My "Belles Choses"

Sunday, August 12, 2012

The Beauty of Fatima, Portugal

Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima was a name given to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Three shepherd children reported seeing apparitions of the

Blessed Mary on the 13th day of the month for six consecutive

months in 1917. Three secrets were revealed to these

visionaries during the six months.

The beautiful arches of the Basilica
Construction began in 1928 and was consecrated in October 1953.

Basilica of Fatima

This shrine attracts 1 million followers from May 13 to October 13 each year.

The inside of the sanctuary is peaceful where you can
sit in silence and pray.

A place for people who seek healing to meditate and pray.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. John 14:27

Thousands of people come from around the world to Fatima.

Over 1 million during the 6 months of May to October

Lucia dos Santos with her 2 cousins
Francisco and Jacinta Marto
These poor Shepard children reported the apparitions of the Blessed Mary over a
6 month period in 1917 . The 3 secrets were revealed to them about the world.

Newspaper articles published in 1917

All 3 are buried inside the basilica

Jacinta and Francisco died when they were children.

Lucia became a nun and lived a very long life of service.

Sister Lucia

She became a recluse in 1948. She served under the order of the Carmelite Sisters.

Loucia dos Santos died February 13, 2005 at the age of 97

Sanctuary of Fatima
Candles and incense are lit

Prayers are offered up by the believers

Chapel of Apparitions was built where the 3 children saw the

apparitions at Fatima.

Believers actually crawl on their knees to reach this area of prayer and healing.

One of the stones in the crown of the Blessed Mary is the actual bullet

removed from Pope John Paul II

in May 1981, during an assassination attempt that critically wounded him.

I submitted 2 pages of prayer request given to me by my friends and family from the

United States to

Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. The beauty of this is you do not have to be Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Buddhist, Hindu or any other formal religion to make your prayer request.

You just have to believe in miracles.

Fatima, my Belles Choses, my beautiful things

Monday, April 30, 2012

The Beauty of Ronda, Spain

Ronda, Spain

A beautiful city atop an Andalusian mountain slightly north

of Spain's Mediterranean coast.

Ronda, in Spanish, pronounced Rhonda. Population 35,000.

This magical prehistoric settlement dates to the Neolithic Age.

Ronda is a very peaceful city that you can relax or explore.

Majestic Ronda.

The fabulous Parador Hotel sits atop the hill, it was once the Ronda Town Hall. The La Ronda Bullring in the distance and the Tajo Gorge below.

The New City of Ronda
Ronda has a mixture of old and new architecture in the city

Ronda, "Old Town" a city at Sunset

Black & white drawing of the city of Ronda

The city can be traveled to by train from Madrid. You can travel by bus or car from Costa del Sol Resorts, from the coast of southern Spain. Be prepared for a lengthy and curvaceous ride though the mountains before you reach the city of Ronda.

Quaint street in Old Town Ronda

A Horseman riding down the rocky streets of Ronda.
Horses have played an integral part in rural life for centuries.

Spanish are known for their skill in ceramics.
Making ceramics is a tradition in Ronda. Factories
and potteries make these exquisite pieces. Many woman go to
Trade School to continue to learn and practice this art.
The ceramic tradition has led to a "white glazing."
Ceramic shops can be found throughout Ronda and Spain.

La Ronda Bull Ring above the Tajo Gorge

Interior of the Bull Ring

PLAZA de toros de Ronda - Ronda Bull Ring

This Neoclassical style building is one of the largest and oldest in Spain

It was inaugurated in May 1785 and has a capacity for 6,000 people.

A Bull fight held in September but visitors can visit the ring year round.

It is an amazing place to see.

Piletas's Cave
A short distance from Ronda is La Pileta Cave. It was discovered in 1905.

The pregnant mare

This cave contains some important cave painting which include horses, goats and fish.
The caves were a place to live and a place to be buried.

Puente Nuevo
An incredible bridge over the Tajo Gorge, finished in 1793.

A view from Puente Nuevo from El-Tajo-Gorge
The weather has a tendency to change very quickly in this mountainous region.

Such a beautiful memory of this absolutley intriguing city.

my Belles Choses, "my Beautiful Things"

Sunday, March 4, 2012

The Beauty of Tokyo, Japan

Geisha wears a beautiful colorful Kimono (Japanese robe)

Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the capital of Japan. It is the largest metropolitan
area of Japan and the world.

Tokyo is rich in culture and tradition

A group of Japanese women out shopping

Tokyo, Japan
The city as seen from the top of the Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower
The tower is an icon for Japan. It is primarily a TV antenna
tower that is styled like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. There is an
observation deck that provides views over the Tokyo Bay Area.

A busy day in the city of Tokyo

The city at night

Not only does Tokyo offer night clubs and geisha bars
but the New National Theater.
This theater offers opera, ballet, dance and plays.

The New National Theater

A day on the sightseeing tour through
the streets of Tokyo.

Imperial Palace
Moat, wall and turret

Imperial Palace East Garden Lake

Imperial Palace Nijubashi Bridge

Meiji Jingh Shrine
The central scantuary where the Meiji emperor is enshrined. Meiji Jingu Shrine
is dedicated to the souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.
The Shrine was built in a garden area where they both visited before their deaths
in 1912 and 1914.

The shrine was built in Nagarezukuri style. It is mainly constructed of Japanese cypress, which is considered the best timber in Japan.
The shrine gardens consist of two areas. The Naaien, the inner garden. The Gainen, the garden with the Picture Gallery which houses 80 large murals. Meiji Memoral Hall today is used for Shinto weddings.

Shinto Wedding Procession

Shinto Japanese Wedding Party

The Wedding Couple

Wedding guest in beautiful Kimonos

Trainee Geisha walking on the street in Kyoto
Geisha means "performing artist." A professional who entertains and a social
companion who is skilled in the art of conversation, dance, music, literature and
tea ceremony. Traced back to female enterainers in the 18 century Japan.
In the 1920s and 30s it was estimated that there were 80,000 geisha. Today
estimates are between 1,000 and 10,000 women. In Kyoto, girls often
begin their geisha training at a young age by joining an okiya or geisha house.
There are 3 stages of training: shikomi, minarai and maiko.
During the shikomi stage the girl serves as a house maid. After
passing an intense dance exam the girl will become minarai and will
no longer do chores but be trained in the skills of light conversation.
When the girl becomes maiko she will apprentice with a geisha.
A professional Geisha may charge full price to attend
parties or engagements.

Advertisement for Geisha Makeup Service in Kyoto

Meiji Jingh Shrine Maidens
The 175 acre forest has 120,000 evergreen trees blocking the city noise of Tokyo.

Shrine Maiden alone

Priests on the way to the Shrine

Priest Buddasenso-ji-temple

Ginza Shopping District
The Ginza Shopping District is a chic area of Tokyo with
theaters, night clubs, art galleries, exclusive stores, and restaurants.

The Kabukiza Theater
This is a traditional Kabukiza theater with performaces daily
in the Ginza Shopping District.

Japanese Baseball Dome
The Dome opened in 1988 and has a capacity for 55,000

Yakyu, is Japanese for baseball. It was introduced from
the United States during the early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912).
The Japanese team is Yomiuri Giants

Dome City

The Bullet Train Day Trip

The Bullet Train can reach a speed of 138 mph
This is a great way to travel to Mt Fuji.

Mt. Fuji
This snow capped mountain is a well known symbol of Japan.
It is an active volcano which last erupted in 1707 -08. Mt. Fuji is
the highest mountain in Japan, 12,389 feet.