I just got back from my annual cycling trip around the lake Müritz (the largest german lake, about 2 hours north of Berlin).
It is only an 80km ride which only takes a few hours but it really is so incredibly beautiful to drive through so many different forests, fields and villages that it almost feels like a small international road trip. I am definitely considering turning this into a biannual ritual this year since I am still longing for more, still feel like I haven´t seen everything.
The timing couldn´t have been more perfect – it was sunny and warm, yet not burning heat. In the shadows of the trees it was actually still chilly and some parts of the roads, the ones that lead you through some sort of swamps were still even wet and moist.
The Müritz itself has already become a famous tourist hot spot but since more than half of the way around it is either a protected national park or different kinds of forests under protection with a lot of unpaved roads and a little tricky terrain, it never feels crowded or too touristy. In fact sometimes you won´t see a soul for quite a while depending on the area and of course the time of the year.
Besides passing some of the most beautiful nature, like rivers full of water lilies, the most colorfull dragonflies and wild roses, one is witnessing an amazing sound collage along the way. Cicadas, birds, bees and other insects form a choir of sounds that feels like an ongoing modern composition, new and inspiring as well as entertaining and exciting at the same time. I was basically just pedaling, listening and watching while my everyday life was fading and fading.
Most of the ride I was accompanied by butterflies that swarmed around me like dolphins around boats. I have a feeling that most people slip into a very dreamy state when cycling through the national park. You can see it in there faces in that split second when they pass you.
The road won´t always go directly along the lake but when it does there are plenty of possibilities to go swimming and cool off for a little bit.
I usually take a mixture between a medium and a long way around. Not all roads are perfect so depending on the speed you want to go you can pick your route.
Anyway, just wanted to share some summer impressions with you.
Some weeks ago I went to Madrid and I have to say that it is probably one of the most vibrant and beautiful places I have ever been to.
I really do want to live there one day – at least for a few month – so if you hear about any residencies please let me know. I am also hoping that by writing down my wishes they might actually become true.
So here are some more wishes:
- finding a way to help this planet
- going to Namibia in 2011
- getting more tattoos
- writing the perfect song
- buying a vocal harmonizer
- work less but do more
- going back to Bergen and Oslo and New York to visit friends
The list will be continued.
Back to Madrid:
Full of people, full of art – mainly old art but really the best of the best: Goya, Velazquez, Tizian and Rubens… at the Prado Museum, a prolific collection at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, impressive works at the Reina Sofia and so on…
I am in love with Tapas at old Madrid Bars, the Retiro, the cable car into nothingness…. I like walking forever through narrow streets, 25 degrees in april, I like the architecture and life on the streets.
I went to the the Arte Sonore Festival and saw some great shows and exciting installations and I wandered from book store to book store during La noche de los libres…. what more can you ask for?
Anyway, just wanted to share some love. Soon.
Impressionen aus meinem Atelier.
Gerade habe ich ein kleines Album beendet. Diese EP wird demnächst für gratis und umsonst im Internet veröffentlicht > www.frozenelephantsmusic.com.
Ein schwedischer Musikblog hat ein Interview mit mir über naivsuper gemacht – ist süß geschrieben, auch wenn nicht alles so 100% korrekt ist: Interview
Mein Freund Schröder E. hat ein paar Fotos in einem pdf-mag veröffentlicht – sehr zu empfehlen: And I still miss you
…
here is an email that I got today – these days are pretty rough – I wonder if someone or something wants to punish me
…
“Dear Stephane,
we have met at the Owsum art gallery, where you had your exhibition last year.
I am afraid to say that we have been robbed, probably by a junkie of some sort.
He smashed a window in the back and stole our safe, wich contained all our money but, we realised later, also your drawings and the xeroxes.
Our money gone was a bit of a bummer, but the disappearance of your drawings is even worse.
We are really really sincerely sorry about the loss of your art, but I hope you understand that there was and is nothing we could and can do at that point and at this time, but to notify you about it.
Kind regards,
Owsum”
This is my new blog.
Here is a link to all my previous blog entries:
