Simplicity

This beautiful little man captivated me when I was walking down the bustling Rua de Santa Catarina of Porto town in Portugal, trying to find the Mercado do Bolhão (markets). 

Seeing a man with no eyesight playing the accordion so beautifully amongst all the madness surrounding him, made me stop in my tracks and my own mad rush too. I was drawn to so many things about this scene; talent, skill, inspiration, but above all, his simplicity.

All he has with him is his accordion, umbrella, his foldout chair, and a small recycled empty butter container for tips. He is set up in an unattractive corner of the strip, next to a set of vandalized roof sheets that are being used as a temporary wall. There is really no space for all the scurrying apostles of capitalism passing by (myself included), to stop and admire. Despite this, he was so passionate and soulfully involved in the melody he was playing.

There is no way to describe in words everything I was feeling and thinking at this moment, as I stood there watching the scenario. It was simply a moment in which you had to be there to experience and feel yourself. It certainly stood as a poignant affirmation of the reality we are in; simplicity in this life is and will just never be enough... but it's nice to be able to appreciate it.©

Algo comida típica de España (some typical food of Spain):

Tapas in Levíes Cafe/Bar - Sevilla, España... Chilled Gazpacho, seafood paella, picos artesanos, and vino Rioja. 

This place gets crazy busy from about 9pm every night with people coming in for their evening tapas. It's on the corner of Calle San José at the beginning of Calle Levies in the Barrio de Santa Cruz. This is the same street the well-known 'La Carbonería' flamenco bar is located, so you'll most likely see some of the same faces later at the bar if you're headed there. Levíes has a buzzing atmosphere, is reasonably priced, friendly waiters and service (although they speak no English whatsoever - but hey, this is Spain; why should they?!), an open outdoor seating area at the front, as well as a separate cocktail bar section. If you're living it up the proper Spanish way and having your 'dinner' at 10:30pm at night, this is definately a good place for your pre-flamenco tapas.©

And again with the London underground funnies... Who says the Brits aren't funny?!

Just another Saturday night on the London underground...

Malakkastraat - Den Haag, Netherlands

Since we're on the topic of Greek, it is only appropriate to share this photo taken of a street name in Den Haag, Netherlands (for those that don't know, "malaka" is the Greek slang word for "wanker"). Wonder if malaka's actually live here?©

Flavours of Greece - Antipodes Festival 2012, Melbourne

If you're in Melbourne and can't afford to fly to Greece at the moment for the real stuff, you can always attend the events of this festival and dig in to some of the best dishes this wonderful cuisine has been offering to Australia since the 1850's. If you happen to be Greek and already make this stuff at home, dinner invitations are being accepted.©

http://antipodesfestival.com.au/index.php

'Dr. Seuss House', Willow - Alaska Source: flickr.com via ThePandemicRhapsody on Pinterest

I am sharing this image of what is known as the 'Dr. Seuss House', located in Willow, Alaska with no details, only advice - please absorb how amazing this is.

Las Casas Colgadas, Cuenca - Spain Source: google.com via ThePandemicRhapsody on Pinterest

The hanging houses, built in traditional gothic style, once lined the whole face of the Huécar Gorge. Now only few remain, of which three with wooden balconies stand as the most well-known. After being used as individual homes and council houses in the past, the structures were thoroughly restored at the beginning of the 20th century. They currently host the Museo de Arte Abstracto Español (Spanish Abstract Art Museum) and the Mesón Casas Colgadas restaurant.©

P​​laza de España, Sevilla - Spain Source: browse.deviantart.com via Nobuo on Pinterest

P​​laza de España, located in Sevilla's Parque de María Luisa, was created by Aníbal González for the Ibero-American exhibition of 1929 (Expo 29). Covering the size of 5 football pitches, it remains one of Spain's most impressive emblematic attractions. The Renaissance/neo-Moorish styled site, sports a 500m canal in the centre with four bridge crossings, in which you can rent small boats to row. Each of the 48 alcoves and their benches represent the provinces of Spain, with relevant tableau and map designed on colourful azulejos. Plaza de España has also been used as a filming location for several movies over the decades, including Star Wars, Lawrence of Arabia and The Dictator.©