Old man and the sea by Alexander Petrov - An incredible dream
When I first watched Alexander Petrov's animated version of The Old Man and the Sea I thought to myself that what my eyes saw can't be true. Petrov's work is, in a few words, the closest to a dream real life experience that I had in my entire life. The way this Russian master paints is simply astonishing; the scenes from his films are painted with fingertips rather than a paint brush, using oils on multiple layers of glass. It is remarkable the fact that it takes a year to produce ten minutes of film using this technique. But it truly worths, as results are incredible. The images have an unreal luminescence and, personally, they gave me the most awkward and at the same time pleasant impression, of something between a dream and a childhood memory. So I kindly invite you to watch this miracle!
It is the official time for love and lovers.Love and presents!!!Will Love be affected by recession in 2009, or the erotic Cupid shall overcome the economic hydra. I would say that the second assumption is more plausible, as in difficult times people tend to come back to what really matters in life. So 2009 will be an year of empty pockets and uninhibited love. More and more of us will be poor and in love :). Have a question for you: We all know that "love hurts", but how much does it cost?
What would this world look like if everyone of us will try to smile from time to time? And I'm not talking about the fake, pretentious smiles that all of us put on display from time to time whenever we have to socialize, but about a sincere, full hearted smile, the kind many of us hadn't had since childhood. And that is such a shame. From now on, whenever I'll forget the things that really matter in my life, I will watch this:
A 12 days journey into the strange and waste Siberianlandscape. We can hardly find a more contransting place, different in many aspects from our western society. The Trans-siberian train route is an adventure into the fascinating russian far east, departing from St. Petersburg and reaches it's terminus point after apx. 10.000 km and 8 time zones, in the city of Vladivostok. For those found of traveling by train there's nothing more inciting in the whole world. Almost two weeks of gazing at the ever changing landscapes, endless siberian forests and ,as a unique traveller's bonus, the incredible Baikal lake. The perfect journey for all you dreamers out there, both day and night dreamers. The Trans-siberian is not a trip for those of you who like the comfort of their homes. Your headquarters , for the 12 days trip, will be a small 4 square m cabin, the only furniture being a small bed and a table. Of course, the Russian railroad company offers you the possibility to travel in luxourios coaches, but, besides the fact that they are quite expensive, they also are dreary and provide the company of some stodgy american pensioners. In this way you will not experience the true Siberia. In many aspects, the Trans-siberian route is a spiritual journey of mythical proportions. Your thoughts, the sound of the train gnashing on the rails and the solitude of the magnificent natural scenery. The prices are as low as 300 Euro if you travel independently and they start from 3000 euro if you take an official tour. You can find all the info you need at www.transib.net.
< The Orient Express is more than just a luxury passengers train, it is a true legend. Its image is surrounded in mystery and romance, especially because of the British writer Agatha Christie. Her novel Murder on the Orient Express casted a glimp of intrigue, exoticism and charm over this train route, radically reshaping it's world renowed image. One could not withold a subtle feeling of melancholy when thinking of travelling in this luxury coaches, watching by the train's window as unknown and strange landscapes unfold infront of your eyes. And all that while sitting and drinking your favourite cognac. The trip from Paris to Istambul must have been quite a pleasure at the beginning of the 20th century. From one part of Europe through the other, passing by Munich, Wien, Budapest, Belgrade or Bucharest. A real adventure, similar to, let's say, a wild african safari of our times. A trip of 2000 km, a true cultural experience ending in the grandiose Sirkeci Gari, the terminus station in Istambul. This route came to its end in 1977, once the modern inventions in transportation took initiative.We gain a lot but, in my humble opinion, with a lot of losses during this process. Nowdays the Orient Express, despite some hopeless attempts of reviving it, it's just a pleasant memory. The once luxurious couches are now resting in the corner of a forgotten depot. You may say this is the nature of things, they evolve and the older is updated by modern. I agree that this is the nature of things. Today we travel from Paris to Istambul in 2 hours. By comparison, the Orient Express route took two weeks to complete. That's progress. But I don't know why I have the feeling that we all miss the sensation of travelling, the mystery and the quiet sensation of peace. And all these things were found in this train trip. And also in books and other stuff that surely will disappear soon from our lives. We go fast, we think fast and we forget fast. Is that the answer?...
Usually Sirkeci Gari isn't at all peaceful and quiet as one might think when seeing this picture. In fact it is exactly the opposite. As all of Istambul, the city's main railway station is buzzing of people 24 hours/day. But, despite the constant bustling, it has a specific distinguished atmosphere. Sirkeci Gari is one of those places that impresses from the first moment you see it. The traditional Turkish and European Neoclassical arhitectural styles meet into one grandiose edifice. It is surrounded into one of the most interesting lights I've ever seen, a hard light with deep crisp shadows. Therefore I vouch for the photos you will be taking inside Sirkeci Gari to be extremely vivid and quite interesting. Sirkeci Gari is a place from the old Constantinople, a testimony of the grandeur of the once mighty Otoman Empire. Built at the end of the 19th century, it has since been the main entrance gate into the city of the Sultans. A essential place into the history of this railway station is played by Orient Express, the legendary long-distance train route connecting Paris and Istambul. From the early 1900 till the end of the II World War, Sirkeci Gari had been the last stop of this route and became synonymous with intrigue and luxury travel.It's main hall was the venue for never ending balls. Nowdays the railway station is less radiant but it still keeps the old charm and the indefinite misteryous wisdom peculiar to once grandiose edifices.
