Sunday, April 01, 2007
Barcelona, Spain, 31 Aug - 7 Sep 2006: Sardana
Catalan Circle Dance
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| A world removed from Spanish flamenco, Sardana - Catalonia's languorous folk dance - is the political symbol of Catalan solidarity and pride. On weekends, Sardana aficionados gather at Barcelona's Barri Gotic, eagerly waiting as the cobla, an amateur orchestra of usual brass as well as some other unusual instruments, gets ready. The cobla leader, a feisty silver-bearded gentleman, plays the piccolo-like flaviol to signal the start of the dance. |
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| As the music swells, dancers link hands to form circles. These gradually enlarge as more people join in. Feet point, hop and skip in tandem to the repetitive shrill declamations from the band, responding with gusto and inborn instinct to the music's abrupt rhythmic punctuations. Deceptively simple, the dance steps can be tricky for the uninitiated. Notice the series of short steps, then a big sidestep to the left, and the long steps after the thematic transition. |
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| At the periphery of the main ring, dance connoisseurs form exclusive tight rings. Brows knitted, eyes closed, foreheads uplifted and toes pointed, they celebrate the apotheosis of the Sardana spirit, dancing beautifully in perfect unison. For them, Sardana is religion. Novices are brusquely brushed off. Be warned. |
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Labels: Barcelona, dance, music, people, religious site, Spain
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Paris, France, 24 Dec 2003: Notre Dame de Paris
Christmas Eve Mass
     Christmas Eve. Crowds pack into the cavernous Notre Dame Cathedral for Evening Mass. As the congregation waits eagerly in anticipation, the altar cross becomes brightly illuminated, drawing all attention to the Pieta at the base of the cross. |
| After the service, the men and boys' choir sings a plaintive French carol as the congregation files out of the pews. Some linger on wistfully. |
| Outside, Notre Dame's mighty bells toll resoundlingly. More worshippers crowd into the square in front of the cathedral doors, all queueing patiently for coveted seats to the Midnight Mass. |
Labels: architecture, event, France, music, Paris, religious site
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Antibes, France, 25 May - 2 June 2006: Marina And Vieuxville
Pursuits, Gentle And Genteel
  Antibes is three train stops east of Cannes. From the train station, bear right and walk about 15 minutes through the city centre. Soon the boulevard opens to the Mediterranean Sea, where swaying palms and intense indigo waters warmly invite. Head to the water edge. On the left, spy a small public beach with sunbathers basking contentedly, and tall yacht-mansions berthed dowager-like in the marina beyond.  |
  Antibes boasts an exceptional deep sea harbour and several premier marina. Luxury crafts - small, large and gigantic - of the rich and famous find ersatz homes in the ports of Antibes. |
   The old town, Vieuxville, sits on a peninsula. A small winding road, edged by antediluvian stone ramparts that ward off the Mediterranean's rampaging waves, leads to it. |
 Solid old stone townhouses line the meandering cobbled streets of Vieuxville. Dense bright, almost palpable, sunlight casts sharp opaque shadows in the hidden recesses and corners of the buildings, throwing features and details into high relief.    |
 The townsquare of Antibes Vieuxville hosts a visiting German School Band. Shaded by an ancient tree, the band performs ABBA medleys and marching songs. The drummer is off-sync in 'Dancing Queen' but now redeems himself impressively with an explosive drum solo. |
  Retrace the way back to Antibes' modern city centre. In the square before the Grand Hotel, water fountains leap to life. Transfixed, sunbathers pay obeisance to the sun. |
 Back at Gare SNCF, Antibes. Rest and ruminate over the intricate patterns of train signal cables stretched taut. Others, more passionate, partake of delicious afternoon delights.  |
Labels: Cote d'Azur, fountain, France, history, music, sea, transport
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These are the 30 countries that I have ever set foot on. Airport stopovers don't count!
