Lens-Artists Challenge #82 – Capitals
“Budapest is a prime site for dreams”
M. John Harrison
As our first-ever guest host Viveka says, cities are more than places with buildings and history, they are also made up of all kinds of people. My husband and I have been fortunate to have visited many capital cities around the world, some of which I’m featuring in today’s post. As I think about the list I’m amazed at the places I’ve seen, and also about how many remain on my “someday” list.
I’ve opened today’s post with Budapest, above and below, which was a beautiful part of our visit to several countries in Central Europe.
“For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.”
Elie Wiesel
One of my most poignant memories from the trip was the Holocaust memorial along the banks of the Danube River. There are 60 pairs of shoes, cast in iron, memorializing the Jewish citizens who were required to remove their shoes before being shot and dropped into the river. The simple memorial, which included the shoes of children, for me brought home the horror of those terrible times more than any other I’ve seen.
“Visit Cape Town and history is never far from your grasp.”
Tahir Shah
I’m currently working to bring thousands of images into Lightroom from my years of Aperture use. Some of my earliest digital images captured our incredible visit to Africa. Above I’ve included an image of the sea taken from Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. We found the city naturally beautiful and were awed by places like Table Mountain, The Cape of Good Hope and their glorious coastline. Don’t get me started on the beautiful animals – or my husband on their wine country 😊.
“Be simple, stay humble, care with love, hug with kindness.”
Debasish Mridha
We found the people of South Africa to be friendly, warm and incredibly open. The mother and son above resulted in one of my favorite images because of the mother’s obvious love and the pure joy of the little boy. We were also amazed by the guides in our visit to Robben Island. All are former political prisoners (Nelson Mandela was imprisoned there) who were housed there during Apartheid.
“One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster.”
Tim Rice
We very much enjoyed our visit to Bangkok. Like most of Asia we found the city vibrant, the food incredibly delicious and the people warm and friendly (are you sensing a trend?). The traffic was not something I could live with as a general rule but the tuk tuks, mechanized 3-wheeled taxis, were great fun for getting around the city.
“Of all sound of all bells… most solemn and touching is the peal which rings out the Old Year.”
Charles Lamb
It happened that we were in Bangkok during Chinese New Year. The festivities and celebrations were incredible. It seemed every one of the zillions of scooters we saw was overloaded with orange trees, loaves of bread, flowers – you name it as Bangkok’s residents made their way home for the holiday. The image above captures a New Year’s street festival. The crowds were huge but orderly and enthusiastic. I loved the happy fellow roasting nuts along the main street.
“The view of Jerusalem is the history of the world; it is more, it is the history of earth and of heaven.”
Benjamin Disraeli
The image above represents our first view of the sprawling city of Jerusalem. From our vantage point we were incredulous at the size of the city and of course the busses, representing the masses of tourists. Little did we know what wonders awaited us as we made our way down the hilly streets into the beautiful Old City below. The walls of the city of David, the Wailing Wall, the Via Delarosa, and the Dome of the Rock were just a few of the many sights that awaited us.
“Jerusalem is a port city on the shore of eternity.”
Yehuda Amichai
I’ve posted many images of the people of Jerusalem so today I’ll include only the image above. In it a student or tourist walks peacefully among the young trees that stand just before the entrance to the Old City. Although in many places Jerusalem is a very modern, vibrant city, it was the history and the tangible aura of spirituality of the Old City that most impressed us. It seemed to us to be one of the few places in the world where Christians, Jews, Muslims and non-believers leave their differences behind for at least the duration of their visit.
“Edinburgh is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. It breaks the heart again and again.”
Alexander McCall Smith
Our visit to Scotland was quite a whirlwind. We spent three weeks criss-crossing its winding roads and visiting towns large and small – each with their own unique flavor. In all we drove about 1,200 miles and found favorites in far-flung places like Ullapool as well as places with interesting names like the Firth of Forth. We hiked among beautiful natural places like Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye and Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain. We visited several of their reputed 2,000+ castles and saw many more. Our stay in Edinburgh was especially memorable as we arrived, unbeknownst to us, in the midst of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest art festival in the world.
“KILT, n. A costume sometimes worn by Scotchmen in America and Americans in Scotland.”
Ambrose Bierce
Of course one cannot represent a complete visit to Scotland without including a gentleman in a kilt playing the bagpipe. This fellow was stationed at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle but we saw many others when we attended some local Scottish games. It’s a country steeped in tradition with a great respect for history and a reputation, well-earned, for their hearty, honest, hard-working people.
By now I’m sure you’ve had enough of my response to Viveka’s Capitals challenge. Patti, Ann-Christine, Amy and I thank Viveka for joining us and hope you’ll participate as well. Remember to link your response to her original post and to include the Lens-Artists Tag. We’ll be back on our regular schedule next week as Ann-Christine hosts Challenge #83. Hope to see you then.
Note: Several of you have mentioned that my comments have gone to spam so if you don’t hear from me please check your spam files
Note 2: This week’s header is from Buenos Aires, one of many capitals I’ve not included in today’s post.
What a wonderful collection!! I love them all, but the look in that mother’s eyes is the one that just melts my heart. You’ve captured true love so beautifully.
Thanks very much Amy. She was really a sweetheart and the little boy was just beaming
These are breathtaking images. I get a real sense of the people as well as the places. The mother and son one especially. As always, beautiful detail (and love the quotes!).
Thanks OLU, much appreciated
You are most welcome!
Great Capital shots, Tina! The bagpiper is my favorite.
Thanks Sue – he took his job very seriously 🙂
I have an upcoming trip to Budapest, so those first two photos caught my eye. The photos of Scotland did as well because my response for this week was Edinburgh. Cheers, Amy
We loved Budapest Amy, the photography opportunities are endless!
Hi, Tina. Budapest is a great reminder of the once mighty Habsburgs, as part of the trifecta including Prague and Vienna – it’s great to compare and contrast them all. Your Bangkok pictures reminded me of Vietnam; I didn’t visit Hanoi but I did get to see Saigon: oh, their food! I don’t think Edinburgh can show a bad side even under inclement weather, though I suppose a wet driving rain might not be optimal. So beautiful and historical is Cape Town, I wanted to spend weeks slow-visiting the place. So many great visuals and desires, so little time!
So much to see so little time Henry😊. Yes we actually did the trifecta on that trip. An amazing wealth of interesting history and beauty. Thanks for your visit and comment
really gorgeous shots Tina!! love how u captured all details of the city shots…jerusalem is spectacular!!
Thanks April – even better in person 🙂
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Hi Tina. February already but may you have an amazing year. Glad to see that Cape Town also made the cut.
Hi Abrie, and the same to you. We loved Cape Town and the beautiful nature that surrounds it. Good to see you pop into this week’s comments 😊❤️
splendid informative tour of beautiful places on the planet. Thank you for sharing Tina Ji. You reach so many hearts with your amazing and striking presentations.
Thank you for that very kind comment AWD
Nice mix of shots for the challenge Tina…excellent shot of the Budapest bridge. The mother and son shot is a winner 🙂
Thanks Andy – I enjoyed putting this one together.
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I love your selections – that photo of Budapest is beautiful!
Many thanks Nora, it’s a beautiful city
Fantastic photography, as usual!
Many thanks Tatiana
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Fantastic shots of fantastic cities …. that shot of the shoes really touch my software … it is an “in your face” monument. Budapest is one of the trendiest destinations just now in Europe, I really liked the city. Jerusalem is on my do it list – but not in the top … Tel Aviv I have my eyes on too .. better do it soon before everything explode down there. Just no there is too much uncertainty in the area. Edinburgh one of the most regal cities in the world … !!! Bangkok not my cup of tea … I’m sure Cape Town will!!! Thank you so much for letting me host this week … it has been so fun .. and I have met some fantastic new people.
I was a bit worried about Israel Viveka but saw nothing frightening or nervous-making at all. And Tel Aviv was terrific too but very different from Jerusalem
Seems like you were spoilt for choice Tina ! Marvellous series fitting the theme . A capital post 😉
PS I can imagine you’ve a hefty workload at your screen changing over to LR Lol
Hi Poppy and many thanks. Yes the L/R exercise is really time consuming 😡
Lovely images. Two stand out for me – the Danube shoes from the Holocaust memorial and the Capetown mother & son. Thought provoking and complex.
Thanks so much Sandy, two of my travel favorites
Great urban center you’ve selected.
Thanks Sally.
Good to see images of peeps for they are what makes the Capital of the city, Tina. I am sad about the shoes.
Thanks Perpetua, agree on both counts
Lovely shots, Tina. Enjoyed the tour.
Thanks jane
Very very different shots you chose here. A great selection!
Thanks very much Vero
Tina, this is a beautiful collection of different cultures, thank you for sharing.
My pleasure Cornelia
Incredible images of capitals I would love to visit someday, Tina. Yes, those shoes in the memorial were everything you described. Your variety of people interacting in their own environments are expertly captured with your lens and accompanying quotes.
Thanks so much Terri. It was a hard choice. I have visited so many amazing places 😊
A multi-faceted selection, no surprise. The shoe memorial is sad and touching. Man’s ongoing inhumanity to Man. Will it ever stop? Love the Chain Bridge, been there. The night shot of Bangkok is stunning, (one of my R&Rs), as is Jerusalem, but they need more tourist buses!!
LOL that was quite an awakening John! It must be the only place they can go, we never saw them anywhere else 😊
Love these images!
Many thanks Maddy
Diverse and wonderful, Tina! 🙂 🙂 The shoes send shivers. How can they coexist in a world where that mother’s love beams out? We’re a strange lot, us humans.
Superb observation Jo. How indeed
Great Capital showcase, Tina!
Many thanks Sue
Pleasure!
Enjoyed these…actually have been to four of them!
And more I’m sure! Thanks Laurel
Beautiful Tina. I love the stories you add that personalise each shot and put us right there.
Many thanks Wendy. Always fun to see things through others’ eyes
Wonderful – just love the vibe off that people in capetown photo:)
Thanks MM, it’s an amazing place filled with people of every size, shape and color!
Thanks so much Ann-Christine. The shoes were so very moving and really brought home the horrors in a simple and personal way. As for Jerusalem, it was so much more in every way than what I expected. Truly magical
An enjoyable roam around the world with you Tina 🙂 It is sad that I spotted those buses before seeing the rest of that wonderful shot of Jerusalem
LOL, they got my attention too Brian. The dichotomy was striking
These are just excellent, as usual, Tina! Great variety of cities and you describe their differences and likenesses so well. I was so taken when you wrote about the shoes – and I agree with John too, we live in dangerous times today. We never learn, do we.
I see we both had Edinburgh – a beautiful city! My husband tells me he loved Jerusalem. I was not there with him – it was a long time ago.
Some thing stay with you forever Ann-Christine. Exhibit A – those shoes. Agree also with John, frightening
A beautiful trip but the shoes, oh, the shoes. 😦
janet
Agree wholeheartedly Janet. Some things speak volumes without using words
This is a wonderful collection Tina. For me the image of the shoes is the most moving; it will stay with me for a long time.
Thank you Sue. It is one of very few of my own images that I’ve hung in my home. I like the image itself but more importantly the message behind it
Sorry Su, that was spell-check that changed your name 😡
The best art makes us think and feel and remember.
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I enjoyed your tour of some of the world’s capital cities. Your comments on the Holocaust recalling the horror of the time brings me a new sadness from those on social media who deny it ever happened. We are truly living in dangerous times.
Thanks John, I agree that is truly frightening. Especially as we are at a point where we are losing the last of the remaining voices.
Reblogging this beauty to my readers at sister site Poetic Justice
Many thanks for the reblog Ana
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Beautiful work Tina!
Many thanks Cynthia, glad these caught your eye
Amazing photos of these capital cities. Thank you for the beautiful tour. Hope to see Cape Town in the future.
60 pairs of shoes, cast in iron, heart wrenching….
It really was Amy. Budapest is a charming and beautiful place, and they’ve done much to honor the victims there. As for Cape Town, be still my heart!
You’re very well travelled and have included some wonderful photographic souvenirs. I’m not badly travelled either, but realise that on the whole, I seem to have dodged the capital cities. Not a deliberate policy though.
We are much the same Margaret, preferring our time off the beaten track. But cities have their own unique way of showing what a country is made of
Wonderful, Tina!!! How are you doing?
Thanks Svetlana, hanging in there
You have visited some amazing capitals and these photos showcase them so beautifully.
Many thanks Beth. Enjoyed the challenge and the memories it brought to mind
You are amazing.
😊 thanks GF
A wonderful mix of skylines and street photography. Excellent work, Tina.
Thanks Rabirius, much appreciated