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Thursday, January 28, 2010

FSO - Look up / Look down

I took pictures with this post in mind for over 3 weeks, a snap here and a snap there - then the hard part comes, how to put some of them together to tell you a coherent story about Rio or Friburgo - I've ended up with a somewhat eclectic post including a bit from each city.   
In Rio there is a new building near the division between Leblon and Ipanema, from the street level is just an ordinary building but if you look up it becomes a visual pleasure as it shines blue against the blue-gray sky, reflecting the gentle wisp of clouds in the sky behind me.
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I also took many shots of the sidewalks and entranceways of Ipanema. It is common in Rio to use white / black stones in curving or geometric design. Photo 2 is a simple example.

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But as you walk along the sidewalks, you have to take special care with the breaks, holes or piles of stones that may lay in wait to halt your feet, twist your ankle, challenge your balance. It is always astonishing to me that the women of Rio wear high, pointed heeled shoes - however do they stay upright on these stone walkways.

DSC09134  In Friburgo it is a normal that the streets, both public and private, are made of granite stones. They are a bit rough on the car shocks but seem to last forever.

 

My favorite shots though are those from our veranda looking down the valley, whether it be in the yellow of early morning light or the last gray/pink rays of the late afternoon sun.
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and the last, standing in the garden looking down on the old steps now covered in moss and slowly breaking up, and up above them the house rising high above the trees.
 
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21 comments:

  1. You have a mosst beautiful view!!!

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  2. oh. my. word. Even having seen the view near-ish to where you live, in person, (well, if "an hour more or less" is near-ish.....over by Macae) -- even having seen views like that in person, your view from the veranda still takes my breath away every time you post it.

    ...sigh...

    love it.

    the Rio photos, too; I think the big cities in Brazil all have buildings, walks, streets like that. At least, the ones I've seen so far : ) You captured the contrasts very well!

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  3. Jealous of your views, but beauty almost always has a price...

    I love cobble stone, and paved stone pathways, although they do not like me at times when I trip...

    Mountains are majestic if that is not an over used phrase, but its so true!

    A birthday party here could be...uh is there a Portuguese word for me besides...freakin fabulous!

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  4. Ginger, are you looking down on a national park? Because it looks like it, a little sliver of the Atlantic rain forest. Gorgeous.

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  5. There has to be a very deep message for all of us in the old cracked wall about to be engulfed ib the vines.
    Maybe, "First we are broken, and then, forgotten."
    Very nice, Ginger.

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  6. Gorgeous view of the valleys and mountains, a breathtaking view!

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  7. Oh oh oh wow girl!! That view is stunning and the moss carpet..wow! Beautiful shootout as always!
    Hugs, Sarah

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  8. I agree with Gigi. Your view is spectacular. I think all of the slate and stone streets and sidewalks are quite interesting. Great shoot out Ginger.

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  9. Oh, Ginger, your mountains go on forever...what a spectacular view. The shots from your veranda seem to be looking down and yet up at the same time. Amazing post!

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  10. you even make the moss on the steps so green and lush. Great job

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  11. I love all the textures you profiled here, especially the moss.

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  12. The picture of the wall and the moss is most eye catching, and Gordon the poet put words to it. I love learning about where you live and seeing all the beauty of that sunny country.
    QMM

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  13. I loved those mountain scenes the best. :)

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  14. Your photos always take my breath away and make me want to move to Brazil. The mountain scenes were amazing.

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  15. I love the textured stone shots, the mossy stones, and of course those beautiful views!

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  16. I have to say, the view from your veranda is just stunning Ginger.

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  17. What a place to have a morning coffee or a nightcap - quite a view!

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  18. The view from your balcony is breathtaking! I love the way the mountains trail off into the mist - gorgeous!

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  19. We adapted almost everything in history and culture of Spanish people. I like the building and the black & white stones very much. And the valley too!

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  20. All that beauty in one post....AWESOME

    yvonne

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  21. Hello Ginger...

    Once again your pictures are breathtaking...how I wish I could be a country gal...but, the city has my heart..way too spoiled with conveniences. Our views here are NY skyline and Statue of Liberty...and lots of water (we are a peninsula)

    Stay well...and be back soon!

    Claire / OWW

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