Aref-Adib

Holy Ghosts

A covered Paso in a church in Granada

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is one of the most important traditional events of Andalucia. It is celebrated in the week leading up to Easter. The week features the procession of pasos, floats of lifelike wooden sculptures of different scenes of the events of the Passion or images of the Virgin Mary or other saints.

A Paso (Spanish for Pace or Step) is an elaborate float carried by costaleros and are usually followed by a band. Some have long skirts that cover the bearers entirely, giving the impression that the statue is floating on its own power.

>> Click here to see more photos

Celestial Patterns

The patterns in Spain stay mainly in the southern plain!

>> I went pattern hunting in southern Spain. Click here to see the results.

Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein seen from the Marienbrücke.

Airport Security

When I was going to fly to USA, I was asked to do the now common act of taking off my shoes at the airport. As I put my shoes in the tray, I remembered that ironically the last time I had to do the same to enter a public building was at a mosque.

>> Iranian Airport Pattern

Tourist for a day

I was a tourist for a day on Monday and soaked up London a little bit!
>> View the photos here

City of light by night

Paris, the city of light, by night.
I took these pictures few days ago with my new mobile phone.

Freiburg & Isfahan

On our visit to the beautiful city of Freiburg this summer, I came across this tiles mosaic on the pavement. Apparently Freiburg has several sister-cities throughout the world and the latest one is Isfahan. The Southern Germany city of Freiburg isn't usually particularly concerned with international disputes but that changed when Isfahan made headlines by resuming work at its nuclear facility. That has led to calls in Freiburg to exert more influence on its Iranian sister!

>> Click here to see the pictures.

Greece

We are on holiday in Greece. We are staying in Nidri (Nydri), Lefkada.
I am sitting with Max in an Internet cafe, writing these few words.

Biberach

We are on holiday and staying near Biberach an der Riß.

Back in London

Yesterday we got back to London. These were the highlights of our holiday:

• Attended Heike and Moncho's wedding in Bayrischzell.


• Hiked at Wendelstein.


• Visited Veronika at St. Gallen in Switzerland with its beautiful Old Town, Cathedral, "Stift" Abbey Library, and picturesque countryside.


• Visited Munich and had "Weiner schnitzel mit Pommes und Radler"!

Devon

We were in Devon for few days. The highlights were:

• Dartmoor National Park, home of the famous Dartmoor ponies.


• Dartmouth with its narrow streets, overhanging houses, old quays, and great views of the river Dart and the sea.


• Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra at Powderham Castle.


• Blackpool sands


• Eating chips with Alan and Christine at Exeter quay.