Cities...Their Faces and Souls..

[elane-ellie]

Once I thought not only people have their souls but cities too. It probably depends on the land.. on its energetic emanation.. And certainly on all people generations who made "culture strata" here..
Then I thought cities have a "gender" too.. It is perhaps pretty subjective.. just my perception.. but I felt it any time while traveled and touched the "cities' bodies" with my hands..
For example, London is a man. A handsome man, a bit snobby, stylish, very dual in its concervatism and advance move.
Sometimes poems about cities have been set to music.. let's try to talk about them...


Paul McCartney, "London Town"

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[elane-ellie]

And Paris seems to be a woman .. :) not a young one.. maybe in her late forties.. but so refined and still romantic.. and maybe very pragmatic though


"Sous le ciel de Paris".. Ives Montand , Edith Piaf

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[elane-ellie]

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[elane-ellie]

It is my tender love and my affection.. my secret and overt passion.. City I was born in.. and city I left when was a child.
It is very special. So special that when I tryed to defined its gender.. the answer was.. "androgynous".. like complete harmony has feminine and masculine sides both.
When I come there I love to lie on the ground, on the shore of a suburb lake, and thus I feel earth heart's beating, some specific everlasting pulsation..
That land always stays pagan in spite of all social "stratifications", extraneous features.. such as wars, revolutions etc.

It is a very old song, an old-fashioned melody and lyrics.. One can hear a part of it, a refrain, when clock at Maydan (principal square) rings the hours. It is "Kiev Waltz"


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[pouffe]

And Paris seems to be a woman .. :) not a young one.. maybe in her late forties.. but so refined and still romantic.. and maybe very pragmatic though


"Sous le ciel de Paris".. Ives Montand , Edith Piaf

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This one is good so:

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[1amongmany]

If I was to personify Baku it would be like an 8 year old boy finishing a messy ice cream and then playing in the sand box without washing :lol:

[saprosky]

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[RioRita]

St. Petersburg is strange: its existence is inexplicable. The initial project by Peter the Great to create this city seemed sure to be unsuccessful (in the middle of a bog and river flat, in a sometimes difficult climate and being surrounded by Sweden; none of these provided a text book location for the planned capital of Russia). It exists however. Perhaps akin to an experienced but tired Casanova, it today unintentionally enchants and fascinates everyone stepping on its now solid soil.

You may ask what makes it oneof-a-kind… Palaces and bridges, unpredictable weather culminating in the magnificent ‘white nights’, accented indifference at the first glance or innumerable treasures as one gradually explores… This writer would argue that it is its inhabitants who actually make St. Pete so special. Today I will give you 10 hints to recognize a genuine ‘Petersburger.’

- A genuine Petersburger criticizes his city severely, lashes into its shortcomings and imperfection. Sometimes rudely and abusively, he discusses its weather and roads, Governors and inhabitants, modern buildings and outof-date traditions. But the worst mistake any St. Petersburg guest could ever make is to nod agreeably. Then he will have it explained, what an honour it is simply to be here, in the best city of the world.

- Petersburgers are convinced in the importance of politeness. Seated near you in the underground train a young guy will be really shocked if you don’t offer your seat to a pregnant woman or an old lady. He will even turn away from his philosophy book to explain that you should do this, using swear words as well.

- A Petersburger is always glad to explain to you the way or directions. He won’t be surprised by the weirdest questions, as finding the library at midnight or the beach in the wintertime. Moreover, he will gather other people around into the discussion and all of them will be happy to help you. Especially when they have no idea about the place you are looking for.

- Do you think that all Russia, from Moscow to Vladivostok, speaks almost the same indistinguishable Russian? Then you have to come to St. Petersburg to learn how big this mistake is. Petersburgers are sure that only here one can enjoy the refined and correct Russian language. As for the others, “Ahh, what can we expect from them, they are not from St. Petersburg…”

- Petersburgers can also change your understanding of geography. You are sure that you are in Russia, aren’t you? Then ask a Petersburger about his vacation plans and don’t be surprised to hear: “I’m going to Russia!” Dreaming about a vacation in Paris is too posh; a genuine Petersburger thinks about plain and cosy Russia: visiting a small village or taking a cruise down the Volga.

- Never ask a Petersburger about the yesterday’s weather. That’s what he simply doesn’t remember, since weather changes every second, and no one can manage keeping all these changes in one’s mind. Moreover, a Petersburger doesn’t listen to and doesn’t believe to weather forecasts. Rephrasing Mark Twain, he would say “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and weather forecasts.”

- A Petersburger may for years not visit the historical centre of the city, spending two hours a day in the underground travelling from his work on Prospekt Bolshevikov to his home in Kupchino. He can forget about the architects and architectural ensembles. But don’t suggest to that same person that he or she leave the city for longer than a few days: “What?!? How can I survive without the Hermitage, Nevsky Prospect and the Palace Square?!?” will be his or her indignant reply.

- A Petersburger doesn’t like Moscow: too trendy, too hectic and too loud he may say. Maybe he envies it: rich, successful and self-confident. He likes to joke “Why was the memorial to Field- Marshall Kutuzov erected in St.-Petersburg? - As a gratitude for his surrendering Moscow to the French.”
Yet a Petersburger easily moves to Moscow for better job or a bigger love!

- Petersburgers live in a world, where potential is much more important than accomplishment. Probably the times of the foggy and rainy climate is responsible for that… But for a Petersburger it is enough to know that he can one day find a new job, potentially win a Nobel Prize or marry a top star. He can for years postpone meeting with someone who lives just 10 minutes from his home, as he knows that they can meet any time. In potential… lives the Petersburger.

- Petersburgers know how to be different. They learnt it from their beloved and sometimes hated, yet always unpredictable city.

That is a non-exclusive list. It can be extended to hundreds of points or reduced to just a single one - for a genuine Petersburger, Peiter is not an environment; it is more like a family member that can bring grief or joy, but never indifference.

And once you also believe that rain is romantic, snow - nostalgic, spring is a season which lasts two weeks at the end of May; once you believe that one can treat his or her city as a relative, then you will surely also feel at home here.

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[Gabbibo]

my dream is to visit Barcelona
after Olympic Games i am thinking only about it,when when when?????????
finally ! this summer !:)

[elane-ellie]

It is not the city I'd like to stay... but it enchants and appeals.. leaving me in want of next meeting. They say: "Jerusalem is not the place to come, it is the place to rise.."
Jerusalem is undoubtedly a man. An orthodox Christain, Jew, Muslim whose eyes give you a look of disdain and a slight superiority whoever you are..
It is a city listening to music of shots, city having the Borders in it and full of blockhouses. And it is strange to watch a young woman carrying her baby in her arms.. But it's life





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[RioRita]

Helsinki is the perfect example of a city mixed with nature. The Finn way of life is based on that respect to Mother Nature that provides fantastic forests and lakes. I live there from time to time and I enjoy almost every second of my time as a Helsinkier.

Helsinki-Sonata of the Arctica

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[saprosky]

my dream is to visit Barcelona
after Olympic Games i am thinking only about it,when when when?????????
finally ! this summer !:)

I hope will not regret you :becky:

But try to come by yourself. Buy a good turistic guide and loose you inside the streets. Travel agencies never show the soul of the city.

[Gabbibo]

I hope will not regret you :becky:

But try to come by yourself. Buy a good turistic guide and loose you inside the streets. Travel agencies never show the soul of the city.

no guid or agency, me and my Mann:)

[elane-ellie]

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[elane-ellie]

Krakòw seems to be a person of a great intelligence.. who is never loud and keep pensive..

And it is a place where miracles used to happen.. At least twice.. as far as I remember :)


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[hannah]

Amsterdam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7GU3msz72I

[Hoopy]

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[Hoopy]

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[Hoopy]

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[RioRita]

Something is wrong with that clip I posted yesterday. So another try. Enjoy!

Helsinki-city for love

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[pouffe]

Toulouse by one of most famous citizen.

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[RioRita]

Toulouse??? Raztapo???!!!

[elane-ellie]

Perhaps it's too trivial to talk about Venice.. Venezia... But I'll try..
When I've been walking in its streets I felt such an euphoria that even wasn't able to realize who I am..
Then I had an odd feeling ( but a joyful feeling though) as it is the place where no one works.. the place of everlasting holiday.. in spite of all infrastructure demonstates the opposite..
The second feeling was a bit different.. the scent of death.. the scent of great inexplicable sorrow.. And I keep feeling them both..




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[Lucker]

Toulouse by one of most famous citizen.

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Not Toulouse Lautrec then ?
But all French are TooLoose in the head

[pouffe]

Not Toulouse Lautrec then ?
But all French are TooLoose in the head

Once, very long time ago a britt has been visiting here, no more news from him, lost body and soul.If you like you could be the 2nd one.

"A good english is an english dead" Johnny Beetwin Toulouse and Lautrec.
We are not so good at rugby but look what we could do with britt balls.

[RioRita]

My dream city-Copenhagen

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[hannah]

28WLZ0CiWSI&feature=relatedAmsterdam-City of Dream

[hannah]

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[elane-ellie]

If I was to personify Baku it would be like an 8 year old boy finishing a messy ice cream and then playing in the sand box without washing :lol:

Eyuub Yagubov "Baku"
Hey Mike! :becky:

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[elane-ellie]

In fact, this story has no relation to any city.. It's not even a story... just an association with the past.. It came to me after reading words on Rainy_day’s profile "made in Transylvania”..
It was the remote past.. that kind of it I used to call “previous life” sometimes.
We were travelling by car – my ex husband, Natalie, my lady friend, and me.. My ex was driving and we, girls, were allowed to be lazy and to enjoy the life doing “sweet nothing”..
It was Romania. We had no idea where were we.. just a map of Europe and good mood.. such a kind of mood you have when you are young, are in love and happy and all the world seems to be nothing else but your best friend smiling to you.
It’s been a hot summer day’s night. Night when the air stays hot even after dark comes.. And you physically sense how that air touches your skin. I never used to listen to little owls crying.. just in fairy tales.. It is scary and fascinating at the same time..
We kept driving through some places navigated by stars and a map.. We got lost.. :D
It was pretty funny.. when we need to cross Dunai, we saw the road on the map.. but the road ended unexpectedly.. in front of the river.. and we stopped.. no one bridge.. We were standing and laughing.. and then a guy went to us, speaking Romanian, he was trying to tell us something.. We just understood “lumina, lumina!” – light.. and.. his body language.. he told us, there’s a ferry over there, where we could see the lights..
And we have been going through some odd places.. no villages, no people.. and then.. a fog.. I love fog very much, it changes the reality, brings into your life the feeling of something incredibly magic.. But I’ve never ever in my life seen or “sensed” such a fog.. it was tangible, you could touch it with your hand.. The “tangles” of fog were inside the mass of fog.. it was indescribably beautiful and enchanting..
We’ve been listening to various music while travelling, even singing in the car..
And at that particular place and time it was “Lonely Shepherd” ..
When daybreak came, we saw the name of a town we passed by.. it was.. Draculesti :D
Sadly, Count Dracula didn’t came to say hello.. or maybe he did.. We understood we were driving through the artificial, piled road on the marshes.. at the Dunai estuary..

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[elane-ellie]

It is raining now in Kiev, raining like hell, raining cats and dogs. Raining like in autumn, raining like summer has never happened to exist.
Low heavy grey skies.
Cold, rather cold, 16 degrees only. And it makes thinking, remembering some certain moments, maybe funny ones, maybe even ridiculous ones.. sentimental moments sometimes..
And somehow it made me immersed in “Tallinn mood”, in spite of it is already several months as I’ve been to it.
It was a work trip, so, not much time and not enough for feeling and sensing the city. It was late evening when colleagues of mine and me went outside. And.. you know this feeling.. when you smell the sense of childhood..? No, you’ve never been here before, just some association, an inexplicable one, just when the subconscious plays its games with your mind..
I was trying to catch it, not because I’m such a bore and need “definitions”, no, it was just rather tormenting not to “recall” it..
The smell of wet grass, the scent of humid air, the scent of wind and sea..
The first thing I’ve done this night – came to the sea and .. tested sea water.. if it is salt or not, bitter or sweet.. ridiculous? Perhaps. But I always communicate with any water I used to meet, especially if it’s the first time we’ve met.
It wasn’t salty.. at least not as salty as Dead Sea , Yama Melah Jews say.. And not as Mediterranean waters..
And that odd sensation, childhood one, didn’t allow me to cognize or to recognize it..
It took several days.. And in the daytime suddenly I got it! It was simply the sensation of fairy tale.. Pushkin’s “Skazka o tzare Saltane”, the sensation of living on island amongst non-existing personages..
You know that feelings of “relief” and even a sort of happiness when it happens to recall, when it comes!
And this song, a pagan song, was the melody of those days..


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[elane-ellie]

Toulouse by one of most famous citizen.

jU8Tg1cRZhY

Not Toulouse Lautrec then ?
But all French are TooLoose in the head

Once, very long time ago a britt has been visiting here, no more news from him, lost body and soul.If you like you could be the 2nd one.

"A good english is an english dead" Johnny Beetwin Toulouse and Lautrec.
We are not so good at rugby but look what we could do with britt balls.



Just saw this.. :) I guess, we, all of us, are missing Ramon, aren't we?:rolleyes:

[Sniffer]

Yes. Ramon and Claude too. Wonderful singer, and incredibly beautiful lyrics about Toulouse. 100% of the spirit of this city is in this song.

[Sniffer]

It is raining now in Kiev, raining like hell, raining cats and dogs. Raining like in autumn, raining like summer has never happened to exist.
Low heavy grey skies.
Cold, rather cold, 16 degrees only. And it makes thinking, remembering some certain moments, maybe funny ones, maybe even ridiculous ones.. sentimental moments sometimes..
And somehow it made me immersed in “Tallinn mood”, in spite of it is already several months as I’ve been to it.
It was a work trip, so, not much time and not enough for feeling and sensing the city. It was late evening when colleagues of mine and me went outside. And.. you know this feeling.. when you smell the sense of childhood..? No, you’ve never been here before, just some association, an inexplicable one, just when the subconscious plays its games with your mind..
I was trying to catch it, not because I’m such a bore and need “definitions”, no, it was just rather tormenting not to “recall” it..
The smell of wet grass, the scent of humid air, the scent of wind and sea..
The first thing I’ve done this night – came to the sea and .. tested sea water.. if it is salt or not, bitter or sweet.. ridiculous? Perhaps. But I always communicate with any water I used to meet, especially if it’s the first time we’ve met.
It wasn’t salty.. at least not as salty as Dead Sea , Yama Melah Jews say.. And not as Mediterranean waters..
And that odd sensation, childhood one, didn’t allow me to cognize or to recognize it..
It took several days.. And in the daytime suddenly I got it! It was simply the sensation of fairy tale.. Pushkin’s “Skazka o tzare Saltane”, the sensation of living on island amongst non-existing personages..
You know that feelings of “relief” and even a sort of happiness when it happens to recall, when it comes!
And this song, a pagan song, was the melody of those days..


fOsmEO_osXQ

It's raining in Kiev, but the sun is shining between your lines.
The weather in cold in Kiev but the power of your Souvenirs is strong enough to warm our soul.
Autumn is close to Kiev but feelings expressed in your words are stronger than northern wind.
It's raining like Hell in Kiev and this Symphony is simply Magic!
Thank You Elane.