76/ nomadic genes

Am using some of my photos selected for another project, 

a cross section from various Asian countries,

above: reliefs at Angkor Wat.

a young girl aligning pots in Bhaktapur

part of the astonishing horizon in Pokhara

& a small vivid area of the ghats in Varanasi. Stayed several months,

years ago, in the days when I really felt the pull of strong nomadic genes: 

still love to visit new places, though now I also 

enjoy returning to my place here.

75/ around asia

One of the reasons I enjoy travelling in Asia is the

underlying Buddhist culture of much of it.

It adds a dimension to all spheres of life, & has been crucial 

in the arts for millennia.

Actually most religions had a tradition of beautifying

the architecture & objects connected with their worship,

didn't they?

Some join a monastery for life, for others it's an opportunity

to be educated

these (probably well-known monks) were small

& un-nervingly realistic

A beautifully painted monastery on the outskirts of Kathmandu,

 in the Tibetan tradition.

74/ garden

The delightful summer palace grounds in Lhasa 

in May, the greenest part we saw

with some perpetual Spring flowers

73/ balance

Within the monastery, the scale of the rocks & mountain

achieves a balance with the massive walls

which seem to have always been there

leaning towards the summit

72/like this

such fine paintings & thangkas

decorative details wherever possible

extravagant pillars

I couldn't figure out what happens in other sections

imagine that its all a continuous process of repairs.

71/ unreal

After wanting for so long to visit Tibet 

 it was a little un-real

finally being there

the monasteries, crowded with devotees

the Potala, as large as a mountain

the crowds of pilgrims, clouds of incense

 the vivid colours in the clean cold air..

70/ really old

The walls look really old, though I'm told it was the

paintings & artifacts - & people - that suffered most 

during the dark years. 

there are wonderful decorations, & then it looks like

the painter says 'ok that's enough', & 

just throws the paint at the surface

leaves much abstract art for dead

wouldn't you say?

69/ monks

the young monks 

- playing

& debating

68/ real

There always seemed to be more women than men

a sweet mother & child, they looked so open

speaking volumes

Doubt if this is real gold, still?