Travel
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #84 – Narrow
Future? Now, let’s see what will happen this week! Amy has chosen Narrow as our theme. She says:
Travel has taught me that once we go through a narrow path, alley, and/or road with a little patience, at the end it always opens up to pleasant surprises.
Of course I agree – in urban areas: a narrow street where you have to look far up to see the sun; steep, dark stairs ending in a light blue door, and the very old streets of Tbilisi.
My own love for things narrow, is a winding path – and preferably one of which I don’t know the end…
But, to me they all are inviting. Though every narrow shell does not hold a pearl – at least not one like my daughter!
Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.
Finally, Thank you for all your creative answers to last week’s challenge, Future, fantastic reading and images, both hopeful and sad. Just the way Life is. ♥
Stay tuned for the last February challenges:
- Feb. 22 – Tina of Travels and Trifles
- Feb. 29–Patti of P.A. Moed
Remember to link to Amy’s original post, and tag it with “Lens-Artists.” If you’re new to tagging, click here for an explanation of how and why.
As always, we are all looking forward to seeing your creative responses to the challenge – and thank you for your support!
Thursday Thoughts – Taking a Bath
In the header, the Orbeliani bathhouse, Tbilisi.
According to the legend, the king of ancient Iberia, Vakhtang I Gorgasali, (5th C) once hunted in the forests near the first capital of Georgia – Mtskheta. After some time, he saw a pheasant, then shot and killed the bird. The king sent his falcon to find the prey, but the falcon flew away, and the king lost sight of him. In search of the two birds, the king and his hunters finally found them – in a hot water spring. Amazed with this find of sulphuric hot springs, Vakhtang decided to build his city here.
Thus, according to legend, the city of Tbilisi was founded. The word «Tbilisi» is translated from Georgian as a city of ”warm location”.
Since then, the baths have been of great value to Tbilisi – also depending upon the city’s proximity to the lucrative Silk Road. In the 13th century there were 60 baths here, but today they are reduced to less than 10.
Famous people who took baths here are Alexander Dumas and the poet Alexander Pushkin. A plaque on the entrance to the Orbeliani Baths shows a quote from Pushkin, where he describes the baths as ‘luxurious’. The bathhouse also has got a Pushkin Suite.
Today the baths are still used by many locals, particularly the elderly, who come to benefit from the healing properties of the sulphur. It is said to help in the treatment of eczema, arthritic pain and digestive problems.
We rented a room with a bath, shower and toilet for one hour, but, the heat made us leave after 30 minutes. On leaving, we asked in the reception how hot the water really was – 45 degrees C! Icelandic baths hold 38-42 degrees, no wonder we had to give in…
You are not allowed to walk on the domes… but many children did. And grown-ups taking selfies, of course setting good examples…
If you ever visit Tbilisi, I recommend you try the baths – for the feeling and for the beauty of the interior! If you ask, you might be allowed inside just for a look.
CFFC: White
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Stone
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Stone
Frank, of dutchgoesthephoto, challenges us to bring him stones this week – here are mine! Also from Ireland, and I think one of the broadest stone fences/walls I have ever seen.
CFFC: Gardens – Kew of Course!
Macro Monday – Fiery Flowers
Abundant in Vestmannaeyar and the lava landscape –
Hieracium – fox-and-cubs, orange hawk bit, devil’s paintbrush, grim-the-collier…
…setting fire to the slopes!
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Trail
For Frank this week – a hiking trail in Switzerland
CFFC: Stairs or Steps
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Round
Tuesday Photo Challenge – Round
The world is spinning – round. But not much is really, really round, is it? For Frank:
Still, there are many quite round things that I really love…like Dalí’s art and his home in Figueres, Spain. And the Beehive in Kew Gardens!
