Aleppo, My Love. Pre-War Photos

About ten years ago I was fortunate to spend several weeks in Aleppo. I loved the city and kept planning to come back one day - with my family. Now, it seems, there is nothing to come back to...

I do not watch the news. I feel very sad for the people I knew personally, and for those I did not. I will never be able to come back to Aleppo I knew. Even if they restore the city, it will be different, so all I have left is memories and a bunch of photos. I know they are really bad, as I had a film camera which I could not use well, but I still want to share them. The lousy photos and my love for Aleppo, the city of cream marble, orange trees and honey-like muezzin voices. And floating above all is the scent of calabash smoke and coffee with spices. Sorry, Aleppo, you did not deserve what happened to you and your people. I still love you.

  

Uzbek Woman in Ikat Gown with a Boy

Just an old photo that I want to share. Both the woman and the child seem amazing to me - very beautiful and enigmatic. They seem to be looking into the future, unknown to them at that point, but known to us now... not their personal future, of course, but the overall history of the region and people. 

I do not know who they are, but obviously they were from a rich family, judging by their clothing and her jewellery. The woman's hands are obviously not familiar with hard work, and are heavy with lavish rings and bracelets. Note that their gowns are made from the same gorgeous ikat silk. The woman is wearing 'tilla kosh' headpiece - 'golden brows' - and a shawl, which could be Russian, judging by what I can see from the pattern. Beautiful!

Woman in full wedding regalia with child, photograph ca. 1860, Registan Museum, Samarkand. 

Lutheran Church in Tashkent. And Merry Christmas!

We have had some beautiful snow recently. I was passing by this old Lutheran Church and took some photos.



I love this little church; it looks a bit toy-like to me, due to the size, but it does possess the dignity and significance. And people come there... we do not have many Lutherans, but there are some, and I am glad they have their Kirche.



It looks so peaceful, as if this were not in the center of a large city with 5 millions of people. This church was launched in 1899 based on the design of a well-known Russian architect Aleksey Benois. Construction was funded by Karl Hironim Teodor Krause, who was a Russian doctor, botanist, researcher and an eminent social activist.

In Soviet time, when religion was oppressed here, the church was used as a warehouse. In the end of 1970s, it was given to the high music school and was used for opera classes. Fortunately, it was not demolished or even too damaged. Then in the 90s the church was given back to the Lutheran community. Now there are about 200 people in the Lutheran parish in Tashkent.

It is good to have many confessions in the country, when people live peacefully and tolerate each other. This is what Tashkent has always been famous for. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and God knows who else live here together. We bake a pie for Easter and give a piece to our Muslim neighbours; they do the same at Eid. We share some traditions, and we share these streets, trees, bazaars, fruit and vegetables, mountains and hot Uzbek sun. We are neighbours and friends, and this is how it should be, I believe.

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Wishing peace, love, strong health and prosperity to everyone! 

Holiday Wreaths by Mindie Lue Gifts

There is one tradition in the West that I regret we do not have. Actually there might be many more than one, but this time I am thinking about decorative wreaths. They are so beautiful! I guess they are more for private houses than for apartments - I do not know where I could hang one in our flat - so my interest in them is purely abstract now. Still, I look at them now and then, admiring their rustic feel and richness of colors. I love both autumn and Christmas wreaths - they all have their own charm.

For instance, this autumn beauty with leaves, flowers, berries and even a lovely embroidered pumpkin. A feast for the eyes! I love everything about harvest, autumn woodland and fields...

This Christmas wreath with bright decorations and an elegant organza bow is very elegant and sophisticated. I always love green and gold together. The large poinsettia flower adds even more festive mood to the already bright

And now my favorite -green with red and white. Ideal harmony of colors and shapes, this is the one I would like to own! The striped balls - do they represent candies? They are candy-like.

After looking at these, I think I could make a small wreath for us - it will be an interesting project... I will see if we have tiny pumpkins and corn here. Leaves we do have, that is for sure!

The wreaths are from MindieLueGifts.

A Happy Mother's Day to My Mother and Everyone's!

This is me and my mother, about 33 years ago. Walking in the Vorontsov Park, Alupka, Crimea.

Her life has not been easy - I hope the recent years have been better, after resolving some family issues - but she has always been kind, patient and strong. I do what I can to make her happy, but the most important thing is that my mother knows how to be happy, and tries to teach all of us. She is inherently happy: she has a strong source of light inside her. That is why she is still shining, and we love her so much. In the second photo she is with my daughter and my younger sister - and I am with the camera, equally happy!

A Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Our Morning Walk Today: Sculptures and Dandelions

Owning a dog results in a number of obligations some of which are actually benefits; I believe dog walking to be one of them. No other power in the world would make me get up at 6 am for a walk.

At this time, Tashkent is beautiful, empty and silent; streets are wide and clean. It is a chilly morning despite the clear sky and bright sun. We go along several narrow streets and arrive at the small park close to the City Exhibition Hall. There are several nice sculptures which I remember since early childhood.

The little boy riding a horse is my favorite; as a child I believed them to be real. My mother showed them to me when I was very small... Where are they heading to? Most likely, to the land of dreams, some hidden realm so different from our routine life. It looks especially magical in the dim light; the joyous morning light today is too lively and happy for them. They belong to twilight and mist.

The wise man is counting stars, even when there is sun in the sky. For the one who has vision, time of the day does not matter; nor does the century.

As for these, I have no idea who they are. Age and moss make them look strange and noble.

This is my own sculpture - alive, breathing, smiling, wagging his tail - occupying someone's vacant pedestal. He copes with my whims in the most patient way; if I want to take photos today, he will keep company without complaints.

Dandelions seem to emit their own light.

And Jager, wet and happy, steam breathing, amidst the grasses and flowers; there is still time to walk, run and enjoy life.

A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

There is a raffle going on to support a woman who has lost her husband (just 40 years old) to cancer in December and is left alone with a 5 year old boy. Please consider buying a ticket or maybe buying something from her Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/azulado - lovely ceramics!) to help. The full story is here. Please let us help Sandra together - if many people give several dollars each, or buy something from here, it will be a great support to her. Sandra's Facebook page is here.

To My Israeli Friends

"Minutes ago, a rocket siren went off in Tel Aviv. Everyone ran for cover. Our photographer just took this photo on a train as he took cover. Luckily for us, the Iron Dome intercepted the rocket" - source. 

Our media seems to be happily indifferent to what is going on in Israel and Gaza. I found two pieces of news, between rumors of face lifting made by an aging cinema star and discussion of benefits of consuming raw beetroot. International news often look skewed, focusing on Israel's response. My news come from a handmade forum where I have Israeli friends, mostly women with children. 

From what I understand, it was more or less quiet in Israel and Gaza recently, save for missiles routinely flying from Gaza to the south of the country. ("It is never totally quiet here, Eugenie" - says my friend). People are so much used to living under fire there - it is not even discussed, being sort of normal. And then of course there are constant attempt at terrorist acts, and constant counteraction by Israel.  I do not know much about politics, but now I know something about my Israeli friends' daily routine recently. 

This is what I read in our forum - just several quotes, those that touched me most of all.

"Children in Sderot lived under fire for years. They learned how to find a shelter whithin 15 seconds - this is how long it takes for a missile from Gaza to arrive". 

 "I look at my son and my heart drops. And I cannot just put my head in the sand... We do not have air raid alarms now and no other sounds, but it does not make things better". 

"I did not take my son to the kindergarten today - their  bomb shelter is too flimsy. He stays with me. He heard the sirens twice today and told me - it is emergency, a doctor is going to someone! And then I have to explain that it means danger and we need to hide". 

"We went for a walk in the park and heard the alarm, so we hid under one of the houses (houses here are on pillars)".  

"Today is a horrible day. There are many more missiles, and they are much more precise now; the Dome cannot intercept all of them". 

"I am not afraid for myself at all, but I am watching the news... there is no end to this - only in our hopes, but not in reality".  

"It is not possible to come to an agreement with these people.  But we have no right to use the same methods which were used to the Jews throughout the history. It would justify all the atrocities". 

They never say a word of hatred towards their neighbors - instead, they express regret and their desire for peace. And Israel still provides power, natural gas and communication services to Gaza. They also send food and provide healthcare. 

They are asking me not to worry too much: "It is all right, Eugenie, we live like that all the time.  It will become quiet again very soon; come and visit us. You will love the country - it is beautiful".

...My Israeli friends, my heart goes out to you. Thank you for remaining humans at all times. Thank you for serving as an example of courage and kindness. May peace be with you. Of course I will come - and I already love your country and you.