The Stairway by Chipka
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Description
I lived in Dortmund, Germany for 3 months, and I have good memories of the town, though it was also confronted me with jarring differences to Prague. Ah, but Prague stands in a class all by itself; indeed, many of the cities and towns of the Czech Republic are strange and atavistic places—gruesome, beautiful, and paradoxical and beguiling in so many ways. It's as if they stand outside of time, steeped in histories that often include alchemists and heretics. They give you glimpses into a world in which different alternatives are available.
Dortmund, was (and is) different all together. It is a modern place. Even its squares and plazas are paved with cobblestones that resemble 20th Century bricks more than anything else. There is such regimental, mall-like quality to the town; but it has its own personality, one at odds with the modern architecture, hulking steel mills, and mines.
In Dortmund, I lived with a friend and a cat, across the street from two other friends, a dog...and yes, another cat. I discovered a bar that sold Czech beer, though they served it in smaller quantities. I celebrated birthdays and the advent of Friday with friends, sometimes stumbling with one, up more flights of stairs than I care to recall.
Though I haven't seen them in a while, I've been in contact—well, with the friends and not the cats (or the dog.) At some point in the future, I am likely to return to Dortmund. I left quite a few things there, including a pair of skull-and-cross bone socks given to me as a birthday present by my friend Kača, a Czech woman who speaks flawless and perfectly idiomatic English with an accent that is impossible to place.
When I return, I won't see this stairway...
My friend (along with my possessions) has moved. But he remains in Dortmund, and once things are settled and moving forward as they must, I may—perhaps—see Dortmund again.
We will see....
****
As always, thak you for viewing and reading, and commenting on this and my previous post(s).
Comments (31)
rocserum
Impressive photograph! RS
jeroni
Splendid composition and colors my friend
Kaartijer
I've been in Czech Rep. back in '93... it was awesome! As well as their beer! Excellent shot, good light!
claude19
SPLENDID composition with a WONDERFUL lighting and game of lights on the walls !!!
Mousson
brilliant photography...
MrsRatbag
Wonderful shot; the light on the edge of each step guides you up, out of the murky lower reaches past a wall that looks like it's upholstered with leather around the bend into the mysterious realms of the next floor...the light quality is bleak and hopeful at the same time. Well done!
beachzz
OH, after one of THOSE nights, these stairs must seem insurmountable, but up you go, one at a time. Perhaps leaning on your friend, or him on you, or both of you just holding each other up. But up you go, till you're finally at the door. This is wonderful, Chip, I can almost feel it and my step is heavy--wow!!
Lunastar
Beautiful shot. Love the lighting. Looks very mysterious
auntietk
Fantastic shot! Wow. The light is awesome! I hope you get your sock back. I'm rather partial to interesting socks, as long as they aren't the singing kind.
redbeard
Terrific lighting, composition, and contrast. I really enjoyed reading your story as well, this photo compliments it perfectly!
micturn
Simple, but very well done.
cfulton
Nice and moody, great light and tone. Very well done, Clive
three_grrr
I'm not sure which I enjoyed more, your reminiscing of Dortmund, or the lovely warm and inviting stairway! Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a wonderful comment!!
Prematos
WOW
anahata.c
voila! A delectable confection of memories, as deft as your imaginative pieces, and it's so nice to see you simply sit & reflect with us, because you have the same way of selecting the right flowers that you have in your more elaborate pieces. Your reflections feel like a writer meeting us on a quiet afternoon, laying aside his/her craft and just sitting and showing us a few intimate amulets & jewels. (Reconnecting with the heart in the middle of our day...) You pick out just the right details...The photo visualizes the dark spaces you describe, dripping with a cloistered & fatigued feel, and nicely doused in sepias & dark earth tones. (I lived in similar flats in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and you felt, with each step, that you were stepping into the middle ages...) Lovely, just lovely, you took me away. A fav.
koosievantutte
you captured the atmosphere and the lighting so well - great image.
Heathcroft
This photo reminds me in style of an earlier one you did some months ago (I think) a stairwell- must check back. I get that sense of 'place' with photos like these. Sometimes Victorian ones where you can feel the passage of many people in times gone by and I know you do too. The writing is pure 'Chip' and the whole piece is excellent. Dave
Meisiekind
Every stairways tells a story!!! Fantastic capture and wonderful narrative as always! :)
texboy
another fine picture and story, Chip; thanks for passing both on to your admirers!
romanceworks
A lovely reflection of memories and photo. CC
photostar
Stunning with the way the light captures each and every stair tread.
kasalin
Excellent informations !!! Nice image and colours !!! Very good work !!! 5*** Hugs:)
mbz2662
A great shot... full of memories and I can just imagine you and your friend coming home late at night stumbling and crawling up the stairs probably laughing and singing... hehehe.
Geoaskier
lovely lighting....warm and welcoming yet haunting.
M2A
Excellent. While steping on/off these stairs we can feel Light and Dark walking with us for a while. Highly sensitive. I love the energy from the window, seems like a person coming front of us. Great shot.
marybelgium
simple and beautiful !
ladyraven23452
i love it.
trishabadblood
Wonderful lighting and the softness is fantastic!!
AndreiR
Very beautiful atmospheric shot!
netlauv
Very nice colors and the shot is perfect ! Love this atmosphere. Very well done :0)