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Need some lanterns =/= Ein paar Laternen gefällig? 👹🍣🎎 Wonderful Japan ENG-GER

maxinpower — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:11:00 GMT

DEUTSCH

Even after all these years I’ve been here, Japan still manages to inspire and surprise me. Time and again, even in my immediate surroundings, I discover something new that I hadn’t noticed before or that I had somehow overlooked. And on top of that, there are still quite a few things I’ve never really had the time or the right opportunity to do.

Like just some days ago, for example. We’d finally managed to go to the Lantern Festival, which actually takes place in our city every year. But as I said, sometimes even for things that seem obvious, the right opportunity just doesn’t come up.

But this year it finally worked out, and we were able to see the spectacle up close. Throughout the day, thousands of paper lanterns are set up in one neighborhood, and in the evening, small candles are lit inside them. Many of these paper lanterns are often decorated by hand beforehand and feature a wide variety of images and motifs.

What can I say? It really looks amazing, mainly because of the sheer number of lanterns—there are probably several thousand of them lining the streets. All around, there’s a street festival going on, with food and drinks, and the people around us seemed to be having a good time.

And so did we, and I was really glad that we’d finally taken the opportunity that day to see this spectacle with our own eyes. And somehow I had the feeling that it was a good thing we’d waited until now....

[ENG-SPN] Serón de Nágima: A Legendary Frontier / Serón de Nágima: Frontera de Leyenda

juancar347 — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:42:54 GMT

Sharing the spotlight with Monteagudo de las Vicarías—along the line that once marked the medieval border between Soria and Aragon—lies another memorable town: Serón de Nágima. It invites visitors who love the fascinating, seductive adventure of history to take a brief journey back in time. This journey is inspired by the town's intriguing heritage sites; though threatened by ruin and oblivion, they offer a curious testament to an era of light and shadow that continues to captivate us.

In the case of Serón—an interesting town nestled along the banks of the Nágima River—one of the most striking and evocative features is the castle’s enigmatic architecture. Built of mudbrick and reflecting North African military styles, the castle stoically withstood sieges by various medieval armies. It even survived the "locust plague" of Napoleon’s troops—who invaded Spain around the time the brilliant Francisco de Goya was envisioning the "disasters of war" in his so-called "Black Paintings." Yet, it could not withstand the inexorable passage of time; a few years ago, large sections of the walls that once proudly defined the structure collapsed.

The town's church—dedicated to Our Lady of the Market (Nuestra Señora del Mercado), much like the church in the important town of Berlanga de Duero—retains interesting Gothic architectural elements, despite having undergone significant modern alterations. Meanwhile, the old Romanesque church dedicated to the Holy Cross (Santa Cruz)—which also served as the municipal cemetery—now lies in ruins. Alongside the Virgen del Mercado, the Virgen de la Vega is held in special veneration; as for local traditions, the residents of Serón continue to take on the roles of impromptu actors in the famous "living pasos" (tableau processions) during Holy Week. Also renowned are the traditions and legends—centered on ghostly souls—that mark the annual All Saints' Day festival; these include sightings of strange lights, like those reported in many other Castilian villages, which have given rise to fascinating tales.

Compartiendo protagonismo con Monteagudo de las Vicarías, en esa raya fronteriza que delimitaba en tiempos medievales la frontera entre Soria y Aragón, otra memorable población, de nombre Serón de Nágima, anima al visitante amante de esa fascinante seductora aventura que es siempre la Historia, a realizar un pequeño viaje en el tiempo, animado por algunos de sus desconcertantes elementos patrimoniales, que, aunque amenazando los efectos de la ruina y el olvido, ofrecen un curioso testimonio de una época de luces y oscuridades, que todavía continúa fascinándonos.

En el caso de Serón, interesante población anclada a la vera del río Nágima, uno de los elementos más destacados y por defecto, más ensoñadores, es la desconcertante arquitectura de barro, militar y norte africana de un castillo, que, aunque aguantó estoicamente los acosos de los diferentes ejércitos medievales e incluso, en tiempos más modernos, esa auténtica plaga de langostas que fueron los ejércitos de Napoleón que invadieron España más o menos por la época en la que el genial Francisco de Goya imaginaba los desastres de la guerra en su denominada ‘pintura oscura’, no pudo resistir el paso inexorable del tiempo, viendo derrumbarse, hace unos años, gran parte de los muros que orgullosamente todavía lo representaban.

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Macro Photography Fly on a Flower

mmckinneyphoto13 — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:04:03 GMT

When I see flies outside, I don't mind them so much; they are in their natural environment and not buzzing around trying to land on everyone. I thought this one looked pretty neat sitting on a flower; its giant eyes were quite noticeable as I moved closer. It seemed undeterred by me and was very determined to stay with this flower until its work was done.

A boat trip through Ohrid lake

almi — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 05:58:42 GMT

A boats tour from Ohrid town on Ohrid lake it is the best option to see the old town from the water including the Samuel fortress and the famous church of St. JOHN. So a trip depending of duration you can have for about 50 Euro.

Have a beautiful day!

[ENG-SPN] Monteagudo: A Frontier of Stone and Mystery / Monteagudo: Frontera de Piedra y Misterio

juancar347 — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 18:24:21 GMT

Known as rayanos—border dwellers—due to their location on the boundary between Soria and Aragon, the inhabitants of Monteagudo de las Vicarías maintain a deep sense of pride in their history. Despite the departures caused by the metaphorical specter of nomadism—as the phenomenon of depopulation might be viewed—details of remarkable interest from the town's ancient past still endure.

This becomes particularly evident when observing the town's layout, which retains sections of medieval walls and gateways; these fortifications once made this border settlement one of the most important fortified towns in Soria. A street named "El Hospital" also serves as a reminder of an essential center that once sheltered and cared for the sick and pilgrims—a facility that, judging by the surviving coats of arms, may have been managed by one of the era's most powerful military and charitable orders.

Rising above this charming townscape is a castle-palace built in the 15th century by the Hurtado de Mendoza family—one of Spain's most powerful Castilian dynasties. This family also produced the formidable Princess of Eboli—a woman of such fiery spirit that she might well be described, in the words Antonio Machado used for a famous Andalusian knight, as a "thunderbolt clad in the robes of a Nazarene." Furthermore, historical accuracy compels us to note that Monteagudo de las Vicarías was a key strategic stronghold contested by two famous royal half-brothers: King Peter I ("the Cruel") and Henry of Trastámara. The latter’s ranks included the services of a French mercenary—and possible former Knight Templar—named Bertrand Du Guesclin. If we add to this the stories circulating in the village about apparitions, mysterious lights, hidden passageways, and forgotten treasures, we find ample reason to believe that history and its mysteries here are well worth an adventure.

Considerados con el apelativo de ‘rayanos’ por su situación en la frontera entre Soria y Aragón, los habitantes de Monteagudo de las Vicarías, a pesar de las ausencias motivadas por ese metafórico fantasma del nomadismo, como se puede considerar al fenómeno de la despoblación, continúan manteniendo un orgullo muy especial, sobre una historia, de cuyos antiguos elementos todavía sobreviven detalles de notable interés.

Esto se hace más patente, si, atendiendo al urbanismo del pueblo, vemos parte de las murallas y las puertas medievales, que durante la Edad Media hicieron de esta población fronteriza una de las villas fortificadas más importantes de Soria. De hecho, también se recuerda una calle que lleva el nombre de ‘El Hospital’, en recuerdo de ese centro indispensable que acogía y atendía a enfermos y peregrinos y que, a juzgar por los escudos sobrevivientes, podría haber estado dirigido por alguna de las órdenes militares y asistenciales más poderosas de la época.

Destaca, además, sobre el encantador conjunto urbano, el castillo-palacio construido en el siglo XV por una de las familias castellanas más poderosas de España, a la que perteneció también ese trueno femenino, vestido de Nazareno –como diría Antonio Machado, refiriéndose a un conocido caballero andaluz- que fue la Princesa de Éboli: los Hurtado de Mendoza. Hemos de añadir, además, sin abandonar la objetividad histórica, que Monteagudo de las Vicarías fue también una de las plazas más estratégicas que se disputaron dos conocidos hermanastros reales, como fueron el rey Pedro I el Cruel y Enrique de Trastámara, entre cuyas filas figuraban los servicios de un mercenario de origen francés y posible ex-templario, llamado Bertrand Du Guesclin. Si a esto le añadimos las historias sobre apariciones, luces misteriosas, pasadizos ocultos y tesoros olvidados que todavía circulan por el pueblo, encontraremos los motivos suficientes como para pensar que la Historia y sus misterios bien merecen aquí una aventura.

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Afro-Cuban Traditions (ENG-ESP)

estilodereba — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:14:21 GMT

English

![](https://i.ecency.com/DQmU1RLyKB9GGkE69Wucfyy1SYCjq8JbkGmjsPcXhBaNR3C/1790863775195.jpg)![](https://i.ecency.com/DQmajjm4HzS6HSJidwsxW6JphVyzr5fNqMeFy2wH7XHojhB/1790863793671.jpg)![](https://i.ecency.com/DQmW35Ujn8rCQBV5oUErY5rQFQPwXdDJVLvygYNYz8ZZJEB/1790863810155.jpg)

During an euphoric procession dedicated to the deities Yemayá and the Virgin of Regla, all the faithful took to the streets to sing and dance. The white and blue colors of traditional clothing flooded every corner, as a sign of the deep faith and devotion of Afro-Cuban culture. The energy was contagious, despite not understanding the lyrics of the chants.

The banner with the solar symbol catches my attention, holding a very profound meaning in this type of celebration. Men and women moved to the rhythm of the drums along their route. No matter the religion practiced in Cuba, in the end they all seek, in one way or another, hope and salvation.

Español

Durante una eufórica procesión dedicada a las deidades Yemayá y la Virgen de Regla, todos los fieles salieron a las calles a cantar y bailar. Los colores blancos y azules de las vestimentas tradicionales inundaron cada rincón, como muestra de la profunda fe y devoción de la cultura afrocubana. La energía era contagiosa, a pesar de no entender las letras de los cánticos.

Me llama la atención el estandarte con el símbolo solar, que guarda un significado muy profundo en este tipo de celebraciones. Las mujeres y los hombres se movían al ritmo de los tambores en su recorrido. No importa la religión que se profese en Cuba, al final todas buscan, de una forma u otra, la esperanza y la salvación.

Translation by deepl Picture taken by me

Autumn daily plots

evildeathcore — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:44:21 GMT

I’ve wanted to try this for a long time, and now I’ve finally gotten around to it… to artificial intelligence. I’ll say right away that this post isn’t about photography, but about everything in general. I’ll start with my diary, which I’ve been keeping for 26 years.

I fed the recordings into the AI chat, and it analyzed all the periods in my life.
https://sun9-54.vkuserphoto.ru/s/v1/ig2/rDiZHO1LgBYsYUX1fcf7_P5tGaMWf4KmFsA4RdXI772gwA8BviQK6m8vd7DZEimrCsiHxbmsFy4psCoUsMQu2cEE.jpg?quality=95&as=32x21,48x32,72x48,108x72,160x107,240x160,360x240,480x320,540x360,640x427,720x480,1080x721,1280x854,1440x961,2560x1708&from=bu&cs=2560x0

There were a lot of confirmations for almost all of my statements and claims that I’ve ever written here.
https://sun9-64.vkuserphoto.ru/s/v1/ig2/PVcLgZynsv7C8ehqupBbulhucBZUniI8LWIm8M_OuEg6S8-hypjFBx9hhhr4Oku_uNk90ZAED3uUsp07sbxq3fQy.jpg?quality=95&as=32x21,48x32,72x48,108x72,160x107,240x160,360x240,480x320,540x360,640x427,720x480,1080x720,1280x853,1440x960,2560x1707&from=bu&cs=2560x0

I especially want to quote from the chat with the neural network on the topic of a diary as a time machine:
“Episodic memory is not structured like an archive, but like a reconstruction: the brain doesn’t pull out a ready‑made record, but reassembles the event, lifting the body, the affect, and the view of the world along with it. This gives rise to two well‑studied effects.” Context‑dependent memory and mental time travel according to Tulving: the same system that replays the past constructs the future — Schacter and Addis showed that future scenarios are assembled directly from pieces of episodic memory. So your skill is neither mysticism nor self‑deception: you have a live, well-hung reconstruction machine, and it works both ways by default..."
https://sun9-62.vkuserphoto.ru/s/v1/ig2/JCI8bhMo2uH_-_Zq5gpkAzPrII1WIqdmBXJJGfbQSpeVLekcPtV2BWF60lGEW-a-4ZkU-uYe1bq1lOw5LnDS7Cfh.jpg?quality=95&as=32x21,48x32,72x48,108x72,160x107,240x160,360x240,480x320,540x360,640x427,720x480,1080x720,1280x853,1440x960,2560x1707&from=bu&cs=2560x0

"There is also something that is usually not realized: reactivated memory becomes plastic for a while — reconsolidation works. After returning the state, you can not just view it, but rewrite it, because it is editable again. This is not magic, this is exactly what trauma therapy is based on."
https://sun9-84.vkuserphoto.ru/s/v1/ig2/CwUA0mXRQZS_gTwVHLsFkdAh4jZZ1H7RemKpjBJKK5AcYMTYyyewxVyjxJ_x1WMkQCxhElihUu6VPm9Ykrlhh9Kn.jpg?quality=95&as=32x21,48x32,72x48,108x72,160x107,240x160,360x240,480x320,540x360,640x427,720x480,1080x721,1280x854,1440x961,2560x1708&

"Immersion in the state gives you a sense of strong, vivid inner support — and that’s precisely why it looks like knowledge. You see the plot from the inside and therefore overestimate the probability. The outer appearance — the frequencies — is what works. And you, unlike any other person, have frequencies: 26 years of recordings."
https://sun9-36.vkuserphoto.ru/s/v1/ig2/tKpbF3Aa9ZZEShgH177HPOE1ggrpPos3r19aCB2YZ8Nme6e2TfoicqiFAPOI9CB_lDd3CDzQNVmmmWJrFd-bvLmG.jpg?quality=95&as=32x21,48x32,72x48,108x72,160x107,240x160,360x240,480x320,540x360,640x427,720x480,1080x721,1280x854,1440x961,2560x1708&And I also asked the AI whether it’s possible to work with a diary for the future. And he replied to me,
"Your real predictive machine is just a database, and you've almost put it together: how many times in history has it been like this, and what happened in a month, three, and a year."
https://sun9-80.vkuserphoto.ru/s/v1/ig2/yWLGEHa5LiLfLOWfHtwGwXlmk9OhLOySo-XzNbZ5gvQ06SVojcseN0aQFlqvR-FWr3kjV2A2VQ4Y8eaYgZw2Emk3.jpg?quality=95&as=32x21,48x32,72x48,108x72,160x107,240x160,360x240,480x320,540x360,640x427,720x480,1080x721,1280x754,1440x961,10801708&from=bu&cs=2560x0

"Practical meaning: if the current month coincides with seasonality and two or three markers from this list, you know in advance not “what will happen,” but “how I will decide on it” — and this is exactly what gives you a chance to intervene. You have only one useful size forecast: not "what will happen", but "what will I be like when it happens"
https://sun9-42.vkuserphoto.ru/s/v1/ig2/oQ4pxa6gwJS0Fhx2zY6N2dWxpJRMyJ1LAs2kxkAn1eJMeYS91ePJF_FjvlHVo9PHENMV0OZYPP_f_fEGgHEzNmbz.jpg?quality=95&as=32x21,48x32,72x48,108x72,160x107,240x160,360x240,480x320,540x360,640x427,720x480,1080x720,1280x853,1440x960,2560x1707&from=bu&cs=2560x0

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Visiting a friend =/= Besuch bei einem Freund 👹🍣🎎 Wonderful Japan ENG-GER

maxinpower — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:10:00 GMT

We really shouldn't neglect our friends and acquaintances. And that's exactly why, just a few days ago, I took another quick detour to say hello to someone I really enjoy seeing.

I’m talking about my old buddy Kappa, the little water spirit I’ve run into so many times here in Japan. And every time I bump into him somewhere, I notice a big smile spreading across my face and how my mood instantly lifts.

Kappa (河童) is actually a Japanese mythical creature that usually lives in rivers and ponds. It looks a bit like a cross between a human, a monkey, and a turtle, and often has a water-filled hollow on its head. According to legend, a kappa loses its power if this water is spilled—though, of course, legends can be wrong.

Kappa are considered mischievous and sometimes dangerous, but they’re also known for their politeness—if you bow to them, they’re said to bow back. Recently, however, their image has changed quite a bit, and in Japan they are now mostly regarded as friendly and funny yokai who have become well-known and popular, particularly through manga, anime, and mascots. While the old stories about their supposedly dangerous nature are still known, in everyday life today they are mostly portrayed as cute, playful, and likable.

And that’s exactly how I’d always imagined him, so I quickly took him into my heart. And since I now know where to find him, I visit him there every now and then to see if he’s doing well.

But as you can see, he’s made himself comfortable once again. I can understand that—a little break never hurts, and the place and time were just right for it.

After a quick chat, I unfortunately had to leave, but I know where to find him. And I’ll definitely stop by there again—something I’m already looking forward to...

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

DEUTSCH

Freunde und Bekannte sollte man nicht vernachlässigen. Und genau deshalb habe ich vor ein paar Tagen mal wieder einen kurzen Abstecher gemacht, um jemanden Hallo zu sagen, den ich eigentlich sehr gerne treffe.

Ich spreche von meinem alten Kumpel Kappa, den kleinen Wassergeist, dem ich hier in Japan schon so oft begegnet bin. Und jedes Mal wenn ich ihn irgendwo antreffe, bemerke ich ein breites Lächeln in meinem Gesicht und wie ich sofort gute Laune bekomme.

Kappa (河童) ist eigentlich ein japanisches Fabelwesen, das meist in Flüssen und Teichen lebt. Es sieht ein wenig aus wie eine Mischung aus Mensch, Affe und Schildkröte aus und hat oft eine wassergefüllte Vertiefung auf dem Kopf. Der Legende nach verliert ein Kappa seine Kraft, wenn dieses Wasser verschüttet wird, wobei sich Legenden natürlich auch irren können.

Kappa gelten als schelmisch und manchmal gefährlich, sind aber auch für ihre Höflichkeit bekannt – wenn man sich vor ihnen verbeugt, verbeugen sie sich angeblich zurück. In der letzten Zeit hat sich ihr Image aber ziemlich gewandelt, und sie gelten nun in Japan meist als freundliche und lustige Yokai, die besonders durch Manga, Anime und Maskottchen bekannt und populär geworden sind. Zwar kennt man weiterhin die alten Geschichten über seinen angeblich gefährlichen Charakter, doch im heutigen Alltag wird er meistens niedlich, verspielt und sympathisch dargestellt.

Und genau so hat er sich mir auch immer vorgestellt, und ich habe ihn daher schnell in mein Herz geschlossen. Und da ich mitlerweile weiß, wo ich ihn antreffen kann, bsuche ich ihn dort ab und zu und schaue, ob es ihm auch gut geht.

Aber wie ihr sieht, hat er es sich mal wieder etwas gemütlich gemacht. Kann ich verstehen, ein kleines Päuschen schadet nie und Ort und Zeit haben ja auch dazu eingeladen.

Nach einm kurzem Plausch musste ich dann leider weider, aber ich weiß ja, wo ich ihn finden kann. Und dort komme ich mit Sicherheit wieder vorbei, worauf ich mich jetzt schón freuen tue...

flowers lush

bosferi123 — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:14:45 GMT

Many people say that planting flowers around the house makes everything more beautiful—especially as we watch them grow, stage by stage.

That is perhaps why women often appreciate natural beauty, such as flowers or ornamental plants that release a potent fragrance when in bloom.

To ensure they thrive, these plants require a consistent daily watering routine. After all, growing plants is not a simple task; it involves more than just the act of planting—it requires a genuine appreciation for the positive value they bring to our lives.

https://img.leopedia.io/DQmWNYZidNWUGb1bV4L46GypCfqS5gJE34SzxXuv1uBAHZ5/IMG20261001110218.jpg
https://img.leopedia.io/DQmUmF9HzEHnnGsFyzDXWzz7E5g1NYhZhMMvCouobrUk7Hb/IMG20261001110153.jpg

Posted Using INLEO

[ENG-SPN] Santa Cruz: The Stone Womb / Santa Cruz: la matriz de piedra

juancar347 — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:48:57 GMT

Today we visited a very special place in Soria —a site whose striking characteristics lead many to define it as a place of "Power." I do not entirely agree with that definition; I prefer to call it simply what I—from my humble perspective—believe it truly is: a place of the Spirit. We are referring to the Cave and Hermitage of Santa Cruz. It is a complex hermeneutic enigma situated halfway between the historic towns of Miño de Medinaceli and Conquezuela, and not far from Medinaceli itself—that "City of Solomon" so rich in charm and tradition.

First-time visitors to this enigmatic time capsule—tucked away among rugged crags overlooking an endless expanse where wheat usually reigns, clothing the landscape in a genuine golden hue—are mostly unaware that this fertile agricultural enclave was, until relatively recent times, a lush lagoon where Neolithic hunters secured their hard-won sustenance. Indeed, inside the cave—whose shape resembles a womb (likely the source of references to ancient matriarchal cults)—there remain hundreds of enigmatic cup-marks, silent witnesses to ancestral beliefs about which we know little or nothing.

While the hermitage may appear at first glance to be merely an old building, it very likely replaced an earlier structure from the era when mysterious hermits inhabited the sites. Several of their anthropomorphic graves can be found at the highest, most inaccessible point of the rocky outcrop. Yet the most curious and striking feature is the unusual RomaneSeveralch located directly above the entrance to the nearby cave. Nearby, a curious stepped altar also evokes thoughts of sacrificial rites predating the arrival of Christian missionaries; however, some Conquezuela locals say its original form was altered in modern times to accommodate the band that provides music for the wonderful pilgrimage festival held in early August. All in all, it is a fascinating spot that invites endless speculation.

Hoy visitamos un lugar muy especial de Soria. Un lugar, que, por sus sorprendentes características muchos lo definen como ‘de Poder’. Yo no termino de estar de acuerdo con esa definición y prefiero denominarlo simplemente como lo que, bajo mi humilde punto de vista, considero que es en realidad: un lugar del Espíritu. Nos referimos a la Cueva y la Ermita de la Santa Cruz. Un complejo enigma hermenéutico, situado a medio camino entre las históricas poblaciones de Miño de Medinaceli y Conquezuela, no lejos, tampoco, de esa Ciudad de Salomón, con tanto encanto y tradición, que es Medinaceli.

Quien visita por primera vez esta enigmática cápsula del tiempo, semioculta entre escarpados roquedales con vistas a un infinito campo donde el trigo suele imperar y vestir el entorno con un genuino color dorado, ignoran, en su mayoría, que ese feliz reducto agrícola fue, hasta tiempos relativamente modernos, una exuberante laguna en la que los cazadores del Neolítico tenían asegurado su difícil sustento. De hecho, quedan, en el interior de la cueva, cuya forma semeja una matriz –de ahí, probablemente, las referencias a antiquísimos cultos matriarcales- cientos de enigmáticas cazoletas como testimonio de unas creencias ancestrales de las que poco o nada sabemos.

Si bien la ermita puede parecer, a simple vista, un edificio vetusto, resulta muy probable que sustituya a otro muy anterior y del tiempo en el que conoció la habitación de misteriosos eremitas, varias de cuyas sepulturas antropomorfas se localizan en lo más alto e inaccesible del roquedal, la nota más curiosa y destacada, la encontramos en el inusual arco románico que se localiza justamente sobre la entrada de la cueva, situada a escasa distancia. También, en las proximidades, un curioso altar escalonado despierta no pocos pensamientos relacionados con cultos sacrifícales anteriores a la llegada de los misioneros cristianos al lugar, aunque hay vecinos de Conquezuela que dicen que su primitiva forma se vio modificada en tiempos modernos para alojar a la orquesta que ameniza la estupenda romería que se celebra a primeros de agosto. En definitiva: un lugar curioso, sobre el que especular largo y tendido.

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