Shadow inspired me :D

The photos in the "Of snakes and lizards" gallery are taken, most of them, at "Haus der meeres" ("Aqua Terra Zoo" being the official translation) in Wien. Just a few of them, at the Schonbrunn Zoo, the Wien Zoo that is, located in the  famous gardens of the Schonbrunn, the austrian Imperial Palace.

I know most of u like this sort of animals, but I actually took them thinking of one of u guys in particular....

So, Bane, these are for u, my friend.

Blessings to all

As I said, the details. Many of u must have read Bram Soker's book, "Dracula". And seen the movie. Can't say I like them, but that's just a personal opinion. Or to be more acurate, i like the historical character a lot. And the fiction, well....Everbody made the conection and said Bran is Dracula's castle. Our authorities rather encouraged this....that is another discussion. Bran was a fortress, built to defend one of the most important comercial routes of that time. Vlad Tepes (Dracula for friends...:d) was the ruler of the time, but not the inhabitant of the castle. Soldiers were.

Now: his home was Poienari; this smaller catle hanging almost against reason on the cliffs. In the film, Dracula's home is, in my opinion, quite ugly. Bran is not. But Poienari is....something else. Cliffs on three sides, the only acces in on the fourth side of the castle, a path climbing the mountain. Steps, concrete ones, wew added some years ago form the base of the mountain to the castle, for turistic purposes.

Firs time I saw it, the aluminium bars weren't there. At least not all. And while I cheer the improvement in the securiy, and also the little concrete bridges inside the ruins, for easier acces and a more secure one also, the witch inside me is sad.Some things should not be touched. But this is another personal opinion. Other than that, there are no oficial tours, no guide, no admittance fee. NO GROUPS. When u get there, u are most likely alone. When I first went, I remember standing a step away from the edge, looking down at the cliffs. U could almost believe u would not fall, but fly forever. I rarely experienced afterwards the intense sense of freedom that swept over me there.

There is magic there; the air tingles with it at times; there is also a sadness, a melancholic touch to the whispers of the wind. Sould one listen carefully, it tears at the heart.

One thing mister Stoker got right is this: Vlad's wife leapt to her death. Not from Bran, but from here. During a siege, when things got desperate, she jumped to the cliffs below rather than be taken prisoner.

So, my friends....sadness, old death....and magic....

I have a mind to go there with my tools once....

Bb!

oh, the lake in the pictures is some 4 km away, hope u like it.

Mm everyone!

The photos I added in the public gallery are from Poienari castle (ruins to be more accurate).

Later today, I hope to find a few extra minutes to tell u about this castle, and why I posted this pictures. Unfortunately, I have to run now...

Bb!

Hello everyone!

I just dropped in to say hi! I'm new here, and still sort of new to the path; it feels more like there are many things I once knew and I'm trying hard to remember....

hope to meet some people, make some friends, who knows...

Bb!