How I spent my summer
russian version
The theme “How I spent my summer” is familiar for us from childhood. Everyone who attended a school remember how after a long vacation on one of the first lessons we were offered to collect our ventilated thoughts and write out an essay about this glorious time. The task was perceived by us differently for different reasons. If my memory serves I liked it. And only now I realize that it is a good way to look at ourselves from the outside, to understand how full passed your life in the last few months. Generally comparing the less active part of the year with this time, honestly answer yourself wondered 'is my life interesting?'
Anyway summer is traditionally considered to be a season of relaxing and enjoyable impression. But, leaving childhood behind, the adult life of an ordinary man becomes constrained, serious and full of cares. And instead of whole summer, appears only one legalized month (some are insured with two and a half) of annual leave. What a speaking word, if think about it. We are leaving, allowed to go. To gain strength, to relieve our feelings, to remember what “freedom” means. The rest of the time is going along like a regular flow, punctuated by the long-awaited holidays and weekends. The latter is also amusing concept: you can end everything for a couple of days. And thanks to civilization, we can easily find something to fill the life: shopping, cinemas, theatres, restaurants, picnics, arranging themselves, personal affairs, their habitat etc. And more often after a week work people just want more to lie still, nothing to do, nowhere to go. But exactly in summer it is hard to sit still at home, when it's so warm and fresh air invites you.
Honestly, on this point in my life all was very limited until this year. No, of course I loved to walk around the city, to walk on roofs, snapping pictures. But the range of my movements did not go beyond the web of city subway. And once a year me and Lena, like millions of other people, went on vacation. During this time we tried to cover as many miles, countries and voids of our ignorance about the world in which we live. However later we realized that oversaturated impressions occur at this rate, and began to divide leave for two weeks twice a year. So it became even more interesting, many of our friends even began to believe that we travel a looooot, apparently comparing it with their rhythm. But we still think that one month in a year is not quite enough for an interesting life, that gives us a real pleasure and satisfaction. And when you consider the average life of a Russian + unconscious lifetime and dependent existence + pension, to which people can not even make old bones often, the result is a very sad picture. What to do in this case? The answer is obvious, after all - life is one, and every minute is less. And until we did not take any radical changes, we decided not to lose time in vain and start travelling this summer through the woods and fields, lakes, cities, roads, islands, where it's possible to get during the weekend.
The main question that was awakened at first gradually, and then more often arised with each trip: what for? I.e. for what purpose we are journeying somewhere to unknown places: to photograph, to lie still or to walk actively, to swim, to sunbathe, to fish, to grill or just to get away from the usual environment, changing the “Groundhog day” to a new experiences. And we tried this summer all that came to mind and where could get to, occasionally debating on the topic of purposeness own movements and dreams.
So, let's go step by step ...
1.
And morning sun already highlights lanes of streets. Called guys - they are 'arrested'. A dozen fellows decided to climb on that roof that night. Apparently this sellout could not fail to notice the law enforcers. Outcome - 9 hours at the police office. We were lying on the Palace Square for a couple of hours to meet the dawn, basking in the sun. By the way, surprisingly we sold our first postcard for two merry fellows. And on the way home we "gave five" to each of the endless string of cyclists who rode through the Troitsky Bridge.
2.
Returning to ground I discovered an interesting perspective on St. Isaac's Cathedral. Since then the idea to shoot one of the loveliest cathedrals in unusual exterior erupted in full force. And soon it will repeatedly came true.
3.
4.
There was physical labor and mental relaxation, expedition around in searching of firewood, fishing, soup from the roach and one occasional grilled pike, night chat unto the crackling twigs in fire, heat and cold, moving from one piece of land to another, and many more pleasant and tasty things. Oh yeah, there was a ghostly morning fog and promising sunset, which instantly faded.
5.
6.
And waste, lots of rubbish, a giant heaps of garbage that our vacationers calmly leave at nature.
7.
8.
9.
It wasn't very easy with compositions at least for me. I really did not see any good view. And only just before leaving I found that became interested. But for this I had to go knee-deep into water, knocking against slippery rocky sea floor my feet, that then were scratched because of unbridled attention of mosquitoes.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Here whole being feels what the great poet so aptly noted: «Here is the Russian spirit, that is like Russia smells…» It's funny: after a couple of days after visit we found out that Pskov celebrated 1111 years at that time!
14.
15.
16.
Made lots of pictures, we had a walk around the Kremlin inside and outside, found a bus to Pechory and got there in an hour. The Monastery, because of what almost all people come here, is very cosy, full of trees and flowers. There are a lot of pilgrims and tourists. The Pskovo-Pechersky Dormition Monastery looks unusual, as in the fairy tale, very colorful. We didn't any photography, just admired and walked across the neighbourhood. Especially I memorized the local diningroom: everything was very tasty, and such dumplings I have ate already three hundred years before.
Somewhere at four or five o'clock we were already in Izborsk. Here first of all ones admire by the wide and the kind of simplicity of the Russian landscape that dragging at heart-strings. Now we were not in hurry. Tasted local pies and hospitality, that surprised us in the such tourist flow. Having tried water of Slavonic springs, went to the opposite shore of Gorodishche lake for bathing, finally to wash dust and sweat. The rest of the evening passed in lasting search of the camping spot.
17.
And because the terrain here is hilly and endless, we were exhausted. Marvelous sunset took us in a road. Light was reflected from all sides, even from below - from the grass was shone like the sky has changed with the ground in places.
18.
Set the tent almost in the dark. And though we have settled down at windy hill away from water, mosquitoes literally ate us despite the repellent: such wicked creatures I haven't met before. The next morning was even more unexpected: we were covered with rain shower, making the pool out of the tent. Not calming down, it triumphantly roared above us, lightened and deafened with powerful thunderclaps, and finished only near Pskov, where we sousing stack of bones leave for home.
19.
20.
21.
Oh, I made myself tired with walking that morning. Knee-deep in a swamp: the legs are cramping from the icy water. And everything above the knees is heated by the first solar rays. The contrast of the elements in the height of summer.
22.
23.
And also the huge contrast of nature and her guests. It turned out that here is quite interesting and beautiful, but such an unsullied by man places almost gone, and these remained only due to swampiness, unsuitable for a “rest”.
24.
25.
Upset by seen and satisfied with the photo-result at the same time, in this state of division I dragged myself up to our tent.
26.
After a brief sleep, heavy thoughts were dissolved in a pleasant refreshing water of Kavgolovo lake, where we swam all day under the scorching sun. But the after-pains still remained.
27.
28.
But it cannot happen for the following reason: here I first saw this "gay parade" that's fun pounced to loud tin of the roof and then, by the way, behaved pretty well until the disappearance. As it turned out later, only I took them so. But my friends, two photographers over there (Serg and Ivan), didn't feel so. In all this fuss I still took pictures in relatively calm. And I'm very happy with the result: first time I have an image that contains so many of the very St. Petersburg, where I live: all at once...
29.
30.
That evening was almost no time to testing shots before sunset, and I did it after the inclusion of urban illuminance. Now I like this panorama not less than that from the top.
31.
32.
We with Serg wonderfully conducted in this area a couple of warm nights, rejoicing as the children, found the grown apple crop on the tree (by the way, there is on photo) and arguing for hours about the many things that filled our photographic world. For example...
Thanks to photos life becomes much more interesting: it turns out that initially going somewhere, climbing, crawling for images, and then find out how because of the this process fills your life with interesting and new experiences. But if not for the incentive and the desire to take pictures, would sit at home and did not know the world through direct personal contact. I have generally observed even gradual transformation of priorities: the result is not so categorical as before. Although I realize that the one from the other for me now inseparable, nothing fundamental - the relation is important itself.
33.
34.
35.
The summer is over. But there are still many discoveries and thoughts that were born in it...
Everybody will die. This indisputable perspective recently optimizes us like nothing else. This is the true stimulus, unrivaled catalyst to live. The here and now. And not once, when pay off the mortgage, when settle all business or the child will grow up. To collect something, to postpone, to dream, whatever it touched - not have the slightest sense. Wherefore, sooner or later, all of this pales in the face of death. Her memory perfectly sobering. We will be gone. Perhaps something will be left after, if you were a creator. Well in general: new evidence, theories, people, architecture, computers or photography - will not matter, when the heart stops beating. If we consider this simple truth, we can either fall into despair, or start to live - to live more consciously. To live with a sense of satisfaction just from the fact that you live, regardless of where, how and with whom. All this can be changed. Except one.
During our modest movements on the planet, we noticed that people who travel a lot are more unconfined by prejudice, tolerant of others, kind and open. The way of sitting not in one place contributes to their versatile and balanced perception of the diversity of the surrounding world. And skill not to get stuck in a rut, neither mentally nor physically, beneficial effects to a positive attitude to everything, starting with ourselves.
There are many people who stopped with a typical mass way of life and went beyond the ordinary. They are no longer tied to planned schedule life in comfort and security. They travel the world, sometimes even without money, meeting each new day in the embrace of the unknown. And amazing way for us, the inhabitants of the usual routine, also live long life in the face of constant changes. Now I think that they can experience the fullness of life, its scope and grandeur. At least they can see much farther than the wall of an office or apartment, though there hangs a TV with thousands of channels. And certainly deeper and calmer feel this contradictory reality, the diversity of its faces, its relationship, their own course and meaning of life in this, exactly this and not some other, this the only life.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
read also:
"Saint Petersburg : summer from roofs"
The theme “How I spent my summer” is familiar for us from childhood. Everyone who attended a school remember how after a long vacation on one of the first lessons we were offered to collect our ventilated thoughts and write out an essay about this glorious time. The task was perceived by us differently for different reasons. If my memory serves I liked it. And only now I realize that it is a good way to look at ourselves from the outside, to understand how full passed your life in the last few months. Generally comparing the less active part of the year with this time, honestly answer yourself wondered 'is my life interesting?'
Anyway summer is traditionally considered to be a season of relaxing and enjoyable impression. But, leaving childhood behind, the adult life of an ordinary man becomes constrained, serious and full of cares. And instead of whole summer, appears only one legalized month (some are insured with two and a half) of annual leave. What a speaking word, if think about it. We are leaving, allowed to go. To gain strength, to relieve our feelings, to remember what “freedom” means. The rest of the time is going along like a regular flow, punctuated by the long-awaited holidays and weekends. The latter is also amusing concept: you can end everything for a couple of days. And thanks to civilization, we can easily find something to fill the life: shopping, cinemas, theatres, restaurants, picnics, arranging themselves, personal affairs, their habitat etc. And more often after a week work people just want more to lie still, nothing to do, nowhere to go. But exactly in summer it is hard to sit still at home, when it's so warm and fresh air invites you.
Honestly, on this point in my life all was very limited until this year. No, of course I loved to walk around the city, to walk on roofs, snapping pictures. But the range of my movements did not go beyond the web of city subway. And once a year me and Lena, like millions of other people, went on vacation. During this time we tried to cover as many miles, countries and voids of our ignorance about the world in which we live. However later we realized that oversaturated impressions occur at this rate, and began to divide leave for two weeks twice a year. So it became even more interesting, many of our friends even began to believe that we travel a looooot, apparently comparing it with their rhythm. But we still think that one month in a year is not quite enough for an interesting life, that gives us a real pleasure and satisfaction. And when you consider the average life of a Russian + unconscious lifetime and dependent existence + pension, to which people can not even make old bones often, the result is a very sad picture. What to do in this case? The answer is obvious, after all - life is one, and every minute is less. And until we did not take any radical changes, we decided not to lose time in vain and start travelling this summer through the woods and fields, lakes, cities, roads, islands, where it's possible to get during the weekend.
The main question that was awakened at first gradually, and then more often arised with each trip: what for? I.e. for what purpose we are journeying somewhere to unknown places: to photograph, to lie still or to walk actively, to swim, to sunbathe, to fish, to grill or just to get away from the usual environment, changing the “Groundhog day” to a new experiences. And we tried this summer all that came to mind and where could get to, occasionally debating on the topic of purposeness own movements and dreams.
So, let's go step by step ...
- Moyka
1.
And morning sun already highlights lanes of streets. Called guys - they are 'arrested'. A dozen fellows decided to climb on that roof that night. Apparently this sellout could not fail to notice the law enforcers. Outcome - 9 hours at the police office. We were lying on the Palace Square for a couple of hours to meet the dawn, basking in the sun. By the way, surprisingly we sold our first postcard for two merry fellows. And on the way home we "gave five" to each of the endless string of cyclists who rode through the Troitsky Bridge.
- Birzhevoy and Isaaky
2.
Returning to ground I discovered an interesting perspective on St. Isaac's Cathedral. Since then the idea to shoot one of the loveliest cathedrals in unusual exterior erupted in full force. And soon it will repeatedly came true.
3.
- Vuoksi lake
4.
There was physical labor and mental relaxation, expedition around in searching of firewood, fishing, soup from the roach and one occasional grilled pike, night chat unto the crackling twigs in fire, heat and cold, moving from one piece of land to another, and many more pleasant and tasty things. Oh yeah, there was a ghostly morning fog and promising sunset, which instantly faded.
5.
6.
And waste, lots of rubbish, a giant heaps of garbage that our vacationers calmly leave at nature.
- Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) and Pavlovsk
- Karpovka
7.
8.
- “Krakatunia” / "Nashestvie"
9.
It wasn't very easy with compositions at least for me. I really did not see any good view. And only just before leaving I found that became interested. But for this I had to go knee-deep into water, knocking against slippery rocky sea floor my feet, that then were scratched because of unbridled attention of mosquitoes.
10.
- Valaam (Valamo)
11.
- Pskov - Pechory - Izborsk
12.
13.
Here whole being feels what the great poet so aptly noted: «Here is the Russian spirit, that is like Russia smells…» It's funny: after a couple of days after visit we found out that Pskov celebrated 1111 years at that time!
14.
15.
16.
Made lots of pictures, we had a walk around the Kremlin inside and outside, found a bus to Pechory and got there in an hour. The Monastery, because of what almost all people come here, is very cosy, full of trees and flowers. There are a lot of pilgrims and tourists. The Pskovo-Pechersky Dormition Monastery looks unusual, as in the fairy tale, very colorful. We didn't any photography, just admired and walked across the neighbourhood. Especially I memorized the local diningroom: everything was very tasty, and such dumplings I have ate already three hundred years before.
Somewhere at four or five o'clock we were already in Izborsk. Here first of all ones admire by the wide and the kind of simplicity of the Russian landscape that dragging at heart-strings. Now we were not in hurry. Tasted local pies and hospitality, that surprised us in the such tourist flow. Having tried water of Slavonic springs, went to the opposite shore of Gorodishche lake for bathing, finally to wash dust and sweat. The rest of the evening passed in lasting search of the camping spot.
17.
And because the terrain here is hilly and endless, we were exhausted. Marvelous sunset took us in a road. Light was reflected from all sides, even from below - from the grass was shone like the sky has changed with the ground in places.
18.
Set the tent almost in the dark. And though we have settled down at windy hill away from water, mosquitoes literally ate us despite the repellent: such wicked creatures I haven't met before. The next morning was even more unexpected: we were covered with rain shower, making the pool out of the tent. Not calming down, it triumphantly roared above us, lightened and deafened with powerful thunderclaps, and finished only near Pskov, where we sousing stack of bones leave for home.
- Komarovo
- Kavgolovo lake
19.
20.
21.
Oh, I made myself tired with walking that morning. Knee-deep in a swamp: the legs are cramping from the icy water. And everything above the knees is heated by the first solar rays. The contrast of the elements in the height of summer.
22.
23.
And also the huge contrast of nature and her guests. It turned out that here is quite interesting and beautiful, but such an unsullied by man places almost gone, and these remained only due to swampiness, unsuitable for a “rest”.
24.
25.
Upset by seen and satisfied with the photo-result at the same time, in this state of division I dragged myself up to our tent.
26.
After a brief sleep, heavy thoughts were dissolved in a pleasant refreshing water of Kavgolovo lake, where we swam all day under the scorching sun. But the after-pains still remained.
- Ladoga lake
- Izmailovsky
27.
- “Roof of the world”
28.
But it cannot happen for the following reason: here I first saw this "gay parade" that's fun pounced to loud tin of the roof and then, by the way, behaved pretty well until the disappearance. As it turned out later, only I took them so. But my friends, two photographers over there (Serg and Ivan), didn't feel so. In all this fuss I still took pictures in relatively calm. And I'm very happy with the result: first time I have an image that contains so many of the very St. Petersburg, where I live: all at once...
29.
- Isaac's in exterior
30.
That evening was almost no time to testing shots before sunset, and I did it after the inclusion of urban illuminance. Now I like this panorama not less than that from the top.
31.
- The Trinity Cathedral
32.
We with Serg wonderfully conducted in this area a couple of warm nights, rejoicing as the children, found the grown apple crop on the tree (by the way, there is on photo) and arguing for hours about the many things that filled our photographic world. For example...
Thanks to photos life becomes much more interesting: it turns out that initially going somewhere, climbing, crawling for images, and then find out how because of the this process fills your life with interesting and new experiences. But if not for the incentive and the desire to take pictures, would sit at home and did not know the world through direct personal contact. I have generally observed even gradual transformation of priorities: the result is not so categorical as before. Although I realize that the one from the other for me now inseparable, nothing fundamental - the relation is important itself.
- Kizhi
33.
- Khersonskaya
34.
- Roofs
35.
The summer is over. But there are still many discoveries and thoughts that were born in it...
Everybody will die. This indisputable perspective recently optimizes us like nothing else. This is the true stimulus, unrivaled catalyst to live. The here and now. And not once, when pay off the mortgage, when settle all business or the child will grow up. To collect something, to postpone, to dream, whatever it touched - not have the slightest sense. Wherefore, sooner or later, all of this pales in the face of death. Her memory perfectly sobering. We will be gone. Perhaps something will be left after, if you were a creator. Well in general: new evidence, theories, people, architecture, computers or photography - will not matter, when the heart stops beating. If we consider this simple truth, we can either fall into despair, or start to live - to live more consciously. To live with a sense of satisfaction just from the fact that you live, regardless of where, how and with whom. All this can be changed. Except one.
During our modest movements on the planet, we noticed that people who travel a lot are more unconfined by prejudice, tolerant of others, kind and open. The way of sitting not in one place contributes to their versatile and balanced perception of the diversity of the surrounding world. And skill not to get stuck in a rut, neither mentally nor physically, beneficial effects to a positive attitude to everything, starting with ourselves.
There are many people who stopped with a typical mass way of life and went beyond the ordinary. They are no longer tied to planned schedule life in comfort and security. They travel the world, sometimes even without money, meeting each new day in the embrace of the unknown. And amazing way for us, the inhabitants of the usual routine, also live long life in the face of constant changes. Now I think that they can experience the fullness of life, its scope and grandeur. At least they can see much farther than the wall of an office or apartment, though there hangs a TV with thousands of channels. And certainly deeper and calmer feel this contradictory reality, the diversity of its faces, its relationship, their own course and meaning of life in this, exactly this and not some other, this the only life.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
read also:
"Saint Petersburg : summer from roofs"