For many of us the combination of red, white and blue symbolises freedom, unity, and patriotism because of its use in our flags. But individually they have their own meanings. Red is the colour of passion and energy, although it is also a warning sign. Blue is a much calmer colour, indicating peace and stability. And white brings a sense of calm, hope and simplicity.
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Irving Penn defined a good photograph as, 'one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it'. If I can do even one of those three things with an image, I’m satisfied!
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Genovesa, also known by the English name of Tower, is unusual among Galápagos Islands in having not a volcanic cone. Instead most of the volcano is submerged and surrounds an ocean-filled caldera on the south west side of the island. Due to its remote location and lack of fresh water the island was less visited in the past and has remained unaltered by man; there are no introduced species on the island.
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Over the last few months since our return from Mexico I’ve covered most of the highlights of our trip in a number of posts, from the sights of Mexico City to the ruins of Monte Alban, and from the Copper Canyon to the whales of the Sea of Cortez. But some favourite photos failed to find their way into those posts.
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Jean De La Bruyere, French philosopher, said that, 'We come too late to say anything which has not been said already', but I am hopeful that I am better late than never.
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The albatross gets a bad name sometimes, as it was the killing of one that cursed Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner and his shipmates. But the curse came about because the albatross was seen as an omen of good fortune, NEVER to be killed. The good omen part of the story is often forgotten, and the albatross mentioned, unfairly, only as a harbinger of doom.
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Sometimes on a trip it’s important to take the pace down a notch. In the end it doesn’t matter if you squeeze in every sight or miss a few. By rushing around you can fail to really appreciate where you are and to notice the smaller details that distinguish one place from the next.
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On a mountain high above Oaxaca lies one of the most significant archaeological sites in all of Mexico, Monte Albán. This mountain top was home to the Zapotec people for thirteen centuries. It is jointly UNESCO listed, with the city of Oaxaca itself. UNESCO describe it as, ‘an outstanding example of a pre-Columbian ceremonial centre’. The listing summarises the site’s history:
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Wherever you go in Mexico you will see skulls. Why? Because the skull in Mexican culture represents death and rebirth, the cycle of life. People here believe that the afterlife is as important if not more important than your life on earth. The skull symbolises both sides, life and the afterlife.
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A few weeks ago I took you for a walk around the colourful Mexican city of Oaxaca. On that occasion I skipped over most of the major sights but promised to return to visit them later. Today is that ‘later’!
