2 More Angels

The moment I sighted these paired clouds I thought of this image I photographed on Jeju island years ago, on my first visit to Korea.

DRAGON HEAD ROCK

From my trip to Jeju Island earlier this year.  My friend Evelyn was impressed by this image and commented it looks like some other planet.  You're right Ev, it really does.  Rest in peace.

Koi

Today I had lunch with Mom at our favorite Chinese place. There was a young couple seated at the table next to us, and I noticed the head of a fish peeking out over the back of the girl's top. It so happens I'm a fan of the colorful Asiatic ornamental carp, best known here in the U.S. by their Japanese name koi. I asked for permission to photograph the tattoo and got it.

Which reminded me of this.


On that previously-referenced trip to Jeju-do, South Korea, I happened across a beautiful koi pond in a park. Such extravagantly glamorous fish -- It's as if they were born wearing embroidered silk robes. And I'd say the tattoo artist did a fine job of capturing their sinuous beauty.



There are koi on the noren curtains in my flat as well. Wonder if they taste as good as they look? Just kidding.

I-Witness: 2 Angels

When I went to South Korea for vacation a couple of years ago, I got to visit Jeju Island. It seemed the local government was making a serious effort to market the island province as a tourist destination, promoting all kinds of both man-made attractions and natural points of interest.

One of them was a rather imposing pavilion built next to a bridge. The bridge crosses a stream that includes a pretty pool into which empties a small waterfall.

The legend is that fairy maidens used to come down from Heaven (not really the same as the western idea of fairies or angels though) to bathe in the pool. There is a large plaque there that shows them in flagrante in relief.

A nice little story, and a nice bit of elegant kitsch for the tourists, I thought...

Then I looked up at the evening sky, and I saw them -- two angels flying back to their home in Heaven.