Asmara, a Dream Tree

Asmara, Eritrea, I found the drawing on a wall at a primary school in Asmara. Un Albero di Sogno, a Dream Tree. Now I feel it is the right time to draw a personal Dream Tree expressing wishes for the year to come. Personal wishes as well as for the world – visualize them and they may become true!

Skåne, sleepy and silent

Skåne, Sweden, a thin layer of snow lightened the landscape one of these lazy Christmas days, filled with traditional eating and time toghether with family and relatives.

Stockholm, three days before Christmas

Stockholm, the shortest day of the whole year is here, fortunately enlighted by a big, smiling sun. Shopping activities are intensified and the streets are crowded. By the moment the eco-financial crisis seems a bit away. And actually, optimisme is a source of energy!

Rotoroa, Christmas coming soon

Rotoroa, New Zealand, warm and in the middle of summer Christmas now arrives as everywhere in the world where Christianity is the cultural and historical background. This time it was really warm and as a Swede used to the "white Christmas" concept it was a strange experience. Everywhere Christmas light decorations, at the coast accompanied by the rythmical breaking waves of the ocean. Maybe these ladies don´t work in the shop this Christmas but, be sure, the red Santa Claus caps are there now as always.

Berlin, Opera House polishing

Berlin, a city filled with contrasts. The famous church war memory, the Gedächtniskirche, with its smutty broken tower stands close to shiny glass, newly built and much higher, houses. The close Berlin history is alive and made concrete by many various remains. This man on the ladder makes his best to polish some details on the Berlin Opera house, built 1741, damaged during World War II but still going strong.

New York, faces upwards

New York, a step back, this was last June. I was there for the first time ever. Day one my face mostly pointed upwards. Day two I looked around and saw a lot of other faces turned upwards, measuring the huge buildings. So, I thought, there are some more newcomers... Like most people I have talked to, who have visited New York, they are as delighted as me. Kind people and a very nice place in the very middle of so much. Maybe an illusion?

Geneva, clouds rolling down

Geneva Clouds rolling down the Alps creating fashinating shapes. As mountains meet the sky, sometimes softly, other times dramatically. Crossing the Mont Blanc bridge I look down into the crystal clear water from the Rhône at its very beginning. Surrounded by  snowy mountains Geneva seems remote. Still it is in the center of Europe, just a short trip from Lyon. UN, Red Cross, finance – a quietly ticking heart...

Kibi, could a vision make difference?

Kibi, Ghana Sunday. Visiting a school with 1800 students. They all live at the school and soon it's lunchtime. The facilities for preparing food are mediocre, the hygiene is not good. They have 40 computers, all are out of function. The class rooms are dirty as if no one cares. I think about the importance of a vision. A visualization of a good future to come. The strategy would grow, stone by stone. People are creative when they get some input – than they will make things happen. Where is the one to give the vision?

Accra, rails for walking

Accra, Ghana Rail leading from Accra to Kumasi. I saw no train but a lot of people walking along it at dawn and in the evening, away to the job and home again. Close to the rail were simple houses for living and here and there fires for cooking.

Stockholm, getting dark early

Stockholm Working all day long, focused on what I do, lifting my head, looking through the window and it's already evening. But it's only 4 pm. Oh yes, yesterday we switched to winter time. Schedules everywhere, one hour makes difference!

Istanbul, the Pamuk city

Istanbul In my early imagination of Istanbul I was sitting at a café on the top with a great view. I visualized a beautiful image with colours, scents and down there the shades and lights from the Bosphorus crowded with boats and ships. Now after reading Pamuks book "Istanbul" I met this city for the first time in my life. The great view was there, the ships, boats and ferries too. But not the moisture, not the snow. Not yet. The feeling of a link between east and west is strong. It is a big city with a great soul.

Loei, rainy days and life goes on

Loei, northern Thailand It's in the middle of last July and heavy rains appear daily. Never mind, life goes on and people have to get their banana pancakes. I happened to see this photo today and felt it should be on the blog, so here it is.

Tjust, Kings Roads fragments of history

Tjust, Sweden Kings' Roads were ancient roads of national importance connecting villages and cities. Kilometer stones beside the road told the traveller about distance. Travelling was time consuming and sometimes dangerous. Today, on the bike it is 100% pleasure to follow these winding roads while imaging the adventure it surely was almost 300 hundred years ago.

Tokyo and Stockholm, reading alone toghether

Tokyo some years ago. Autumn is time for reading and a good place is the café. In company with others, still alone and focused.


Stockholm today at another café. Reading is reflection. Things are recognizable or things are completely new and fantastic.

Kivik, apples make art

Kivik, Sweden A huge outdoor mosaic in the south of Sweden. It's not everlasting, after some weeks it will not look the same, because it's created of about 35 000 fresh apples. In the north we have ice sculptures, in the south there are apple artists. Maybe, after all, the process of creating is the real thing, materials are not eternal. Do, and have fun while doing!

Stockholm, paintings still in my head

Stockholm Just leaving the Modern Museum of Art in Stockholm, and the enlightened rooms, behind my back. Surprised of the darkness. Paintings from inside still in my head give a new meaning to what I see.