Harvey Travel Arts

I've had a really long week without much sleep. I should be in bed getting some much needed rest, but I'm not yet tired so here I am writing on my blog. I endeavor to update once per week, and this week I've just barely made it. Sorry 'bout that. Sometimes the creative ideas are just gone from my mind and so I leave you with a couple photos from Greece. I honestly don't remember what the top one was about; it looks like a pile of bricks leftover from a wall. Perhaps Brian will shed some light on the subject for us. The second was some type of ruin of a temple or monument. I remember we walked inside; it was very quiet, an old sage of a man was "guarding" the structure. Anyway, no interior photos allowed as usual. Enjoy your weekend!

Do you ever feel like just getting away to somewhere quiet, isolated, still, and silent? I do. We were on our cruise to Greece and even from our bustling ship, we were able to sit on the balcony and view the remote islands in almost complete privacy. Even upon anchoring, we still felt far away, knowing that it would be at least a tender or walk into town. We saw several small boats and yachts, and often wondered what time out at sea would feel like. Lonely, at times, but peaceful and calm. I think there are certain types of people who, for at least a period of time, choose to sail, climb, hike, or otherwise spend time on a journey seeking solitude or perhaps just time with one or two other people. The cross depicted at the top is actually on top of ruins, but it fit with the idea that even when we feel alone, Christ is with us. Whether we are choosing to spend time in quiet reflection of God's creation, or if the aloneness is more of an emotion in the middle of a difficult t...

"The streetlights on Sint-Veerlepelein are connected to the maternity hospitals in the city of Ghent. Every time the light slowly flashes a child is born. This work is dedicated to the newborn and all children who are born today in this city." I'm taking a break this week from cruise photos to turn to a more serious matter; that of the precious life of a child. This photo, captioned above, was taken in Ghent, Belgium over Columbus Day weekend. I couldn't find a lot on the project, but the art is meant to show how important new children are in Ghent in helping to build the society there. I thought it was a unique way to demonstrate the joy of new life. Perhaps even the child in the stroller was announced by the flashing light; if it were born in Ghent. So why am I focusing on this now, when I could have added it to the blog at any time? This past summer, the lives of children lost, killed, or kidnapped have been prevalent. We mourned for Caylee Anthony. We no...

Corfu, Greece was the second destination on our anniversary cruise this summer. There remains an old Venetian fortress or Palaio Frourio pictured here, which is quite a climb. We were hot in the 90 degree sun, starting to sweat, and definitely earned our lunch. We enjoyed the walk and reaching the top feels like a mini-accomplishment for the day. On top, I was surprised to find a cross. I haven't yet discovered the cross's history here, but I am very happy to share it with you.

I think there's some sort of unwritten rule that when we visit a city, Brian and I must find the towers, climb them, and get a photo of the city view from on high. Such was the case in Split, where once again, we climbed a tower ruin only to find another set of scattered orange tile rooftops, a sea of gray buildings and hazy skies. Yet somehow, every view is different, just like each city, each person...well, you get the picture. Speaking of changing views: I did change the look of my blog today! I'm going to test it out like this; time for a change. Please let me know what you think...Thanks for reading!

So this is still in Split, Croatia. On top is part of the Diocletian's Palace/Cellars, lots of long tunnels and rooms carved out...Not much left there, but it was just the sort of thing Brian and I like to explore. Below is a bronze of St. John the Baptist. This statue was placed in the "repurposed" Jupiter's Temple...where a baptistry were put into place. I find it interesting that the statue depicts John the Baptist with dreadlocks as his hair. We don't know what John looked like, but if one thinks back to his life, he preached for a while in the wilderness (Matthew 3:1-12). It is also debated on whether or not John the Baptist was a Nazarite. To my knowledge it doesn't specifically mention the words "Nazarite Vow" with regard to his birth; in Luke 1:5-25, one can read about John's birth. No mention of "not cutting the hair" is there. Yes, he was set apart in other ways (no alcohol or strong drink--similar to a Nazarite), but I...

The first port of call for our cruise was Split, Croatia, a beautiful city with ancient history at every corner. To see so many people living in buildings that are part ruins, at least on the facade, in close proximity with new structures, cobbled together like siamese twins...I really have no words to describe this place. The old city and fortress walls, with nothing left but windows that shoot through to the blue sky; every turn was a new view and a new alleyway to explore. There are many more photos where these came from...I'll be sharing them soon!