Correspondances and inspiration (2)
March 28, 2017
Following my previous post, off we go further across South-East Asia, thanks to the pictures sent by JB&FL. They have been flying over the Indian Ocean to one of the most interesting and picturesque island to visit : Sri Lanka. Layers of sand, waves and water as far as the horizon. Are you ready to follow them ?
Let’s start with a cool drink on a guesthouse balcony. Lush greenness all around. I imagine the birds singing joyfully, peoples’ voices coming up from the gardens and houses nearby. Sweet flowers scents and maybe just a light breeze. Inviting, isn’t it ?
These wooden decorations and paintings made me immediately think of fabrics. Yes, you know my passion for quilting and materials. I searched in my various boxes of materials for inspiration. I found some exotic pieces that somehow I think are related to these patterns.Here they are : who knows what these fabrics will inspire me someday ?…
What a majestic alley of tall, imposing trees that reminded me of a poem by Charles Baudelaire.
“Nature is a temple where live pillars, Sometimes whisper confused words, Man walks across it through forests of symbols, Which observe him with familiar looks.”
Excerpt of the poem “Correspondances”. Underneath is a view of a small part of the Toolangi Forest Center, Victoria, Australia. A wilder kind of temple of eucalypts.
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What a beautiful and colorful sight ! So many spices and Ceylan teas and oils and pretty looking wooden spoons and so much more from this faraway island. It makes you dream and wish you were there. I can just smell it all ! Quick, let’s prepare a meal I love for its taste and all the scents that will be wafting from the kitchen. Traveling can happen over short distances too;)
Here is a favorite recipe of mine : sweet potatoes and zucchinis sautés with some olive oil in a delicious blending of spices : shallots, garlic, ginger, curcuma, coriander, cumin. I added a tomato to get more juice. Mix it all and… Bon appétit ! Tasty as can be.
Traffic in town, pretty looking taxis, special architectural style in the buildings: by foot or in those sometimes overcrowded buses, there are surely many interesting places and sites to visit.
And when you are tired of the heat and pavement, why not enjoy some cooler moments in the magnificent Botanical Garden of Kandy, together with many schoolchildren and their teachers ? Who do you think are the noisiest ones ? Birds or kids ? Joy is in the air for all, certainly.
I was fascinated by these pictures of trees. Their strength, the soft look of their leaves, their intricate branches reaching far out, twisted and so artistic at the same time.Let’s share these peaceful images to end this present travel that I hope you enjoyed as much as I did. Our next destination will be quite different. I look forward to show you some more pictures that JB&FL will generously and thoughtfully share with us. Thanks a lot to both of them and good luck for your next journey.
WOWSA. Lucky friends.
Yes indeed, very lucky ! Thanks Sybil.
Isa, these are lovely photos. The twisted limbs of the trees fascinates me the most. Your friends are so fortunate to afford a vacation to Sri Lanka. I’ve never been enchanted with islands or the ocean but I do enjoy the photos of it all.
Like you I just love the pictures of these particular trees and any other trees, really. I remember the mesquite tree in Texas, very high and large and bringing a lot of shade in July. A beautiful tree. Wishing you all the best, dear Yvonne.
Thanks and the same to you, Isa. I love mesquites too -graceful an airy with age.
The consonance between the wooden decorative trim on the buildings and your fabrics is so apparent — and beautiful! The magnifient tree with the twisted limbs reminded me of our moss-draped oaks, although of course the lovely, swaying decorations aren’t moss, but part of the tree itself.
I laughed at the little red taxis. They look like ladybugs darting about. They’d be fun to ride in, I think: depending, of course, on the nature of traffic in the city.
These really are delightful posts. Thanks so much for sharing them. I’m looking forward to the next!
I am so glad you saw the consonance (nice word) between wooden decorative trim and some of my fabrics. The ladybugs taxis are fun burl not exactly in heavy traffic… Thanks for your comments always and have a pleasant day, dear Linda.
I enjoyed the nice travel photos! Thanks to you for posting them. I’ve just been travelling in Cambodia 🙂
I am happy you enjoyed the travel photos. JB& FL enjoyed the places they visited in South-East Asia very much. They will be back soon with quite another set of pictures !