Saturday, May 28, 2005

small sketches

Various living things are found in nature. It seems like that they have their own language and world. Sometimes some of them look as busy as human beings. It is surprised to see them work very hard without any stress and rest.
This sandal made in Thailand is very light, comfortable and cheap. I often take a walk wearing this one. One sunny day, a butterfly sat on my big toe while I was sitting in the woods, and it was sketched briefly.
Road, stream and cherry trees are sketched, and stepping stones across the stream are also seen.
Birds & Ladybug-beetle
Chao Phraya River in Bangkok
Stuff on the desk
Mountain and tree in spring 2004. Time flies so fast.
Nandi & Linga

Monday, May 23, 2005

trail & cat

went hiking in the nearby mountains yesterday and found a cat in the peach orchard. It sat on a branch comfortably, staring at me.

Saturday, May 21, 2005

old building in Tansen bazar

Tansen is one of the most impressive towns of Nepal, which, still untouched by many tourists, is located on a large plateau at an elevation of 1,350m (4,430 ft). This bazar in the middle of town was set up by Newari merchants from the Kathmandu to take advantage of the trade route between India and Tibet.

Narrow stone-paved streets are lined with old brick buildings and filled with simple village life. Tansen is a great place for walking, too. Maps and a brochure guide for walking tours of the town are available at the tourism office.

The picture above is one of old brick buildings along the bazar streets. A Nepali restaurant was across from it and I sketched this from there. From the very left, shoe shop(closed), grocery store, stationery store, and electric appliance shop.

Regular buses leave for Tansen from Kathmandu (8-10 hours). Tansen lies 40 km north of Butwal. Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Buddha, lies 40 km southwest of Butwal. Belahiya( referred to as Sonauli in India side), the most popular border village crossing between Nepal and India is very close to Lumbini.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

mountain road & railway station

There were lots of unpaved roads in the past. But it is getting difficult to find them. The picture above shows a forest road near Gyeongsan. Only a very few people are usually seen on it. I just sometimes meet a group of mountain bikers while walking along this road. This dusty unpaved one always reminds me of the past time that will never return. Such is life?

It has been raining in front of Daegu railway station. People wait for buses at the bus stop in the early evening.

Friday, May 06, 2005

spring in Gyeongju

Gyeongju 경주 lies about 70 km east of Gyeongsan. It was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for 992 years(B.C 57 - A.D 935). Gyeongju Historic Areas contain a variety of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, in the form of sculptures, reliefs, pagodas, and the remains of temples and palaces, so it is often called an open-air museum.

In the middle of Gyeongju, just outside the downtown area, is Banwolseong(반월성, half moon palace) site, upon a crescent shaped hill; it is one of Silla's palace ruins. To the south Namcheon(남천, the south stream) forms a natural defense.
The tombs near the center of Gyeongju, about 70 km east of Gyeongsan were constructed during the early stages of Silla dynasty and have yielded many treasures, including a gold crown.
Gate of traditional Korean house. People walk along the same path.
Down from Banwolseong in Gyeongju, Cheomseongdae Observatory built in the middle of the 7th century is located. The observatory consists of 362 granite stones. A rapeseed field between Banwolseong and Cheomseongdae.