Showing all posts tagged Thursday Postcards Hunt

In Blogging and the Web, Cambodia life, Expat Life, Geek Talk, hobby, Sreisaatv2

Thursday Postcard Hunt: A Slice of Filipino Life on Canvas

Author sreisaatPosted on 9 Comments

This week’s postcard, a gift from the lovely Arlene over at I Love Postcrossing, is a true treasure. It features a stunning oil painting by the renowned Filipino National Artist (the first ever!), Fernando Amorsolo. The postcard, showing one of his masterpieces, is a nostalgic window into a bygone era of the Philippine countryside.

Postcard shows one of Fernando Amorsolo’s oil paintings. His works depict his love for the Philippine rural landscape and farmers/labourers.

Imagine a bustling rice harvest scene, painted with lifelike detail and bathed in warm sunlight. Women work side-by-side, tirelessly in the fields, their laughter mingling with the gentle breeze. Amidst the hardworking farmers, there’s a tender moment with one woman pausing her labour to nurse her baby. This simple act captured beautifully, speaks volumes about the heart of Filipino life. This was a time when communities came together to celebrate the fruits of their labor with feasts, music, and dance.

It’s fascinating to learn that Amorsolo’s journey to becoming a master began humbly. His mother’s embroidery helped support him, and young Fernando even sold his own watercolour postcards!

Amorsolo’s genius lies in his ability to capture the essence of Filipino. life. He was a master of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), using his signature backlighting technique to create scenes that feel almost ethereal. His works are a beautiful blend of realism and impressionism, drawing you into the heart of the painting. It’s no wonder he is nicknamed the Grand Old Man of the Philippine Art, a true National Treasure!

A big thank you to Arlene for sharing this piece of Filipino heritage with me. It’s a reminder of simpler times and the enduring beauty of our country.

In Blogging and the Web, Expat Life, Geek Talk, hobby, Sreisaatv2

Thursday Postcards Hunt: El Ángel, the Pride of Mexico

Author sreisaatPosted on 5 Comments

This week’s postcard is from Mexico! It’s the first of many I got from my awesome friend Luisito. Even though he lives in Caracas, Venezuela, we’ve been super close for years. He’s a real postcard enthusiast and sent me a whole bunch from his travels in Mexico, Hong Kong, and France.

The postcard features the iconic Angel of Independence, right in the heart of Mexico City. It’s officially called the Column of Independence – Columna de la Independencia – but everyone just calls it El Ángel. This towering monument stands in the middle of a busy roundabout and is a symbol of Mexico’s fight for freedom. It was built to celebrate 100 years since Mexico’s War of Independence started in a neoclassical design similar to famous monuments in Europe. At the very top, there’s a golden statue of the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, symbolizing Mexico’s triumph over Spanish colonial rule.

In later years, the base of the monument was transformed into a mausoleum honoring Mexico’s brave heroes who fought for independence. Their remains are enshrined within, serving as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice. The column’s base also bears the names of key figures in the war, immortalizing their contributions to the nation.

El Ángel is more than just a striking monument; it’s a powerful symbol of Mexican identity and unity. As a focal point for national celebrations, protests, and gatherings, it has become a beloved gathering place where Mexicans come together to express their pride and patriotism.

In Blogging and the Web, Expat Life, Geek Talk, hobby, Sreisaatv2

Thursday Postcards Hunt: Towers of Enigmatic Smiles

Author sreisaatPosted on 10 Comments

This week, I’m taking you to Siem Reap, Cambodia. To a place where serenity and grandeur collide at the magnificent Bayon Temple, famous for its array of towers with smiling faces and “baroque” architecture in a Khmer context. While Angkor Wat is impressive and rightfully holds its place, Bayon remains a personal favourite for its unique charm.

The temple’s defining feature?  Two hundred sixteen (216) colossal, enigmatic faces carved onto 54 sandstone towers. These serene smiles seem to gaze eternally at the horizon, each tower boasting four expressions facing different directions. It’s hard to imagine the dedication and skill required to create such a wonder, especially with the available tools they had in those times.

These smiling faces follow you around the temple.
Conservationists say there are only about 173 intact carved images left.

On my last visit, I saw a tourist mirroring the contemplative mood. He was resting against the temple wall, just beneath a tower face. On one hand, he held an unlit cigar – a nod to the intrepid explorers of old who first marveled at these ruins. With the other, he fanned himself vigorously using his Indiana Jones hat against the relentless heat. Perhaps he, like me, was simply enjoying the structures, or pondering the mysteries of Bayon. Who were these enigmatic figures? What message did the ancient builders intend? These very questions add to the temples enduring allure.