I am in London for the week and Oxford for the weekend, consulting Ethiopic manuscripts. I will not be updating the site and will rarely check my email during this time.
Month: November 2010
Hermit, Festival of Maryam Tsion, Axum, Ethiopia, 2009
An eremite watches the celebrations outside of the church compound of Maryam Tsion (St. Mary of Zion), the holiest church in Ethiopia, and supposed resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. The yearly festival of St. Mary is the premiere holiday in Axum.
Nun, Festival of Maryam Tsion, Axum, Ethiopia, 2009
A nun rests upon her staff while watching the celebrations in honor of St. Mary of Zion, Axum’s high holy day, and the celebration of the patron of Ethiopia’s most important church.
Market Cat #2, Mek’ele, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2009
A cat sits leashed to its stand, at the prouduce section of the main market in Mek’lele.
Cafe Scene, Mek’ele, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2009
A bike leans against a mural depicting traditional outdoor teaching in the courtyard of a cafe in Mek’ele where I spent a fair amount of time.
Clearwater Trail, White Lake Provincial Park, Ontario, 2010
A quiet early morning walk through the woods of Northern Ontario, back in the Summer.
Stained Glass, Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto, Remembrance Day, 2010
The stained glass windows in the Memorial Room of Soldiers’ Tower, built to honor the memory of the 1,185 members of the University of Toronto who gave their life in the First World War, and expanded to honor those who fell in the Second. Symbolizing the sacrifice, and memorializing the honoured dead, the windows are based upon the famous poem by University of Toronto Alumnus Lt. Col. John McCrae, “In Flanders Fields”:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
This window memorializes the dead of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the first time all four units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together, suffering heavy losses and, according to some, birthing a national, Canadian, identity.
Wreaths and Names, University of Toronto, Remembrance Day, 2010
Wreaths from various colleges and university organizations are laid before the wall upon which the names of members of University of Toronto who died in the First World War, on Rememberance Day, 2010.
The inscription on the wall wherein are inscribed the names of members of the University of Toronto who fell in the First World War. The shields are the national arms of the monarch of Canada and the United Kingdom, representing England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales (dragon, centre). The quote is Milton, Samson Agonistes, 1721–4.
Mushroom, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada 2010
Moose, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada 2010
Just as the light was fading, we came across this cow and calf alongside the track portion of the Track and Tower trail, causing a stop that meant we had to make the last of the trip in the dark. The light was almost gone, the rain slanted into the lens of the camera, so I was not able to get the quality of photos I would have liked, but it was wonderful to see the moose in such a natural habitat, and at such a reasonable distance.