From The City and Its Uncertain Walls, by Haruki Murakami:
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"Rumi’s words take flight,
In the Mevlana’s calm halls,
A soul’s journey ends."
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| From 2024 05 13 Konya |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Mevlana Museum in Konya, Turkey. Originally it was the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the whirling dervishes. It houses the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic who founded the order. He died in 1231.
Bonus photos after the jump.
"Old walls hold the tales
Of journeys made long ago
Along the Silk Road."
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| From 2024 05 13 Konya |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from a caravanserai halfway between Cappadocia and Konya in central Turkey. A caravanserai is an ancient roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could rest and recover from the day's journey. This particular one has been restored and serves as a museum.
Bonus photos after the jump.
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Disney+
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Prime
"Gilded faces shine,
In Hagia Sophia's hush,
Lost in time's embrace."
— h/t ChatGPT
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| Virgin and Child, Hagia Sophia, ca. 1134 |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. The Hagia Sophia is the last of three church buildings to be successively erected on the site by the Eastern Roman Empire. It was completed in AD 537. For almost a thousand years, it was the world's largest cathedral. It was converted to a mosque in 1453 after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans.
The photo shows a mosaic of the Virgin and Child from the south gallery. It dates from ca. 1118-1134. The full mosaic (not shown) has Emperor John II and Empress Irene of Hungary flanking the Virgin and Child.
Enough art history. To all readers, neighbors, friends and family, Merry Christmas! And thanks for visiting.
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Airplane
On December 2, 2024, the Richardson City Council appointed eleven members to a Charter Review Commission, as required by law every ten years to review and suggest changes to Richardson's City Charter. Here, in a series of posts, I am presenting my own suggestions.
"Within ancient walls
A sacred dance fills the room.
Faith in motion swirls."
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| From 2024 05 13 Konya |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from a caravanserai between Cappadocia and Konya in central Turkey. A caravanserai is an ancient roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could rest and recover from the day's journey. This particular one is now used as a religious center that opens its doors for tourists to witness the sacred dance and prayer ritual known as the sema, performed by whirling dervishes, members of a Sufi Muslim religious order founded in the 13th century by Rumi, a Persian poet who believed that dance and music are a path to enlightenment. Accordingly, the dance and music are a religious ritual, not a "show". The audience doesn't clap. It's an altogether calming and moving experience.
Bonus photos after the jump.
"Balloons in the sky,
Over rocks and valleys wide,
Soaring at sunrise."
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| From 2024 05 11 Cappadocia |
Today's photo-of-the-day is from Cappadocia, a historical region in central Turkey. It is a tourist draw for its natural wonders. A highlight of any tour is a hot air balloon ride at dawn over the other-worldly landscape. What a view. We were lucky not to miss it. We were in Cappadocia for three mornings. On the first, our scheduled balloon ascent was canceled because of wind — there wasn't enough of it. On the second morning, our rescheduled ascent was canceled because of rain. On the third morning, our departure from Cappadocia delayed to give us one final chance to ascend, everything worked out for a glorious balloon ride.
Bonus photos after the jump.