Year of the Monkey

Commenting later when arrived to Malta ;-)

Soundtrack by Michel Banabila: soundcloud.com/michel-banabila/document-not-found Because I could not find a price list for the venial sins. This text carved on stone can be found on the wall of the inner balcony of Palazzo Ducale, in Venice. It is a copy of papal letter sent by Pope Urban V, from the year 1362. It is written in Latin, and in short it says: "One year and forty days of indulgence will be granted to those who visit Palazzo Ducale, gives alms to prisoners in the adjoining prison, and visit St. Nicholas chapel (located in Lido)." I had some hard time finding the story behind of this plaque (because I was too stupid to find it out right there in Palazzo Ducale!). I first found some pdf image documents in Italy, telling something about this particular plaque. Then by copying the text from the image file, letter by letter, I was able to get enough keywords to find more information about the origins of the letter, the writer and year of it. And finally I found also explanations in English (language more familiar to me). But what I couldn't find is the "price list of venial sins". If I had lived in Renaissance world, I may have wondered questions like: "What particular sin or sins this one year and forty days is worth of?" If I had done only some venial sins, I could do some "penance" to quicken my "time" spent in purgatory, like do some prayers, visit (holy) places, and/or do some good works. To quicken the time spent in purgatory is of course a relative concept, because according to religious believes at that time, there is no such thing as time in hell, purgatory, or in heaven. Therefore one could start to think if he or she is able to wash the sins away already before one's death. In other words, one may have wondered the actual prices of each sin committed. And finally one may have even wondered if one could get the indulgence doubled by visiting Palazzo Ducale and St. Nicholas chapel in Lido twice, and by giving the alms twice, or do all this even multiple times during the same visit in Venice. And what exactly makes this plaque as a travel advertisement? Well, at that time travelling was definitely not easy or not even cheap! A "tourist" (pilgrim) at that time, who had just arrived to Palazzo Ducale would then ask someone what does this plaque on the wall mean, if not being able to read Latin. Then the person would find out one has to buy yet another boat trip to Lido in order to get the promised one year and forty days of indulgence. So, visit Lido, and get some extra! Moreover, what a clever way to collect money to cover the wages of local prison guards! Sources: Francesco Zanotto (1842). Il palazzo ducale di Venezia. Available online: www.worldcat.org/title/palazzo-ducale-di-venezia-illustrato-da-francesco-zanotto/oclc/81682109 Alfredo Stussi (1997). La formazione dello stato patrizio - La vita civile e religiosa: LA LINGUA. Storia di Venezia. Available online: www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/la-formazione-dello-stato-patrizio-la-vita-civile-e-religiosa-la-lingua_(Storia-di-Venezia)

Found from the vaults. Picture taken 2016 in Malta.

Found from the vaults. Picture taken in 2016.

Inspired by Bernhard: www.ipernity.com/doc/2218680/46374510 And of course also inspired by M.C. Escher: www.mcescher.com/gallery/back-in-holland/balcony Found from the vaults. Picture taken 2016 in Malta. On the note/PiP view to the other direction.

...was here.

Soundtrack by Mr. Likeblazes (Marco Sonzogni): soundcloud.com/likeblazes/full-dark-no-stars Because the weekend was cloudy.

...but Happy Fence Friday! =)

Soundtrack by 8ball9 (Gary Moore): soundcloud.com/8ball9/4am-underpass This underpass connects the Tammela and Kyttälä quarters of Tampere. People riding bicycles uses this tunnel on their way to work. Cars and buses drive through it on their way downtown and back to eastern districts of the town. Above this underpass goes the railway, and the railway station rests on these concrete pillars. Late at night, when the more comfortable pedestrian passageway next to this underpass is closed, the people going home from restaurants uses this route. Drunken people are rushing along the narrow side-walks, either avoiding or looking for conflicts. And in the safe of night, also those who have something to declare to the society, paint their graffiti onto these pillars and walls. The murky light, broken lamps, pale concrete, and noises caused by passing cars and trains above, sends a message to the people not to stop here, not to stay, but go through as quick as possible. And the people on move, and using this underpass, are often in some sort of liminal space within their lives. Stressed by the tasks that wait them at work, or problems waiting at home, or waiting to see what the night will bring to their lives. I would like to see this space painted with bright colours and lights, hear it filled with cheerful music, or just closed and replaced with something completely different...

For years I have tried to find a good place and angle to shoot Columnar Swedish Aspens (Populus tremula 'Erecta'). Yesterday I suddenly found the spot! Right next to railway station, no further than several hundred meters from my home. These trees are quite popular in my hometown, and I absolutely love how they look! Standing majestically in groups, they give nice, soft counter balance for the surrounding buildings. And if you wonder the real size of these trees and the station clock, then go ahead and find out: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampere_railway_station There on one picture you see the tower and these trees on left. Direct link to image also here: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tampere_railway_station2.jpg Soundtrack by Mediakeskus: soundcloud.com/mediakeskus/rautatieasema-the-railway Because it's Finnish! =D

Inspired by the Sunday Challenge 'The Future'.