leonardcohenforum.com

First two folders of Hydra photos are at
http://www.cohen.1g.fi/kuvat
(Today we posted ROLOI and MONASTERY WALK)

First select a folder. You will see all photos
in thumbnail size. You may watch them one by
one by clicking on the photo, in both medium size
and in original size (that’s for paper prints).
The most convenient way to see all the photos
in the folder is to run the dia show!

More photos coming soon in new folders.

All the best
Eija & Jarkko

As I look at these photos, I long for Hydra. I also realize what I've come to realize since New York, and that's how dear these people are to me, and how dearer they become upon each meeting. To look at each of them in these photos, I have a sense of who they are to me. A person always goes through that transition of who the people they meet 'aren't,' according to one's imaginings; and then who they 'are,' according to reality; and as time goes on, they become dearer, in terms of the latter.

Thank you for your photos, Jarkko. As I get mine developed ~ a major $ undertaking ~ I'll get them to you. You really got some wonderful photos of the Hydra terrain and surroundings! I love that first photo of the path ! Later, of the water, beyond the trees ! I'm anxious to see how mine turn out, as well .

I see my monastery cat is visible in the last photo. I'm happy for that. I'm looking forward to writing more of my memories on what appears at this point to be 'my thread' ~ as I have the time!!! I'm back to working my two jobs, in preparation for Berlin [and Hydra !]. Oh, I miss it so.

I love that very precious one of Elke listening to Henning with her eyes closed. So many years of love and closeness are behind those closed eyes.

Love,
Lizzy

Great photos, Jarkko!

Anne and I loved viewing them and are so happy that you had a good time.

Margaret, you have Anne's admiration for going on the Monastery walk-I couldn't talk her into it when we were there and consequently didn't go either. She thinks I should go back sometime to do it myself.

We're also glad you are all home safely (with the exception of Ken who is still on some remote Greek Isle)-lucky guy!

Hope to see you all in Berlin.

Joe

Joe,

there were times on that walk when I wished someone had talked me out of doing it. I'm a bit older than most of those who did the trip and not as fit as I used to be.

Looking forward to Berlin, and possibly other cities along the way !

Hi Margaret,

Yes, more cities! I think Lizzy mentioned Krakow and St. Petersburg in another thread and we would be interested in joining that excursion or Dresden.

But we have a wedding to plan for next summer so we're waiting to have the date set before we make our plans.

Joe

I don't know what was happening in Shot #6 of the Dinners section of photos, but what a great shot ! Excellent of everyone ~ and everyone laughing or smiling. Great photo.

That one of you and Mia [#11 in the same section], Henning, is also a very fine photo !

On the boat ride, I also really like the one of Eija and Jarkko, as they're looking out in the same direction . It reminds me of the album cover of Double Fantasy, with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. You're both just looking the other direction from what they were, and the background ~ of course ~ is different .

Yes, Joe, when I get time, I'll be checking into Easy Jet with regard to Krakow. I need to get with my friend regarding airlines into St. Petersburg. So many places, so little time. Now, I've added Hydra ~ without a doubt.

Lizzy, I would forget St Petersburg if you only have time
for a very short visit. It's a long way from the other cities you've plans for, and going to St P. for just a day is waste of money...
One has to stay at least several days to visit even the most important sights!

I agree with Jarkko - last year, here was one US band who had to cancell the show in Zagreb. Namely, the guys made tour plan with map of Europe, so they planned 20 hours from Copenhagen to Croatia. In the end, they reached Zagreb with their car after 2,5 days

Another story: my friend just came back from mariagge trip. They were on North-European tour: Copenghagen, Helsinki, Riga, St. Peterburg, Stockholm, in just a week. You can't see one city in one day!

~ Schoot! I didn't even get to see London, and I was there twice on this trip !

However, with St. Petersburg, as with London, being with my friends in their 'hometown' was more important to me than sightseeing. Likewise, with my other travels in England. I was glad ~ very glad ~ to see the sights I saw. There were certain ones that were most important to me that I see, and a couple that were a real surprize. Seeing the thatched-roof house up close, when I was with John and Margaret meant tons to me. Likewise, seeing the Lever Estate ~ what a surprize! And, Liverpool, with all it has going on ~ and Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, Eleanor Rigby, the pub. With Pete, seeing the moors [even if we didn't get to snuke them] ~ simply because it's where he and Liz spend so much time; and seeing their garden because they have tea there so often. Going to Bingo with Paula. Visiting you and Eija, Jarkko, sitting in that backyard swing of yours would be a priority. Sitting and having coffee with you two at the table where Eija addressed all those Leonard cards would be also. The things that people do in their real lives. These just happen to mean a lot to me. Time spent with people I've 'known' through here and the Sony site, really does take priority. I'll be making a return trip to London to see the various sights. Phil and I already have our itinerary laid out [and will, of course, include Paula as she desires and is able].

I remember when I saw the Taj Mahal in 1965 and my thought was, "Yep! It looks exactly like it does in the photos." There's something about being there, of course, that compels you to take a photo with your own camera, when there are perfectly-produced photos available for sale. There are details to take in, as well, that one doesn't see in the photos; ambience to appreciate; all of that.

However, when it comes to St. Petersburg ~ the gilded city ~ my priority reason for going there is to meet my friend and her family in person. She knows the city well, and will take me to the 'primary' points. However, even in Gainesville, Florida, I still haven't seen all the sights of the city, and I've been living in this area for 15 years.

It's probably a one-off perspective that I have. However, returning to St. Petersburg may be unlikely. It really is very far and costly....and I know that it's true that there's so much to take in, that it warrants a trip just for that. However, if I can afford going ~ and meeting my friend and her family, and seeing at least a few of the highlights ~ I'll do it this time, and then hopefully plan for another.

All of Europe has so much to offer in the way of sightseeing. It's really overwhelming. I feel I've restarted traveling a little late in my life, but I'll be doing the best I can with the time I've got, and will be trying for a balance between places and things and the people who are important to me.

Love,
Elizabeth

P.S. This is NOT to seem ungrateful to either of you for your well-reasoned suggestions .

I can't make such plans as my country is on half way between Hydra and Berlin, so I would need to pass by my house on Berlin-Hydra trip:-) - But you can visit us; we could go together from Berlin

Hi Tom ~

Are you driving or flying to Berlin? If you're half-way between Berlin and Hydra, I'm guessing you're not driving! That seemed to not be an option for getting you to Hydra. Are you considering going there after Berlin this time?

Even though I know you're teasing, if you were driving, I'd still be checking into flights to Croatia . As it is, it seems the only reasonable thing for me to do [if it ends up 'reasonable' !] is to go to Krakow and St. Petersburg first; so I can still go to Hydra after Berlin.

As for going to St. Petersburg at all, I know how I'd feel if something were to happen that I could never return to that part of the world [one never knows ~ personally or world-scale] ~ and having been that [relatively] close!

It's a good thing I have a whole year to save.

~ Lizzy

Taking a break from this mind-boggling 'travel planning' ~ been checking fares and destinations, trying to figure the best course of action....fly directly to Russia? Then to Poland ~ with EasyJet getting me around Europe, once I'm there? Then, home from a European City? Looks like separate bookings will be the way to go....but, wow, not an easy task. I'm just going with August, 2005 for my supposed travel dates, since no one does anything as far in advance as what I need. Sure wish EasyJet went to Russia.

Hmmm. Just visited this section ~

Tips for Travelers to Russia

Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Publication 10844
May 2001

It would appear that it's a good thing my plans are restricted to St. Petersburg and traveling with my friend and her family. If I didn't think better, I'd think this section is into scare tactics and discouraging travel from the U.S. to Russia

Hi Mirek ~

Can you recommend a particular airline that goes between Krakow/Poland and St. Petersburg? Thanks!

~ Elizabeth

I'm sure our Polish members can answer this is detail,
but it's possible there is no direct route between these
cities - if so, you have to go to Warsaw first.
Check the websites of Polish airline LOT and the
Russian Aeroflot.