Saturday, December 29, 2007

Been wandering ...

So did you know ... Huy is one of Belgium's oldest town.

The Romans built a castle there in the 2nd century and the name "Huy" started appearing in official documents back 6th and 7th century.

I found this shell on the cobblestones there and read that one of the hotels in Huy, the Château de Bonne-Espérance, used to belong to the Order of the Templars seven hundred years ago ... as a New Zealander, it was all just a little bit astounding.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You little elfs down under are always amazed at the youthfulness of Europe ;)

furiousBall said...

gorgeous shot. i need to get myself to europe sometime soon. the perspective of history that dates thousands of years as opposed to hundreds of years (here in the US) is pretty cool

Di Mackey said...

Indeed we are, Meneer Manic ;)

Thanks furiousball and yes, you should come have a look one day. It's quite remarkable over here in the old country.

C. said...

What a STUNNING shot!! Love the different textures and randomness of the shell. You're so lucky, your photo subject possibilities are endless!!! :)

xoxox

Di Mackey said...

Thanks Claudia - it is kind of grand over here, and wandering in Wallonia was simply superb ... Romans and Templar Knights and gastronomical dinners ... but wait, I haven't posted photographs of that yet, have I ;)

Erin said...

Why do I feel an uncontrollable urge to step on that shell and then follow it wherever it wants to send me, to the next shell, where I will step and then follow to.....

That's a shell of Santiago, m 'am. In the land of the Templars, not at all surprising. I walked a bit with several guys who (separately) were doing the Camino to explore the symbols and places and legends of the Templars. Cool history, and yes, more than a little spooky.

But you should have gone in the crypt! Who says dead Templars are angry? I bet they have good stories to tell...and have never met a New Zealander!

Di Mackey said...

Thanks ww, I wondered if it was the shell. So ... admitting that the history of the Templars is more than a little spooky (something we completely agree on) you would still send me into an ancient crypt for a look-around?

It's partially to do with growing up in New Zealand though. Some special Maori sites have had tapu placed on them and you really don't want to be the person visiting that site without permission. I carry the idea of it with me when I'm visiting sacred feeling ancient places here in Europe.

This gives you an idea of what I'm talking of http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/features/06_oct_06_tapu-sacrosanct-principle-of-the-maori_feature.cfm
It just kind of slips inside you when it's there in the background of your culture.

But you should have gone in the crypt! Who says dead Templars are angry? I bet they have good stories to tell...and have never met a New Zealander!