Ancient Mysteries

 

Last week, I watched a two-part documentary on my local PBS station called "Tutankhamen, Allies & Enemies".  It was created to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the discovery of King Tut's tomb.  The show inspired me to look through the photos I took eight years ago when I visited the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose California.  

Visiting that museum is almost like taking a trip to Egypt.  It's probably an idealized version of an Egyptian village but it is quiet and peaceful and just plain beautiful.  

The documentary follows Egyptologist Dr. Yasmin El Shazly and photographer Mahmoud Rashad as they examine the mysteries around Tutankhamun's life and death.

The museum has a replica of an ancient tomb and a guide will help guests explore the meaning of the paintings on the wall.

Outside the tomb, King Tut stands watching over the entrance.

The documentary also talks about the young king's father Akhenaten and his religious and cultural revolution.

It also discusses Nefertiti, King Tut's mother.  At least one other Egyptologist disputes the king's parentage but most are convinced that Nefertiti was indeed his mother.

If you like exploring ancient civilizations, I highly recommend the the documentary.  They visit places in the show that I had not heard of before.  They also have some wonderful Egyptian views.

And, if you are interested in this museum, you can visit my previous posts about it, here and here, and here.

London Street Art

 

There is quite a lot of street art to be found when wandering the streets of London and I've photographed quite a few of them.  This huge anchor and chain is located at Butler's Wharf right next to the river Thames.  It's a reminder of the industry and trade this area used to support.

These brightly colored numbers are located outside the Willis Building in the City of London.  This is the part of London full of many iconic skyscrapers.  

Nearby the numbers above is this sculpture called "Gilt of Cain" by Michael Visocchi and Lemn Sissay.  It commemorates the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

Some of Antony Gormley's standing men statues can be found in another City of London location.  This one is called "Parallel Field".  

Not far from the parallel men is this sculpture called "Optic Sphere" by Petroc Sesti.  The reflective nature of this one catches the eye along with the swirling water in the center.

Not far from the famous Gherkin building is this old church and that large, shiny sculpture to the left.  The sculpture is made up of bits of chrome plated pipes and joints.  It's amusingly called "Really Shiny Things That Don't Mean Anything".  It was created by Ryan Gander.

Husband and wife artists Rob and Nick Carter are the artists who created this colorful, neon target.  There are actually two of them located inside the lobby of a building that can be seen from the outside.  They are color changing light boxes and they certainly attracted my attention.

Back in the Southbank area again, I came across this beautiful horse at the center of a development called The Circle.  The horse is surrounded by apartment buildings clad in bright blue bricks.  The horse was sculpted by Shirley Pace and it is called "Jacob, the Dray Horse".  It's a tribute to the working horses that were stabled here in the early 19th century.  I read that "Jacob" was dropped into place by helicopter.  That must have been something to see.

These lovely ladies are sitting outside the The National Theatre of London and having a lengthy conversation.  They were sculpted by Frank Dobson.

The tree sculpture above can be found just outside of London City Hall next to the Thames on the Southbank.  It was created by David Batchelor and the bright green lights up at night.  

This is just a sample of the art that can be found along the streets of London.  I love a city that enjoys art in all shapes and sizes.  

The Look of Old Tucson

 

Whenever I make the trip south to Tucson, I always make a point of wandering through the historic parts of the city.  That's where I find the true looks of the southwest.  

I love this part of town. This area is full of very old houses that have been restored and yet still maintain the weathered look of age.

I could spend hours just walking through these streets and admiring all of these colorful buildings.

Now that the weather has cooled off a bit, I'm looking forward to making another trip to Tucson.  I'm sure a drive through the historic neighborhoods will be part of that trip.

Hotel Laguna

 

On one of the nights I was in California, I had dinner with my friends at the historic Hotel Laguna located right in the heart of Laguna Beach.  

This hotel was built over 125 years ago.  The original structure burned down just 60 days after it opened but it was rebuilt in 1888.  

In 1928, the hotel was demolished when its original construction was suspected to be a fire hazard.  Work started right away and in 1930, this new building was dedicated.

The restaurant called Fin is at the back of the hotel with a dining patio right on the ocean.  We couldn't ask for a better view.  

I shared a salad with my friend Julie and then had the mussels for my main course. I paused every now and then to snap a photo of the setting sun shining through my wine glass.

By the time we reached dessert time, the sun had set and there was a pinkish glow on the horizon.  It was a perfect spot for a relaxing meal by the sea.