Friday, November 6, 2009

Window on the Past: Travels through Albania, Siberia and the Buryat Kingdom



A year ago I was traveling through Albania, Siberia and the Buryat Kingdom as the advance person for a private jet company. Looking back, it seems that jet was moving well outside the shadow of the crumbling economy and so too was I. A lot has changed in a year.

These were remarkably untrodden places to work in and each held an incredible allure for even the most intrepid of us. I was elated to get to go, if not for the passport stamps and the frequent flyer miles. I was not prepared for how fantastically beautiful and mesmerizing each place would prove to be.

I was there as a destination manager and not a photographer - so I only had time to shoot a few images. Here's a short video which does little service to these beautiful places and people. Most of the water shots are of Lake Baikal - the deepest lake in the world; the ruins and blue lake are from Butrint National Park in southern Albania - a would-be birder's paradise if birders were paying attention; and the beautiful Asian woman is the Crown Shaman of Lake Baikal.

When you get a call at midnight, full moon a-rising, for a command appearance with the Crown Shaman, you get dressed and go. And you have the adventure of your life, even if it means finding yourself dressed head-to-toe in celebratory tribal-ware -- genuflecting around a fire and dancing that most ancient of dances passed down through old Genghis Khan himself.

9 comments:

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! It's going on my "to-go" list!!!

Anonymous said...

OMG, Tim - what an incredible experience.

And I just had a mental picture of "flocking" to Albania. The mind reels...

Amy said...

Thank you for the wonderful peek into another world, Tim. The Enya tune sounded delicious.

Vickie said...

Incredible glimpse into an ancient world. I felt both the depth and the passing of the experience. The video has that quality. Thankfully, we keep integrating what we experience with time and on many levels. Your video captures all of it beautifully!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

"When you get the call,...you get dressed and go,...and you have the adventure of your life."
Those would be wise words to pass on to anyone.

Stark Raving Zen said...

Oh wow... This is so powerful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Susan Ellis said...

Oh my. You are ridiculously talented..and I mean that in the best possible way! Wow! I will be sharing this with pleasure, and as an excellent example of the good side of blogging.
thank you.

RuthieJ said...

Tim, you are a truly fortunately man to be able to travel to these beautiful and exotic places. Thanks for sharing the adventures with the rest of us.

Oklahoma Girl said...

OMG!!! WOW!!! I am transfixed by the beauty of it all. Thank you so much for sharing.
blessed be...

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