The Meeting Place

Detail of a larger photo: the front of the train station late on a Saturday night.

Did you forget something?

...because these ones aren't mine!

Portrait

24: now i know in part, then i shall know fully, even as i am fully known.

Christmas Eve...

...was spent in working on the house, making food, pastries, and cleaning up! It was so nice to have sun!

"Romeo, wherefore art thou..."

My cousin practicing at an ancient Roman amphitheater in Segobriga, once a prominent center for the Roman Empire's trade on the Iberian Peninsula, a place especially known for its glass. This shot was taken by my sister.

Gettin' Punked!

The streets were full of people with wigs! Men with long blonde locks, children with green pigtails...Toni and I joined the festive atmosphere of New Year's too!

The Flavor of Madrid

The coffee bar--and I do mean bar! Standing room only, and you have your coffee and pastry at the bar as you get elbowed in the ribs and hope no one runs away with your shopping bag! It was quite the experience, constantly overflowing with people and noise, and good coffee!

Madrid at Christmas

We ended up dowtown to see the lights, and happened upon a fabulous light show at the old mail edifice. It was freezing, enjoyable and crowded! I love the architecture in Madrid!

Prehistoric Elephants in Madrid

...really really! I keep running into the wild animals in the most unexpected places...

warm inside

family, candles, chocolate, laughs...aaaahh.

Avanto

Sonja and Sanni check out the ice on the lake. Moments later we plunged in!

Party Time!

My fabulous and theatrical roommate on the night she turned a quarter of a century old. In the background, her friends who brought her the mask!

Shane

...I don't have a picture of her singing, but she already captured my heart when I first met her...her voice and her hands are so small, she is so lively...

Conversing at the Station

"He walked me through grime today, and six drenching puddles!"

"Aw, too bad. This weather makes it difficult to find a good place to step."

"Yeah, well, I won't be on duty tomorrow, I think he's fed up with cold feet and will choose good ol' Gore-tex."

"Nice, the closet is always welcome after a long days walk."

"You said it! Aah, the smell of stale feet and leather!"

"You enjoy, I have to take my feet to the library and back before the next train leaves!"

Night

Fleeting moment...

...that made me smile!! Sunday was the official opening of Christmas in downtown Helsinki.

They're Orange

An incident with my previous glasses and a mischievous two-year old resulted in the need for new visionary aids... my roommate made sure I didn't get any boring ones...

PS. Toni, thanks for the mug!

No Words

This is the perfect description of me today.

Source is CJ's. She takes beautiful pictures in New Zealand.

Sailing away...

...to a far away land or a safe harbor where a warm sauna awaits.... :)

Toward the sea...

...this is the row of old buildings that faces the sea, overlooks the runners, and basks in the little bit of sun. We did have snow at one point...