Mattias Westfalk

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Berlin Overload, Part II

Berlin Street gloom extravaganza. Won't win me any contracts with the city tourism council but what the hell. As always, this is what I see and seek out however lush and the beauty lurking behind the corner. Has it's charm doesn't it (I can't get enough of the WWII bullet holes in so many facades and walls)?

Berlinbesucher Part 1

Finally…back in a city that has since the first time I set foot here been one of my absolute favorites amongst European cities. I used to have Berlin as my European "base" when I worked in the merchant marine and had time off between contracts, usually 3 month on and 3 month off, sometimes 6 month on and off. My base in Asia at that time was always Bangkok. Haven't had much chance or time to visit Europe the last decennia so it was with great joy and a positive mind I landed at dawn one morning just a couple of days ago. Have still some friends here but decided to make it back the "real" way I took in at one of the many "backpackers" or hostels if you like, 12 man dorm room. It was the same, full of snoring Americans and happy teens out on their little lives first adventure. Oddly enough, I didn't feel like the dinosaur I know I am, turns out that in springtime Berlin and even the most weatherworn vagabond has a place.

All images below shot during a long day of roaming the city with my GX1 Micro 4/3.

Friday, May 03, 2013

Stonehaven & Dunnottar

Scotland, Stonehaven

15th Century medieval fortress Dunnottar Castle

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Stone, lines and all shades of gray

Not first time in Scotland, but my first in Aberdeen. Couldn't resist to just wander the cobbled streets like a ghost and shoot buildings all day last Sunday. Small town, not much to see in terms of "things worth seeing". But, my books isn't written in the same lingua franca as most. What caught my attention immediately was the buildings and the streets intervening as a support structure below. Fantastic! The day turned from grey and wet to clear sky and back again in minutes. I liked the wet and overcast better since it gave the place a mood that was supposed to be. All shades of gray was on display in a bonanza of dullness and low-tone. People, the cars they drove, the clothes they wore, the skin they were enclosed in blended spectacularly fine with the surrounding architecture. It all fit inn here, I've never been to a city where all possible medium was on the same wavelength of grey like here and cooperated within it's boundaries like nothing else was ever possible. In one backstreet I found a closed down eatery that had had some colors applied once and see what happened to the place (see image below), survival of the fittest. One street corner in particular stood out (Lindsay Street Image below), I just laugh out loud…-"Wow…this is perfect…magnifique!". I spend a memorable long moment just sipping in the perfectness of the lines and mood of this completely empty intersection of gloom. Loved it, wish I had my Hasselblad with me.

Now in my damp basement room of the B&B I frequent, drinking cups of tea and listening to Pantera while uploading these images. Funny how things play out once in awhile, have learned to roll with the punches and just be where you are.

snafu