Pink and blue - "manufaktura porcelany"

With this picture I want to contribute to the promotion of a local porcelain maker I found in Kazimierz district in Krakow. I was just passing by in a rainy afternoon when my eyes caught these strange cups in a big window of a pottery workshop. The maker was a really nice girl who explained me all about her products and distinct design. The name is "manufaktura porcelany" and this is the website: http://manufakturaporcelany.pl/ . It has been the second time this year I meet such pleasant artists!

Green lawn at Begijnhof

If it was not for my cousin, I would probably never find out about this little quiet and picturesque corner of Amsterdam. This is the recognition that having someone more knowledgeable (local!) about the cities or places we stop by is a real privilege. This courtyard dates back to the Middle Ages and takes the name from the Beguines, Catholic women who lived here as nuns. There is even one house in wood (Wooden house) dating back as far back as 1528. It a peaceful space surrounded by the busy streets of Amsterdam which is worthwhile visiting.

 

Grey day to remember bleak Krakow of the past

I was about 14 years old when I saw the movie Schindler's List for the first time. It was on a history class with one of my favourite teachers: Ana Machado. At such a young age the movie made a big impression to me and I think it was by then I fully understood the importance of tolerance. I was far from imagine that one day I would find myself stepping inside Schindler's Enamel factory in Krakow. I was surprised to discover that the reason why Schindler employed Polish Jews was because he wanted cheap labour to run his factory. I was relieved to found out that he eventually started actively saving as many as he could. The factory now holds an exhibition about Krakow under Nazi occupation, including several photographs taken between 1939 and 1945, Schindler's office furniture, a hairdresser's salon, a conspiracy apartment and many other features of the time. I should not finish by mentioning the Portuguese counterpart of Schindler: Aristides Sousa Mendes, Portuguese consul in Bordeaux (Paris) who provided visas to around 10,000 Jews so they could run away from a Nazi surrendered France.    

Autumn colours in Aberdeenshire

 

Autumn colours were back in Scotland last month. By the time I write this post they are almost gone. Every year is different but not less spectacular. A bike ride around Braemar hills, Linn of Dee and Invercauld Estate in a sunny Autumn day is one of the best ways of appreciating one of the best things Scotland has to offer!