Alone by Lake Zurich

Alone by Lake Zurich, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

A man sits on his own at Zurich lake. Beyond the amazing colors, I'm astonished about the feeling of loneliness this pic conveys: a man sitting on the very edge of the bench, in a spectacular setting, and yet utterly alone.
The problem is, this is a big fat lie (sort of). Zurich horn is far from deserted on a Sunday afternoon, and there were, not only passers by, but also a bunch of kid (his own?) playing right under the grass horizon line. In these day and age, many have argued against photoshopping pictures, but the truth is, there's a lot of modification that goes beyond photoshop, as you can see from my choice of angle, focal length and moment in this picture. In my opinion, photography is subjective, and one's pics must show what one saw (another explanation in better chosen words). I saw a lonely man in a crowd, and here you have him! I do not support changing pictures to show something you did not see or with the intent of deceit.
Oh and, last note: Photoshop Disasters are not a thing of modern times!


Un home seu sol a la vora del Llac Zurich. Més enllà dels colors de la foto, estic molt satisfet de la sensació de soledat que transmet: un home seu en un extrem del banc, en un entorn espectacular, i està totalment sol.
El problema, però, és que això és una trola enorme, segons com ho miris. El Zurich horn dista de ser un lloc solitari els diumenges per la tarda, i no només hi havia gent passejant, si no també una colla de nens jugant just per sota la línea de l'horitzó de la gespa. Avui dia, molts critiquen el retoc de fotos amb Photoshop i similars, peró el cert és que hi ha moltes "modificacions" que van més enllà del photoshop, com podeu veure en la meva tria d'angle, zoom i moment de fer la foto en aquest cas. Personalment, penso que la fotografia és subjectiva, i les imatges que un crea han de ensenyar el que el s'ha vist, tal i com es recorda (explicat amb millors paraules aquí). Jo vaig veure un home sol en una multitut, i aquí el teniu! No estic d'acord, però, amb canviar fotografies per tal d'ensenyar una cosa que no s'ha vist o amb la intenció d'enganyar.
Ah i, per cert, els Desastres amb Photoshop no són pas una cosa d'avui dia!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Walking itself

Walking itself, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

While this dog gets to walk itself in the Heroes square of Budapest, some kids don't have it so easy...
Anyway, that's a retractable leash, and this is what it looks like inside, in case you were curious. Funnily enough, the size of this handles seems to be a problem: apparently some dogs will think they're being chased by it, after jerking it free from the owner's hands, and sometimes run in to the traffic... I guess evolution hasn't worked out that well for modern domestic dogs... your thoughts, dog owners anywhere?
At any rate, I thought the pic was cute :)

Mentre aquest gos es passeja a si mateix a la Plaça dels Herois de Budapest, molts nens no ho tenen pas tan fàcil...
En fi, això és una corretja retràctil, i funciona així, per si us picava la curiositat. El que trobo curiós és que el tamany del mànec sembla que es un problema: es veu que hi ha gossos que es pensen que alguna cosa els persegueix quan l'arrosseguen, si aconsegueixen lliurar-se del seu amo, i de vegades acaben en mig del tràfic... Em penso que l'evolució no els hi ha fet pas cap favor, als gossos domèstics... Cap experiència d'algun amant dels gossos?
En fi, tornant a la foto, l'he trobat prou maca :)

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Rock Balancing by Lake Zurich

Rock Balancing by Lake Zurich, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

A street artist painstakingly builds these stone pilars everyday by Lake Zürich. The stones are balanced on each other, and no glue or reinforcement whatsoever is used! There's quite a few people practising this, but I had certainly never seen it before. The stones stand in delicate equilibrium, and the wind is sure to make them fall sooner or later. In that sense, this ephimeral art resembles Sand Mandalas or Street Painting, to compare to wildly different practices. There is a certain beauty to so many hours of work, knowing they are condemned to disappear...


Un artista al carrer apila aquestes pedres cada dia a la vora del Llac Zürich. Les pedres s'aguanten en equiibri una sobre l'altra, sense cap mena de cola o reforç! Hi ha tota una colla de gent que es dedica a això, però per mi és totalment nou. Les pedres estan en un equilibri molt delicat, i el vent les farà caure tard o d'hora. En aquest sentit, com a art efímer, em fa pensar en Manadles de sorra o dibuixos al carrer, per comparar-ho dues coses totalment diferents. Hi ha certa bellesa en hores d'art condemnades a desapareixer...

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

A Mooring barber pole in Venice

A Mooring barber pole in Venice, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

A barber pole design adorns this mooring pole in a little Venetian alley. I have no idea why that design is there (other than to look colorful) but barber poles themselves have an interesting meaning. Think back, way back: well beyond trimming hair, any self-respecting barber would also be a surgeon, and dentists! Of course by surgery we mostly mean bloodletting (i.e. make you bleed till you faint, and let's hope you feel better later). The thing is, "barbers" would hang the bandages to dry on a pole: white if they were fresh, and red if bloodstained (or just old?). The wind would blow on them and eventually roll them around, creating the well known pattern you see in the picture. Eventually the pole was made into a sign, and by the time doctors and dentists parted ways with their grooming colleagues, the barber had already laid claim to this symbol, surviving until today.


Un diseny de columna de barber adorna aquest piló per atracar vaixells en un carreró de Venécia. No em pregunteu pas que hi fa aqui (a part de maco), pero en qualsevol cas, les columnes de barber tenen tota una història. Penseu en fa temps, molt de temps: més enllá de tallar cabells, qualsevol barber respectable seria també dentista i cirurgià! Es clar que quan diem cirurgià ens referim a algú que feia sangries (es a dir, teure't sang fins que perdis el coneixement, i esperar a veure si et trobes millor). La qüestió és que els "barbers" solien penjar d'un pal les benes per assecar: blanques si estaven ben rentades, i vermelles si tenien taques de sang (o el barbe les portava usant des de feia anys?). Quan el vent bufava, les benes s'enroscaven al voltant del pal, creant el patró tant conegut que veieu a la foto. Finalment, del pal en van fer un cartell, i per quan els doctors i dentistes van deixar el ram dels escurça patilles, els barbers ja havien fet aquest símbol, que perdura fins avui

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

The invasion has begun!

The invasion has begun!, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Ok, don't panic, let's not do an Orson Welles War of the Worlds drama here! (incidentally, not much people ever did). This is actually the S-Printing Horse before the Heidelberg Printing Machines building in, well, Heidelberg, near where I live in Germany. You might have heard of the company, but the chicken/horse remains, fortunatelly, largely unknown (yes, that's a guy's head reading a book out of the horse's backside). I liked this picture, at any rate, for it very much reminds me of H. G. Wells' tripods, or Half-Life's. How come that guy's looking so relaxed, by the way?


Va, conserveu la calma! A veure si podem evitar un drama estil Guerra dels Móns de Orson Welles! (de fet, ben poca gent la va perdre, la calma). Aquest és, de fet, l'S-Printing Horse davant l'edifici de la Heidelberg Printing Machines situada a... Heidelberg, prop d'on visc a Alemanya. Pot ser heu sentir a parlar de l'empresa, pero el cavall/gallina not te pas, afortunadament, gaire fama (sí, això de la cua es un payo llegint un llibre que surt del cul del cavall). En qualsevol cas, el motiu pel qual m'agrada aquesta foto es per que em recorda els trípodes del H. G. Wells, o els de Half-Life. Com és que aquell senyor va tan tranquil en plena invasio, per cert?

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

A random skyscraper in Shinjuku, Tokyo

A random skyscraper in Shinjuku, Tokyo, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Tokyo has no shortage of skyscrapers. At night, the city pulsates with the red aircraft warning lights atop them as far as the eye can see. This is the Sumitomo Building, but there are plenty more where this came from. How far up can skyscrapers go?

Well, let's see. First of all, we wouldn't have any skyscrapers if it weren't for the steel skeletons and the reinforced concrete... if you don't consider Shibam, of course, where they managed quite a bit (up to 11 storeys) some 500 years ago. Just don't expect Visa moving in any time early.

Many seem to agree that money is the one factor limiting skyscraper height: the effect ot the wind would be so enromous that very strong (and expensive) materials would be needed. I personally preferred a more subtle problem: how many elevators would such a behemoth need to be practical? A bigger bank of elevators severely reduces the available space for offices and flats, and some creative solutions would needed!



A Tokyo no hi falten pas gratacels. De nit, la ciutat batega amb les llums d'avís per avions fins allà on arriba la vista. Aquest és l'edifici Sumitomo, perà n'hi ha molts mes. Fins quina alçada arribaran?

Anem a pams. En primer lloc, no tindriem pas gratacels si no fos pels esquelets d'acer i el formigo armat... si no tens en compte Shibam, on se les van arreglar forç bé (fins a 11 pisos) ara fa uns 500 anys. No espereu drets a que Visa s'hi mudi, perè!

Força gent sembla estar d'acord que l'unic factor limitant són els diners: la força del vent seria tan espectacular que caldria emprar materials molt forts (i cars). Personalment m'agraden mes els obstacles mes subtils: quants ascensors caldrien en un monstre enorme d'edifici, per poder-s'hi moure convenientment? Caldria un banc d'ascensors major, que treuria molt d'espai per oficines i apartaments, si no es que fas l'edifici mes ample, i tornem al cost dels materials!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Owl at the Tinnunculus falconry, Heidelberg

Owl at the Tinnunculus falconry, Heidelberg, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

There's a beautiful eagle owl! The funny thing with these guys, is their eyes are fixed on the sockets, that is, an owl will never look down on you, or roll their eyes in frustration: they lack the muscles for it!

This has a bunch of funny consequences: take an owl on a tree branch, gently swayed by the wind: if the owl's staring at something, you'll see it's whole body move with the branch while its head remains stationary (there's definitelly some cervical magic involved there). Even worse, they just can't see what's right in front of their noses (or rather, whatever it is they happen to be stabbing with that murderous beak), so the feathers around it act as sort of feelers (filoplumes for the nomenclature bufs).

Pretty amazing creatures, really: Their wings have special "hairy" terminations for stealth flight; Eggs don't hatch at the same time, so feeding and educating doesn't need to be done all at once, and in some species, ears (which are not the "horns") are not symetrically placed to improve sound localization. Are you going O RLY yet?



Eus aqui tot un duc (mussol reial)! Una curiositat d'aquestes bèsties son els seus ulls, fixes a les cavitats oculars. Un mussol mai no et mirarà sobre l'espatlla, ni farà rodar els ulls tot frustrat: simplement els hi falten els músculs per fer-ho!

Això te una colla de conseqüències força divertides: diguem que tenim un musssol a una brana, gronxant-se al vent; si es fixa en quelcom, veureu que tot el seu cos es mou, mentre que el cap roman ben quiet! (Ha d'haver-hi alguna mena de magia cervical en tot plegat). Pitjor encara, no poden veure pas el que tenen danvant els morros (o mes aviat, allo que estan destroçant a cops de bec en un moment donat), així que les plomes del voltant del bec s'usen com a sensors tàctils! (filoplumes per aquells amb inclinations científiques).

Uns bitxos d'allò mes interessants, la veritat. Les ales acaben en una mena de serreta per volar silenciosament. Els ous no es trenquen pas a l'hora, cosa que simplifica l'alimentació i educació, i en algunes espècies, les orelles (que no son pas les "banyes") estan situades assimètricament per millorar la localitzacio acustica!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Containers by the river Rhine, near BASF in Ludwigshafen

Containers by the river Rhine, near BASF in Ludwigshafen, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Containers sitting at a dock. Lots, and lots of them. Ever been curious about them? Unsurprisingly, there's a bunch of ISO standards regulating everything about them, which is why they all look the same... and a good thing they do! Imagine a harbor full of assorted, oddly shaped boxes! (Indiana Jones anyone?)
Now, these things weight up to about 5000kg, and you can stuff it with 25000kg worth of goods. They have a unique "License plate". Together, they have revolutionized goods handling, but not all is peachy. Some 10.000 containers end up in the sea every year (sometimes turning up rather.. unexpectedly), and empty containers are sometimes too expensive to return home, once they are empty, and the goods transport doesn't quite compensate (5000kg, remember?) and you have huge areas full of the empty things. Oh well, they've given us endless hours of entertainment in countless movies and series, not to mention other more unorthodox uses!


Contenidors esperant a un port. Molts, molts contenidors. My t'ha picat la curiositat? Com era d'esperar, hi ha una colla d'estàndards ISO regulant-ne cada detall, d'aquí que tots tinguin la mateixa pinta... i encara sort! Imagina't uns molls plens de caixes estranyes i diferents! (recordeu l'Indiana Jones ?)
Bé doncs, aquests monstres pesen fins uns 5000kg, i hi pots entaforar uns 25000kg de mercaderies. Cada un te una "matríla única". Tot plegat ha revolucionat el transport de mercaderies, pero no tot es de color de rosa. Cada any, uns 10.000 contenidors acaben al fons del mar (i de tant en tant reapareixen, per sorpresa de tothom). A més a més, tornar cap a casa els contenidors buits (5000kg, recordes?) pot tenir un cost superior al de producció, i acabem amb àrees enormes plenes de contenidors buits.. Bé, en qualsevol cas, ens han donat incontables pel.lícules i séries, per no parlar d'altres usos menys ortodàxes!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

The Spirit of Ecstasy

The Spirit of Ecstasy, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

The Spirit of Ecstasy, photographed at Speyer Technical Museum. This figure is Rolls Royce's mascot/hood ornament. You might think it an angel, but it's actually a (presumably ecstatic) woman holding her arms stretched to the back, clothing billowing in the wind (and looking a lot like angelic wings).
Started as a hint to a secret love, it evolving towards speed, and eventually, the sheer ecstasy of driving. Henry Royce (Yes, there is also a Mr. Rolls) thought it got in the way, and it took a while until becoming what it is today: a must have for every Rolls-Royce. Well, unless you're a Queen, perhaps!

El Spirit of Ecstasy, fotografiat al Museu Técnic de Speyer. Aquesta figura és la mascota/decoració de capó de la marca Rolls-Royce. Podria semblar un àngel, pero de fet es tracta d'una dona (aparentment en ple écstasi) amb els braços estirats cap al radera, i la roba bufant al vent (i amb tota la pinta d'ales angelicals).
La figura comença la seva historia com a guiny cap a un amor ocult, i evoluciona cap a símbol de velocitat, i finalment, de la pura alegria de conduir. En Henry Royce (Sí, també hi ha un Senyor Rolls) era de l'opinió que tot plegat reduia visibilitat, així que va passar un temps fins que la figura es va convertir en el que és avui: quelcom imprescindible per a qualsevol Rolls-Royce.... bé, a no ser, pot ser, que siguis una Reina!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

May all traffic jams be like this

May all traffic jams be like this, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

10am on a January, by the Victoria Tower in Mannheim; A traffic jam, but a gorgeous sunrise to compensate.
It's summer now, so I was wondering how it could be so dark, so late. It turns out (instructions here), however, that we have a three hour sunrise time variation over the year, (not accounting for summer time)!. Well, we're way better off than Helsinki, or further north, with true midnight sun at Santa Claus' home in Rovaniemi. For the extremes, check Qaanaaq, somewhere in very northern Greenland (77°N) and Nairobi, Kenya, almost on the equator (1°S). Do your own checks here. Happy summer solstice!

10 del mati, Gener, a la vora de la Torre Victória a Mannheim; Un bon embús, pero també una sortida de sol genial per compensar.
Ara som a l'estiu, aixi que em preguntava com podia ser tan fosc, sent que era tan tard. Resulta (instructions aquí),que tenim unes tres hores de diferència en la sortida del sol al llarg de l'any (sense tenir en compte l'horari d'estiu)!. Bé, ho tenim força millor que a Helsinki, o més al nord, amb sol de mitjanit a casa de Santa Claus a Rovaniemi. Si voleu veure els extrems, mireu Qaanaaq, molt al nord de Groenlàndia (77°N) i Nairobi, Kenya, quasi a l'equador (1°S). Feu els vostres càlculs aquí. Feliç solistici d'estiu!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Stripes

Stripes, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Zebra Stripes are pretty amazing patterns. As it turns out, black stripes seem to suppress the apparition of further black stripes, keeping the pattern in place. As the zebra grows and the spacing between stripes broadens, new black stripes emerge.
Oh and, by the way, Lions are color blind, explaining while a chess board on grass is invisible to them!

Les taques de les Zebres só forç increibles. Pel que, sembla, les ratless negres impedeixen l'aparicio de noves ratlles negres, mantening aix&iacute el patró. A mida que la zebra creix, i l'espai entre les ratlles negres s'eixampla, noves ratlles negres apareixen a les zones blanques.
Ah i, per cert, els lleons son daltònics, cosa que explica com un taulell d'escacs sobre gespa verda pot esdevenir invisible!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Copenhagen Airport, A finger

Copenhagen Airport, A finger, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

These corridor is the farthest extension of the Copenhagen (CPH) Airport. I find the arches and light play impressive! Also the image of a long corridor with the sharp turn to exit has an interesting effect.

Aquest corredor és l'extensió més allunyada del centre a l'aeroport de Copenhagen (CPH). Trobo que els arcs i el joc de llums es impressionant! A més a més, aquest llarg corredor, amb la sortida abrubta cap un costat, té un efecte que trobo interessant.

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Groceries stand in Barcelona

Groceries stand in Barcelona, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

The shopkeeper argues quality and price with a concerned customer in the Mercat de la Boqueria in my home city, Barcelona.
This picture speaks volumes of my childhood. I went to the market looking for colorful shots, and ended up with an everyday scene that brought me back 15 years, shopping with my mother :)

La venedora discuteix preus i qualitats amb un client preocupat al Mercat de la Boqueria a la meva ciutat, Barcelona.
La foto representa molts records de la meva infància! Vaig anar al mercat buscant fotografies ben colorides, i vaig acabar amb una escena que em va dur quinze anys enrera, de compres amb ma mare :)

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Corks in a bottle

Corks in a bottle, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

It's not everyday that you see a bottle filled with cork stoppers. The question however, is: didn't they have an extra cork to close the bottle itself?
PIcture taken in St. Emilion, France

PS: Please excuse my ignorance in advance, and if you know what that wooden stopper's used for, do enlighten me! :)

No cada dia veus ampolles plenes de taps de suro. La pregunta, pero és: de debó que no tenien un tap més per tancar l'ampolla?
Aquesta foto ha estat presa a St. Emilion, França

PD: perdoneu per anticipat la meva ignorància, i si algu sap qué és i com s'usa el tap de fusta, expliqueu-m'ho! :)

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Hay Stacks with truck

Hay Stacks with truck, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

That's a truck right there, under all that hay! Trucks are colorfully decorated in Rajasthan (and probably all of India), but they are also heavily overloaded. I also can't decide which obstructs the front window more, the hay or the flowery ornament. Also any thoughts on the bucket are welcome!
Even though this picture may be fun because of its absurdity, overloaded trucks are extremely dangerous on the road. Also I'm sure those drivers would happily carry half the load if it was up to them!

Sí, sí, allo d'allà sota la palla, es un camió! Els camions a Rajasthan (i probablement a tota la India) solen anar molt colorits, pero també amb molt de sobre pes. A més a més, no m'acabo de decidir sobre què tapa més la vista, la palla, o les decoracions fllorides del parabrises. I que pinta la galleda?
Si bé la foto pot ser tan absurda que fa gr´cia, els camions amb sobre pes son extremadamnet perillosos a la carretera. Val a dir també que els conductors, si d'ells depengués, segurament durian la meitat de la càrrega...

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Torii at the Fushimi Inari Shrine

Torii at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

There's two parts to this story: firstly, Fushimi, in Kyoto, hosts the head temple to Inari, the deity of fertility, agriculture, and in general, success. Secondly ,most Shinto shrines have Torii (the red entrance gate), and walknig under it implies a certain act of purification and respect to the shrine.
Now, with Fushimi being the head temple for success, literally thousands of successful (or successful wanna be) businessmen have donated Torii to the temple, flanking its paths as if it were a tunnel for kilometers. The names of the donors are displayed in black Japanese characters. By the way, this is, beyond doubt, my favorite location in Japan, so make sure you don't miss it, and that you stay at least until it starts to get dark...

Aquesta história té dues parts: en primer lloc, Fushimi és la seu del principal temple dedicat a Inari, la deitat de la fertilitat, l'agricultura, i en general, de l'éxit. En segon lloc, la majoria de temples Shintoistes usen el caminar sota un Tori (els arcs d'entrada) com a símbol de purificació i respecte al temple.
Així doncs, Fushimi, el principal temple relacionat amb l'éxit, compta, literalment, amb milers de Tori, donades per empresaris que han triomfat, o voldrien fer-ho. Les Tori amb els noms dels donants escrits en negre flanquejen els camins del temple druant kilometres!
Sense cap dubte, aquest es el meu lloc preferit al Japó i recomanaria a tothom visitar-ho, i especialment, quedar-s'hi fins que comenci a fosquejar...

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Foggy day at the Plitvice Lakes

Foggy day at the Plitvice Lakes, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. The Plitvice Lakes were supposed to sport amazing turquoise waters... just not that day. Truth be told, however, the foggy atmosphere was a photographic heaven.
My thanks again to the ranger that gave me the rubbish plastic bag! She thought I wanted to cover my head from the downpour, and was amazed when I punched a hole in it and stuck my camera lens out :)

De vegades tens sort, i de vegades no. Teòricament, als Llacs de Plitvice hi havíem de trobar una aigua color turquesa... però aquell dia no tocaba. Val a dir, pero, que l'ambientillo emboirat va acabar sent una joia pels fotògrafs!

Un cop més agraeixo la vigilant del parc que em va donar una bossa d'escombraries (neta). La dona es pensava que em volia tapar el cap, i li va canviar la cara quan em va veure fer-li un foradot i passant-hi l'objectiu de la camara! :)

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Warship Vasa, on a dry day

Warship Vasa, on a dry day, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Yes, that's a 17th century Warship inside a building. And the only real one you'll ever see, by the way. Built top-heavy, it sailed a few (under 5) miles before sinking for good. The cold waters have kept the worms at bay and today it's housed in the Vasamuseet in Stockholm. A worth sight!

Sí senyors, això és un vaixell del segle 16 dintre un edifici. I l'únic real que veureu, per cert. Disenyat amb el centre de gravetat massa alt, va navegar unes poques milles (menys de 5) abans d'enfonsar-se. La fredor de l'aigua el va protegir dels cucs, i avui dia, es troba exposat al Vasamuseet a Stockholm.Val la pena visitar-lo!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

The Patient Truck

The Patient Truck, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

A battered truck awaits stoically for its next errand in Chopatty Beach, Mumbai. Do not miss the clever dog under it!

Un camió atrotinat espera estoicament el seguent encàrrec. No us perdeu el gos llest de sota!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Incense coils in Hong Kong

Incense coils in Hong Kong, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

The spiral coils in this picture are made of incense, and will slowly smolder for hours on end when lit at an end. The red paper inside contains a prayer or wish, expected to come true when the whole coil is consumed. In a densely populated city like Hong Kong, the air can get pretty thick in some temples...

Els espirals d'aquesta foto estan fets d'encens, i poden cremar durant hores quan en cremes un extrem. El paper vermell de l'interior conté una pregaria o petició, que un espera que es compleixi en acabar-se la bobina. En una ciutat amb alta densitat de població com Hong Kong, l'aire pot acabar ben carregat, en els temples més importants...

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

The Soaring Sails at the Sidney Opera House

The Soaring Sails at the Sidney Opera House, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

This is not the most common angle, but you can probably recognize the Sidney Opera House! What you don't usually appreciate is that there's two main buildings: the Opera Center and the Concert Hall. The construction of the building was completely stuck until they could match the architect's vision to industrial plans: how would they manufacture the roofs? They finally found a fitting geometrical model, whereby the shells/sails are cutouts from hemispheres of the same radius. All in all the final budget was 1400% higher than expected but hey, this is an Australian icon,and it very well deserves it!

Si bé aquest no és l'angle més típic, segurament que reconeixeu el Palau de l'Opera de Sidney! El que no es sol veure es com l'estructura es composa de dos edificis principals: el Centre d'Opera i la Sala de Concerts. La construcció de l'edifici va estar totalment parada fins que es van empescar la manera d'aplicar tecniques industrials per la fabricacio del sostre a la visio de l'arquitecte. Finalment se'n van sortir amb un model geométric on les veles/closques son fragments d'hemisferis del mateix radi. Finalment, el cost de l'edifici va ser d'un 1400% per sobre del pressupost estimat, pero ep! la principal icona arquitectònica d'Australia bé s'ho mereix!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Abandoned train in Torredeita

Abandoned train in Torredeita, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

About 690km of railway tracks were abandoned during the 80s in Portugal. Nicely enough they are slowly being converted into "Ecopistas", a sort of nature trail where you can hike etc...
This wagon is part of the abandoned train in Torredeita, standing on it's lone 3 segments of tracks. I just love the atmosphere inside the train!

Als anys 80, a Portugal, uns 690km de vies van caure en desús, i finalment van ser abandonades. Avui dia, poc a poc el recorregut de les vies está essent convertit en "Ecopistes", una mena de camins on pots anar amb bicicleta, caminar, etc...
Aquest vagó és part d'un tren abandonat a Torredeita, tot sól sobre tres segments de via. M'encanta l'atmosfera dintre el tren!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Just happy, at the Summer Palace in Beijing

Just happy, at the Summer Palace in Beijing, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Now, that's a happy chap if I've ever seen one! This elderly man patiently waits (don't ask me what for) at the Summer Palace in Beijing, all smug on his foldable chair. The smile he dedicated to the camera made this one of my favorite pictures in China!

Eus aqui un paio feliç! Aquest vellet espera pacientment (no em pregunteu per què al Palau d'Estiu de Beijing, tot apalancat a la seva cadireta plegable. El somriure que li va dedicar a la càmara ha fet d'aquesta una de les meves fotos preferides del viatge!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Stained Glass windows in St. Vitus Cathedral

Stained Glass windows in St. Vitus Cathedral, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

It looks like St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic, was only finished in 1929, so don't expect the stained glass to be anything ancient. None the less, they set the Cathedral on fire daily; What a show must Cathedrals have been to the middle-ages man!

Sembla ser que la Catedral de Sant Vitus a Praga, Republic Txeca, tan sols es va acabar de construir al 1929, aixi que no espereu que aquests vitralls siguin antiquíssims. Tot i aixo, la llum que donen sembla que incendiin la catedral cada dia; Què meravellosa debia de resultar una Catedral a l'home de l'Edad Mitja!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Acrobats at the Shanghai Centre Theatre

Acrobats at the Shanghai Centre Theatre, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Of all the performances in Chinese Variety Art, acrobatics and balancing have to be the most impressing. The 6 acrobats in this picture slowly built up to the formation you are seeing. While wearing ropes for precaution, I am pretty sure the equilibrium is totally unassisted.

De totes les actuacions als espectacles de varietats chinesos, les acrobacies i els actes d'equilibri son probablement els més impressionants. Els 6 acrobats de la fotografia van construir, poc a poc la formació que veieu aquí. Si bé duen cordes per protecció, posaria la mà al foc que l'equilibri és totalment real.

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

All-Stars in the SAP Arena in Mannheim

All-Stars in the SAP Arena in Mannheim, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

This picture was taken at a non competitive Ice Hockey match at the SAP Arena, in Mannheim (yep, SAP build a stadium, are you really surprised?) The Mannheim Adler didn't really put their heart in it, but I'm told they move the masses at the in-season games! By the way, you know all those clear plastic protections round the field? A puck (the "ball") may reach 160Km/h!


Vaig fer aquesta foto a un event no competitiu de Hockey sobre gel a la SAP Arena, a Mannheim (Si, SAP va construir un estadi; us sorprén?) Les Aligues de Mannheim (Mannheim Adlers) no hi van posar pas el cor, pero pel que em diuen, els seus fans disfruten com nans durant els jocs de temporada!
Per cert, sabeu les parets de plastic al voltant de la pista de gel? Els pucks (les "pilotes" de hockey gel) poden arribar als 160Km/h!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Torre Agbar after the party's over

Torre Agbar after the party's over, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Designed by Jean Nouvel, the Agbar Tower is at its best in the evening, when its 4500 LED lights give it a (sometimes) shifting, coloured leopard-ish skin (see here).
This picture is a late one, though. It was taken once the city had gone to sleep (it does. Sometimes.). The lights are off, and the golden glow comes from the reflection of the street's sodium lamps. Not your usual shot of the tower, but one that conveys a strange peace to me.

Disenyada per Jean Nouvel, la Torre Agbar es llueix al vespre, quan els seus 4500 LEDs la vesteixen amb una pell de lleopard acolorida, que, de tant en tant, canvia (tal com es veu aquí).
Aquesta fotografia, però, es feta ben tard. Les llums ja estan apagades,
i la brillantor daurada ve del reflex de les llums de sodi del carrer. No és pas la típica foto, pero a mi em dona una estranya sensació de calma.

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Cinderella's Castle

Cinderella's Castle, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

The Cinderella Castle is the center piece of Disney World Orlando (this one) and Tokyo, and an Icon for all things Disney. The cartoonish structure employs a technique known as forced perspective where the top parts of the castle are smaller than they ought to be, so that they actually appear taller.

The castle, by the way, is half the size you would expect and features among other things, a "Turn yourself into a princess" beauty saloon for kids!


El Castell de la Ventafocs és la peça central de Disney World Orlando (en aquesta foto) i Tokyo, així com l'icona més representativa de Disney. L'estructura, que es dona un aire a dibuixos animats, usa una tècnia coneguda com Perspectiva forçada en la que les parts superiors del castell son més grans del que realment els pertoca, per donar la sensació que són més llunyanes, i per tant el castell és més alt.

Per cert, l'estructura és la meitat d'alta del que un esperaria, i l'interior conté, entre altres, un salo de bellesa per nenes on prometen convertir-les en Princeses Disney!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

A London Eye Capsule

A London Eye Capsule, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

The London Eye also called the Millennium Wheel is the gigantic Ferris Wheel by the Thames, in the very heart of London. The whole structure is cantilevered, so the wheel is held only from one side. Cabins hold up to 25 people, and take 30min to go aroud. Back in the time I was there, you could actually rent them for Birthday parties and the like! This involved you and your 24 guests, a buffet table, and no fear of heights whatsoever!


El "Ull de Londres" o la roda del mil.leni (London Eye) és la gengantina noria a la vora del Thames, al bell mig de Londres. L'estructura s'aguanta amb contrapesos, de manera que nomes un dels costats està collat a terra. A les càpsules hi caben fins a 26 persones, i triguen 30 minuts a donar una volta. Quan jo hi vaig ser, es podia llogar una cabina er cel.lebrar festes d'anniversari i similars: els teus 24 amics i tu, un bufet lliure, i gens de vertigen!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

The Devil's Golf Course

The Devil's Golf Course, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Have you ever boiled salty water until all the water was gone? You'll get salt crystals, just like this. This area used to be a lake, in very, very salty soil. As the weather changed (talk about global warming!) The whole lake dried up, and has remained so ever since (a few thousand years) ). Occasional moisture is drawn up the salt pinnacles by capillarity, creating the funny heaps.
It was said that only the devil could play golf in here... and the name stuck!


Heu probat mai de bullir aigua amb sal fins que tota l'aigua s'ha evaporat? Obtindreu cristalls, justament com els d'aquesta foto. Aquesta àrea solia ser un llac en un terreny molt, molt salí. A mida que el clima canviava (aixo si que va ser escalfament global!) tot el llac es va assecar, i aixi ha estat des de llavors (uns quants mil.lenis). L'humitat ocasional puja pels pinacles de sal via capilaritat, explicant totes les muntanyetes.
A algú se li va acudir que nomes el diable podria jugar a golf, aquí, i el nom se li va quedar: el camp de gold del diable.

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Fishing at Lake Balaton

Fishing at Lake Balaton, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Fisherman at a platform on Lake Balaton. Hungarians call it their Hungarian "Sea", those of etymological inclination would translate it as "the muddy lake". Name it as you wish, but the sunset colors are were astonishing. So where the hordes of mosquitoes on guard at the shore...

Un pescador sobre una plataforma al llac Balaton. Els Hongaresos l'anomenen el "mar" d'Hongria, aquells amb aficions etimologiques en dirien el llac fangós. Tant si com no, els colors de la posta de sol van ser increibles, aixi com la quantitat de mosquits que vigilaven la vora del llac.

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

An impressive stare

An impressive stare, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

This lady showed us around the step well in Abhaneri, India. She is wearing staggeringly blue Sari and holds the lens's attention with a majestic grace.
This is one of those pictures that shocks you as you see them back home. Her stare bores intoyou, full of unanswered questions.

Aquesta dona ens ve mostrar el pou escalat d'Abhaneri, a l'India. Du un Sari d'un blau sorprenent, i aguanta la mirada de la camara amb una gràcia digne d'una reina.
Aquesta és una d'aquelles fotos que t'impressionen en tornar a casa. La seva mirada sembla que et perfori, plena de preguntes no respostes.

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.

Jizo at Hachiman gu, Kamakura

Jizo at Hachiman gu, Kamakura, originally uploaded by miquel_martin.

Jizō is a Japanese divinity that takes care of children that passed away before their parents: by hiding the kids in his robes, he manages to save their souls on the way to the afterlife. It is therefore common to see Jizō statues in cemeteries and temples, like this one at the Hachiman gu shrine in Kamakura, Japan. Grieving parents will often clothe the statuette in order to favor their lost child. No, it's not a funny picture! This must be my most misunderstood picture ever...

Jizō es una deitat japonesa que es fa càrrec dels nens que han mort abans que els seus pares: tot amagant-los a les seves vestidures, intenta salvar les seves animes de cami al mes enllà. Per tot plegat, es normal veure estatuetes de Jizō a cementiris i temples, com ara aquesta a Hachiman gu shrine in Kamakura, Japó. Aquesta estatueta, probablement, ha estat vestida per pares en dol, per tal d'afavorir la criatura. No, no és pas una foto divertida! Segurament no he fet mai cap foto mes malinterpretada que aquesta!

If you'd like some more info on this picture, there's a bunch of extra details in flickr.