Category: photo challenge

Someone was saying on the news that Christmas sale in France will start earlier than common years because of the current difficult situation. Retailers need to sell enough to recover from the second quarter’s unexpected drop. Indeed, technicians seem already busy for installation of Christmas illuminations even when it is still before Halloween. Some shops are still trying to get the attention of pessimistic people using new culture such like Jack-o’-Lantern that comes from the United States, though it was originally Celtic culture. 

ブルターニュにもフランスにもハロウインの習慣はないが、少しはオレンジ色の飾りがショーウィンドウを賑わせている。今年は第二四半期の経済の落ち込みもあって、早めのクリスマスセールが予定されているらしい。早くも通りにイルミネーションの設置が始まっている。まだまだハロウイン前ということもあって、ちょっと不思議な感覚でもある。19世紀の建築となんだか新しいハロウィンが混ざった景観が見られるのもあと1週間。

A contribution to A Photo a Week Challenge: Cityscape by Nancy Merrill Photography.

For a long while, I have forgotten how to take a bus. I know I’m having an ID on which my face is printed and still a few available tickets are recorded. I recognise I’m having a few coupons in my wallet. I am aware one hour ticket a guy of car garage gave me is left in my pocket. I know but I don’t. I am conscious of what I could. On the road again.

Pas maintenant. J’espère.

しばらくの間、バスに乗ることを忘れていた。カードには有効なチケットが記録されていたはずだし、カルネも財布に残っていた。ポケットにだってガレージでもらったのが残っていた。でもバスに乗らない。わかっている。また戻ろうと。

でも。

A contribution to A Photo a Week Challenge: The Road Not Taken by Nancy Merrill Photography.

An eternal October is coming again, with a weeping accordion under a grey sky. Always scarlet apples on a shelf of a supermarket are bit acid and always a full moon is probably behind a uncertain veil of evening mist.

また永遠の10月がやってくる。灰色の空の下の悲しげなアコーディオンと共に。いつだって緋色のりんごは少しばかり酸の味がして、いつだって満月は湿った夜のベールの向こう側。

That’s the way it goes. That’s why you will be in unexpected November.

今日という日はそんなもの。だから不意の11月がやってくる。

A contribution to A Photo a Week Challenge: October by Nancy Merrill Photography.

I have forgotten how I feel of getting nostalgic. A town where I was growing up has been totally changed, a sea shore I was spending my collage time is already uncertain in my heart and now it is impossible to go back to my home town ten thousand kilo meters far from here. I don’t have so many reasons to think about there anymore. 

Nevertheless, a small unexpected thing may bring my thought to my place in memories. Time to time, it might be a taste of beans, a colour of leaves or a smell of blossoms. 

ノスタルジーなど元々感じたこともないと思っていたが、ちょっとした匂いや味にふとかつて住んでいた場所を思うことに気がついた。

A contribution to A Photo a Week Challenge: Up Close and Personal by Nancy Merrill Photography.

A cold and orange cookie was not baked but dried in the sun several weeks ago.
Some black spices are not prepared from pepper but with the end of hot weather.
Nothing has been changed, and will be.

何も変わらないことの喜び

A contribution to A Photo a Week Challenge: Something Baked by Nancy Merrill Photography.

At first, I thought perhaps it would be a kind of long vacation or sabbatical spending my time abroad. More or less, living in a foreign country makes some difficulties as well as joy of life in new environment, not only by a different language I used to use but from a bunch of small differences in customs. In other words, longer time in a foreign country, more chances to find something different proportionally. 

However reality is always a bit different. Everyday life sometimes means a piled up bored things, such like taking out the garbage or claiming on insurance, with a small happiness. Of course it is enough for everyone. Even if you need to add some exceptional things to do, finding better mask for instance, this year, still the life is enough interesting. Just all I need is a vacation in any way. 

慣れ親しんだ場所とは異なる異国に住むというのは、ある意味長いバカンスのようでいて少し異なる。目の前にどんなに新鮮味のあるワクワクすることがあっても、バカンスは必要なのだ。日常をほんのひととき忘れるために。

A contribution to A Photo a Week Challenge: Vacation Memories by Nancy Merrill Photography.

I don’t find anything nostalgic on those two photos. There was no ferris wheel in my home town where I spent my time when I was a child, nor I have no good memories about it. Just I find myself taking similar picture anywhere, anytime. Empty thing might be also a part of nostalgia.

A contribution to A Photo a Week Challenge: Nostalgic by Nancy Merrill Photography.