Spring celebrations

Experiences, Inspiration

Tomorrow is the day of flowers in Bulgaria – on this day all people who have names of flowers celebrate their names (and I am one of them 🙂 ) . If I think about flowers the first thing that comes to my mind is – Keukenhof. If The best way to celebrate spring in the Netherlands is most definitely a trip to Keukenhof- the largest and definitely one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the world.

Photo 10.04.16 г., 14 43 59
About 7 million flower buds are planted (manually!) every year to achieve the desired result – a mesmerizing mix of vibrant colours, fantastic flower aromas and an unseen variety of tulips breeds with funny names such as “pink storm”

Apart from being simply beautiful, the part is very well organized ( as everything in the Netherlands) and designed in a way that it is also educational for the visitor- for instance- there are flower shows where professional florists give advice on arranging flowers.

There is little more to say about the park; it is one of those places that needs to be simply seen and experienced 🙂 more info about Keukenhof at http://www.keukenhof.nl/en/

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And here are a few tips on how to get the best out of it:

The park is only opened for month and a half every year (from early April to mid May), so plan your visit in that period. It is a to go in the last two weeks of April, so you can see almost all flowers in full bloom.
A visit to the park can be combined with the flower parade in the nearby town Lisse ( this is actually the best time to visit the park)
It can be super crowded and you might save time if you buy your tickets online
Get more information in advance about the timings and locations of the guided tours, flower workshops and boat tours so you don’t miss them.
The restaurants in the park are not great for vegetarians, so it might be smart to bring some snacks with you. If you are by car, you can check this nearby restaurant in a beautiful venue: http://www.kasteelkeukenhof.nl

Photo 10.04.16 г., 14 47 30

Photo 10.04.16 г., 16 15 35

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Phenomenal Woman

Inspiration

My best friend had her birthday yesterday. It made me think about the time when I first met her- we were four year old toddlers visiting our grandmothers in the countryside and hiding behind our mom`s dresses, because we were too shy. There wasn`t an immediate click– she was a bubbly, happy kid while I was supremely coy and sensitive. I remember after our first meeting I told her “I don`t think we`ll ever play again”.

Well, this is a great example of how first impressions can be totally wrong. Twenty something years later we have been through everything together- from all the childhood memories in our village that will forever be imprinted in me- those amazing nights when we slept outside and counted the starts, the unforgettable trips to the river and the long walks back to the village…And then all these letters that we exchanged in primary school in anticipation of seeing each other during the next holiday. Through all the firsts- crushes, kisses, heartbreaks, disappointments, victories- always being there for each other and looking forward to our next meeting.

Later on, our grandparents passed away and summers in the countryside were resumed. Then we started going to the seaside together. Sometimes to the mountains. The spirit of spending time together was always kept alive.

And then I went abroad. And almost every time when I would fly back she would come and meet me at the airport. And ask me to stay over at her place. And I would always stay as much as I could. And it would always be the same. Because there are things in life that change and there are those other things that don`t – and friendships for life are one of them.

I remember the note that you wrote to me when I was really sick a few years ago- “My dearest friend, this note is purely symbolic and is meant to remind you that I`ll always be there for you”. That pretty much wraps up the relationship that we have and the amazing person that you are.

Apart from being my best friend, you are also a magnetic woman with very special energy. So let this poem by Maya Angelou be a celebration of your charisma and allure and let this also be the beginning of the best part of your life. I love you!

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

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A different type of photography

Inspiration

Photography for me starts as an attempt to explore the world through capturing captivating moments. Impactful photography goes even further – it is a way to engage the viewer by telling a unique story that provokes thoughts and questions.

I recently came across the works of the young Bulgarian photographer Aneta Ivanova and was inspired by her distinctive style. It is multi layered not only in terms of the approach that she uses (merging different images), but also because of the metaphorical way she conveys her message. This is what makes her images stay with you for a long time after you see them.

The work below is called To Build a Home and is made from three images – two of them from the telescope Hubble and a self-portrait. More about Aneta can be found at http://www.anetaivanova.com/

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Inspiration

It was but yesterday I thought of myself a fragment quivering without rhythm in the sphere of life. Now I know that I am the sphere, and all life in rhythmic fragments moves within me.

Kahlil Gibran

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time

Inspiration, Just Because

I like books that give you a different type of perspective. That move you and make you think. That stay with you long after you read them. “The Curious Incident of the Dog at Night Time” has been one of my favorite books for such a long time, because it accomplished to achieve all these things and even more.

It narrates what starts as a detective story through the eyes of an autistic child, a story that would be normally being classified as sad and unfortunate, but which in this case is fascinating and impactful. A story that shows that everybody, whatever restrictions they have, can make a difference if I they have a goal and put their heart into it. In a very compelling way, Mark Haddon allows the reader to go beyond the storyline, to dive deeply into the world of autistic children and to develop an understanding how they perceive (or fail to perceive) things around them and how lovable they truly are.

Of course, when a friend of fine who had also read the book suggested to watch the play together in London`s Gielgud Theatre, I was more than exited to do it!

The plot was re-created flawlessly and the actors were absolutely impressive. But what made it just unforgettable were the endless imagination and the inventiveness of the play. The innovative stage, visuals and dynamics, together with swirling sequence of the scenes made resulted in a play which was a true delight for the senses. Highly recommended!

More about the play at http://www.curiousonstage.com/

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Happiness is..

Inspiration

There are these great ideas that uplift you and make you smile. One of them that I came accross is the website www.lastlemon.com. What these guys do is illustrate the things that make you happy and post in in their Facebook page. What you need to do is to upload your happyness list and keep an eye on their page. What you`ll get is your own personal illustration which you can simply smile at, share with a friend or print out and make a card from. It`s simple, personal and creative way to express your appreciation to life and things and people that make you happy, and something totally wortwhile checking out!

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A Spring Story

Inspiration

The start of the spring always puts me in a poetic and contemplative mood. I took this picture of branches in bloom two years ago and it has been waiting for a long time for a suitable poem to complement it. Today I found it and together they make the perfect combination- hope you`ll enjoy this beautiful poem by Khalil Gibran – a celebration of sun, warmth, love and peace.

Peace Contagious

One branch in bloom said to his neighboring branch, “This is a dull and empty day.” And the other branch answered, “It`s indeed empty and dull.”

At that moment a sparrow alighted on one of the branches, and the other sparrow nearby.

And one of the sparrows chirped and said, “My mate has left me”. And the other sparrow cried, “My mate has also gone and she will not return. And what care I?”

Then the two birds began to twitter and scold, and soon they started fighting and making harsh noise upon the air.

All of a sudden two other sparrows came sailing from the sky, and they sat queetly beside the restless two. And there was calm, and there was peace.

Then the two pairs flew together in pairs.

And the first branch said to its neighboring branch, “That was a mighty zig-zag of a sound”. And the other branch answered, “Call it what you will, it is now both peaceful and spacious. And if the upper air makes peace it seems to be that those who dwell in the lower might make peace also. Will not wave in the wind a little nearer to me?”

And the first branch said, “Oh, perchance, for peace`s sake, ere the Spring is over.”

And then he waived himself with the strong wind to embrace her.

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The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who…

Inspiration

100

“…you’ll see that things will turn out like they do, because that is what usually happens – almost always, in fact”

Jonas Jonasson, The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Apart from being a light, easy and very fascinating read, this book carries a very special positive vibe. The effortless ease with which the main character Alan goes through the ups and downs of his life and his ability to go with the flow and stay optimistic are grabbing and inspiring. The book is a manifesto of living life to its fullest and trusting wholeheartedly that things will turn out for the best.

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“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”

— Christopher Columbus

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