthly 0.5 2025-01-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736417426289-83UD1TPBXU5PGTXSRAQJ/01.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Long Term Plan Joe returns from hunting quails for dinner, rifle in hand. The fruits of his labor will soon turn into a simple yet rewarding meal on his off-the-grid property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736417426632-3ICE09W53GI931VPX56W/02.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Long Term Plan Banjo Joe unwinds at home with a joint before settling in for a quiet evening of cooking dinner and playing video games. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736417429238-9WZRR2DH4NTGOY2RVJIT/03.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Long Term Plan After a long night of playing and partying, Randy Hill, the upright bassist of The Whistle Pigs, crashes on Banjo Joe’s couch while Joe brews some coffee to start the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736417429738-39J8OG8ISPJXFVKH5XB6/04.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Long Term Plan Joe heads to PK’s and catches up with a girl he’s been hanging out with, enjoying some drinks and conversation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736417431566-1PS46W53L5F9PF7S0B02/05.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Long Term Plan The Whistle Pigs perform at PK’s, bringing their song, ‘Long Term Plan,’ to the stage. Joe plays the banjo, Randy Hill plays the upright bass, and John Beck adds his fiddle to the mix, as the crowd listens to their raw, soulful performance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736417431096-B4G3VAWMRHL6LMFEUEB8/06.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Long Term Plan Back home, Joe unwinds by playing the banjo for his family. It’s a rare moment of peace after long nights of performing with The Whistle Pigs. Despite the chaos of the road and the unpredictability of his band’s journey, these moments remind Joe why he keeps playing: for the love of music and the hope that his long-term plan will keep him going. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736417433368-Q4Y9KGGEKDSDMRW9QY2Y/07.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Long Term Plan Banjo Joe pours his heart into every note, his raw emotion evident as he sings. ‘I really don’t know a lot about Banjo Joe or Joe, really,’ he says, ‘I guess I’m just trying to focus on how to entertain a group of people the best I can.’ His love for the craft shines through, despite the challenges he faces on and off the stage. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2022/2/14/st-valentine monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/d1e670a7-20a2-42d0-aca4-fab026bbc42c/BPM_2926.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out On Hortaleza St., the church is located in the neighborhood of Chueca, famous for its LGTB+ activism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/c55d6b1d-f9cd-40e3-891b-b48a5fa8ad00/BPM_2973.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out Father Ángel, the very popular current priest of St. Anton’s on his very first St. Valentine day as head of the church created a new tradition: to write a message on a ribbon to someone you love and tie it on the bars under St. Valentine’s bones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/5bfe721f-80bc-4e26-90ac-1f0fa8a0e7ce/BPM_2936.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out An LED panel shows photographs of priests and images of christian faith in the window of St. Anton’s church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/8269f136-53ee-4829-9e75-5e192027730c/BPM_2947.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out Once I enter the church, a credit card donation machine. You just type un how much you want to give and tap your card on it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/01d9aef3-8fae-4278-bfb6-6b18233ab778/BPM_2976.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out Beside the relics of St. Valentine is a reproduction Goya’s 1819 painting La última Comunión de San José de Calasanz. The original, that used to hang in its place is now in a museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/ac93528d-6041-48c8-8e05-075001a6df42/BPM_2934.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out Built in 1792, St. Anton’s church was built as an annex to the lepper’s hospital. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/8dee3184-1a52-4349-9661-dfe1e0a713a4/BPM_2943.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out At the entrance I was met with a donation vending machine. You can buy prayers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/c2395af9-94d9-4c92-8467-eae5ad64ef2e/BPM_2949.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out Each 300-year-old column has a television set, placed over comunal tables where those in need can dine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/94704957-6b62-490a-a2c5-7b4fa8c6bdec/BPM_2954.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out Shrines share space with large screens. Hundreds of kilos of donations are placed at tables inside the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/fdb83ac8-a7fa-461b-8c66-d6000ef1e34c/BPM_2969.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Exploring St. Valentine’s Remains in Madrid’s Modernized Church - Make it stand out Saint Valentine, martir, patron of lovers, is written on the urn. A skull and a pile of bones are clearly visible. Clearly. You can see in the picture. Why am I describing this? https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2021/2/25/ruins-in-downtown-madrid monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251192187-4096GVB1UER93W9G2ATA/BPM_6195.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid Obviously the top floors didn’t survive, but the basements are said to be in excellent condition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614267336322-I8XTRNN41GLSVHFI8TSC/antiga4.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid Calle Bailen viewed from Plaza España in 1931. The palace is on the left and Royal Palace is down the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251225094-DK1I6DEC1KC2ZKVO8PCK/BPM_6202.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid The impressive ruins of the historic Palace of Marqués de Grimaldi are conveniently located just down the block from the majestic Royal Palace of Madrid, making it an intriguing site to visit for those exploring the rich cultural heritage of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251088335-CQYELL7RR61ABI3Z3L4U/BPM_6187.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid Braces have been used to protect the ruins, considered by specialists to be in “excellent condition”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251150423-1BLOYAXRLAVLSSYEG9VX/BPM_6190.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid Floor tiles were preserved. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251260648-8ODRDAOW8IEJVCY5G12H/BPM_6207.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid People poke holes into the fabric that separates the sidewalk from the construction site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251406544-67PWE8I7O6J9VVV4MA8O/BPM_6230.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid It’s funny that for several minutes, people just walked by ignoring the ruins, but once one person peeks, everyone stops to do the same. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614266328513-7J2YUC9AY1V7DSUGMWAR/BPM_6177.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid The building today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614381705696-W6NSKSHYI827PZN1WGK9/palacio.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614267231174-8DZKH6MN7Q7175OPB0F5/antiga1.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid The original building as it stood in 1931. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614258858549-60BR2PQM40C37QI7RU06/antiga3.png Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid In 1933 half the building was torn down (4 windows length). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251437582-RIFAFSOEANKWN905F3OJ/BPM_6232.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid A big sign in front of the ruins shows the renovation plans, budget and deadline: 21 months. None of those are expected to be accurate anymore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251307202-8YFK4N0WVVQMJ4Q8UQPS/BPM_6221.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid It really is amazing how all this was buried under several feet of dirt, with traffic flowing for decades and is still in such great condition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251127052-SHUOW3WD8QGGF55CGX5S/BPM_6188.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid A circular construction is believed to be a bread oven in what was the kitchen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251385859-Y7737PYE1P5Z1617OCH0/BPM_6227.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid I had to peek myself, of course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1614251286887-SV9B2BPORI19ULDXMCDW/BPM_6212.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Hidden Palace Ruins Discovered in Madrid A much older ruin lays just 10 feet from the recently found ones. This is the Cerca de Felipe II, a door that was part of one of the ancient city walls. Yo! Cover that nose, runner! https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2021/1/9/neve monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209638896-G975Y211A4MH3WWCJ0ZR/BPM_4690.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain The statues of Daoiz and Velarde, heroes of the Spanish independence from Napoleon’s France, start to get covered in snow. Yes, someone replaced his sword with a bottle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209838891-W5TO53PEOQVODI5X4DKW/BPM_5566.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Monasterio de Monserrat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209939549-4S0YWUL7SGIV5M71UFJA/BPM_5877.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Corredera Baja de San Pablo was completely obstructed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209504790-7GQIH3IRRM3MMI150K5X/BPM_5029.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Father lifts his daughter so she can stomp on a 30cm tall snowball they both had made seconds earlier. All she wanted to do was stomp stomp stomp on snow on Friday Jan. 8th. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209791384-O1EBQHYHF0CQ3W8Y3LVF/BPM_5534.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Calle San Bernardo has a decent slope, where kids went on their sleighs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209911607-LWTY3G759P0YST2ARDB2/BPM_5715.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Trees everywhere broke with the weight of the snow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209695879-C9M6WLNEOG5V5DCE7EQU/BPM_5019.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Children were having a ball. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209818393-UE3ZHT3TNNHFBP2HUSCR/BPM_5549.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain This mother would push her little boy down the slope and two seconds later he would pull the breaks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209888657-9QPFUDLPB160V7O7BLIP/BPM_5696.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Cleaners were having a hard time keeping the steps from the subway entrances unfrozen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209715991-XRCQZRNHTU9OBO0648XD/BPM_5381.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Corredera Alta de San Pablo was completely covered in snow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209762040-K6OZ9Q30OO3X7558Z68W/BPM_5428.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain I don’t think I’d ever seen so much snow on trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209669704-35A9KMZO2Q1Z7Z5IDQ1Y/BPM_4769.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain Dogs absolutely love snow. I’d say most Spanish dogs have never even seen this much snow. This guy would eat snowballs thrown at him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209965559-LME90IBJPG577UI0JTO2/BPM_5956.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain The Iglesia de San Ildefonso is a spot that usually in the summer is full of tables and people having tinto de verano. Well, it seems that’s off the menu today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209735368-F4DSXPMMWAJJ033XFXN0/BPM_5417.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain On the morning of Jan. 9th 2021, the Plaza 2 de Mayo was completely covered in white. Daoiz and Velarde, the statues under the arch, where almost invisible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209583276-T4U7SN0F9XG6VVKFQ3L3/BPM_4684.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain At the Plaza Dos de Mayo, just a few minutes after the snow started sticking people where already building snowmen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1610209862997-ZOW94PJMDWQGTIGZHMG9/BPM_5646.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - All fun and joy in the biggest snowfall in the last 50 years in Spain The narrow streets of downtown Madrid will be one big slushy mess tomorrow. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2020/10/23/ephesus monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603463912087-82LZZV90D58FJ9EPSINF/BPM_8833.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing Temple of Hadrianus is located just down the street from the Latrinas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603488296242-CD88ORY4GJVMVASEQE5X/BPM_8952-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing One column was erected with random stones to mark the place where the temple once stood. In the background, the ruins of the basilica of St. John, where the apostole was buried. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603985076022-TNQRGLDARMK4ZEL08DZO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing The Love House, located behind the latrinas, was a huge building with several rooms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603488006958-F9EHAIJJFGL1TY56L5YM/BPM_8859-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing The larger villas had beautiful mosaics on the floor. The whole complex is really impressive and is totally worth the extra 20TL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603488053244-VAR8E98Z7WT67JZOWE7R/BPM_8868-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing Some of the largest villas had 900 square meters in size. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603463711285-MTVBI09WTSPZ0XWH9B2N/BPM_8768.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing The façade of the Library of Celsus creates an illusion making it seem grander than it actually is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603487876198-D1KSOD5KH45YFGMIHZTQ/BPM_8828-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing Water would flow directly under the latrinas, ensuring fast sterilization and removal of bad smells. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603463819517-6YBJQ25UZDF0TM3G6ZCZ/BPM_8809.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing The statue of Sophia, goddess of Wisdom, is a modern copy of the original, just like all the other statues that decorate the entrance of the library. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603488258637-WSOS0KC13Y0L5F19ZZWA/BPM_8945-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing Goats ”take care” of the grass around the temple and literally chase tourists that cross their path. I’ve seen it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603984334893-JFSSSYM7RW60GYF4WVDZ/BPM_8881.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing This is the view from the Gate of Hercules. I am standing right under it when I took the picture. I didn’t take a photo of the gate, sorry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603487919612-08OL5QMDCNBHP0OTCHAJ/BPM_8837-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing The location is under constant restoration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603463878464-FKA75IGS5Y42NZMDT97B/BPM_8830.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing View of the library from the Latrinas, the public toilet. I’m sure they had a roof back in the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1604006640353-IUVXN01DFWU1KHPULOUN/BPM_6362.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing This is probably the most interesting piece the British Museum has from the Temple of Artemis. In the basement there are several more column tops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603490548256-YLOPFKCTKRN3CL7TV63Z/BPM_6360.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing Marble column drum from the Later Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, showing a draped woman, perhaps Alcestis or Eurydike, between a youthful draped Thanatos (Death) and Hermes Psychopompos; also shown are Persephone seated, and Plouton (Hades). British Museum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603487781488-STS8N8RD6A187J24NX3V/BPM_8791-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing Inscription in the entrance of the Library of Celsus reads “With good fortune! Publius Statienus Petronianus, also known as Julianus, the emperor-loving father and supervisor of the sacrifices, was a fair and reliable market master. When he was in office, the best bread cost four obols for fourteens ounce while normal bread cost two obols for ten ounce. Satisfaction and sanctification.” (source of translation: Livius.org) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603487964531-J5H43K74Q6SAY6TZ3MZR/BPM_8842-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing You can see how the painstaking process of putting the pieces together happen in real time, as the archaeologists work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603463631963-IVOELWTJPTEF0LQEMTF9/BPM_8745.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing The Grand Theater is one of the largest and well preserved of ancient times, with a capacity for 25 thousand people. It was at this place that Saint Paul would preach his gospel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603487828885-D270U9VLC9QZL22EGKUW/BPM_8805-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing It’s not an easy task to tell reproductions apart from actual, historical ruins. The subtle differences can often go unnoticed by the untrained eye, making it challenging to discern authenticity in various settings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1ea889fb-3a5c-478b-9dc2-71a55e4a709b/BPM_8917.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing On the ground is a heart punctured by an arrow (where is the arrow?), a foot, and to its right a woman. The word “AKOLOYQI” (follow me) is engraved somewhere, but I can’t see it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1603464078065-NGGML5L6JLBGY1P1EHIV/BPM_8895.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ephesus: Ancient Myths, Christianity, and Marketing Statue of Nike, goddess of victory, part of the Gate of Hercules. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2020/1/5/goreme monthly 0.5 2025-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578183925617-HG8BT9ZFCND6R4FWP3RE/BPM_7801.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme Two graves are seen in a small enclave in the mountain under a painting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578184047425-ACAU6M5ETZPZFKMQH7FV/BPM_7845.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme The exterior façade of the Dark Church has graffiti dating back at least 4 centuries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578184138082-OVQ3F3U2GESX9NUKIOT9/BPM_7851.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme The Sandal Church Refectory is the best preserved in all of Cappadocia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578184186271-BKRDSTINUW52IFNVX7UI/BPM_7982.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme These ruins are at the Rose Valley, right next to where they take us to see the sunset. There is usually a guy there selling pomegranate juice out of the back of his car. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578184210729-0M0R8Y3OUJB2GUY7538F/BPM_7985.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme There are churches and paintings like these everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578184083808-AOLPHK5Y80CWLVPRHVAQ/BPM_7848.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme The image of St. Catherine can be seen in the center, between St. Theodore and St. Procopius. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578184017223-4HNPXE1LMW1PF98YFRY1/BPM_7844.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme This is the façade of the Dark Church. I imagine back in the day this was also inside. Apparently a lot has changed in the last few centuries here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578183815358-0MUJ18B3G3DPPF9GZEDN/BPM_7750.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme On our way from the hotel to the museum we were already able to see rooms carved into the stone. This is a common sight in the region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578183896494-YDJ2ZA1G2GPZ0Y1Y8AW7/BPM_7792.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme The ceiling in many of the rooms is black, which I deduce is from lighting a fire to keep warm. Shelf space is carved into the walls and a pit on the floor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578183869229-PRRSDULB3ZU9X6MTM37X/BPM_7766.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme St. Basil (left) and St. Theodore (right) spearing a snake are also depicted inside the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578184111890-ED974NUH50V2A9QY2KHP/BPM_7849.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578183947476-ZRE7KH0LRZMY25YB36HH/BPM_7829.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme I wonder if all this grime is recent. I would expect people to suffocate with so much smoke. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1578183844464-VWTVD8FVIAXWX67USKAM/BPM_7765.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Inside the 11th-Century Cave Churches of Göreme St. George is one of the various paintings inside the Chapel of St. Basil. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2020/5/1/cqn1mcdkmu14ir5l0r1vs2j8rbecp1 monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369647355-Y8LZ4N2LE9CQK314V1BO/BPM_4453.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369424322-21YUBUVA4XHF6VOP3SLJ/BPM_4364.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital Running water keeps the animals alive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369625700-G0BIMYHFRR5HIX3HJZY5/BPM_4455.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital Freshly prepared seafood. It’s like the fish jumped from the sea into the pot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369478397-TEH906ZSV11YISCBI1G3/BPM_4382.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital Inside the market a group of men talk and eat fresh seafood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369541730-IM6Q0XNGNL94Y9Z8Z3S0/BPM_4413.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital It was a rainy day, so the market wasn’t really busy. This man was watching TV while he waiting for customers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369364076-YQ6ZBLYR7F3XDG3UH7NC/BPM_4339.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital This kid saw I was taking pictures and yelled at me to show his fish. If you’re ever in Busan, you should definitely check out his stand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369576415-AJ4P2MT9UOGYS9J3JO31/BPM_4437.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital The market is usually wet, so many customers wear rubber boots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369759668-1ZWY8PRTN52G496XMVXX/BPM_4500.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital A group of people inside these tents, hidden between the fish stands and the water, prepare the fishing gear for the next day’s work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369693664-TP9AIXQH1I60M1R53PL9/BPM_4484.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital Behind the market is where the fishermen prepare their fishing gear. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369448925-8ZX3NEGWO7BHSQ7YQOWP/BPM_4365.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital After cleaned out, the fish carcasses are left to dry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369313138-WFQX4JSZXAUX78X0QYR9/BPM_4250.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital At the entrance of the market a man was hanging dried fish on his kart. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1588369728229-ML8VRFYZN9DYHY9XW7K1/BPM_4509.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Jagalchi Market: A Dive Into Korea’s Seafood Capital These weird contraptions with hundreds of hooks are baited and used to fish. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2020/2/10/the-oldest-restaurant-in-the-world monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2019/11/26/astronomical-clock-lyon monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1574631532818-BPZW5G6GXCWTYHJR2IOB/BPM_9477.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Lyon’s Cathedral and Its Marvelous Astronomical Clock https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1574631681704-YRTO7NE23YO3FOO6H712/BPM_9510.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Lyon’s Cathedral and Its Marvelous Astronomical Clock A statue of Saint John the Baptist inside the cathedral seems to ask, 'Alright, who’s next for baptism?' https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1574631646306-X46PDZBY7N20KCTHGBSG/BPM_9502.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Lyon’s Cathedral and Its Marvelous Astronomical Clock The 'perpetual' calendar is designed to run for 66 years before needing an update. Of course, I happened to visit right when they were resetting it for the next 66-year cycle! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1574631553335-519GBTUO41NRM6V2LU69/BPM_9450.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Lyon’s Cathedral and Its Marvelous Astronomical Clock Ruins of the old cathedral group were excavated in the 1970’s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1574631698487-AXXN2JXWRK5H6B5PXE6C/BPM_9516.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Lyon’s Cathedral and Its Marvelous Astronomical Clock I came across something intriguing during my visit. Despite my research, I couldn’t figure out what it was. It looks like some sort of pedestal or stand, but its purpose remains a mystery to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1574631665211-I5KTTNL7JIDO3VMHUH6K/BPM_9504.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Lyon’s Cathedral and Its Marvelous Astronomical Clock The finger points at the holiday of the day. Check out October 6th, Saint Bruno’s day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1574717430356-XDR47ZKDSTOBCDQF2Y2B/BPM_9481.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Lyon’s Cathedral and Its Marvelous Astronomical Clock In 1884, a statue depicting Saint John the Baptist baptizing Christ was placed in front of the cathedral. This remarkable work of art was created by the renowned sculptor Jean-Marie Bonnassieux. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1574631625547-KJ1POQMOJC84FK8ZT3M5/BPM_9496.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Lyon’s Cathedral and Its Marvelous Astronomical Clock The clock is the most impressive structure in the whole Cathedral. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2019/11/16/balloon monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573944015358-BB8AHFLRUUDTAKJR45YM/BPM_8336.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists In a show of skills, our pilot coordinates with his colleague and make the balloons touch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943915109-ZOKR3XEUXPO5M1OVTDZ9/BPM_8258.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists Radio communication was a very important part of the pilot’s work where he coordinated with others to ensure not touching other balloons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943745402-7W2WJA7LYG208KGRZ22G/BPM_8188.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943721031-Z974GM7H0ZL6FZGLHGLV/BPM_8178.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943962105-DF2DTSTVWOM850CNI4AI/BPM_8280.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists At the highest point of our journey we where 800 meters up in the air. The terrain becomes art at this height. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943992540-TT6X7YIOIDI0JGL4I72K/BPM_8282.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists The curvature of the earth is apparent when at high altitudes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573944063707-MIK0BC8VZC3Q81NGIH8G/BPM_8604.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943832763-EFLFAA61CKNIVDOBJDMG/BPM_8233.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists Modern technology kept us aloft—a powerful burner and a basket that carried nearly 20 explorers. Our pilot’s protective eyewear glinted in the sunlight as he expertly guided our path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943883858-KO19B63JZC168UIHCS6M/BPM_8253.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943793314-B1QJ5G4PWWIISZDFCSYS/BPM_8198.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573944040474-L0V28IO4LRRS9GLL5KJV/BPM_8396.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists At the end of our adventure the pilot lands on the back of a vehicle and we disembark. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943678338-YIS3ZWI1QH8AP7MMT9QB/BPM_8111.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943810449-JASCPJ4XY7MQLHYQGLPY/BPM_8203.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists Our journey continued softly, the air around us filled with the occasional wave and cheer from other adventurers in neighboring balloons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943862500-2B83YGZU81N82CLX90HA/BPM_8244.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists Soon countless other balloons filled the horizon in an up and down dance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943938297-5HZLAOJ4BWOBW9EHLEF6/BPM_8264.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943698377-O6OY516O02A8DLYIXYPT/BPM_8159.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573943764303-YT9JFBNQ8Q0VG2KAGSQY/BPM_8194.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Hours in a Balloon: Journeys and Discoveries of Cappadocia by Two Journalists https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2019/11/7/basilica-cistern monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558082936861-FZW97TXZKUG9NBJ2NHG1/BPM_6388.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns A line of tourists waits to take a picture in Turkish traditional clothing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558083029044-BQLS1935WL922D481610/BPM_6417.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns A lot of mud gets stuck in the bottom and needs to be removed periodically. It is said that in 1985 during the last major restoration 50 thousand tons of mud were removed. That’s a lot of mud. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558082886704-9V9D8U88BA009A89K56A/BPM_6386.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns On this sidewalk is the entrance to the underground marvel that is the Basilica Cistern. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573205548234-H0QFLSSJOB553E8SUM5Z/BPM_6469.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns Unfortunately when we visited the cistern it was dry, but that didn’t take away the beauty of the construction. Now I’ll have to go back to see it full of water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558082978554-VCQB8OYA0GVZ1SPPZGFG/BPM_6397.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns The cistern was built with reused materials from other sites in the Roman empire. In the Basilica Cistern you’ll be able to see Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558083119236-UZU83OFO0VHV1YQG9HY5/BPM_6444.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns In one side of the Basilica Cistern is a column engraved in tears that represent all the lives lost in the construction of this place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573250878620-IGD9WQPS4QRODLOKFE56/IMG_6104.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns This photos is from 2008 when my friend Ricardo went and the cistern had water. (Photo by Ricardo Diez Baeza) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558082913138-B2QA3YTR4Y82BOULQQ6K/BPM_6387.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns Once you go in, the first thing you see are the columns and the board walk built for tourists to visit the place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558083094835-THDG510JLV0VC2WGCFCR/BPM_6438.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns The two Medusa heads are positioned right next to each other, marking a unique spot in the Basilica Cistern. It’s the only section of the boardwalk where visitors can descend to ground level, allowing for a closer look at these fascinating relics of ancient Roman craftsmanship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558083050931-7LQ63DJGH5JNRN7V5DQM/BPM_6425.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns Medusa head was laid sideways to better balance the column it holds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1573250765093-7PLXI8VD1MSYYV7ETK34/IMG_6101.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns These markings represent eyes crying. (Photo by Ricardo Diez Baeza) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1558083007235-N5F9Q5NMHQBDEU7ZFPQS/BPM_6400.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Underground Forest: Basilica Cistern’s Roman Columns When we visited they had drained to water for cleaning, so we didn’t get the full experience. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2019/10/20/trashumance-thousands-of-sheep-cross-downtown-madrid monthly 0.5 2025-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604711462-FP33NLOGAA13OX20U4L9/BPM_0716.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604985900-7BGYINPPIM9K5AFO2UXQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid You wouldn’t believe the sheer amount of sheep poo they left behind. Fortunately, after 601 years, technology has made quick cleanup a breeze. My shoes, however, weren’t as lucky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604617028-CGH2FAK0DF2SDHAMCNDV/BPM_0685.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid It truly felt like a sea of sheep, their woolly forms flowing through the streets like waves in a surreal urban tide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604899526-BJ2TVEWG4TQKLP9DA66I/BPM_0763.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid Some children paused to pet the sheep, their laughter and curiosity adding a heartwarming touch to the ancient tradition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604560992-V4UIHHN8ICTL2JX606WN/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid The sheep made a stop by City Hall and the iconic Cybele’s statue. After all, they’re entitled to a bit of sightseeing too, aren’t they? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604870800-JK485OXRXC0UQ6VIRFYF/BPM_0760.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604310841-K6MNBRMF4UI1C5003BAQ/BPM_0322.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid A Spanish woman, embodying the warmth of rural tradition, handed a reporter a piece of homemade bread—a simple yet heartfelt gesture that added a personal touch to the celebration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604258832-DM0YPPTU8XWYIBWLF4Q9/BPM_0232.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid Leading the procession, people in traditional attire played castanets, providing a lively rhythm, while others accompanied them with the evocative sounds of bagpipes, creating a vibrant and nostalgic soundtrack for the event. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604673503-ENT1E72JR172T80853D2/BPM_0698.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid Leading the thousands of sheep, a group of shepherds wielding sticks sternly warned photographers who lingered in their path—and rightly so. Tradition waits for no one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604286343-QZYDDDVPJGKF99ZJEH14/BPM_0300.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604525124-K5HNEBYDDG6VRKQXLAKF/BPM_0513.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid Among the flock, a few sheep stood out with bells strapped around their necks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604341136-VON1FHXQIYWHTZNLHYTP/BPM_0381.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid A man generously handed out pieces of bread and slices of Spanish salami (mmm, delicious), while a woman offered him a glass of wine. These simple yet iconic flavors represent some of the most traditional Spanish foods, embodying the country’s rich culinary heritage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604827088-PZSB6OEZZ5CK7OGIMO8V/BPM_0742.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid The Spanish Mastiff, Spain’s beloved shepherd dog, proudly trotted alongside the flock—or perhaps he simply snuck out to join the adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604940345-J0LW5LBAEDV4SL85KZU8/BPM_0791.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid The youngest shepherd I spotted today was a little girl proudly sporting a Star Wars t-shirt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604961603-NTONRG0FOURHZQEL5E74/BPM_0811.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid This poor sheep injured her leg, so her compassionate owner hoisted her onto their back and carried her for nearly two miles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604586877-I2U5AXEENKH2M2CZ6RV8/BPM_0635.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid Boy guides his sheep along the Calle Mayor at Sol, right in front of the Apple Store. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1571604374712-X7G2F0ZNFOR3P8XUMEPF/BPM_0414.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Trashumance: When Thousands of Sheep Take Over Madrid Behind me was a little kid trying to count how many sheep there were. He was pretty good at it. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2019/9/15/buffalotom monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499587983-B82UV2RRRIOTWM5TS7LU/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499549671-7GZHF85XPN3HVWR58EDL/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499516027-4HQHGTM3NE2ZN0ZYZKZN/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499408421-X5FMHJU6DZ5G3146WQ2L/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499644079-DLNIJJLH0L9QF08N1AJJ/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499567207-U23SSCS32PNF95YWLSFX/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499603131-RWPNTGVLHL2OCXTNLWSQ/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499491387-2WHNCO1YDFFRGPSWMRC7/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1568499471720-T66F68ZMM34CMTH1730M/public.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wherefore art thou, Buffalo Tom? https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2019/4/19/mausoleum-at-halicarnassus monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711526020-J2Y6DGCGGS3EBEF2UFIF/BPM_6394.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Charles Thomas Newton brought back numerous intricate details from the Mausoleum’s site to England, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship of the ancient structure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711507617-N3VFYS7J7YTE4NZPL7FI/BPM_6381.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders The statue of King Maussollus himself stands tall and imposing. The statues are quite large, likely designed to be visible from great distances, adding to the grandeur of the Mausoleum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711577648-UYESRP5I7Y2C8X2UE8WY/BPM_6439.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Once guardians of the Mausoleum’s main entrance, these majestic lions now stand on either side of the staircase. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711418484-FA5VZA6JB3IL2ZE1DYSV/BPM_3985.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Hoards of tourists enjoy the sun in the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711489126-SYDUNLATM4SRWUI2EP45/BPM_6369.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders One of the four horses that once crowned the Mausoleum is preserved in the British Museum, along with the majestic lions that once adorned its grand entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711561708-F8O28YYWJOVKKLZZL6VA/BPM_6438.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders If you're not careful, you might miss these two lions flanking a grand staircase in the British Museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711321228-7DOAMTFTKJHOMHJJH4J4/BPM_2305.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Fragments of the 36 columns still remain, but beyond that, nothing else survives—not even the base of the once-magnificent structure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711469439-4K3U0MNW85Q3NSZCL11P/BPM_6376.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Here are the statues believed to depict Artemisia and Maussollos, which once stood at the very top of the Mausoleum, inside a chariot pulled by four horses. While the plaques at the British Museum note that there is no definitive evidence confirming their identities, it is highly likely these statues represent the legendary figures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711356861-YPVSB5VFK6361VAOQJ3P/BPM_2348.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Three cheap fiberglass replicas of statues recovered from the Mausoleum are displayed in the entrance of the Castle of Saint Peter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555803357321-IJCB5O9QFQ9RQE2V7S32/a6ixpubz2jdn5qlbhmcg.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Mausoleum of Halicarnassus: excavation of north side of quadrangle, 1862 by Thomas Picken https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555803364877-8C8WIKEVFLAP4CD4YD3Y/zsqejjyzditqqbhzh8gp.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: view of excavation on west side of quadrangle, 1862 - Lithograph by E. Wagner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555804553870-9HAQZSP1H1ZHLX00N848/BPM_6383.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders The engravings showcase various dramatic battle scenes from the myth. In one of the slabs—though not this one—Hercules is depicted seizing Queen Hippolyta by her hair. Unfortunately, I missed seeing that particular piece during my visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711340067-7IYN2D7B348SSGG6KID3/BPM_2320.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders I don’t know Greek—ancient or modern—but it seems to me that 'τοποελ' is inscribed on this stone. As far as I can tell, it doesn’t mean anything. If you happen to know Greek, I’d love to hear your thoughts. It’s possible this is just a partial inscription or a fragment of a longer word. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711301590-DIVLCVHOUPEQTZPR3S5I/BPM_2304.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders They’ve added roofs to cover some of the stones—probably to prevent visitors from completely dehydrating under the relentless sun while exploring the site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711275155-V3CKLBT0CKDGOP5IGBLN/BPM_2302.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders A replica in the museum offers a glimpse into how the Mausoleum looked before it was destroyed by earthquakes in 1404. The magnificent structure featured 36 towering columns, adorned with larger-than-life statues of lions, and topped with a grand chariot pulled by four horses, said to carry the images of Maussollus and his wife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711251348-OFP0HR972U9GKJZYRJ5G/BPM_2301.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders The great Mausoleum, once an awe-inspiring structure towering 40 meters high and spanning 125 meters in width, is now reduced to little more than a pile of rocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711450584-MULYCFIWZNRZWWRRLIF8/BPM_6366.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders The British Museum features an entire section dedicated to Ancient Greece, with a significant portion of the artifacts originating from Halicarnassus, including remarkable pieces from the Mausoleum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711595676-CHXZUVQZ46U4C3H7SEMT/BPM_6440.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711380699-Y7F0XG4AK46BNES52BN4/BPM_2368.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders The Castle of Saint Peter, famously built using stones from the Mausoleum, still stands as a testament to history’s reuse of greatness. Unfortunately, when I visited, it was undergoing renovations—as evidenced by the cranes towering over it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711086678-EBR5DCJBT7734Z97THGT/DJI_0045.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Almost nothing remains at the site where the great Mausoleum of Halicarnassus once stood, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711434885-LERHIJFT24J3XXYDJBK2/BPM_4013.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders In the museum, they display some of the few surviving engravings that remain in Turkey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555804572032-DBU6I6Z2NPOTHPDZP61N/BPM_6384.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders The sides of the Mausoleum were adorned with intricate depictions of the Amazonomachy, the legendary battles between the Greeks and the Amazons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711172693-RDSP5BFKNGXX63F5RZZB/BPM_2295.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders The only clue we were nearing the Mausoleum was a modest sign tucked away in a small alley—not exactly what you'd expect for one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1555711542754-LXIWB2JDL017M628R9I2/BPM_6408.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: A Glimpse into One of the 7 Wonders Among his most remarkable discoveries were these stunning mosaics, which now adorn the walls of one of the stairways in the British Museum—a testament to the artistic grandeur of Halicarnassus. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2018/9/1/tomatina monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808468922-MXMRO3YZGS0CFXKN1402/BPM_0140.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 It's over. It's safe to take of your goggles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808701843-ZCVOMGU5NGTOAWMWGPAL/BPM_9080.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 A soldier has fallen. He fought a good battle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535901183383-IVJ0L5EIMKQGM2NRH1W1/BPM_8953.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 The Japanese team regrouped and made a collective attempt to conquer the palo-jabón, or soap pole. Despite their determination, the greasy challenge proved too much, and their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808485338-HQJO45XQLSCQBC82J93R/BPM_0171.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 Surviving soldiers bravely retreat after the end of the battle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808450319-9FZ54GTCQWJDVFX1M5GU/BPM_0127.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 The ground was barely visible beneath a sea of tomatoes, which at some points piled nearly a foot deep, creating a slippery, squelching red carpet of chaos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535901964144-117MRTDJGPDC22PP2T25/IMG_4253.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808680531-8E3F83POV0DTHBZZBM8E/BPM_9073.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 Girl heads to a faucet to get cleaned up while the shirtless man on the right tries to kick everyone out of his sidewalk so he can go back to his normal clean tomatoless life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535899127762-D5JFSEDOIX74FTTED7WL/BPM_9197.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 No matter how hot it gets, that freezing water still manages to be shockingly uncomfortable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808739169-JDR4AEH7W83IZ4SS8EQO/BPM_9973.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 The moment the first tomatoes were distributed, everyone was instantly drenched in red goo, transforming the crowd into a slippery, tomato-covered spectacle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808720958-A2XE3JH3HRWXL35QJWJO/BPM_9085.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 Chinese soldier celebrates surviving the Tomatina. Her shirt is white. Or at least it was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808628566-QJ042HGNHF4CEJJSQWY2/BPM_0387.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 One of the most popular photo ops involves running and sliding on your chest through the tomato pulp while someone snaps your picture—messy, ridiculous, and undeniably fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535901270252-01YTRIKFXG4PMJCHZLS5/BPM_9587.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 Tomato-covered ‘zombies’ made valiant attempts to climb the greasy pole, only to be thwarted by Ketchup-man, who paused for a selfie before pulling everyone back down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535899070886-CYCJV54SC4DBW6PTK6Z4/BPM_9159.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 Or, if you’re feeling resourceful, you can do what I did and bum some free water at a public fountain—effective, albeit less glamorous. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808540340-DX9PKI1MVQRJNYIEERHR/BPM_0194.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 By this point, the supply of full tomatoes had completely run out. People resorted to flinging tomato juice or whatever scraps they could grab. On the left, a plastic cup filled with crushed tomatoes toppled over, spilling its contents in every direction, adding to the already chaotic scene. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808503280-ZP5BNKBA16X8K0GQD7CI/BPM_0178.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 The heart of the action unfolds right in front of the city church. A few brave (or foolish) participants climbed high onto the walls, only to be pelted relentlessly, like a firing squad of tomatoes targeting them. Meanwhile, off to the side, the infamous ham still sat atop the pole, untouched and mocking every attempt to claim it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535899092638-NR44RM3DPVDBW3CBQ1JM/BPM_9187.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 This spot was a hub of activity, blasting loud music, selling beer, and hosing down tomato-covered revelers all at once. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808611438-4QX5L2JJYKC8EILGNXW5/BPM_0337.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 Selfie time. A couple lies in the tomato river while others throw goo on them for a picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535901316550-2HJ19AT22CHNSPTFOOFV/BPM_9524.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 A drunk man in red pulled a Japanese participant with a bowtie out of the crowd, encouraging him to take on the challenge of climbing the greasy pole. Needless to say, the attempt didn’t get very far, much to the crowd’s amusement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535899048239-ZPCZHJWJU41CQRLDMALK/BPM_9134.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 For just two euros, you can get hosed down with freezing cold water—a refreshing, if slightly shocking, end to the chaos. One kind lady even threw in some shampoo for free, adding a touch of luxury to the cleanup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808557304-QWKS0VHBR44R5JQ6SS9J/BPM_0293.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 I could barely see what I was shooting amidst the chaos. Tomatoes were flying in every direction, and I found myself constantly wiping my lens, only for it to be splattered again within seconds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535900903532-T1B5U6PU2BCBVYH1INOW/BPM_9500.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 The medieval city is a typical Spanish pueblo with a castle and everything. Its quiet streets are transformed once a year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808430709-8WJQZ87906B5YCX4O5YJ/BPM_0043.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 The chaos of the battle was pure madness—indescribable and relentless. I was blindly snapping photos, furiously wiping my lens whenever I could. Of course, there were always a few jokers waiting for that exact moment to lob a tomato straight at it, ensuring my efforts were futile. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808572519-HRTDYA3OK6TVHIM9KFD3/BPM_0311.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 This guy caught my eye just as I had finished cleaning my lens, holding a handful of tomato pulp and clearly ready to launch it at me. I gave him a pleading look—‘please, no’—and, to my relief, he spared me. Thanks, man. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535808590546-6ATK92YTQ2MEF6FJCWND/BPM_0331.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 Tourist has tomatoes poured on her head for a photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1535900535284-XTQAWAPRV7120A8LSPPA/BPM_9431.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - La Tomatina: The Great Spanish Tomato War of 2018 For 355 days a year, Buñol is a quiet town, but on the day before the tomato fight, the festivities kick off with food and preparations, as residents start protecting their homes from the chaos to come. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2018/6/29/turkish-wedding monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353696358-4G1GH9D57ZKP9MOGI475/BPM_2914.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354071787-L550F2MCL8R50OZARUBK/BPM_3158.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353472125-DKNZUS61ELZGWMK1TEXP/BPM_2615.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354660619-BYCNMEGUSMKV13T8AMZG/BPM_3805.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience "Who got it?" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354287936-3X1IJYMDXT9AKCHTUQ9S/BPM_3351.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354717634-YHJG34ERLJZ3L5R8QQNE/BPM_3847.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353673705-RGKLFS9KVFEA6MOUZ340/BPM_2883.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354151598-09E6GTZDHNC8N1NZQJ7E/BPM_3169.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353207950-PQI2IP4M4C6U9NHKXXIB/DJI_0031.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354502222-9Q610YLWMS4T4RYHKVXD/BPM_3604.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354697677-KMOH1039DXOCMQG6P8GF/BPM_3819.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354737097-VVRTU9PPSQEN45HEVNOM/BPM_3849.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354265874-0PNX4CTR2ESN3N35GCY8/BPM_3343.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353579739-B2M2KK346UWAULL6JFZ1/BPM_2757.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353178258-PQ6DM411ZF3S2QPUXZC4/DJI_0030.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354539361-7UL0SQVVPML56ISB37OD/BPM_3662.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience Ready, set... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354049113-1ETR2DPK67QNVFYJWDX6/BPM_3143.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353720596-HFDXBJBSGOWJBEWLLHNE/BPM_3005.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353600397-0IYO8CJ2T8JU7IM0BD7M/BPM_2777.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354245686-5KIUDHBJGPIS4F762MUJ/BPM_3331.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353396285-MFFFTHGDTEJ9A2DHVT9O/BPM_2591.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354388463-Y1OWTV7E6JM9UOADXLQX/BPM_3502.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354223306-4TIG9QA6DR5C0KEL05DK/BPM_3315.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353511029-6CV8J9XNB9RW7E7L1V6Y/BPM_2688.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354775320-7ZBTQ3JNDUWAB4K7Z65C/BPM_3940.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354004647-H05EDWJXKXI2CBLV7AZT/BPM_3069.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353766955-U9HU1BBTI6JNJX46OASH/BPM_3043.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354199344-CZKITBO68BQADJDV02WD/BPM_3297.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354360263-VSOCDKV6S4YPHBALSJDP/BPM_3465.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353425509-99UBF24UH85SRE9LBT6Q/BPM_2601.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience Don’t you hate it when you get a call in the worst possible moment? (Phone number blurred out for privacy reasons) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354411272-628B7G31RI0E2ERTUE8E/BPM_3544.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353534593-12LXVZAXBJJ0TXM33734/BPM_2733.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353745873-PFXBK98KKQHDICM7A6OH/BPM_3026.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354026319-64LYJ2DQ3K6PLD1DQ2T1/BPM_3112.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354757395-HV074C9VC5P1ZR69KLRT/BPM_3910.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353444567-JNPF2G8O0O65EL80K063/BPM_2602.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354180036-FIY7YFLXQOIN7LVH1I5U/BPM_3265.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354334338-526YFQUW4IP7SDNDCW13/BPM_3421.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353652422-YZO2CARKEI4VH842VJP6/BPM_2818.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354676275-ZCD4SEVKYXWLR2I22LCY/BPM_3811.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353260606-SRPZKT53P0G3CIOU3A76/BPM_2570.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354452236-GMP1W9FGGK2FJSMQY6AB/BPM_3567.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354633131-0SN10LKOMDIDFBNMC863/BPM_3683.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354967205-VOTTWPEYG8EFP43XHUDD/BPM_2792.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience ‘Hey, make sure I look good in that picture,’ is something she didn’t say—but I’m pretty sure she was thinking it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354565022-MG2UWE9U7D2HEJRTC3IW/BPM_3674.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience "I'm free." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353225575-TQLVHX19PQYOL1NZVHS2/BPM_2557.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354473678-LEB5HO4WGI98T4Y32S8S/BPM_3577.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530354310844-MJ0QSE0Q4UE3MFV73KB1/BPM_3377.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1530353491434-A9UEOK5R6FO6TU8N6R91/BPM_2669.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Heartfelt Turkish Wedding Experience https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2018/3/31/carrying-the-weight-of-tradition-in-spains-holy-week monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594448713-M8YN8CIOX4HMBNU90FOE/IMG_0184.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Jesus of Nazareth is carried on the Streets of Vera by "horquilleros" who walk in rhythm so that it seems that the statue is floating over the crowd. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594529223-EX9SQ62Q0EPK1L0IDHI6/IMG_0177.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Moments before the start of the procession the candles that surround the statues are lit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594707053-1EXR5BP1CKY37G1EMKB3/IMG_0159.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Penitents get ready and wait inside the church before marching out on the streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594659462-ZRLZWBWPUUJ255DX0S8E/IMG_0163.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Costaleros wear black clothing and hoods to seem invisible at night so the image of Christ appears to be floating on the streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594719273-KXM7RIUAEG9JNCLKGQ6V/IMG_0158.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Maria José Rodriguez talks to another altar girl inside the church before the start of the procession. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594495471-UOR6JFLYTSZV83GBV4OF/IMG_0180.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Antonio Martínez makes a sketch and explained to the roman legionnaires how they should walk during the procession. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594612233-6NQGPXF037VK0Y9BJDC8/IMG_0170.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Penitents walk the streets of Vera during Holy Friday's procession. Children don't wear hoods because they can feel constricting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594487987-EKN8J5V76Q4MDFH8RLW8/IMG_0181.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Statue of Our Lady of Anguish has been part of the Vera procession since 1680. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594644498-XYY2ZAKGZEX4BGRB90V9/IMG_0164.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Traditionally, women have participated in the Holy Week processions as mourners, wearing an elegant but sober black dress with a traditional veil. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594694715-YK4TUW8OX1PE2FNT862U/IMG_0160.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Costalero leans against the wall moments before lifting a 1.1 ton statue of Christ. They wear black clothing and hoods to seem invisible at night and the imagem of Christ appear floating on the streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594474824-A1PQDV16TU7PDE6UYRRA/IMG_0182.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week The foreman is in charge of guiding the "costaleros" as they walk through winding streets at a very low pace. The foreman talks to the men inside giving them orders to turn, lift or lower the statue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594799311-9D2P0HWJXUA82WTOQZBI/IMG_0156.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Light from outside doors through the doors on the face of a man dressed a Roman Legionnaire, accused of killing Jesus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594622693-DLD4SC7CM2ZP4H1SQSBL/IMG_0166.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Many of the women in black, which some say represent the widows of Christ, carry rosaries and pray along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594560728-6DULXIIR7NG459UJ3XBQ/IMG_0174.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Penitents walk through the church door to meet the public and walk through the streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594466348-MPBWH13HGMGORQHRBZB8/IMG_0183.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Penitents talk at the final moments of the procession as the statues are stored in the back of the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522591574194-GICH26N8A2WMU6830SY9/BPM_7490.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Antonio Caparrós hugs a relative with tears in his eyes as he walks out from under the statue he was carrying. Caparrós every year takes part in the procession in memory of his late uncle that did it before him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594507266-NIKYTFBV3Z9NR1UVX8YX/IMG_0179.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Representing Roman legionnaires, man holds banner with the initials for Senatus Populusque Romanus, the Roman senate and people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594572976-2IFTFZMDMRQMWZWJY57K/IMG_0173.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Costalero awaits the foreman's order to lift the image of Jesus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594422700-A9CAESEXIGGPKOSGT2OW/IMG_0185.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week A pietá is carried by 40 strong men for several Km in Vera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594680889-DNOBDLWRL8189QPVZ12M/IMG_0161.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Altar children have their candles lit before Holy Friday's procession. In the back, a coffin with an image of the body of Christ. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1522594597454-D97YVR6EBFAKWYAH16W2/IMG_0171.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - Carrying the weight of tradition in Spain's Holy Week Candles are lit for a nocturnal procession, onde of the most visually impacting of the whole week. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2018/3/22/kyoto monthly 0.5 2025-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672955272-JFQCUBL2L1GKRPVSN5ZI/DSC_2827.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Inside the Kondo Hall stands a Yakushi statue, crafted in 1603, embodying centuries of artistry and devotion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672778339-8MYWA462NJ6ZH31CK70F/DSC_2685.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521673017511-XI7MI72SBXSQZETTPCMH/DSC_2842.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672701962-04G0BS0KX9PG00V38LO3/DSC_2634.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids This stunning artifact was hanging at the entrance gate, catching the light in just the right way. If you look closely, you might even spot my reflection in the photo—a subtle cameo in this moment of beauty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672904066-NMQ2TKNSZ0O13577H13Z/DSC_2805.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Koi fish are a cherished tradition in Japan, having been bred for their vibrant colors for centuries. Interestingly, these particular koi are albino, as the natural coloration of the species is typically gray. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672927399-E98FPXG8PX80SBPYB5X5/DSC_2826.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Autumn in Japan is absolutely stunning, with the landscape painted in vibrant shades of orange, creating a warm and breathtaking atmosphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672988518-RI60Q9T8KCF0EIXCJ744/DSC_2834.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids - Kyoto The old part of town is a charming labyrinth of narrow streets lined with traditional houses, each corner inviting you to explore further. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672759667-2OWZLB4JPSAQJY6ZVW69/DSC_2676.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672884344-EKTU7Y7LXHBZQPQS2REQ/DSC_2764.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids When I snapped this photo, I had no idea what these inscriptions were. It turns out they are the names of people who donated to the construction of the building. This particular wall belongs to the Kodo Hall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672295033-83EB267BT5QTD5ZCAKH1/DSC_2317.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids I arrived early in the morning, greeted by the soft, golden light streaming through the station windows—it was absolutely perfect. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672514875-AK8XCJI14UIYIV4HQ0BD/DSC_2568.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids While some cried and others laughed, this couple found themselves under attack by a massive flock of birds—a moment Hitchcock himself would have surely included in one of his films. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672742115-8OSPO37KFR3J52QA0NLI/DSC_2640.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids The day was bitterly cold, and the water from the fountain had a distinct metallic taste—sharp and unforgettable in the chill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672866540-FBC8N7RDLC0J47PLBL5X/DSC_2754.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids A man on his lunch break pauses for a quick prayer at the Miedo Hall, which translates to ‘Founder’s Hall’ in Japanese—but amusingly, ‘Hall of Fear’ in Spanish. Thankfully, we’re in Japan! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672822993-AY4SLWIPBY8NWGRHBTZN/DSC_2727.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids A serene statue perfectly framed through the incense burner, symbolizing the connection between offerings and enlightenment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672358882-660HE5U9585NU15NM9ZP/DSC_2336.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Bikes are everywhere! Navigating the narrow alleys by car is a real challenge, even with vehicles that are noticeably slimmer than what we’re used to seeing elsewhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672382737-02WH8MU6V47I0OCDAEZO/DSC_2386.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids The kids walked together in a perfectly organized line, each one diligently holding onto the rope—a picture of discipline and cuteness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521673986103-T74YNXYEXFIJ0MBEROCT/DSC_2516.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Apparently, not everyone was thrilled about feeding the birds—some seemed a little less enthusiastic about the feathered frenzy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672674735-IHX1OUQ8W91WCEQBWIXI/DSC_2623.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Okonomiyaki is sometimes referred to as the Japanese pizza or crepe, but let me tell you—it tastes nothing like either. It’s entirely its own delicious creation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521808714709-QKFQSOJZ5WEHB70NHDKM/DSC_2791.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids The five-storied pagoda, originally constructed in 826, stands as the tallest in all of Japan, reaching an impressive height of 57 meters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672432785-RNV4GEK3J8KKVA1CFHR1/DSC_2448+2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Japanese folklore is rich with dragon legends, most of which portray them as sea monsters. One tale speaks of a dragon that could transform into human form and possessed magical jewels, adding an air of mystery and enchantment to these mythical creatures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672654597-834QXRH71XXF5MKH885S/DSC_2593.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids The temples are massive and primarily constructed of wood, including the floors—a hallmark of traditional Japanese architecture. It’s a stark contrast to Chinese temples, which typically favor other materials and styles, making the Japanese approach feel uniquely serene and organic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672720552-9ZQ9CRF3GL4XR7DJHHOG/DSC_2636.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Once again, a water dragon greets you at the gate, its presence a symbol of purification and good fortune. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672477474-VU5AR9QDJM98CNR3J1AQ/DSC_2528+2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids This little buddy was having the time of his life, darting around and chasing after the pigeons with boundless energy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672410106-6FB2U3Z9QSTP82GSCYUD/DSC_2424.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids This little girl, curious about my camera, paused for a moment and gave me the sweetest wave hello. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672454748-M0UE6PR9B8ZSK0KWOTEV/DSC_2471+2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids The water from dragon fountains found inside temples is believed to bring good fortune. According to tradition, you should use a ladle to pour some water into your hands, splash a bit on your face, or even take a sip. Doing so is said to invite good luck and blessings into your life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672801952-BK5QNZZLCTFH2QAFNCDF/DSC_2723.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Burning incense is a sacred offering to honor the Triple Gem of Buddhism: the Buddha, his Dharma, and the Sangha. The fragrant smoke is believed to cleanse the spirit and unveil one’s true self, fostering a deeper connection to the divine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672842883-6H9VRAS67FA4L9X0YL6D/DSC_2734.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids The temple also features a serene cemetery, where visitors come to pay their respects and offer prayers for their loved ones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1521672498746-ZQQQ026HQBH1KCHTUYNP/DSC_2549.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Buddhist temples of Kyoto are full of cute Japanese kids Each classroom had its own color of hats—a clever system to ensure the teacher wouldn’t accidentally take the wrong child back to school. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2018/2/8/8-hours-in-portugal-a-quick-visit monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092285957-M6H64MJN414EVR0C02P3/BPM_4295.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit From the top of the tower, one could gaze far into the Tejo River, keeping watch for any incoming ships—a vantage point that once played a crucial role in Portugal's maritime defense. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518091918799-WC5WOX03HZJ4V8QB48XH/BPM_4011.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit Perched atop the Arco da Rua Augusta, statues gaze out over the Praça do Comércio, exuding an air of grandeur and vigilance. The inscription below reads, 'Virtues of the Biggest will serve to all as a teaching. Dedicated to public expenses,' a timeless reminder of noble ideals and civic dedication. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092032793-U48KOWLD8KSYVUKT3GJM/BPM_4101.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India by sea, successfully navigating around the Cape of Good Hope—a monumental achievement in the Age of Discovery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518091794663-N0R0Z4SZP6M0RJEAQQOY/BPM_4329.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit - Portugal A quick 8 hour visit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518091939653-SYEILIY1PSCM61D2W1G8/BPM_4040.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit On the opposite end of the square lies the Rio Tejo. During the devastating earthquake of 1755, hundreds of people sought refuge in the open space of the square, only to witness the river dramatically recede before returning with massive, destructive waves in a catastrophic tsunami. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092262544-OWJ3V6G7ZWSRKRJCNJYD/BPM_4267.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit On a cold, windy autumn day, a couple embraced for a selfie inside the Torre de Belém, capturing a cozy moment amidst the historic walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092078796-6F5WZ0XIQN0EB5Q7R80W/BPM_4144.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit The statue’s broken nose gives it an unsettling, almost undead appearance, adding a haunting touch to its otherwise serene expression. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092006088-5RHTU3AX2DJF01B067FW/BPM_4059.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit The monastery is deeply intertwined with the history of the Age of Discovery, serving as a spiritual haven for many explorers who visited both before embarking on and after completing their daring voyages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092305873-3SVBM0RC1A6J22MX7PG4/BPM_4390.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit An iconic eléctrico making its way through Lisbon’s narrow streets. These charming yellow trams have been in operation since the early 1900s and are still a beloved mode of transportation for locals and tourists alike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092223457-EUVT9BU303Z8USQ5LVCZ/BPM_4209.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit That day, a play was being performed in the monastery. Although my native language is Portuguese—albeit the Brazilian variety—I found it nearly impossible to follow the storyline, as classic Portuguese proved to be a challenge to understand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092052947-TXNJQA0P06LOCJORH0AE/BPM_4142.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit The church within the monastery is adorned with intricate carvings, including eerie depictions of devils that add a hauntingly captivating element to its otherwise serene atmosphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092242552-VJ3UNJUPJ5HMT5AUPNZH/BPM_4239.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit The Torre de Belém was once completely surrounded by water, standing as an island fortress. Today, due to modern developments, it sits much closer to the shore, blending history with the present landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518091956722-FC6T3BACYBKPC7H1DQNZ/BPM_4070.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit Luís de Camões, the author of The Lusíadas, lost an eye in battle and became renowned for sharing vivid tales of his voyages to the East, capturing the spirit of exploration in his epic poetry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1518092203677-XCNDLU16O4P44C9S31UZ/BPM_4147.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 8 hours in Portugal: a quick visit "This statue of Christ, sculpted by Filipe de Vries in 1550, is remarkably lifelike, showcasing an incredible level of detail and artistry. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/12/11/baisha monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567361938-RKSM2TQ33GI4HNSIMCOZ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Naxi fresco painted hundreds of years ago. No photos, whoops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1481455953904-G0144PE8KII51UCL451P/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567227446-S0E1S7UE0MX8GHR279S0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Butcher sells a chunk of pork to the woman that is selling vegetables in the stand right beside him. I can only assume she got the best part as she was the day's first customer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567675985-U8T1FCI5MRO5VR9YTDZH/BPM_9169.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Men walk towards the city's main square early morning. In the back dozens of little restaurants that cater to tourists on high season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567632677-ZEJ2ROLYCRZEYHQRNJ8P/BPM_8937.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Man sits in a restaurant quietly while others shop outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567631389-JFK6AO1R7SIL49TSIOZC/BPM_8933.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Fruit vendor makes jokes and laughs with other villager. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567641478-MZQZ8Z9YYQFMFYHZLCIF/BPM_8940.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Naxi women sell produce in the village main square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567686493-922GLSXXQCM6IO4TLLBH/BPM_9187.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Baisha village is on the foothills of the Himalayas. In the back is the Snow Jade Dragon Mountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567642349-KCGHDGSN6R871FZVFGN5/BPM_8946.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town As most places in China, grandmothers take care of children while the parents go to bigger cities for better jobs and send money home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567651372-24R21S7XYUPC0193L847/BPM_9050.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Two Chinese tourists browse souvenir and antique shops in the evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567654125-VKGNXEZCZPKX31FKD7UW/BPM_9092.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Woman carries two buckets of water while two other women, dressed in a more modern fashion, head back to work, most likely at the restaurants close to the frescoes where all the tourists are taken. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567661240-NS0ZMA73KQMDU3FMEIXQ/BPM_9108.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Naxi woman walks to work with an empty basket on her back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567671605-UKTHR2GYJPBGEUZJQWVE/BPM_9161.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Early morning these two vendors get ready to sell their produce. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567682151-17A2J966DTYU3M9PVO4D/BPM_9178.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Bicycles and motorized three-wheelers are the most used means of transportation in Baisha. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567690021-Y4PYHOY3M59CJ20SGS0V/BPM_9269.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town A man prepares food for a large group of monks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567703343-6FL6EOAH92JCNBK7884S/BPM_9365.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Despite being ancient and traditional, electronic rides have arrived in this small town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567697315-5062EO502I2BGUY5PZD9/BPM_9285.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Woman waits for customers to sell fruit from her basket. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567700649-33XSVQC2GRO5ZNT8WY4W/BPM_9354.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Group of Naxi women enter a restaurant in the evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1498567664138-8H0LOBQCLWRALH324LT2/BPM_9151.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town A bit before sunset, a Naxi woman returns home with a basket full of corn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1481455662100-CIA4SDFX8PGVSONHD0UK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town First morning light hits Jade Dragon Snow mountain as seen from the door of my hotel room at around 7 am on a cold autumn morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1481455573085-XW5HPQOFDDJUNVHR854H/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Baisha: Life in an ancient Chinese town Man accompanies his cow down the road across town as he probably does every day. At the end of the day I saw the two heading back in the opposite direction. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/8/10/sihanoukville monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841690445-XAYPPFY3S5AWPHN25T1B/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast A woman relaxes on a hammock at noon, enjoying her lunch in a roadside village just meters from the beach. Nearby, she sells bottles of gasoline—repurposed booze bottles turned into makeshift fuel containers—a common sight in this part of Cambodia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841518862-5BG3DO9OE4MI5V4UJAD2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast A young girl peeks shyly from behind a woman cooking food to sell by the roadside. Locals on scooters frequently stop by, grabbing meals to take home—a snapshot of daily life in the village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841726942-WFLPRZT7DOZBEBTE8J24/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast At the makeshift 'gas station,' a group of locals gathers around, playing cards to pass the time in the afternoon heat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841758346-BUJ6M5NB56C4GGRKFLEM/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast Locals enjoy a unique version of volleyball, reminiscent of the Southeast Asian sport Sepak Takraw. In this variation, players can’t pass to teammates and must send the ball back over the net immediately. Adding to the challenge, the serve is done with their feet—showcasing skill and agility in a game deeply rooted in regional traditions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841798570-2Q7JBF6DJ8HHG65XVA7U/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast Heavy clouds loom on the horizon, inching closer, while the beach remains bathed in bright, golden sunlight—a striking contrast of impending rain and tropical warmth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841899543-N15XNAKNUZH9WLUJUIGA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast With boundless energy, the child races toward the beach, weaving through the slender trees that seem to cheer her on, embodying the carefree spirit of the moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841578391-QZB9BTB0IMNZ5GCO0XN7/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast Just a little further down the same strip of road, gasoline is sold in repurposed whiskey bottles—a practical, albeit unconventional, roadside solution. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841549015-BKABA5GXTZLK5DSE2JU9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast This little girl spotted me and immediately looked frightened. My non-Asian face was so unfamiliar to her that she instinctively clung to her (presumably) grandmother for comfort. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841610045-T044OG5I35EFKGP0SYNK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast A woman gracefully walks by, balancing a load of groceries on her head—a testament to the everyday strength and skill of the locals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841835185-353LJC3TVEN3ZRT7U3X5/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast A group of teenagers enjoys the afternoon on the beach, alternating between playing football and barbecuing fresh seafood on the sand—a perfect blend of energy and relaxation by the sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470841871643-HL3CF34U12U3S6F1CS3L/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Sihanoukville: A City of Contrasts by the Cambodian Coast Two children play by the shoreline, one intently exploring the water while the boy sits, seemingly not enjoying the waves as much—his expression says it all. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/8/2/siam-riep monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237042090-EDFWI81FQ6PQYZO907AL/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. Street vendor talks to her colleague while both protect themselves and the food from the pouring rain in downtown Siem Reap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470836182610-HEB3C74EA1K4IT5BI0BH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. A tuk-tuk driver sleeps through a heavy downpour, unfazed and uncovered by the falling rain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470236494555-8Y5Z5ZCWV9F45IC5DQGV/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. Locals gather and chat outside restaurants on Bar Street, Siem Reap’s lively nightlife hub. By day, it’s a quiet row of cafés and souvenir shops. But as the sun sets, the neon lights flicker on, music fills the air, and the street transforms into a buzzing mix of tourists and residents — sharing drinks, stories, and the occasional plate of fried insects. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470836503037-O7X0LSN52AQZ6E4JMMYX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. Boy sleeps on the ground next to a bookstore on the bar street in downtown Siem Reap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470836435049-B7GWBB1W2CLPZR6LQSJK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. A woman bites her fists as she and two other tourists laugh their way through a fish spa — the tiny fish nibbling away at dead skin. It tickles more than you’d think. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470836759019-PCUJ3EMBZRWIKB7BQFBI/BPM_2966.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. At a Buddhist temple, a woman has her head shaved as part of a spiritual cleansing ritual. In Cambodian tradition, shaving one’s hair symbolizes letting go — of stress, of sorrow, of past burdens. The belief is that as the hair falls away, so do the hardships tied to it. It’s a quiet, personal act of renewal in a country where healing, for many, is still ongoing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470236452077-6DNCP1ZZPGL5RAFFN3MV/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. On the side of the road, a group of men rest. It amazes me how in such a hot place, they wear so many clothes. I was sweating my brains out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470840362417-ZM41UNO2ZFSMJ4IZ8QLN/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. A man fishes in the river that runs through Siem Reap — right across from the market I mentioned in my last post. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470836564458-036YZ3SLBYCFPRHM443A/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. Across from the children’s hospital, a man naps on his motorcycle, balancing between the noise and the heat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470147713031-A9E5PA50W3G4ZI5Z6VTU/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. Children accompany their father on a tuk-tuk ride. These adapted motorcycles are an essential mean of transportation in Southeast Asian countries, cheaper than cars and more convenient than bikes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470836535201-M0O57L52A171MZLEIBFM/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. Women share a quiet meal at the monument built to honor the victims of Cambodia’s brutal civil war. The space is peaceful now, shaded and still, but it holds the weight of a painful past. For many, places like this are not just memorials — they’re part of daily life, reminders of loss woven into the fabric of the everyday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470836687828-PBFV002450IVEL0S5JQB/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. At a park in front of the Royal Family's Siem Reap house, a group of kids plays under trees full of fruit bats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470836639468-N10E3OG3F4DI4M3C55I8/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Siem Reap: rain and shine; night or day. A little girl clings to her backpack, rubbing her eye as she browses fruit at a street market across from the children’s hospital. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/8/3/cambodian-markets monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237261754-NEDB5I9JNZ0SCT4R26XO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market Mother and son entertain themselves on their smart devices while waiting for customers. In her hand, the woman has a stick with a plstic bag on the end to swat flies that are all over the place. In Asia, smartphones are slowly replacing television sets and are the main way for most of the population to get online. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237513978-EU902BVO9HF9V3T1WCDN/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market In Cambodia there are no coins. All money is paper. The smalles denomination is 100 Riel, equivalent to 0.02 US dollars. This woman is handing over 3000 riel for her groceries.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237558947-EV77ARMLEOS7XO3YLL55/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market Vendor feeds her son under a fan in the humid and extremely hot market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237379666-ZM1WAOY8BOO472OK7IRN/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market Vendor pour water on her vegetables as her booth neighbor takes a nap on the hammock.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237153662-YLUCCH8YDZ0AVPD0ZKXC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market In most Asian countries, fair skin is considered a standard of beauty. In an attempt to look prettier, women use make-up to make their skin lighter. It's not unusual to see women that take it a bit too far.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237602931-K119XQU66IZOQLE2U9ZF/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market Leaving the market, this little kid put her hands together as a way to say thank you and goodbye.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237223598-SW7KZ1U085PO89YRS81G/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market It is not uncommon to see children helping their parents in the market or just playing and running around the stalls until the day ends. As it happens in many countries in Asia, working hours are extremely long in Cambodia for those who run a small business and parents have no option but to bring children to their workplace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237193932-PVCVHZ09ZZTXUHLS9TH8/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market Woman gets her hair done in the market while they watch a soap opera online on the computer. Every single market I went to had a hairdresser. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237344181-5I31O6QZ0FIMGLSAXOS5/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market Sitting on the same platform she cuts meat on,  woman selects produce to sell to customers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237114479-DTN3V6V88FEOQ93HYAGP/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market The Krama is a traditional Khmer garment. It is multi use scarf. Men wear it like a bandana, while women use it like a hood. It can also be work as a belt or just to wipe sweat of your face. You can go to the market and just pick your favorite pattern and size and the vendor will cut the fabric on the spot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237479603-3ZHLIYHIFBJ59ZYPXG9N/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market Long work hours, hot day. Nothing better than a nap in the afternoon.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237431146-S85Z5U6MGRP2DXG0B3TZ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market Vendor crouches on the table with the vegetables she is selling, waiting for customers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1470237301440-36K0N8JSHV5HU2W8AINL/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Groceries and a haircut: the typical Cambodian market The market had a very strong smell and the floor was wet and full of fish water.  https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/7/26/cambodian-life monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469466242482-MKIDEJMVYG8ZC0BVQ8N9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious Girl watches television while another sews inside their house. Like this place, most shacks have only one room where several people sleep either on the ground or in hammocks.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469465958570-3ZT2HNJPIZJ8YDPI3INX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious After cooling himself off with a hose in the hot 35˚C, a boy walks back home. Children often run around completely naked in the countryside of Cambodia.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469465933142-BLA4SX9RA6RAQNZW3RPL/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious On my way in, this girl and two other of her little friends were having popsicles. On my way out, she waved goodbye.  See you next time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469465907775-YHA8VJ75UYJKFKZ49B9B/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious Girl barefoot in her school uniform rides to class after her lunch break. They travel several kilometers sometimes just to get an education. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469466096607-RGW5H4N1Y3SRDC35ZQN5/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious Nearby where the boys from the first photo played, this man slept in his bed.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469466126382-DZD2NMNZYNTKQMUKTUHT/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious Boys in a village on the banks of the Siem Reap play with a broken pen and a plastic gun that shoots rubber bands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469465882943-SNN5HWL08BA60MQZOUEF/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious Villages like these are a common site in the countryside of Cambodia. Made with wood and construction leftovers, dozens of people live with no doors and little privacy.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469466042733-NGVC8BGQAC8UN55URTY2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious While the other kids played outside in the water, this boy stayed inside attentively doing his homework. In the nearby floating village and at the Angkor Wat parks, many children work selling souvenirs to tourists instead of going to school.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469465984071-5YNW8XZ60O592V0TDRXY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious Mother and daughter take a rest in a hammock. The extreme heat and humidity makes it almost unbearable to stay under the sun at noon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469466069650-KRQM1R9EKWJ6SDE511O0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious This girl when she saw me opened this wide smile, almost posing for the camera.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469466180941-SEY64MC1M8Q4269RJVNE/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious Three kids have lunch with their caretaker. The most instinctive reaction of the little boys was to laugh so hard and wave to the camera as soon as he noticed our presence.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1469466212939-LQB8Y00YRB4KNGPBR2ML/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The happiness in Cambodian villages is contagious Coming up the hill, from the waterbed, a man carries a boy inside a bucket. The boy loves the game.  https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/7/7/bayon monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825258002-B68BBHZAN0OK7LBXL563/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces A statue of Buddha sits in a dark corner with several sticks of incense burning at its feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825328593-URBKCOZB54QCGGTMZSQJ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces Tour guide explains in Italian to tourists how the Lingam structures represent a phallus and womb. It is an abstract representation of the Hindu god Shiva. These sculptures can be found in almost every temple in Angkor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1468857881037-WPUQ1K57R9UMW4NMZEA2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces An artist's representation made in 1899 of what Bayon should have looked like as photographed by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825441880-OIHR54UHA98XFQFD1I5Z/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces Asian tourists enframe themselves every single chance they can. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825551625-RSJEE0V2UGBIGRZX8BT7/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces The Bayon has around 216 faces thought by some scholars to be the image of king Jayavarman VII himself, while others believe them to be the bodhisattva Lokesvara. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467826168761-WWL3A33R2L96YRN1P5BC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces Here you can see some replacement stones were added because the original haven't been found. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1468855351408-G6IAH93JZEDZ2N7HWA24/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces This is the Bayon in 1909 as seen by photographer Pierre Dieulefis. A lot of reconstruction work has been done since. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825227859-BBFPR3QUJG2PWWPVCI61/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces It's very impressive how archaeologists rebuilt all this from complete rubble. I wonder if they got it right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825475787-KS9TYZFGJ4UO45P9GA82/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces The famous face towers have two, three or four faces. The government of Japan has been helping to restore this site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825293279-LTA9UUQ4BTL6PHFVY0XU/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces The Bayon is full of inscriptions of famous battles and mythological events. Every wall there is a depiction that tells a story. You can stay hours just looking at the walls. Get a book or look them up online before a visit, it helps to understand what you see. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825367417-N45ROUTMMGKGE2KWOOUS/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces A second floor was added later to the temple, that's why some parts of the construction are so close together. Researchers believe that the temple originally was a single level structure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467825408949-10ZNSDTTRH9SOLZ4CRPW/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Bayon: the temple of 200 faces In a tight corridor you can find impressive stone sculptures of Apsaras and Buddhas. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/7/2/floating-village-on-the-tonle-sap monthly 0.5 2025-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392212527-S2YOPDVP4SAPTG514XLH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land A boy pushes his boat through the knee-deep water, navigating with ease where engines can’t. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392420102-6AJQFDYG6NS1AXH5Y0PH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land A boy plays aboard a tourist boat, waiting for the next wave of visitors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467391925430-7D2OB1FFHO8YYKZQMTQJ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land Along the banks of the Siem Reap River, a man and a boy — father and son, perhaps — quietly prepare their fishing net. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392166069-V9U9BRA1ZRNN69O9TZRD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land In some areas, the water is so low that sandbanks now rise above the surface. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467391994169-F0OXHYP80GMT20Z0OFX0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land In recent years, the rainy season hasn’t brought the rain it once did. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392285388-FBLBI18D1K7DWOJCB7IV/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land The entire village floats on water, with fishing as its main livelihood. Homes can be moved—literally—to wherever the catch is better. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467391804270-Y02UAE8VFDMEA4DXPGL6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land Water buffalo are a common sight in this part of Cambodia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392032172-MJ0DJU7QTHC665MBPZ3J/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land Children play outside their floating home, while the adults rest in hammocks inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467481776777-2UZG0VNTOKNHL883E09O/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land A post meant to measure flood levels now rises from a patch of dry sand, surrounded by scrub. In June 2016, the water was at least ten meters lower than normal, far below the midpoint where it should have reached. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467391685618-YN7OFSUGEM6GOJPAN4O5/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land It was heartbreaking to see so many children working in tourism — and hard not to feel complicit by simply being there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392251840-04VSGC1PZGUUVCJWHE9O/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land Part of the tour included a stop at a crocodile farm — home to the critically endangered Siamese crocodile, kept beneath a floating bar and souvenir shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392327584-QEBRS9G2SAFE1DY8L5T9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land A fisherman casts his net, hoping for a catch to sell at the market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392363245-0TRVQSP9Z87V178Z98SC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land A child stands at the river’s edge, watching a tourist boat come in — two worlds meeting for a moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467391720500-SHBOH84MZC08IJ86QP8G/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land At the bow, a boy becomes ballast — a quiet counter to the river’s tilt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467391769952-SBG6TK7DQE0MIRF36Y6B/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land As tourist boats glide past, a boy plays in water barely 30 centimeters deep. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1467392742523-AR3YE9DMV0D6XU4G6I3X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Drought Season in Cambodia: A Floating Village Stranded on Dry Land A man carries motorcycle batteries to the floating mechanic for a recharge. Most boats here run on repurposed motorcycle engines. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/6/25/panic-at-sea-the-story-of-how-we-hit-and-sank-a-fishing-boat monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466877031073-CQWTHEXOZQNB0LJ009PL/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Soon two more fishing boats appear. A lot more talking is done. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466876866815-VT1VWSLMKZLQ1UQH5KT0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Another boat that was close by responds to help calls and shows up 10 minutes after the accident. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466877116340-0KBY0BNM0K8UH5T4ZKGD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Happy Boat captain talks to distressed fishermen while tourists wait without knowing what's going on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466877312376-LWMWOFBE7PS5PGQ5212Q/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Crewman lowers his head silently as we wait for the speed boat to come. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466838766367-ZIOMLOSVG6JQR8SHT7WD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Fishermen desperately hold on to their coolers full of squid that were quickly taken from the sinking boat. Even after such a tragic loss, they were worried about their catch. Every few minutes someone would add sea water to the boxes. They still needed to make a sale that day. That's how they make a living. That's how they eat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466838427495-P7O2SOYWC2B40MOPIU4L/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Fisherman tries to tie rope to sinking boat moments after being struck by the "Happy Boat". https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466877142546-E58BC8EGNTCT1NAGFWZR/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat This poor kid was behind the wheel. He should have seen the boats. He made a mistake, he should pay the price. He may lose his job, but I'm afraid he may have to pay more than that. I hope they don't make him pay for damages. I don't think he could afford it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466877431319-9EH4EXYCWJT45MI63LCQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat The surviving fishing boat and two others make a triangle marking the spot of the shipwreck in hopes of rescuing something or maybe just as proof for the Coast Guard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466877459228-VFR9PWKFGOHV0N80OXX0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Fisherman gives the Happy Boat captain a look. They didn't seem angry to me, just sad and scared. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466838587567-940STZ8TAGI4ISNCMWV1/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat "No madam, you can't see it, it's in the bottom of the ocean", says the tour guide when he calls the Australian owner of the Speed Ferry tour agency. He looks at the bubbles coming from the fishing boat now at the bottom of the ocean just below us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466838995932-SYZ05NM8RR3ERUKMLD8R/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat The fisherman are able to save some of their catch and a few items. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466876961924-H1YSOY2T0F1FJFM36P1X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Gas and oil stains start to become evident in the ocean waters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466877171314-3RM14B7ORBM33MMN8X3Z/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat Tourist and crewmen watch fishermen scramble as the captain talks on the phone. I don't know who he was talking to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466876998078-PHW379XVJPUY4CCNF2GR/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat The first boat that shows up starts collecting floating items and returning them to the surviving ship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466877525250-PJON0Q0JN918EF02B5MD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Panic at sea: the story of how we hit and sank a fishing boat We transfer to the speed boat and leave the Happy Boat behind. Soon I would be at the hotel. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/6/22/angkor-wat monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525453362-4CITWH5O8G526P48W1JY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Very similar to the view from the Cruciform Terrace is the entrance of the main temple. It's interesting to note that these temples were not built as a place for worship, but as a house for several gods, so they were never intended to be visited by masses of people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525276874-79D5GGE5091XGHWPU792/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Engraving in the outer corridor of the Wat with what seems to be a bullet hole, from the confrontations between the Vietnamese and the Khmer Rouge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525709466-LI9B1MIKI1AQHZ1N484X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor A butterfly rests on the centuries old engraving on the north side of the Angkor Wat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466526687018-VIQLPWZXR56B7S3DIRKC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Sun rises behind Angkor Wat, which unusually faces west, on a hot and humid summer day during rainy season. I was very lucky to get a good sunset on that day, as it rained constantly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525313133-86UFMJMS2NJM6OZN1P3J/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Angkor Wat has a huge corridor surrounding the temple like a frame. Along the walls are inscriptions of great battles of the Khmer empire. View from inside the Gallery of 1000 Buddhas into the Battle of Lanka corridor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466526324143-2W79B9KXJCITIGIAI9DE/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Two young monks rested beside the empty pools at the base of the temple. Many people would stop and donate them money and pray.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525405176-JAZ51PGTP9LT0IVVNLQC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Millions of tourists per year, specially during dry season, becomes unsustainable and causes damage to the ruins, which are stepped on and touched indiscriminately. This picture was taken at the entrance of the Wat, to the west of the Cruciform Terrace off the limits of the above map. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525993840-X9UCMAUZCJTZKJI9264Y/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Finally I get to the main temple. Looking at the ruins, I can't help but imagine how this was in it's prime. A lot of the decoration was in gold and was looted, and in wood, which rotted away.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525571888-0YB1SOX2Y68CITPIIKME/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple later converted to Buddhist in the 14th or 15th century. Here a Buddha declared the base of a column. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525946831-JK766NMQXJNAZR5Q643V/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Columns full of inscriptions in Sanskrit decorate the interior of the main temple.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466526080061-V5MWJ8DSXCQ4BUQL3KF6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor A couple chats and rests in the shade just outside the central part of the temple. Possibly the girl wasn't allowed to go the top of the temple. It won't matter how hot it is, you have to wear a shirt with sleaves, pants that go under the knee and no hat to enter the topmost bit of the temple.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466526124085-DLVVYK22OXUEE8WAD5PQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor From the highest point you have a clear view of what was a great city, now reclaimed by the jungle. With the exception of the temples, the houses of the gods worthy of stone, mortals built their houses with wood. That's why only the temples survived while everything else disappeared. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525495431-9XR30K2VIQZCP0R8EXO3/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor From the Cruciform Terrace you start to get a better view of the towers, that disappear behind the walls as you get close. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525904800-8CRMEVULJ17V03BGOD2C/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Inside the main building is a dry pool. There is a similar one on the opposite side.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466526781964-XS8YCAQ2LSVSHO8RED3O/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor A statue of Vishnu, the God with 4 pairs of arms is now in the southwest corner of the temple, but it is believed that this statue may have been originally placed in the very center of Angkor Wat, at the top.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525538381-4LSY6QV16AEXF5R63FN8/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Man takes a break from the hot and humid Cambodian summer outside a window at the Wat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466526167961-LNS0RSS1W6LG5AVW86KC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Inscriptions on the columns were added later and were written in either Sanskrit or ancient Khmer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466526244410-OSXQ22SXN03UD0EJD1EK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Two Chinese toursist pose for photos inside one of the long hallways of the Wat. Many Chinese and Korean tourists love to take pictures of themselves, it seems even more than enjoying the site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525162092-R3DU2N4LO0L6CS1GV00X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor The Angkor Wat is surrounded by a 3km long moat, with a stone bridge taking to the central part. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1466525599861-DUZKBDCDS2OCYTXWAUXX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ruins of the great city of Angkor Standing under doorways that seem to repeat into almost infinity gives the impression you are standing in between mirrors, but with no sign of your reflexion.   https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/5/10/wedding-photos-in-suzhou monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462811208602-YLTH2AGCJMTPRV8NUV9A/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Chinese couples take wedding photos to the next level We should never forget that this is China and there is always room for extravagance. Here, we can see a couple that has opted for not-so conventional outfits. The woman is wearing a puffy satin pink dress with a green ribbon. She has accessorized her outfit with a pamela hat covered with flowers. The best thing is her childish facial expression and her pigtails. Meanwhile, the groom poses in a very tight outfit in white and pink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462811282116-97ANS7XPS1APPZTAX05I/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Chinese couples take wedding photos to the next level Couple poses in traditional Chinese attire in front of one of the canals in the old town on the ancient Pingjiang Road. The bride and groom are protecting themselves against the rain with the help of a traditional umbrella made with rice paper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462810327478-PRJ1MULOCI1Y98VEDCDA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Chinese couples take wedding photos to the next level This could have ended in tears. The groom was trying not to fall down standing in two very unstable rocks while the bride was passionately kissing him for several minutes while the photographer searched for the perfect shot. I can imagine him thinking : "No pain, no gain", while he was struggling to stand straight. Nonetheless, I bet it turned out an amazing picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462811063481-NLIC7J996OH7Q9WZ82KO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Chinese couples take wedding photos to the next level Many Chinese brides prefer the Western style dresses for their wedding pictures, instead of red. Traditionally, white has been the color used for mourning clothes in funeral services in most countries in Asia, including China. However, the strong influence of Western cinema has changed that and now young brides in China wear white wedding gowns. Nonetheless, it is still true that Chinese couples wear both red Chinese clothes and Western style outfits during their big day, where they change dresses at least once during the party. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462810590306-8YY00BO5ZG3O2KHRVC4T/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Chinese couples take wedding photos to the next level As I mentioned before, these photographic session can last hours or even days. It can be extremely tiring to walk in heels all day while someone keeps telling you to stand straight and smile. This bride takes a rest in a park while the photographer prepares for the shoot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462811133094-RHZI7X31LIEGVBIDTOSI/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Chinese couples take wedding photos to the next level Being a wedding photographer is no easy task as this adventurous shooter is showing. Because it is such an important event in their lives, the brides tend to be quite demanding and it is common to see them bossing around the photographer and the small crew. After all, every little detail needs to be perfect. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/5/10/the-channels-of-suzhou monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462813643858-ACMU7D7P4NPA0C6G2H1P/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Canals of Suzhou The back of the houses face another smaller canal. I was told that in the morning, the locals gather water for drinking and washing, because as the days go, the water gets dirtier with things people throw in it.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462813387780-98Z2V9CGVEN9V21UIE28/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Canals of Suzhou Somewhere along Shantang Street I found this structure, which I wasn't able to find out what it was. Notice the pointy edges of the roof, very characteristic of the Wu architecture.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462813734878-HA05M80VZTX7GN52JVCH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Canals of Suzhou A lot of people asked me if there was a strong smell coming from the water. I have to say that I did not feel any strong smell. So that's one point over Venice.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462813249678-ZNHFCU9SVTG954XBC0LD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Canals of Suzhou This point of Shantang Street is Suzhou's postcard image. To the sides are restaurants, which I found overpriced and not very good on any standard. It was a rainy day, the only one I had in the city, so I chose not to ride the boat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462813534286-151CKLUKIBB5C119RYPQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Canals of Suzhou A boat used for cleaning the water passes through a canal close to the Lingering Garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462813310733-JUL1JHL38O9H11TSGCBX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Canals of Suzhou Remarkably similar to Venice, a Chinese version of the gondolier steers a boat full of tourists on Shantang Street. I have been told that some even sing, although I didn't witness this myself.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462846713142-TSJLNSTB72SVI70WY5TV/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Canals of Suzhou This is the part of Shantang Street that is still untouched by the "restoration". Here many families still live and use the canals in their daily life.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462813031008-39SPLJE5TC8UEKK8SDUG/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Canals of Suzhou Shantang Street has been here for 1200 years, but was restored recently in 2002 as part of a program to bring in more tourists.  https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/5/10/gardens-of-suzhou monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1463765703139-0AYUQMJMTZ6BO1TF7ZWF/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Lingering Gardens of Suzhou This old lady could barely walk. Three people helped her sit down on a very unsafe rock in a very unsafe position and persuaded her to reach towards the water closer to the water lilies just to take a photo. It's a miracle she didn't fall in just because her finger had to be 3 inches from the flower. I guess that somehow makes a better picture. What do I know? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1463765632969-YJ5SVZ68B45DSLJ4EHXX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Lingering Gardens of Suzhou Pond with dozens of little orange carps. The sound of water flowing can be heard but no waterfall is nearby. Hidden in a corner is a hose popping out of the water. I believe its only purpose is to generate sound. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462846815315-2ASAHL7SO6Y3OG0ST80M/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Lingering Gardens of Suzhou A group of tourists rest sitting on a stone set of benches and table. It was a very humid day. So humid it rained a few minutes later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462846843392-2FULQ978M5ZZDZJAXFY2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Lingering Gardens of Suzhou A couple strolls around the part in the back where they have trees planted in vases. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462846972478-7V26OMUTTTBTADF7AG1V/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Lingering Gardens of Suzhou A little boat lies in the corner of one of the man-made ponds. They are so small I don't believe they are for actual rides, but more for cleaning up. Although a few hundred years ago I can see a rich fellow just chilling in the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462846879745-P7PZQZW74JJJ709KKDC3/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Lingering Gardens of Suzhou Inside one of the buildings was a magnificent wood carving doorway. Hard to believe that during the Sino-japanese war this place was used as a horse breeding facility. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462846777246-E6ORB8AUHT66P6PKSYCB/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Lingering Gardens of Suzhou These octogonal windows were a favorite for portraits amongst the tourists. I have to admit they do make a nice setting. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/5/10/suzhou monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462812058305-KSONMR4ZVP9ABGL9XFZU/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou Fish saleswoman argues with customer as she bags his purchase. In front of the shop several tanks with live (and some not so much) animals are for sale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462812215134-FZ3Z76A62OQAO5HPA5RW/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou Around another corner is one more chicken saleswoman. In the back are the tanks full of boiling water to dip the animals to facilitate feather plucking.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462812725064-ICSK1FE5PKWDLHOTPQ2C/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou ... and this couple, which was very well prepared for napping, but not so much for customer service.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462811963438-D6J112UTQACZMTYYRALE/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou A bucket used to drain the blood of birds sits on a crate beside several dead chicken and a cage of doves. A few ducks, that have their legs tied, wait still on the ground, as if they thought that if they were quiet the woman wouldn't notice them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462812099533-Q65NNX0187QUBSXFB2XG/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou Beside the entrance to the ancient city walls (that apparently were rebuilt only about two years ago), a man reads the paper during a break from work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462812256313-UG9PCOOEER7ZD7DZNQAL/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou Further down the road a woman, who also had live eels, would fry the animals and sell them ready for consumption.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462812553892-IY3AP683AQQ40AWON1Q3/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou The small longtangs surrounding Shantang Street are full of markets selling live animals. This man sells live eels by the pound. Customers pick the moving animals from a crate, then the vendor weighs, slaughters and cleans the animal, to then put them in a bloody plastic bag and hand them to the buyer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462811914760-ENV08K1XUWFC50ZPBIYV/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou Woman throws a duck in a pot of boiling water to then pluck its feathers. She just killed the animal with a pair of scissors and drained its blood in a longtang in Suzhou. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462812148689-KQETVWHH1JA0DFC4H900/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou Man urinates in a corner in plain view of a huge avenue. Unfortunately, this is more common than I would like. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1462812294081-3NH9XF275ZFXF0DCRM8V/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - People and blood in the streets of Suzhou After lunch it is very common to see salespeople taking a nap, like this vendor... https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/4/24/ruins-of-the-old-summer-palace monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461434064719-RB91PQ567JZZLV8MREP1/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace This pavilion and arch are two of the very few structures that remain standing in the site of the Summer Palace. Although very beautiful, the current Summer Palace is a lot smaller than this one and, they say, less beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461434358106-OYUV4XKHOPFB3PVWG2CG/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace This lion seemed authentic. I'm no specialist, but after all I've seen in China with its repairs, I'm skeptical of everything. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461435123026-5G6YH6IDSAR04ZS7S3X3/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace In the winter, although super cold and windy, there aren't many people and it's well worth the visit. In the summer, it's packed and might not be as pleasant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461433645767-G9OC1JOTNOOPJ0M9L6AG/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace On a hot spring day last week, a tourist looks at ruins that have been stacked up in a seemingly random fashion. It's like a modern day Stonehenge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461434028401-MLRNVTHXEX18L1O30TXI/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace In one corner of the park there is a maze, which I believe is modern. I like mazes. I saw several people just jump over the little walls. I swear I figured it out myself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461433779827-IATE6UTSERU2JTA7GXZG/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace In China, it's very common to see people, specially women, with umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461434951456-LPWV37AGIIKHOHT5XGRW/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace The column standing in the back is one of the items I suspect of its veracity. The engravings look so fresh to be that old and gone through so much. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461435271845-Z3C3GW0B5C23W49XR3AQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace The gardens have been more or less restored to the same layout as they were and some of the rubble piled up in an orderly fashion. This picture is from 2015. This year, a boardwalk is being constructed for people to walk on and probably only view the ruins from a distance.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461435070569-QI1FGA4K9IAMFG9O9CSO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace Students walk over the ruins of one of the European style buildings. These stones seemed like marble to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461433596361-8UFH8HMGAEU7HR0NDVCI/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace The so-called "European-style palace" was an exotic building with its columns and round shapes, very different from the traditional local architecture. These are the most famous ruins of this site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461434317608-M749OZOKYR8ZQC2YX3AU/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace I found it very interesting that visitors were allowed to walk over the ruins, something unthinkable in Italy or Greece these days.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461434135865-4PPKSYZROAMSHNQWNUYQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace Several man-made lakes decorate the gardens of the palace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461433923624-GSY04SL0XILS701D4E06/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Ruins of the Old Summer Palace At the center of the maze, there is a beautiful gazebo with a bit of shade for you to rest before trying to find your way out. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/4/20/the-dongyue-temple-of-hell monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461163049899-5K1LNBFWR52X4UM42H2D/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" "Department of Halting Destruction of Living Beings - administers punishment for any act of harming living beings. (...) Upholding human value and protecting living beings form an important aspect of China's traditional morality" - says the sign beside this statue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461161531044-XCS2SHJML1IMKHS9TPL0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" In the entrance of many temples and palaces in China, there is an elevation. Legend says this is to keep spirits from coming in. It also works with toddlers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461162543842-8OGLKRA5M4D7DP38Z0XT/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" In the back of every single room there was what I believe is a Daoist Priest, looking over this big bureaucratic underworld. All rooms were dark, damp and humid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461165171105-64JVXHL7IJH012W4KOIL/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" A group of Daoist priests were there practicing their instruments. I do have video and will edit and post them some time in the future. I think it was the first time they ever picked up an instrument... or they were actually supposed so sound like they were in hell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461165445241-GA3NMABJ3J0K6I61NUPC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" On the other side of a busy street in front of the temple is a large gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461162349437-R9CJFJMPL05PDO1QG5EK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" This department was of Nature's Creatures. On the left you see a ghost with a twig on his head. Now imagine him talking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461163827843-3Y7A4WHVN7ZWW50A4Q5B/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" Durham, NC, fairly represented at the Dongyue Temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461161650598-8B0052HW9H6CNLX0X7UI/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" School kids go on a field trip to see statues of demons killing humans and other scary stuff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461161336571-7KKAB0NCQIAHUHAI4DU2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" The school kids could care less about the statues. All they wanted to do was run around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461165844319-EOU1VMU226AIZW9VK5SM/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" New and old contrast in today's Beijing. A Walmart is just across the street and about 3 Starbucks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461161961172-29WDBRI3L9NPHYXYM0XY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" There were 76 "departments" of all sorts of sins, and then some others dedicated to paperwork, such as the "Department of Filing Forms" and the "Department of Distribution of Medication". This was the "Department of Suicides". https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461163173928-TJ8NKDUWMGREKNSA4BJM/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" The departments are small rooms full of statues. The temple has been in this place since 1319. Apparently these statues are from 2002. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461164316859-6Z163YGOFGHBBNADJBVD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" And tonight when you go to sleep, remember this face. He'll take you to the other side. MUAHAHA *Vincent Price's evil laugh from Thriller* https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461167348599-HK8JD4WB21CZL3GNI9M0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" Some people come to worship these gods and ask for their help. They go door to door with incense and bow to the statues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461161777938-22YPUGAMA999Y069KJIT/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" Shy little girl walked past in silence. I wonder if she had a good night's sleep after this visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1461162142292-JN98IAVYVA8VMZ38YCUQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Dongyue "Temple of Hell" I call this one "Donnie Darko". Didn't know he was a Daoist god. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/4/11/yu-gardens monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460304064311-1OWXJ2Z4X2YLWN711DWL/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai Right in front of the Starbucks, hundreds of tourists wander like ants and one little boy keeps trying to launch himself into the water while his mom incessantly held him down.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460304641167-WXT2ACXLXOOEJMKOCE64/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai Girl cries sitting on a bridge while a friend talks to her as the sound of water from the artificial lake below hides from the dozens of tourists walking by whatever they were saying. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460305205705-G0W30JB3PFXP93O5BUJ1/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai Woman rests and watches the fish swim across the bridge where that other girl was crying.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460305135653-PODAI60FEO6WGRW9YTSF/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai Man checks his phone beside the famous round arch of the garden. You can also see several others checking their phones through the doorway.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460304307850-769AM2DXME5KZFQKIWRC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460304865116-13F29O632GYDUBRODUTU/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai This part of the park is one of the most popular, with people wanting their picture taken framed by the windows.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460305493069-FB70J77JANOH6W3OUMD6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai Starbucks, McDonald's, Dairy Queen, all the ancient Chinese restaurants are right around the corner from the gardens.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460305239857-L49XESPHDSDM62U0S38E/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai The second tallest building in the world, the Shanghai Tower, rises over the city with its 632 meters in a beautiful contrast between new and old. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460304993392-ZMDDK1PTA3CP1YFM0AQQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai This, to me, is the standard old Chinese lady. The type of clothes, hair style and even the way she walks is so descriptive of the seniors I've seen and at the same time to unique to China.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460304219772-RQT9P63SX740SLWK0FPD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai Pan Yunduan had the gardens built for his parents, but had to leave for Sichuan for 20 years before actually starting the project. Unfortunately, they passed away only a few years after it was done. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460305328243-J1LFQ217TCJ1CAO3Q8O4/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai One of the cool things of this garden are the old pieces of furniture. I felt that the tables can be a bit uncomfortable since my knees kept banging on that horizontal bar on the bottom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460304139822-S4AZSDMPM0WPRHOK6XUT/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai A little further back, another group of tourists poses for pictures with the Starbucks and the suicidal kid from the previous pictures.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460305432601-CCJI9QW3I84FEX0CS67Q/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Yu Yuan, the happiness gardens of Shanghai Outside the garden is a huge market. A group of kids was running around and playing. This boy was blowing into his little flower windmill and his friend was from the house of Hufflepuff. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/4/8/the-ancient-town-of-qibao monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460045304729-DAG2MCR9DW33UXST9OL4/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient town of Qibao Some people still live in the ancient houses in the town. Qibao is also known to be the place where Zhang Chongren, the artist who inspired Chang Chong-Chen, character of the Adventures of Tintin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460045160939-YWS35RIAMLE0UNSBXYUK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient town of Qibao The Puhui river cuts the small town in half and is a big part of the attraction. Restaurants and teahouses are along the margins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460044699338-AVMU3HMUSTHG2S4BZW8B/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient town of Qibao The roofs of the buildings are unique to this region and distinct from those in Beijing and Xi'an. It's amazing you can tell apart each region by the architecture of the roofs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460045241000-O7WZJ8HN61MD845L8H22/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient town of Qibao https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460044722958-TMX9WHKRFJE6P64CQ6GK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient town of Qibao Little girl struggles to eat a squid tentacle. Street food is one of the main attractions in Qibao. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460045204131-DMO6IL437MA0UPE6PQPY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient town of Qibao Differently from the Beijing hutongs, the small alleys in the ancient Shanghai area are two stories tall. Today, this street in Qibao is full of shops selling souvenirs and food to tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1460045346120-4CLU7EEV7FXQBB8MOMQ1/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient town of Qibao One interesting xiaochi (snack) I had never seen are these eggs. There are hundreds of quail eggs piled up with some goose eggs in the middle and then cemented together with some kind of sugar or salt. They then heat it up from the bottom to cook it and break it open from the side and sell the individual eggs. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/3/5/the-marco-polo-bridge monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1459347310621-69CHPO4WDOZ69FBT1LX6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Japanese troops celebrate victory at the Lugou Bridge in 1937 (World War II Database) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457107742681-D6PDIHBGYWJV2RF3BJIO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Inside Wanping fortress today are many shops, restaurants and museums dedicated to the Sino-Japanese war, called the "Anti-Japanese war" by the Chinese. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457108093331-TL330T502E1D6NQ19MGP/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Newer statue of a female lion with its cubs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457107888521-4TZAEMJT1CWI74ARF6NH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII In the central part of the bridge are stones from the old bridge, worn out by time. In the back, Wanping fortress gate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457108203232-JP67Z287NKR3AX8FZ1WF/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Same spot from the previous photo, taken in 2016. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457107649827-WR47NH6IFN12ZZ4CRDNA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII It was a very cold winter morning that day. At 8 am a group of senior citizens danced to a song outside Wanping fortress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1459266725856-CB20XU3FABAUHLINL4S4/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Undated ancient painting of the bridge. You can see that the structure is arched, unlike today's completely flat surface. China.org.cn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457108058756-A9VGKT1OFQJ75G5U1RU8/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Another female statues that seems very recent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457108241720-0S7XF9YRJUZTTTC3SN2S/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Is this one lion looking to the left with a super wide face or are they two lions head to head? This statue is one of the first you see when you walk on the bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457107585554-AJ3PYC5XYJJOZQ7IL2IV/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Old lady stretches for her morning exercise outside the Wanping fortress. Battle marks are clearly seen on the wall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457107840102-FXE68J80E3HO1TP4F587/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457107949775-UHWWVKPXGKGIUJXQNGZZ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457108365695-498PZT3N2NX0BQLDROD5/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII In recent years the bridge has been restored and new stone bricks were laid. Now there is a parallel new bridge for heavy traffic and this one was retired and is used only by pedestrians, bicycles and electric bikes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457108030385-JY3S1DGNBKNN5V4FMLV9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Pretty old statue of a male lion. You can see it's very worn out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457108444685-SJF8SW02LPY682J6TY1R/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII Here you can already see some of the ancient stones and the old wheel marks of worn out pavement of the Marco Polo Bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457108323496-YKHE2007F33QLB7WM4AX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Marco Polo Bridge and the start of WWII The Wanping fortress' gate leads directly to the Marco Polo Bridge. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/2/25/terra-cota-warriors monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456414009671-69IHG67YKCLWR9GTJ7W9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China The statues were displayed in corridors and facing several ways. They were also all in full color originally, but that has faded away as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456414129265-WJMGHWS1MIPFASX89BFP/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China Still pit #1. I wish I could have gone and seen them more up close. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456413368348-FZYH902PTWNGNRYA27K6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China There are different levels of restoration along the pit. These here are waiting for their heads. I wonder how they know if they have the right head on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456417595214-1KT3QM5W055LEG27Q7N6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China In the front, the soldiers in the pits and right behind them is that section where the restoration takes place. The tourists walk around and see everything from above. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456412976618-HU21ZWYFARLT83ZST53E/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China This guy is my favorite. He is cartoon-like. Small head, long arms, big torso. Funny dude. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456414543314-VBDPWRIAQ5DL6U7N6CE2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456415554203-TRRPCECDHCRK1SLSGSVS/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China Pit #2 still has almost no restored statues and looks like this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456414291003-QF3BO7T3AAGTR2A1BZ3X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456414660728-IQZACCZL8MNPJP9OIEB2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China Then there were also the lower level soldiers with no armor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456414995969-X90S3C1266LEN9WD3XA5/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China The wheel is actually not there anymore. The wood disintegrated with time and it's print was preserved in the clay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456417654886-DA7YRI4J2K2HP47199ZD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China Every single one of them has a different head. Some say they were actually modeled after people of the time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456413072354-I9WRLGVNFFNNN3OZC7WZ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China The day I went no one was working, but usually people are carrying out the restoration works right there in front of the tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456417504258-ICZ4GFUHU8KQN2Z25V19/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456413187171-PYOY8OMFY43S5M1WAIQ9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456417959355-FIF7AXIWOLJLQCW8IIQ7/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456413807502-3W9TU4OZWT5UT1VUFHN2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China Further back in the pit, several statues still lay waiting to be excavated and restored. Actually, I think it's really cool the way it is. Once they are finished putting all the statues together some of the magic might be gone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456413684325-4DVSU2ZTHCDUD8NLY1PS/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China Here in the back you already see some almost-completed statues, with the gaps of missing pieces filled in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456418025247-ETI64I2BR4JZA9V2EYPE/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China This pit holds mostly cavalry and infantry units, as well as war chariots. It's supposed to be the military guard, they think. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456415666438-HEXMRUTV5MY017XL60X5/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China They dug up the corridors and statues, but haven't put all the soldiers and all the emperor's men back together again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456413495794-602SUO0MUKF7GIY5IDEH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456414386818-A35RPU49QOQSM0YVNXUO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The ancient Terracota Army of the first emperor of China The guys upfront, I believe, were middle level soldiers, with the armor and all. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/3/5/small-goose-pagoda monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457109954355-ZZQDWSVEXSMX3PTDHUC2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Small Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110031500-I28MWSDMTTUO9OG47HYP/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Small Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 At the foot of the pagoda was a bell, where people would pay 5 yuan to strike it 3 times and wish for good fortune. It is a copy of the original built in 1192 in the Jianfu temple, used every morning to pray for happiness in the Qing Dynasty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457109990591-1Y0SFV1ZTF7CL025IGD8/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Small Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 Several temple buildings surround the pagoda, where children were playing on that cold winter afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110195613-2Q30KYZ82YX5EHPIHSJB/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Small Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 This is the view from the top. The pagoda is located outside the old city walls, surrounded by modern Xi'an, inside a park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110389231-P4HVOI9WANSSPP7UOHG8/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Small Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 And my absolute favorite statue: "the Bishop eats a popsicle", or "The Pope texting". https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110099899-BRX3IRTV7NQD7GEQBJUK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Small Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 This is the 11th floor, and also the 10th. As you can see, the definition of story is based on the number of windows and not on the number of *floors*. The division between these two numbers was a wooden modern stairway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110244096-UEW8X5PL1VUIIXAA4O18/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Small Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 I call this one "come fight with papa smurf". This is a depiction of a foreigner from ancient China. "The non-asian have big noses, small faces and beards", says a friend of mine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110281387-1GZX5NSRXRZ55MY06ERT/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Small Goose Pagoda 小雁塔 I named this one "A midget with a toupé on a camel" https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/3/5/xian-city-walls monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110542958-LOFFJY6EAXYC2IS3TVZS/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Xi'an City Walls Every 200 years or so the wall went through a major refurbishing, the most recent one being in 1983. Basically what you see is more or less how it used to be in old times, but completely rebuilt in the modern days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110620183-493VNTKRKKD8WNOGL55I/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Xi'an City Walls The walls encompass an area of 36 square kilometers (you calculate the perimeter) so it takes quite a while to go around the whole thing. In certain spots you can rent bikes if you want to speed through. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110656048-K3UTUZ38POBKC016CMZR/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Xi'an City Walls Senior couple poses for a photo in front ot the east gate barbican. If the enemy entered the first gate, they would be trapped and surrounded by the wall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110732219-1G6O78DT0VH7C6BJ6W5F/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Xi'an City Walls This is a view of the inside part of the wall so you can see how big it is. Up on the wall are the lanterns I was describing in the first photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110585639-TYF9R46NP8939X2GL373/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Xi'an City Walls During spring festival, when I went, the top of the wall had dozens of intricate lanterns, divided into groups representing several countries around the world. They would light up at night, forming a beautiful constellation of lights. This kid was blowing soap bubbles and running around through the lanterns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110766743-BWIE3P61PC8A9KEH3RWQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Xi'an City Walls You can see a little Buddha in the "window" of the pagoda. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110698638-53RZD7DNLRYW06G03AQR/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Xi'an City Walls The omnipresent Bell Tower of Xi'an as seen from the wall. It seems like everywhere you looked, there it was. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/3/5/wolong-temple- monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457111320490-6YOMAZ8OEVAFI2USBDK8/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wolong Temple 卧龙寺 Giant golden statue greets us as we walk inside. I wasn't able to identify what this statue represents. If anyone can help me out with Buddhist symbols, please leave a comment. There are so many different characters that I'd like to know. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457111556690-QKMDUVXOI0U9PNJE7AQW/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wolong Temple 卧龙寺 Man lights incense sticks before praying in front of a Buddha statue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457111510674-UQ0MEK5FZIKVV52OYG0L/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wolong Temple 卧龙寺 Inside there is a courtyard with buildings on the sides, each with worship places and statues. In the center a place to light candles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457111442979-16S550SEFT4VC5RMX6UO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wolong Temple 卧龙寺 To the right, a bell-like structure and to the left the thing to bang it with. You can see 卧龙寺 (Wolong Temple) written on the "bell" (I don't know how else to call this). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457111609614-CUYRLT04I09MEY1TRBZ4/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Wolong Temple 卧龙寺 One of the first statues you see when you walk in is this giant golden Buddha and a green warrior (which reminds me of Blanka, no offense). I need to find out who these statues represent. Please comment if you know! https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/2/25/giant-goose-pagoda monthly 0.5 2025-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456451815164-X2XZ1F448DZORLFUNHCG/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 The temple was specially busy on the first days of the Lunar New Year. Worshipers light incense and say their prayers facing a big Buddha statue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456452222096-0UZ2J1CG48ED85I0B8QG/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 On a polluted day, this is what it looks like from one of the mid-section windows. In case you are wondering, yes, I went there more than once, that's why the pictures have both blue and gray skies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456451972641-H8S5LS447124SBOUX6QY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 Originally, the area of the temple was three times as big as it is now. In the thousand years it's been here it has survived several dynasties and changes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456451920138-BI2FDBU8YFN40NDQIIH2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 At the bottom is the Da Ci'en Temple 大慈恩寺, said to be the "most splendid" temple in ancient Chang'an, how Xi'an was called when it was the great capital of the Chinese Empire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457110463718-U9ZOZTAQDQDN9XPO3564/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 You can pay and climb all the way to the top. Some relics are still on display. For obvious safety reasons the number of people inside is limited. For China reasons, that number is way more that it should be. Going up was insane. Stairs packed of people barely giving space for one to pass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457109428388-J6ASLF0FXHZCM4X4CPY6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 You can tell in which dynasty a building was made by the roof. The Tang dynasty architecture had those horn-like structures on top. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457109252782-EJOPOZY3GO85STHDPSHM/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 Standing 64m tall and with a history of almost 1000 years, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is an unmissable historical spot in Xi'an. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456411421729-HJJT971EQWI0K8L8D3WE/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Giant Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔 Apparently, the pagoda is crooked to the west several degrees, kind of like the leaning tower of Pisa. I read about this later and personally did not notice it. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/3/3/museum monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018267762-T1EBXA4GT8O88UDIZA1E/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum Getting close to any exhibit was a challenge. Dozens of people competed for the same spot and in a very unordely fashion. There was no line, just chaos.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018409031-ARHEPGOUORBYKJC6G6CO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum I wasn't the only one tired by then. This little girl was taking a nap in the paintings room.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018221329-O1J9B8KO8PUVKFGOFLCA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum The place was packed. It was hard to even see the exhibits. Here, kids and adults pile themselves on a replica of a tomb.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018359098-98QD8WU8KVLMRJQ2S2CY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum A selection of the famous terra-cotta warriors are one of the most prized exhibits in the museum. Competition for a picture at this spot was fierce. Only the strongest survived. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018627517-HWU5BGW49ST4GHYXWJYA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum The museum is free to visit, and only a certain number of tickets are given out each day. A guard would stand in line with a sign marking that after that point, no more tickets would be distributed. People would still line up and wait, I have no idea why. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018327541-NBPH671TRKP5LC98H3DZ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum If you think most people wanted to actually see these relics, you are mistaken. All they want are pictures of the items. Some would take pics of every single object on display. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018075739-J16WMRDV39VVH8IYYSUW/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum On Lunar New Year's day, someone flies a kite into infinity in front of the museum.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018540670-AQ83NRQ5E1HSQX6V90UG/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum A huge mass of people waits to get in the Shaanxi History Museum. In the back, people waiting to get a ticket, in the foreground, to get in the museum.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018591613-YZKJXE5H1F5327TZ10AR/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum Man cleans scabs and dandruff from his head while he waits for a ticket to the museum. That was gross so I had to point it out. The average waiting time in line was about 2 and a half hours. Giving out the tickets was quick, but then they would close the ticket counter for 30 minutes or so and leave people waiting.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018161011-5VKNR600IICDGM6VTB4F/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum Cutting line was endemic. So many people just not caring and walking in front of others. This lady got higher to call her friends that stayed behind.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1457018443323-7MCL4HTQE6CI0A64JGQ7/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Shaanxi History Museum This room, which is used for selling local artist's work, also functions as a rest area. Grandpa there wasn't snoring too loud.  https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/2/25/forest-of-stone-steles-museum monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456411739107-IFV69T01CALUS0UUTJSE/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum In the entrance of the museum, to the right, the original Bell of the Bell Tower is on display. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456411938017-2BRSILU8BHWX64TCH91P/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum For those who can't read Chinese, it starts getting repetitive looking at so many stones, but for those who can, it's a treasure. In room six there are steles with the calligraphy of emperors Kangxi and Lin Zexu themselves. As I don't read Chinese, I'm not sure which text this picture is from, but it is from that same room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456411840560-76JGAYK9X6EQ6LJPVNRS/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum Some tablets are over one thousand years old, but that does not stop about every tourist from touching them. In room number five, the tablets from the Qing dynasty lay on the backs of Bixi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456412487881-LEIXCI4QE9PWEKLGLSET/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum Walking through the several buildings of the museum you get to a garden with about 70 stones used in tombs from the Han and Tang dynasties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456411598081-W94A9XJ5UHP1QPV03E1X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456412079635-W1B8QQOO97NBXNUKFBCO/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum Not only writing was done on the stone tablets, many actually were adorned with very detailed drawings. It's interesting to note that these stones can serve as a model to make reproductions of the art. The Chinese did after all invent the printing press years before Gutenberg. They just roll paint on the stone and put a sheet of paper on it. The ink goes through the paper, so it's not really a stamp (so it's not backwards). You can buy copies here in this room, number five, for fairly cheap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456412223167-0DBY5RMHCMU9ZH07Y9BA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum When you walk in the museum, one of the first things you see is the stone horse of Daxia State, a small minority state from the year 407. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456412364796-16KYNIG83HRKREA3XW4G/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum It's a perfect place to play catch. It's actually pretty cool, because it's more or less like a maze without the walls. As long as you don't bump into anything, that is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456412576803-XC7DOXS3A1B8O3LLOSA1/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum Right next to the gravestones, where another group of sculptures that are more religious in nature. Honestly, they seemed all the same to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456412720031-OL8N6CIPD13C0BRS5DBP/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Forest of Stone Steles Museum On the way back I walked past the horse again. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/2/21/drum-and-bell-towers monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456070448028-S5SSUJZUPKGUDMJMXD7E/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers At night the Drum (in the back, on the left) and Bell towers light up. Surrounded by shopping malls and restaurants, the area is very popular amongst tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456070056934-4HL6U15O3W0T0UY1FNQB/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers Drum tower of Xi'an, built in 1380, during the empire of Hongwu, Ming Dynasty. The Bell tower can be seen in the back, to the right, behind the trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456070354445-JU6V6BYVGSCZ69LOH6B9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers The Bell tower marks the exact center of the city and was originally built in front of the Drum Tower, just like Beijing. But the city grew and the center of the town changed, so in 1582 the tower was relocated 1000 meters to the east (seems like 500, though. Did they move the Drum Tower too?), where it lays today. It is said that everything except for the base is original. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456071341000-FV75BAU30TLVU9K50LIY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers Last photo of the post. Can you tell already which tower this is? I've told you a thousand times! They kinda look the same, don't they? Well, this is the Bell Tower. No, wait. Yeah, that's right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456070776956-PCI2K2MP2HDXAX2Q34NC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers The bell was used to tell time and to warn citizens of an incoming attack. Now it's just used sometimes ritualistically and more recently for selfies, of course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456071297729-42N867RMPK6NW05V49L1/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers Right above a Starbucks and beside the Häagen Dazs place, is where I took this picture. To the right, a very popular dumpling restaurant, which to be honest, I didn't enjoy them that much. I've had tons of dumplings in China and I like them. Not these, though. To the left, the Drum Tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456071384084-ZJ09GIDDXSJWNW4AEOMY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers This is the museum on the third floor of the Drum Tower. It has these huge drums (not the record breaking one, that one is downstairs) and several rooms with furniture of centuries past. I thought it was really nice because most places I've been in China, such as the Forbidden City, are mostly empty and we don't have an idea of how people lived. This was a nice example. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456070679234-5K2ZDFKOS8X7RREZCLIB/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers The drum tower as seen from the bell tower. That's how far they moved the building. That other construction to the right of the drum tower is a mall with several restaurants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456071232305-R9TT9ZTQAV81C25K8XTH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers At the bottom of the Drum Tower there is a MacDonald's (seriously, it's right there on the left of this pic). When you get to the MacDonald's, look left and you'll see this: the Bell Tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456070532712-8TODSMMCWGI9VVCLZ4EN/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers You've seen the tower in the previous photos, here is the bell. This is NOT the original, which is at the Forest of Stone Steles Museum (went there! It will be my next post). This bell weighs "only" 5 tons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1456070915502-7WTN97LKI1GJQZ3RWF1A/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Landmarks of Xi'an, the Drum and Bell Towers Boy looks down from the third floor of the Drum Tower. If you were wondering if the red lanterns are a seasonal decoration for the Chinese New Year, I can assure you that they are not. Even if you visit Xi'an during the summer months, you will be able to take a picture of the tower decorated with dozens of beautiful lanterns. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/2/20/spring-festival-the-chinese-new-year monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455899031115-53NE5STJSW705NCDUTG0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Burning "money" during Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year View from the other side of the walls, outside. Now there is a sort of park with a pathway and trees that surrounds the wall, and then the moat. All this was reconstructed in the 90's and 00's, I believe. It's not exactly original, but it's supposed to look just like it did centuries ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455898581164-4LO179CINTN44UJ6BUPB/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Burning "money" during Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year Right at the bottom of the east side of the old city walls, an old man burns tons of paper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455898403256-6NQKZRNKYFBC943AFM73/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Burning "money" during Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year On New Year's Eve, it's a tradition to burn fake money in honor of dead loved ones. Basically, instead of burning real money, you trade it for a larger volume of fake money, just so it lasts longer. As you can see on the ground, they draw a circle with an opening on one side and put the paper to burn in there. I noticed that no opening was ever facing another. I'm sure there is a meaning to it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455898750962-TLDQLBIAC2BSBKUQSTP2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Burning "money" during Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year This little girl was very scared of the fire. Her grandmother would tell her to throw the money in but at first she wouldn't. After a few tears, she gathered the courage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455898659129-QAXKQ205PSE2SW8NPB69/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Burning "money" during Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year These here were just a few meters past the old man in the previous picture. In the back you can see the guard towers of the old city walls. Obviously, in the old days, when the walls were used for protection, the towers weren't as bright and colorful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455899139572-CPSKF0PEBJ3KCCDW3TFA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Burning "money" during Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455898237191-HUDG591RXUM8UC5NLEDH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Burning "money" during Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year Boys outside a restaurant throw firecrackers in the street, adding to the incessant noise and overwhelming smell of burnt gunpowder. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/2/16/a-muslim-street-in-the-ancient-capital-of-china-xian monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554697339-YN6ON1M8WI2H2PPP7M4I/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Stomach, intestines, an organ I have not identified and livers are organized for sale. People would just come up, point at what they want, it would be weighed and sold. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554441240-B6BUSEIMWNI5BD2T9F2N/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an At one end of the Muslim Quarter, a homeless man rests on the walls of a monument. There were a lot of homeless people in Xi'an, way more than Beijing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455555706888-9D1N60IBL07863N0547U/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an I call this guy birdman. It's a well known fact that in China people like to rest by crouching. Why this man decided to crouch on top of a post, I don't know. Doesn't seem comfortable to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554666840-MLCD9FANS9AVOJYAB8HQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Butcher cleans up cow stomachs which will be later used in stews and sold on the street. The smell in this area was stomach turning. It was a mixture of smoke from the nearby skewer barbecue stands, oil from the nearby fry *insert animal part* stands and, well, dead animals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554818856-CI2C1CPANIBAESFNQ7JZ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an In the Muslim Quarter there are several Mosques such as this one here, some several centuries old. If you don't look up you might just miss them. The entrance is through an alley right there hidden in between all the food stands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554142489-OMUGBINTCJK4GC341WHC/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Everywhere you can get this type of bread in the area. Sorry, I didn't catch what it is called. They make it in a spherical oven. They beat the dough and then stick it inside the oven walls. When it's done they pull it out with those huge tweezers and sell it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455555895249-F4HIUD2EJZVH2HVKHXIE/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an I have no idea what this food is, but he would put it on a cloth and cook it with the steam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554773866-8TSQCXX0OI6O2WKOWS4F/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Even with the cold temperatures, the streets in the Muslim Quarter were packed with people that go there basically to get something to eat. It's open all day and closes like 2 or 3am! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455555926748-2VRFQ3S2S7MTKZPKWOSK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an An animal (sheep I hope (?!)) is skinned and butchered right beside the skewer stand it will later be barbecued and sold. Even for the Chinese this was at least a bit unusual. Many would stop and pose with the carcass for a selfie (hey, look! It's me and a headless sheep! so a-we-so-me!) or at least stare for a while. I bet if you did this in the US or Europe you'd be arrested. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554516190-EF066AQ3PIOU096JOL0Q/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Along the streets in the corner it's very common to see animals butchered and their meat and organs sold. Many stores prepared food so they are halal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455556043054-7RM7CPS3RIGQXUEVMYQA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Recently butchered cow livers lie on the counter waiting to be purchased. Hygiene is not a strong feature in parts of town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455555772566-G1J25NLP5W5O04YPLTV8/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an The candy puller hooks the candy and twists it, the pulls and stretches it and then restarts the process. Frequently the candy hits the floor, but nobody cares. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554050576-A44QWQYRD0Y8DE1G4KPF/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455555991593-Q5X40DPDM79AF7HS6MKR/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Traffic on the streets was crazy. There were dozens of food stands, hundreds of vehicles and thousands of people competing for the same physical space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554108989-0GJSAUO9R9GTLYBBIKCV/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Several stores make candy on the streets where candy makers pull the sweet hanging from a hook making a popular attraction for tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1455554583716-LH7Y8BI6LPLCAI17OIPP/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A Muslim Quarter in the ancient capital of China, Xi'an Here you have goat feet and knees for sale, considered a delicacy in China. It's quite normal here to eat tendons and the bony bits of an animal. I'm not a big fan of either. I've had a soup-like thing with beef tendon, that is this gooey transparent jelly that tastes like nothing. In China a lot of the taste of the meat comes from the sauce and spices. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/1/31/pagoda-of-the-old-man-wansong- monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454243910952-EO6CJE2N0WVTN8BF5DTQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Pagoda of the Old Man Wansong 万松老人塔 https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/1/29/five-pagoda-temple- monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454078580009-8878WPL5HW1PXQQS5XIM/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 After running around in a maze made of bushes in the back, kids take a break doing calligraphy with sand over blocks of stone.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454077857139-H40EEO94RG2AMRHGM2I7/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454077991108-S8KLBOW50YQH8GDIEQ1D/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 The grounds where the temple once stood have been turned into the Beijing Art Museum of Stone Carvings. Many statues and tombstones are on display on both sides of the temple.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454078465033-ZQ977UYL2YKDM8O7LUQ1/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 "Here lies Jean Baptista Lebou...", reads the engraving in Latin of this tombstone. Most of the stones I saw were of priests with French sounding names, I could only assume they were from France. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454078030897-IFVARJ298PECSNBZXW4H/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 From this angle you can actually see the tip of four pagodas. On the top there is a pair of footprints engraved in the marble that represent the spreading of Buddhism around the globe. Access to that area is currently closed to tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454078387949-D4JN9WJOAGSE5KZIO0EB/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 The outer walls are engraved with images of Buddha. The original white marble has turned to black in the past centuries due to oxidation of some of its metal components. It's fairly easy to spot what I suspect are "new" sculpters from recent renovations, such as one on the top left corner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454077954923-696TB761BE71V71XB9L6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 On the right side of the temple many gravestones of catholic priests stand with inscriptions in both Latin and Chinese. I assume that these are reminiscent of the Zhalan Cemetery that was close by and was destroyed during the Boxers Rebellion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454078497657-BS3TRB9GO9EIVWB8B9U9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 A common sculpture I've seen throughout China is of this turtle carrying a slab on their back. Update: the turtle is not a turtle, it is a 赑屃 (bìxì) and is the son of a dragon. (Thanks, Vance!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454078633333-OQ81SSTWQPPNMA5Z1ZJJ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 Inside the temple there were 4 statues of Buddhas, one on each side of a center block. The space is very small, only a corridor you can walk around all the way back to the front door. Unlike many attractions in China, this place had a lot more information in English. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454077901818-73M03XQYLSVRCDNO3GSK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 The temple has five pagodas on the top, associated to each of the five Dhyani Buddhas. In the front, with the green tiles, is a Chinese style construction, adding to the uniqueness of this building. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1454078541463-U1CF9K8FSRE3E2OV7HB3/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Five Pagoda Temple 五塔寺 Behind the temple there is a museum with activities for children. Here a child inscribes in sand the word stone (石 ). https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/1/24/a-cold-day-at-the-xiang-shui-hu-great-wall monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651661574-XLKQEMIQQ3NPDOOJENNU/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651001453-YBHJUQNYI44J1JXGAQ0X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall This is one of the guard posts in the wall. This portion is pretty new and well kept.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651602533-JJD8083BIY5BYEVFXI45/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651236132-NZUGORAA3LJQ95FBFA2Y/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall The sun started to appear and the temperature rose a bit, but not enough.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651425451-UNXWVPL6MC95WX5P5UT5/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651144584-859AOXIMWD08NCTRPNRA/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall Ruins of another guard post can be seen a little bit further up the wall.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651321992-92SFNVCRT8HW0MMBZT24/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453650847602-QJ21372OUXIIGDM6G368/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall Frozen lake a few miles before the Xiang Shui Hu 响水湖 Great Wall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453650929165-8F7031IFI87J186EOQDS/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall A little bit of snow was on the ground, but I wished it was all white.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651068816-U9OB361B4OAY8DLLRSRM/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall Several signs along the wall said "dangerous, don't go further than here", which made me think why they had one after the other.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453651708567-NZFF2CY3669FAMIXC53L/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A cold day at the Xiang Shui Hu Great Wall https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/1/17/tianning-temple-a-thousand-year-old-treasure monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453030583446-46OMGVZOQGVN10CPDS1D/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure After lighting the incense, a woman bows facing the pagoda and prays before kneeling and bowing several more times, then heads to walk around the building. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453030420940-XFXP7GF3JSMU0GWG9R53/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure Over the door, a statue of a Bodhisattvas survived. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453030673720-4GJS7JIM13SVQ72Z6WEI/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure Near the entrance, there is a blocked out stair way to the underground. I wonder where that takes to. One day I will come back and have a better chat with the nuns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453029776668-J2ZICRFVX7SG6V733NAD/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure Like many ancient and historical structures in Beijing, if you didn't know it was there, you'd miss it. The pagoda is right in the middle of a residential area and is not a very famous tourist spot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453030354243-OWPWP9BDUWBOGPEDRGY4/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure I observed many people would walk around the pagoda clockwise, while praying. Several would just walk while whispering, some would stop in front of each door and bow, and others would just be quiet in their worship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453029983052-UXMLQL1F1UGRT92HKF1R/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure The statues on the sides of the temple, although severely damaged, are believed to be original, having survived the great Tangshan earthquake of 1974 and the Cultural Revolution, when most relics of this and other temples around China were destroyed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453030531963-S1HKOV2YTVX1DD1OS66X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure Three layers of huge lotus petals carved on the pedestal support the first storey of the pagoda. On four sides of the first storey, facing the four directions, there are relief sculptures of heavenly guardians and arched gates. Above are thirteen levels of eaves, very close together, with no doors or windows. It is a typical pagoda of the Liao and Kin period. (text from china.org.cn) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453030752003-R248PYPSL3EQ8N4GNQBQ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453030287292-1LXN897XBIE9URM9TN0F/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure In front of the pagoda, you can buy incense and light it as part of your worship. This one cost 15 yuan, but there are some for 25 and 35. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453030117814-UIZ0B6QB34R2CXURXVWJ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453029688511-ZUBFE0J3MT6TPYWA96WS/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453029856343-8ESGCWL6LIG8GTTSIBCY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure After walking around the pagoda several times, this woman bowed a few times and finished her worship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1453029413516-LSCB56JD8GORZKQYKE0X/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Tianning Temple 天宁寺: a thousand-year-old treasure According to a local nun, in older times it was possible to go through the doors on the base of the pagoda, but now it's closed down because it's too dangerous. All the (not very extensive) research I have done online indicates that this structure has always been solid and the doors are decorative, but you never know. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/1/9/skating-on-a-chair-a-cold-afternoon-in-beijing monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452355524666-6YFJSASWQ75J17Z67AI0/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing In the hutongs, the small alleyways in historical Beijing, it very common for tourists to go on rickshaw rides and get to know this neighborhood. Today was a slow day, so this guy was taking a nap. Careful when setting a price, they do try to overcharge foreigners and sometimes try to charge a different amount from what was settled in the beginning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452355683575-S5XMMM5VKT21VOW2L9EX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing View of the Drum Tower from the top of the Bell Tower. In the back, to the right, you can see part of the frozen Houhai lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452356572769-IPJYLGFX702L8D4PYIUX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing This kid was having so much fun trying to push his chair-skate, but actually the dad in the back was doing all the work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452356716416-L3OE8XZ76QRIDB3FB225/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing Man tries to keep up running in front of a woman "chair skating" to get a picture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452356769094-ZWLWCN0SVWVZ5F4STZ9F/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing The sun sets at Houhai lake. It got too cold and I came back home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452355797807-EG6ZDTLK19IF20O0DE2E/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing The inside of the Drum Tower. From time to time a group of performers come and show their drumming skills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452355873746-615KNE3USOQGOYJ5LZ0H/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing View of Beijing to the south, from the top of the Drum Tower. In the center, far away, is Jinshan park, which stands exactly in front of the Forbidden City (technically oHbehind, but not from this point of view). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452356366445-T8AFNRRW740U4X4DM5V9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing This guy speeds past with this bicecle (get it? b-ICE-cle... ok, maybe not that funny) talking on the phone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452355719018-KFD0B2N27WJIQTAIA385/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing Guard keeps a close eye on us. In the back, the Drum Tower, in the foreground, the bell itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452356311827-OWNXOT1VRB0T6BK3ASAJ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing Tons of people would "line up" (I use quotes because standing in line is not something people actually do here in China. It was more like piling up in front of the ticket window) to skate and play in the ice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452355758134-0OUMUT0W2ISPUJLJN4MV/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing This is what the hutongs look from above. You can see a lot of modern influence. On the bottom left you can see a flock of pigeons on top of a pigeon cage. It's not uncommon for older residents of the hutongs to raise pigeons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452355614093-12VT1BMZRURXD5WCFM2H/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing Further down the hutong I ran into these guys taking a nap. At least they were in the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452359808764-7ZQCBQZ650M2ONOQB7HY/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing The Bell Tower which was built in 1272 during the reign of Kublai Khan, the first Yuan emperor, was used for time keeping purposes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452355981725-WIB7O0649P7L95MRN9UK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Skating on a chair: a cold afternoon in Beijing Houhai lake from the top of the Drum Tower. If you look closely you can see the people skating. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/1/2/a-day-in-the-park monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451744015173-AQNLFQ9N8J3ZX6S2AJZZ/BPM_1092.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks Couple "square dances" in Ritan Park. In China it is very common to see couples dancing in parks or on the streets every day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451745039307-MPQ6C0U93DGCX55TLR8B/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks This girl was holding her Little Mermaid kite so her dad could make it fly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451744108590-BT23UXDDX9K0S6DMQ7XP/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks Two men play ping pong in the "free exercise area", right next to what used to be the sacrifice mound of the Temple of the Earth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451744181202-3MM98RA0MWEROQ80GLXU/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks Apparently the man had a good hand. At least that's what he said. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451745270405-ITOVSX99W4HWBQOL8O9N/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks ...and then started to run and scream following the kite, and her dad that was also running to get the kite up in the air. They did that a few times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451743946031-T5JFWGIWSPIQVLR13WGA/BPM_1066.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks Woman practices Taijijian in the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451744763857-NMBPQ86LCJI8OFCU43W1/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks In the grass area right next to the tomb of Matteo Ricci, in an area that was probably the grave yard of the first Christian cemetery in China, three people play Maquepai, or "Sparrow Cards". https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451745171739-F6U66HOBCP7H7QH3N1SF/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks Once the kite was up in the air, she stopped and stared for a moment... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451746230328-FNWS4KPKHPIEZH4Q514T/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - A day in the parks Beside the guy that made and sold kites, an old man fixes the wheel of his bicycle. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2016/1/2/the-first-catholic-tomb-in-china-jesuit-priest-matteo-ricci monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451668196695-RZCDL8AD8XZTYZIZIEB6/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The first Catholic tomb in China: Jesuit Priest Matteo Ricci Close up of Ricci's tombstone. Hard to read, I know, but I couldn't get closer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451667676530-ICRYHAVGF8HM07OPN1O2/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The first Catholic tomb in China: Jesuit Priest Matteo Ricci The entrance gate that leads to the main tombs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451667529063-ARWAMOUJ5X08J9D7JHQ7/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The first Catholic tomb in China: Jesuit Priest Matteo Ricci https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451667257369-OV1QR25ZOVKMGY5OL5D9/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The first Catholic tomb in China: Jesuit Priest Matteo Ricci https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451668087773-J6G19ZQLWPKR27CZ4Q8Z/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The first Catholic tomb in China: Jesuit Priest Matteo Ricci View from behind, with the stone tombs visible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451667598206-CA7G1PUSKDTGFAWZ1QLZ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The first Catholic tomb in China: Jesuit Priest Matteo Ricci To the left, the three tombs of Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), Johann Adam Schall Von Bell (1591-1666), and Ferdinand Verbiest (1623-1688); to the right, other surviving tombs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451667803318-CCF5QQCFTCK3B9OCQQVB/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - The first Catholic tomb in China: Jesuit Priest Matteo Ricci Matteo Ricci's tomb is the big one in the center. To the left lies Johann Adam Schall von Bell and the right, Ferdinand Verbiest. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2015/12/27/christmas-in-china-and-santacon monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451192038503-TD1QSZ7J41BEWTIWRX00/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451192196448-QAYBXMJLL92UKF5Q5EUT/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon Santa interacts with a local worker doing renovations that must be thinking "what are these foreigners doing? Strange group of fellows." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451191937956-9ZIH6AWQRBNKUPTIUOBK/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451192078308-TGUY8Z0ZZRVCFQ192XMX/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451191755585-I1A8RFJ7TM5AOSIHNVZJ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon A wave of Santas heads to the Gulou (Drum tower) region of Beijing, on the Line 2 Subway https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451150667915-94F8SYQV1K31EEB1NKKH/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon Hundreds of Santas in the historical district of Beijing on the Houhai Lake bridge. In the back you can see the Bell Tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451192139052-D70I0LT8O4ELVASAX087/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451191667828-HB1HLZ7OQI0HDVDYWXA3/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon "Mozart Santa" along with all other Santas sing Christmas carols in the Subway line 2. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451192108212-2FXRKKG0RIAOSTKOYGCI/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451192167876-DA38JR0R7VSHB8BWJ0FJ/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon Walking through the historical hutongs, as the little Beijing alleys are called. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451192227142-IZXVQYELAY7LAZ34V13K/image-asset.jpeg Photos of history culture and daily life - Christmas in China and Santacon Group photo in front of the Bell Tower (Zhong lou). https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/el-maracanazo-argentino monthly 0.5 2025-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451405660127-PX74OXP6FDDRSB368HWX/BPM_5326.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino Argentinian fans fill Copacabana Beach with lively cheers and chants as they prepare for the final match of the 2014 World Cup, hoping for victory against Germany. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824554766-GZ6DCGCT86QJFVF3QDWH/BPM_5375.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino Fans exchange phone numbers while partying on Copacabana beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824604014-QOAG0O1WWD164T2BZHPE/BPM_5457-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino The Argentine supporters, brimming with confidence, sing proudly about their rivalry with Brazil, comparing the legendary Maradona to Pelé in a bold statement of national pride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824600892-RRB0KY8MXEKBW3D2HUHL/BPM_5590.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino The energy on Rio's beaches is electric, as thousands of passionate Argentinians gather to cheer on their team in the ultimate showdown of the 2014 World Cup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824644082-FQV59LC303SWTYT92NWD/BPM_5696.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino The FIFA Fan Fest is a colorful sea of Argentine flags and chanting fans, with the beach alive with excitement before the World Cup final kicks off.< https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824645025-M95GL4E7AWCGVT31AIP6/BPM_5857.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino Argentinian football fans make their way to Brazil by buses, eager to be part of the World Cup experience, turning Rio’s beaches into a vibrant sea of blue and white. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824709153-J58ZK8HGW37AD67EDHP9/BPM_5917.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino From the first whistle, the tension is palpable among Argentine supporters as their hopes for a World Cup title hang in the balance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824716294-SDGMQEWHEDMZAKUOSW0V/DSC_7559.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino Every eye on the beach is glued to the screen, as Argentina’s finest—led by Messi—strive to break the deadlock and claim the World Cup glory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824761617-3AY8I9M3D6PVPVC87JRL/DSC_7608.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino The cheerful chants fade into silence as the game intensifies, and the anxiety sets in among the fans, desperate for a goal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824760642-0TSRVAE1FGOCYR4YXSN4/DSC_7661.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino As the halftime whistle blows, the crowd is on edge—no goals yet, and the weight of uncertainty grows heavier with every passing minute https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824799129-41UBRIV55X4LHELHY9RM/DSC_7836.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino The sun sets over Copacabana, but Argentina's hopes remain dim as the match drags on without a single goal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824808091-ZGB2254TH6LS89RT7IA1/DSC_7875.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino In a desperate act of superstition, a fan ties a knot in his handkerchief, hoping that it will cause Germany’s players to stumble and bring his team victory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824850818-B78I5427917C7UUBV8HB/DSC_7879.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino A devastating moment for Argentina as Götze scores the only goal of the match, putting Germany ahead and dashing Argentina's dreams of World Cup glory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824858252-HP20WIMX4B74C126TGOB/DSC_7901.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino With Germany’s goal, Argentina’s hopes for a third World Cup title feel increasingly out of reach as time ticks down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824890010-J8VTSPW1ZI11ZX507FT1/DSC_7966.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino The energy that once filled the air with chants now gives way to an eerie silence—fans hold their breath, knowing Argentina has little time left to make a move. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824906272-ZXNZ35K8S7VDI0UYMBVX/DSC_7987.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino In the final moments of the match, a fan weeps and prays, desperately hoping for a miracle that never comes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824928989-Y46M6J9NHUWB7QBRW68C/DSC_8054.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino The final whistle blows, and Argentina’s heartbreak is complete as Germany claims the 2014 World Cup title. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824960123-UF98FX7A0JZ1VDWP2OZG/DSC_8216.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino In disbelief, a fan kneels beside his flag, unable to move or speak, as his friend tries to console him in the aftermath of the crushing loss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824944307-RWDG9JYPQ9GX25BR62T8/DSC_8202.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - El Maracanazo Argentino A fan, overwhelmed with emotion, tries to rip off his jersey in frustration, unable to come to terms with Argentina’s defeat and the loss of their World Cup dream. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/beijings-peking-opera-renaissance monthly 0.5 2025-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1428603039316-8VXSULQK6BKKGM0G8L50/BPM_4142.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Reviving Tradition: The Passionate Youth Behind Beijing’s Peking Opera Renaissance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448285372953-Y38VYO6VLGB25053UBBO/BPM_3900.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Reviving Tradition: The Passionate Youth Behind Beijing’s Peking Opera Renaissance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448285369590-884WCHCO66F2152B2CAV/BPM_4037.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Reviving Tradition: The Passionate Youth Behind Beijing’s Peking Opera Renaissance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448285394620-4XZKG606A9Y9EQEORDZB/BPM_4070.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - 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The Real Gaucho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448033813998-6QD0BKDU4KHXRVNOVQLO/asado-16.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Real Gaucho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448033824625-MPZB6ETG6MK34FD2HSO1/asado-17.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Real Gaucho https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/2025/1/8/the-roots-of-the-yerba-mate monthly 0.5 2025-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448378879882-P4MVC3IUL9IZT0HWDUQW/DSC_7838.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate “After a full morning of cutting yerba leaves, Miguel Clécio Saldanha removes his muddy boots before heading inside to help his wife, Jussara, make breakfast. The plantation, with its rich red soil, has turned into a muddy landscape following the previous night’s heavy showers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736334356514-PXQ2FQC8A6Z3SAVFYXVB/_JCO8778.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate Thirty years ago, Jussara Maria Saldanha and her husband Miguel started a modest 16-hectare yerba mate plantation. Today, only a couple of hectares remain. The consistently low price of yerba mate forced the couple to convert much of their land to more profitable crops like yuca. ‘I think it’s beautiful. If it weren’t, I would have uprooted it all already,’ says Miguel, reflecting on the enduring presence of the mate trees on their farm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736333583164-00CQHRSJ6FECPU0XV4TQ/DSC_7859.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate José Inácio Scherer, a florist by trade, was born and raised on the land that is now Miguel and Jussara’s plantation. That morning, he joined the couple as they worked, helping them with the tasks at hand. After a long stretch of mud-filled fields, José had to use a machete to scrape the thick layers of mud off his shoes, a testament to the heavy rainfall that had soaked the land the previous night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448378871868-5L2MMGZ8ELIDURE8MB19/DSC_7866.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate Jussara prepares breakfast using only ingredients sourced from her own land. The bread she baked the day before, the eggs freshly gathered from the backyard, and the butter and jelly she made the previous week. The only item not from her farm is the instant coffee, which she picked up from the supermarket. This simple, homegrown meal reflects her dedication to self-sufficiency and the fruits of her hard work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736334660290-TTGSEZWH34BFHJQ5FZBY/DSC_7881.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate Jussara pours freshly boiled water to prepare yerba mate tea, a staple in the Saldanha household. For the couple, there’s always hot water ready for ‘chimarrão,’ the traditional tea beloved by the gauchos. ‘I drink chimarrão every day. This one came from my crop,’ says Miguel, proudly pointing to the leaves grown on their own land, embodying the deep connection to their roots and daily routine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448378926698-NE6Y7FMA8VQ76MQG5OQ5/DSC_7907.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate Miguel sets the table for breakfast while a proud reminder of their daughter, Simoni’s, accomplishments hangs on the kitchen wall — her graduation picture. ‘She never worked as a farmer. She always wanted to study and now she’s graduated,’ Miguel says with pride, reflecting on how their daughter pursued her dreams beyond the farm and became the first in the family to earn a university degree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448378983665-56LAQLJFUDUQWCZ19SDE/DSC_7944.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate Jussara is startled by the sizzling oil as she fries eggs for breakfast. ‘We planted and raised everything we eat here at home,’ she says, proud of the self-sufficiency she and Miguel have cultivated on their farm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736334993548-FEZNMCY04E2KQXHYZ4ZT/DSC_7952.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate Miguel spreads homemade sweet potato jelly, known as ‘schimia’ by the German immigrants in Brazil, on his bread. The cream is still warm from the oven, adding a comforting touch to the simple, homegrown breakfast he enjoys with his family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448379088088-9MLQHMUEIAARAJMMA2II/DSC_8050.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate The yerba mate seed is incredibly small. ‘In each little pellet, there are about four seeds. You just stick it in the ground,’ Miguel explains, sharing the simple yet effective process behind planting the seeds that will eventually grow into the leaves used for their cherished chimarrão. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448379097024-P9695URGJ032SY0AWXTU/DSC_8062.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate The Saldanha family’s house is just across the road from their crops, nestled on the outskirts of the quiet, small town of Veranópolis. The close proximity to their land allows them to seamlessly manage their farm and live in harmony with their surroundings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448379156126-5W7I2PE1XVHN7ONQS5DI/DSC_8064.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate The truck, loaded with yerba mate branches, stops on the scale to be weighed. The branches are bundled together with rags before being taken to the processing facility, where they are ground and heated to prepare the leaves for packaging and sale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1736335605324-LFAKF7C40JNZSLL92MFW/_JCO8925.JPG Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate oão Cleomar Pereira fills the oven that heats the yerba mate leaves. This step is crucial for drying the leaves before they are ground into the final product. The careful process ensures that the yerba mate retains its distinctive flavor and quality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448379221729-CSWOS08RP6GY7AU78T0D/DSC_8149.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate João Batista de Souza pauses the pounding machine, joking, ‘I am proud of making yerba mate, but only when it turns out good. If it doesn’t, it wasn’t me.’ His pride in the craftsmanship of his work shines through, as he takes responsibility for the quality of every batch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448379216479-SC0G5DDA1VSWSXZE7Q84/DSC_8163.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - The Roots of the Yerba Mate As a yerba pounder, João’s job is to receive the ground leaves and ensure they are transformed into a fine powder. ‘The longer it stays, the greener it gets,’ he explains. ‘The color makes no difference in the taste, but people choose with their eyes,’ emphasizing the importance of appearance in the market, despite the flavor remaining unchanged. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/blog/barbecue-on-the-leather monthly 0.5 2025-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1428422406213-LS4RE2SYEOB1L3X73DAV/asado-1-2.jpg Photos of history culture and daily life - Barbecue on the Leather 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https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291566393-TKUPZH468TNYXK4TCF6J/DSC_6287.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 Months after the ocean's waves washed away everything, excavators clean the debris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291431262-5IRBO7A3W6EAQRRLUOWO/DSC_6169.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 Personal belongings left behind in cars could still be seen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291583930-AP0UQZVR4SHTFB68WQQB/DSC_6371.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 A temple was the only construction in the area to have survived the Tsunami. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291515313-S1HUFGMI9KJMWRQF3P03/DSC_6214.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 The roads were cleaned, the tarmac redone, but the destruction could still be seen for many kilometers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291637737-PDT5VKMO0NBVG1F2GNAS/DSC_6412.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 Workers gather human bone pieces and items that used to be buried at a cemetery outside the temple, destroyed by the tsunami waters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291651219-AV5K521STR0IQNI0ZU0L/DSC_6441.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 Items gathered from the temple and graves are set aside to later be analyzed and placed back where they belonged. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291702115-1D6919V6AJGZRJTFPFJL/DSC_6465.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 The sun starts to set and the cold gets more intense. Even with the light snow, the workers don't stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291692430-697YLLDXEUFFPDGBOK2A/DSC_6444.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 Statues that survived the tsunami rest behind the temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448291725386-ZPBPNFIHJR85YHYY2QRZ/DSC_6498.jpg Japan Tsunami - Sendai, Japan, 2011 (Copy) Sendai, Japan, 2011 Just one kilometer away from the sea, excavators restlessly work into the night to rebuild the city of Sendai. https://www.brunomaestrini.com/beijing-opera daily 0.75 2025-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452094055015-VK0BALMPTL146ET1MTYJ/BPM_4142.jpg Beijing Opera - Beijing, China, 2013 (Copy) Beijing, China, 2013 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1448285372953-Y38VYO6VLGB25053UBBO/BPM_3900.jpg Beijing Opera 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Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 The Argentine supporters, brimming with confidence, sing proudly about their rivalry with Brazil, comparing the legendary Maradona to Pelé in a bold statement of national pride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824600892-RRB0KY8MXEKBW3D2HUHL/BPM_5590.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 The energy on Rio's beaches is electric, as thousands of passionate Argentinians gather to cheer on their team in the ultimate showdown of the 2014 World Cup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824644082-FQV59LC303SWTYT92NWD/BPM_5696.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 The FIFA Fan Fest is a colorful sea of Argentine flags and chanting fans, with the beach alive with excitement before the World Cup final kicks off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824645025-M95GL4E7AWCGVT31AIP6/BPM_5857.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 Argentinian football fans make their way to Brazil by buses, eager to be part of the World Cup experience, turning Rio’s beaches into a vibrant sea of blue and white. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824709153-J58ZK8HGW37AD67EDHP9/BPM_5917.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 From the first whistle, the tension is palpable among Argentine supporters as their hopes for a World Cup title hang in the balance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824716294-SDGMQEWHEDMZAKUOSW0V/DSC_7559.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 Every eye on the beach is glued to the screen, as Argentina’s finest—led by Messi—strive to break the deadlock and claim the World Cup glory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824761617-3AY8I9M3D6PVPVC87JRL/DSC_7608.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 The cheerful chants fade into silence as the game intensifies, and the anxiety sets in among the fans, desperate for a goal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824760642-0TSRVAE1FGOCYR4YXSN4/DSC_7661.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 As the halftime whistle blows, the crowd is on edge—no goals yet, and the weight of uncertainty grows heavier with every passing minute. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824799129-41UBRIV55X4LHELHY9RM/DSC_7836.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 The sun sets over Copacabana, but Argentina's hopes remain dim as the match drags on without a single goal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824808091-ZGB2254TH6LS89RT7IA1/DSC_7875.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 In a desperate act of superstition, a fan ties a knot in his handkerchief, hoping that it will cause Germany’s players to stumble and bring his team victory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824850818-B78I5427917C7UUBV8HB/DSC_7879.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 A devastating moment for Argentina as Götze scores the only goal of the match, putting Germany ahead and dashing Argentina's dreams of World Cup glory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824858252-HP20WIMX4B74C126TGOB/DSC_7901.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 With Germany’s goal, Argentina’s hopes for a third World Cup title feel increasingly out of reach as time ticks down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824890010-J8VTSPW1ZI11ZX507FT1/DSC_7966.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 The energy that once filled the air with chants now gives way to an eerie silence—fans hold their breath, knowing Argentina has little time left to make a move. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824906272-ZXNZ35K8S7VDI0UYMBVX/DSC_7987.jpg Maracanazo Argentino In the final moments of the match, a fan weeps and prays, desperately hoping for a miracle that never comes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1449824928989-Y46M6J9NHUWB7QBRW68C/DSC_8054.jpg Maracanazo Argentino - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 (Copy) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2014 The final whistle blows, and Argentina’s heartbreak is complete 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Rooted in the vast plains of the Pampa, which stretch across southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, the gaucho has long been a master of cattle herding, horseback riding, and the art of the churrasco—a barbecue that is as much about culture as it is about food. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1452089878018-UKNYFPDLAEFNCQIM0WXJ/capa.jpg Photo Stories In the rural outskirts of Venâncio Aires, Brazil, Miguel Clestes Saldanha and his family have spent over three decades cultivating yerba mate. From planting and harvesting to processing the leaves, the Saldanha family’s dedication to their craft is evident in every step. Despite the challenges of economic pressures, their tradition of producing high-quality mate remains a central part of their lives, with each process—from drying to grinding—carried out with care and pride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451366142446-74H8NTF9Z7UHHQCPLJBS/image-asset.jpeg Photo Stories In Beijing, a group of passionate young performers is reviving the ancient art of Peking Opera. Led by Liu Feng, a self-taught artist, and supported by social entrepreneur Ian Charles Stuart, the Beijing Youth Peking Opera Troupe has spent years perfecting their craft. Despite the challenges of being self-taught and working outside of traditional institutions, their performances are garnering attention and respect, helping to ensure that this cultural treasure remains alive for future generations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5511366ce4b0c289fceb0b8e/1451320710034-K67FVG693L9GXZGN1J1D/image-asset.jpeg Photo Stories The asado en el cuero, or barbecue on the leather, is a traditional South American method of cooking meat that dates back to the gauchos. José Silveira, one of the few who still practices this rare art, cooks a whole cow on its own skin, preserving its juices for a tender, unique flavor. 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