Finding joy in small things, looking at life upside-down and sideways but always in slow motion, thinking.
History speaks to me in Canillas de Albiaida when I go walking, flaneuring with my camera.
I feel the presence of the Roman Legion fully kitted out marching across the 2,000-plus-year-old in-tact bridge only 15 minute´s walk from my door.
History, the ghosts of history, from Romans to Moors and ultimately to the Spanish Kingdom in 1492 (La Reconquista), speak to me, especially if I am willing to listen and learn.
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| "This Way Out" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2010) |
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| "Cat Patterns" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2009) |
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| "Thinking Green II" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
That is part of the magic of this place called Canillas de Albaida.
It´s sometimes very noisy, as now.
The town hall decided it´s time to replace the wastewater (grey water) system under Calle Estacion where I live, call it High Street or Main Street.
I call it bombed out street.
I call it Zapatero´s public works employment program, similar to FDR´s during the Great Depression in the United States.
Great idea.
But lots of noise.
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| "Castillo Wall Framing Moorish Village" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Vandalized Important Engine Part" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2006) |
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| "Hope" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
Spain´s known as the undisputed noisiest country in Europe.
I savor not the roaming and roaring male egos expressed by pulsating blasts of mufflerless motos (50 cc-plus motorbikes) roaring at high speeds down narrow streets in search of primal recognition.
But what can replace the sound of children playing and laughing in the street, loved and ultimately protected by everyone in the village?
Here, family rules.
The spontaneous small processions of people singing and chanting, celebrating.
Fiesta is life and life is fiesta.
Add to that pan—bread.
And it´s almost impossible to find a bad wine in Spain (usually priced at or below €1 a bottle).
Even that can be quite palatable if you´re on a budget.
But there´s much quietude to be had walking these ancient, winding, narrow streets, sometimes only a couple meters wide, if that.
A maze of images, lines crashing into each other, visual collisions everywhere, more with early morning or late afternoon light.
Life is slow.
I often think macro, composing abstract images as they appear, wondering what they are much later.
Or walking.
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| "Lola Loves Animals" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2010) |
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| "Kicked out of the house along the goat trail to Competa" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2010) |
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| "Santa Ana II"Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2010) |
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| "Confused & Disappointed" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "We Live to Die" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2007) |
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| Chapel Santa Ana Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2009) |
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| "Found Formation" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Transformation of Shadows on a White Wall" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Fiesta Fashion" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2009) |
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| "Personal Signature" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
Lots of people from the UK and northern Europe come here to walk and discover nature as a cardio-vascular adventure.
Solitude along a mountain stream in spring awash with new growth and sensuous smells are all part of the magic of getting lost inside your Self here.
For artists, it´s an inspiring and often productive place to create, a lousy place to sell.
If you find the rhythm of Spanish life and can tolerate bureaucracy and double-parking, each day can be a special gift.
Here´s a randomly curated (think chaotic) array of images, my “Impressions Collection II”.
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| "Grazing Along the Goat Trail" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2009) |
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| "Joost & Duncan Walking" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2008) |
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| "A View of Canillas de Albaida" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2009) |
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| "Connected" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Someone´s Always Watching" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2009) |
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| "Chimney Art & Design" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Tilting Middle Ages Door" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2020) |
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| "Igneous Installation II" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Evil" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "15th C. Door to Chapel of Saint Anthony Abad", protector of animals Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Silver´s Internment" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Family" (Grampa Paco with grandson Cayetano) Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Infinity with Sharp Edges" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
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| "Blue Door" Photograph by Stefan van Drake (2011) |
Rock on and practice peace and love.
Stefan, the ArtTraveler ™
ArtTraveler notes:
After living at the Hotel Queen Mary in Budapest (3.5 stars), I heartily recommend it: old on the outside, otherwise totally modern (26 rooms);
The owner and staff are affable and speak English and German. Tel: 0036-1-413-3510; www.hotelqueenmary.hu; info@hotelqueenmary.hu.
Visit Andalusia for a walking holiday or week-long sculpture or mosaics workshop.
See: www.spanjeanders.nl and www.competafinearts.com.
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