FIRST SWIM !

It was on the 8th day of May.

The sky was mostly clear, with just a few clouds now and then.

The air temperature was 24 and the water temperature in our pool was 20.

So I ask you: "How could I Not go for my first swim ?"

Christin was chicken. She  took the pictures.

The Day of Days

Seventy years ago today,  on the 8th day of May 1945, 

the liberation of Europe was finalized.

The most brutal dictatorship known in modern history had come to 

an end.

The "Thousand year Empire" had lasted a scant twelve years, 

six  of them spent in the most devastating war the World has ever 

known.

A conservative estimate puts the number of persons killed 

during this conflagration at 56,000,000.

Let us celebrate this day in quiet contemplation ! 

Staying Clean and shaved on Safari

"You just must not let yourself go" he said.
"Every morning, as soon as possible after you've crept out of your sleeping bag and your tent, you have to wash your face and upper body. You must brush your teeth and, most important of all: You've got to shave! At least every three days....
And here is the proof that we followed these instructions meticulously:

somewhere on this table there is a mirror.

John, always practical, uses the rear view mirror of our cruiser

to stay civilized.

Just for a Change ! Let's look at some Elephants.

One of the many moving sights I've been privileged to photograph in Africa:

A family of Elephants crosses a relatively shallow pond. 
Shallow, that is, except for the baby of the family.
Encouraged by its elders, it enters the water which soon reaches a depth which is well over its head and only by the trunk reaching up as high as possible, is it able to continue breathing.
A large female, presumably its mother, leads the way,
while another female, likely an Aunt, follows closely behind, laying its trunk on the baby's back. Never, through the entire crossing, does it break this contact.
Clearly always assuring the baby that it is not alone throughout this "blind" crossing.

Please view in the large format, the better to see the baby's trunk functioning like the snorkel on a submarine, and the constant reassuring contact of the second adult with the baby in front.

Only once the family has reached land, does the "Aunt" break contact with the baby.

I believe, based on many observations, that the Elephant's family structure is that

of a well adjusted human family with the exception of the role played by the male and that its devotion to each other, particularly to its young family members

 is very comparable to the human family.

I am certain that Elephants feel a profound sense of sorrow at the loss of one of its calves,

having observed  the reluctance with which they ultimately leave the dead infant's body.

First day of May !

THIS WAS THE DAY:

Sunshine, Mountains, Lake and Music

What more could you want ? 
The above surely makes for a beautiful Sunday.
So, Christin ( who needs a little diversion ) and I drove through the Carinthian countryside, ending up in the town of Ossiach, situated on Lake Ossiach.

It so happened that on this Sunday, April 26, the "Jugend Sinfonie Orchester" of Carinthia gave a concert in the Alban Berg Concert Hall. 
Why not add "Music" to Sunshine, Mountains and a Lake ?
Concert starting time at 2PM gave us enough time for a light lunch and off we went to the Concert Hall.

I estimate that the Orchestra consisted of about 50 to 60 members who produced a lovely rich sound.

The big surprise were two soloists:
Anna Rupitsch, about 18 years of age, played a flute. 
Flawlessly executed with a mellow sound she gave one the feeling of an experienced concert flautist,
playing a composition called: "Fantasie für Flöte und Orchester".
What a pleasure.
Then onto the stage came a young man, also about 18 years old who played a violin like a seasoned pro.
Luka Ljubas had absolutely no problems with the rapid finger work demanded by Sarasate's 
"Gypsy Melodies", nor later by the almost equally demanding "Theme from Schindler's List".

There are surely great musical futures waiting for Anna and Luka.

Anna Rupitsch 

Luka Ljubas

Is there something better ?

The saying below was uttered by Baha 'U' Llah, the founder of the Bahai Faith sometime after 1884.

Like every religion, the Bahai Faith speaks of the relationship between God and Man, as well as between Man and Man. (whereby the word „Man“ is, of course, gender neutral )

Many years ago I happened upon this – let me call it - religion/philosophy and I was quite taken by the human to human teachings.

Unfortunately (for me) Baha 'U' Llah also spoke most forcefully about the relationship between „Man“ and „God“ and that is truly where I lost my enthusiasm for this movement.

My opinion about a „concerned God“, the uselessness of prayer and all the nonsensical dictates of the Christian, and all other religions is well known to my friends and to the readers of my Blog.

If I should be asked which I consider the most valuable biblical statement I would have to cite the „Golden Rule“.

Luke 6:31 and Mathew 7:12 both, as well as probably several others, speak of this command:

„Do to others as you would have them do to you“.

Once one can fully accept this „rule“ and actually practice it, nothing else would be of import.

The Bahai Faith too speaks of certain Social Principles:

„Unity of Humanity“ - The world is but one country and Mankind its Citizens. -

„Equality between Men and Women“

„Elimination of all Prejudice“

„Harmony of Religion and Science“

„Independent investigation of truth“

„Universal education“

„Universal Auxiliary Language“

There are several more Principles, which, as an Agnostic, I view with some caution, and some which I simply cannot accept.

I do not believe, however, that any of the Bahai's „mystical teachings“ compare to Christianity's ridiculously threatening prognostications.

I might suggest, that if all mankind would follow the Social Principles of the Baha'i Faith the world would surely be a better place in which to live and those who wish to add the Spiritual, faith-based teachings, may do so if this „turns them on“.

Bertstravels