Savior-Transfiguration Monastery

#Savior_Transfiguration_Monastery

The Cathedral was founded in 1198 and has been rebuilt many times due to age/erosion and many wars in the area
The Monastery was established in 1213 as the first school of religion, then in 1747 the first logical seminary was established within the building

Cannot really say how i gained access to the bell tower (my secret) as its usually restricted to the monks or members of the religious order who maintains it......so i feel blessed 🙏

Visitors can typically only go to the designated areas such as chapels, guests houses and gardens
This was designed for visitors to experience the monastic lifestyle without disrupting the religious community

As i make my way up to the top i am reminded the Monastery was devasted by the Great Fires of 1500s
but it was rebuilt and restored plus evolved from the wooden structures into stone cathedral fortifications
Thus reflecting in the changing architecture styles and needs of the different eras

As you can see with this narrow opening the Monastery had to protect itself from attacks, for example like the one in 1238 by the Khan Baty and his troops
He was the Mongolian ruler (who was the grandson of Genghis Khan) and founder of the Golden Horde which would control Eastern Europe for about 250 years

Monks History
It comes from the Greek word "monos" meaning alone or solitary
In the beginnings, they were responsible for the coping / preservation of texts which made them important scholars and scribes

Some Fun Facts;
A) Monks in medieval England were involved in the creation of the first public clocks
B) Trappist Monks have a long history of brewing beer which was a source of income for the Monasteries ( today....13 designated locations worldwide)
C) Buddhist Monks are associated with the practice of the Chinese martial art of King-Fu 
They also have a vegetarian diet to follow their beliefs in non-violence and minimizing harm to all living things

The bell tower was to serve as a call to prayer as a reminder of Gods presence plus for the Monks to practice their vows
But beyond the monastic community the bells were used to alert the surrounding villages of important events, of  incoming danger, plus a symbolic message to ward off evil or natures storms 

From the bell tower i am overlooking the Volga River and Yaroslavl
Its a city located 250 kms (155 miles) northeast of Moscow and is the part of what they call the Russia Golden Ring
That is a tourist route connecting ancient and historically significant Russian cities north of Moscow which some include Kostroma, Ivanovo, Vladimir and Suzdal

Not sure it was my time to leave jajajja.....but the bells were chiming and it was loud
So as John Donne wrote "the bell tolls for thee" and i remember the meaning of that; its a common bond of humanity that no one is truly isolated

Great Words for All to Live By

After being the center of education for centuries the monastery was closed in 1787 and converted into a residence for archbishops
Then during the Soviet era it again changed and became the home to the Yaroslavl Historical / Architectural Museum-Reserve

Seville Spain

#Seville_Spain
 
Because it was under control by both the Roman and Moors. you have many structures from the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire to look for within the city
 The Italica Amphitheater, Aqueducts & Columns in the Alameda de Hercules, City Walls, La Giralda, The Courtyard of the Orange Trees etc.

KeyTip;

Ways to Tour Seville;
A) Free Walking Tours; which you can "Tip" you guide whatever you deem 
B) Hop-On Hop-Off Bus; it has fourteen stops plus some providers offer packages that combine hop-on bus & panoramic river cruise
C) Bicycle; either a guided tour or rental on the 180 kms (110 miles) of bike lanes available  
D) Horse-Drawn Carriage;  45 minute tour through the historic center
E) Paddle Surfing or Kayaking; not sure how much you would see of the city from the river, but thank goodness we are all different 😅

To understand any city i always go back in its history
So for Seville it started with the Romans (birthplace of Emperors Trajan & Hadrian) then the Moors who introduced crops like oranges ( that still today line most of the streets plus the city squares) lemons, peaches, apricots, figs, sugarcane, dates and saffron

Also under the Moors education was universal in Spain thus available to everyone, meanwhile in all of Christian Europe 99% of the population were illiterate, even the Kings could not read or write
To put this is context; Europe had two Universities, Spain (under the Moors) had seventeen including a location in Seville
During their 800 year rein they also introduced many scientific techniques to measure the positions of the stars & planets plus advancement in chemistry, physics, mathematics, geography and philosophy

So as i go out to enjoy a few glasses of Sherry Wine i learn the name originated from the Jerez Region of Spain which was known as Sherish under the Moorish Rule
The wine making started in this area in 1100BC with the Phoenicians onto the Romans finally the Moors
How good was the wine with all this experience you ask, well when Sir Francis Drake raided the area in 1587 he brought back a very large quantity of the product (3000 barrels) which became known as "sack" in England

Tapas (lid or cover to keep the flies off the food)
So its tradition here in Seville to have your wine with a small plate of food which history claims that King Alfonso X ordered the pubs to serve food with the drinks to reduce the drunkenness 

Some Examples;
A) Pringa Pork; stew served on bread
B) Tortilla Espanola; potato and onion omelet
C) Gambas al Ajillo; shrimp cooked in olive oil with garlic and chilli peppers
D) Bacalao; salt cod stewed in tomato sauce
E) Berenjena con Miel; fried eggplant with honey
F) Choco Fritos; fried calamari

On my way to Santa Cruz (which is the Jewish Quarter of the city) as you feel the history of area as you walk the streets

From the 13th Century under King Ferdinand who established the Juderia area up to the Spanish Inquisition in 1481 (which targeted Jews who had converted to Christianity but secretly continued to practice Judaism)
 To the Final Expulsion in 1492 under the Alhambra Decree

#AlcazarPalace_GameofThrones

It is the oldest Royal Palace in Europe which is still used by the Spanish Monarch

But also know for its film location in the Game of Thrones and the setting for the Water Gardens of Dorne
A) Mercurys Pool; Doran Martell watching Myrcella & Trystane in the Dance Garden
B) Baths of Dona Maria Padilla; location where Ellaria Sand met with her daughters to plot revenge
C) Halls of Ambassadors; Where Jame Lannister negotiated with Doran Martell to return Myrcella
D) Carlos V Pavillion; the skirmish between Jamie & Bronn with the Sand Snakes

Torre Del Oro (Tower of Gold)

Built in 1220 the twelve-sided watchtower was to control the access on the Guadalquivir River thus protecting the city
The early defense mechanism was to stretch a large chain across the river to block any enemy ships before ongoing renovations which added two more levels
 Thus in time it became many things; a chapel, prison, gunpowder store and finally a port authority office

KeyTip;
 It costs 3 Euro to enter; but visitors can get a great view from the panoramic rooftop plus it houses the naval museum that has nautical instruments, models of ships & historical documents

Much history with the parks of Seville
Some were private gardens that was gifted to the city, another was the film location in 1962 for Lawrence of Arabia, one was a former zoo that the animals that were relocated and some were designed with an asymmetrical layout to symbolize romance 

In Closing;
 
Did a charcoal drawing of one of many amazing buildings of Seville as i have a glass of wine and say Gracias mi buen amigo  

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Vancouver

#Capilano_SuspensionBridge_Park

It was initially built in 1889 with hemp rope and cedar planks onto now with its steel cables anchored into concrete

KeyTip; There is a free shuttle all year round from Canada Place Convention Centre or Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver
If you decide to drive, parking is $8.00 for three hours plus admission that is Adults $78.00, Students $64.00 & Youth $49.00

Tree Top Adventures

There are seven suspension bridges plus platforms attached to 250 year old Douglas Fir Trees as you are trekking 33 meters (110 feet) above the forest floor
But not too worry as the park uses an adjustable non-invasive collars (that exerts less pressure) which does not penetrate the bark
Finally in the theme of the nature and reuse.....what you are walking on is reclaimed wood from a closed grain elevator once run by the Hudsons Bay Company that was located nearby

Cliffwalk

This adventure is 30 stories high as you walk the 213 meter bridge / viewing platforms (700 feet) along the granite cliffside with sights of the regions rainforest and canyon.
The structure uses a cantilever design for support and is engineered to hold 45 tons or 100,000 lbs

Totem Poles

Throughout the park they are significant to the culture of the First Nations People which tells stories of their history and connection to the land here in Kiapalano

Raptors Ridge

Look for the educational facility to teach you the public about the Raptors and other birds of prey in the park such as owls, hawks & falcons
The birds visit this area of the ridge every evening plus during the day they enjoy an open, free-flight environment

Festivals

Canyon Frights
 (October to November) for all the Halloween Fans on the Cliffwalk 
Love Lights
Millions of lights to celebrate the month (February) of romance
Christmas Lights
To celebrate the festive season