Mirrored Lines

Some weeks ago I saw the movie Letyat zhuravli (The Cranes Are Flying), directed by Mikheil Kalatozishvili. I was swept away! This old Russian movie has raised several questions in my head but more than anything I find myself wondering should one really keep paying for the rest of his/her days for the mistake (if it was a mistake) that was made at one point in one’s life. I guess many will say it depends on the mistake itself.

The mistake was infidelity. Although, I really can’t tell if it was infidelity or the girl was raped (as someone said), or perhaps it was a moment of weakness. But I can tell one thing, I was ready to forgive her just about anything, that great and honest was her suffering. She suffered so much that I could hardly bear it!

Letyat zhuravli is a war movie in the terms of time, space and circumstances but not really in the terms of the story itself. It is a bit hard to explain. The director put a great deal of different emotions and aspects while developing the story and characters. There are no epic scenes of the battles or Nazis marching through Russia. Quite contrary. The director decided to show us people and their stories, and some of the sufferings of the human souls are equal and same in the time of peace and in the time of war. That is exactly what makes this movie interesting and different. Also, the camera work is simply astonishing! I mean, I truly couldn’t believe my eyes considering the year in which this movie is made. Scenes, angles, light, all was absolutely amazing, a masterpiece of cinematography! I say you must see this movie. And you’ll need this as well.

I won’t say more about the story. It won’t be interesting if I reveal everything and there is definitely a lot to be seen.

This astonishing movie was released in 1957, and according to some reviews, the silence in the theater was profound. I wish I was there…

So yes, I was on a trip and I actually didn’t plan to make blog entry about it, but this is per request, so to say.

This is for you Matthew :)

Recently I went to the area called Interlaken (Switzerland). Interlaken belongs to the canton Bern and the area is placed between the lakes Brienz and Thun.

I went there to visit several waterfalls and caves. My first impression is that I got lost in time and space, finding myself in some sort of a fairytale. I can hardly describe the beauty of the area. One must see all those waterfalls coming directly from the local glaciers and falling down from the top of the mountains. The view is simply breathtaking.

My first destination was the cave of Saint Beatus. I had to climb to reach the entry but the climbing was an experience for itself.

There are two stations and several bridges made out of wood. Those bridges are crossing over two waterfalls that come right from the entry of the Saint Beatus’ cave. Both stations are actually museums.

The first museum is mainly about the cave, archeological findings, prehistoric settlement and the team of the people who constantly works on new researches. Shelves are filled with photos and different crystals, rocks, stalactites, stalagmites and so on. There is also a little pond in the front of museum and fountain.

The second museum is dedicated to Saint Beatus, also known as the apostle of Switzerland. The story says that after being baptized in England by St. Barnabas and ordained by St. Peter, Beatus went to Switzerland where he spent his life in the cave, converting pagan inhabitants into Christianity. The cave became a popular pilgrim's destination, the famed site of Beatus' fight with a dragon, according to the legend, which I sincerely hope it’s just a tale as I don’t want to think about Saint Beatus as of one more person responsible for the demise of species. Oh well, that is yet another story.

Anyway, you can see wooden dwarfs around the museum and dragons inside of the museum. It was interesting and I’m glad I didn’t skip it while climbing to the cave.

The cave entry looks like a little castle, which you can see on the following photo.

I was sitting in the left tower by the window, eating pizza and enjoying the beautiful view of the lake Thun and distant glacier of the mountain Jungfrau.

Development started in 1903, and the caves were opened to the public one year later. In the caves, one can see (the already mentioned) prehistoric settlement, the cave of Saint Beatus and his tomb, halls, waterfalls, underground gorges, etc. Very popular is the so called Koh-I-Noor, a mighty stalactite, 40,000 years old. The part available for tourists is one kilometer long of the existing 16 kilometers, if I remember correctly… Photographing is forbidden because it holds back the group but you can find photos of the cave interior on this page.

Anyway, I bought a few postcards for my friends and I have continued my trip with a rose quartz in my pocket. My next destination was the Trümmelbach falls.

Now, Trümmelbach Falls are simply fascinating! There are actually 10 waterfalls, coming directly from the glacier, making their way through the mountain with a speed of 250km/h.

This place is unique. It is the only place in Europe where one can see glacier waterfalls inside of the mountain. They are so powerful. I was totally amazed. And apart of being amazed, I was also completely wet as I had to get close to the falls as much as possible.

The temperature of the water and inside of the caves is very low, only 2 Celsius degrees during summer. Not many tourists are there and people are staying only shortly inside of the caves due to the low temperature. I was dressed well for this occasion and therefore able to explore and fully enjoy in this absolutely breathtaking sight, watching the water coming from the glaciers, making its way through the mountain while carving stones, and eventually bursting out of the rock and speeding away into the valley. It was unforgettable.

Interlaken is well known place for all adventure lovers. Aside from the waterfalls and caves, this area is good for paragliding, skiing, climbing, golf, skydiving, etc.

I didn’t take part in any of the mentioned activities but I enjoyed watching others. I love to travel and I usually find some quiet spot for myself whenever I go. Right now I am completely content while spending my days on the local hills with cows.