Zurich ... the people

Zurich ... the portrait shots

Zurich ... the colours

Zurich ... the city

London in the snow

This happened quite a while ago (8 February), but things have been a bit hectic lately, so I'm only posting these photos now. It was a beautiful (though slippery) winter wonderland. Thank goodness for my himalayan snow boots. (Courtesy Karien van Schalkwyk)

Koebaaaaai

Praying beads

Since my friend Ricardo have explained some of the beautiful aspects of the Roman Catholic Religion I have wanted to purchase a rosary. The reason not only being aesthetics but also because I believe there lies beauty in this tradition. Unfortunately it has been difficult to find anything other than fashion accesories, which is obviously not remotely the same thing that I had in mind. But, last Friday I went to Greenwich Market with my sister where I found a woman selling antiques from france, amongst which were a few rosaries from the beginning of the 20th century. Not only did I find a beautiful mother of pearl rosary, but it's 2nd hand and you can see how every bead has been chaved away by weary fingers reciting 'hail mary's' and 'our holy fathers'. I am so glad to have found this treasure, which is why I have included these pictures.

For those of you interested in these sort of things, do yourself a favour and wikipedia the word 'prayer beads', mind boggling how many religions make use of this method of prayer. (Yes, even the Christian religion, which is surprising since they are usually the first to condemn the use of these symbolic methods)

Anyway - if you look closely on the left you will see that the Jesus figure is litterally nailed to the mother of pearl cross.

Terra Naomi's "Say it's possible"

New Year's Eve

The pictures should speak for themselves. All taken by Richard who is now finally taking pictures! (Apparently I intimidated him...hmmm) I think they came out beautifully. I was working - collecting cover charge, at least I made a good 50 pound and got see a few crazy people abusing alcohol, there wasn't a dull moment.

Photography excursion

Since Richard and I am both on holiday and living in a house share with 12 others, if we're not sleeping late or watching things on YouTube, we're taking afternoon naps and/or eating. We're so bad, so we decided to leave the house (it's about time) and go for a walk. It ended up being a little bit more of a marathon of dodging shopper-frenzied Londoners - Central London is such a mad house during these January Sales season, never again... We walked all the way from Bank station to Tottenham Court Road Station after which I was pretty much spent. Good news though, our day resulted in 3 precious finds (all from the Virgin Megastore in Tottenham); Chopper and The Blues Brothers (both movies on Richard's list of favourites) as well as Bernard Fanning's album Tea & Sympathy. (which will only be delivered in 2 or 3 days...) So things were worth our while.



Somewhere in the middle of the crazy day we did stop over at my favourite place in Central London, the TATE Modern Museum. We didn't go to any exhibitions, but in the main entrance hall another crazed artist has convinced the critics that the Naked Keizer was actually wearing invisible clothes. Huge slides from the 3rd and 4th floors spiralled and intertwined ending in long straight openings, spewing kids and adults in over sized pillow covers. What a site. But that was not what I noticed, I noticed this little girl playing by herself unnoticed. I think my shot came out quite beautifully.

It was a good day.

Father Christmas

Christmas

After a wonderful Christmas day that un-officially lasted 3 days (thanks Kana, for letting us crash at our home away from home) we are now having the feeling of the 'morning after'. Thanks to Phil we had wonderful Roast Lamb and his famous veggies - gifts were exchanged, and thanks to Kana we had a beautiful Christmas tree, way too many biscuits, chocolates and everything we shouldn't. (Too much of a good thing is simply marvelous - M.Monroe)

The annual game of poker was played and the last 3 standing was Phil, Corne & Me. We played with 1p and 2p coins. (about 6GPB, therefor, according to Richard, about R16 200) hmm...
With Nina Simone in the background it was the perfect ending of a beautiful day.
"Human kindness ... overflowing ... and I think it's going to rain today..."