15.8.10

sunday




The only marked difference I discerned between the two carnivals I stumbled upon (respectively in Stuttgart and Vienna) was the noticeable change in sky. The afternoon we drove through Germany was spent with my napping face pressed against the warm windows of Y.'s Lebanese-German cousin's sports car. In a half-sleep state we picked our way through a swarm of jovial Germans toppling out of the carnival's manymanymany Biergartens. I ought to clarify that the aforementioned carnival was centered mostly, if not wholly, around the attraction of bier. The sky against the ferris wheel was a thick teal blue. The color of poolwater, my mother's skirt, and frozen popsicles.

Vienna remains unplaced in my memory. The pastel homes. The quiet. I still can't quite grasp why this fondness continues to grow. Certainly the trams, unexpected kindnesses, and relative affordability contributed in great part to my interpretations of the places I visited. And yet, what struck me most was the false familiarity; there were flower species I knew but could not place, faces I had seen but could not remember, songs I had hummed before but forgotten. A sense of ease is not easily found so far from home, but I suppose spending nearly a week of visiting butterfly houses, eating mochi, napping in parks, Naschmarkt picnics, and walking through empty carnivals canvased by a sky so pale, helps. It nearly hurts to think of encountering a pair of eyes so pale, so silently blue.







12 comments:

  1. wow great pictures, and lovely commentary(:

    ReplyDelete
  2. You write so beautifully, your words make me shiver. And marvellous photographs, too. x

    ReplyDelete
  3. I believe I introduced myself on a long-ago post of yours, but I can't remember. I'm Jasmine, I've been reading your blog for many months now (we also follow one another on Tumblr). I think it and you and your pictures are gorgeous. I love reading about your time studying abroad. And even your pictures of Brooklyn make the place seem so magical and far away.

    ReplyDelete
  4. that cat is so amazing! You've made me miss living in Germany :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. These photos are incredible and I love your writing. I'm so glad I clicked this link on Contes D'estels i Lluernes. I'm Allison and I take pictures too : )

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'd like to visit germany one day, specially Berlin.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I know what you mean about false familiarity, and I think that feeling is a sign that you've found the right place. Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really like the feeling of these photos !

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love carnivals, love love love them, thanks for sharing.
    ~Ruby
    http://wroughtironstyle.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your photographs are absolutely beautiful! I added you to my favorites on my blog.

    ReplyDelete