Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Incursion in Luana Land

Sorry for the following long post, is unusual but covering the topic in another way it would be harder. Recently I had the opportunity for a trip in Buzău Mountains, also known as the kingdom of Luana, a less known part of Romania, where out guide told us a lot of legends and stories from prehistory, ancient history, medieval history, modern history and current times, a fabulous mix which would make, I think, good material for something like an entire season of Stargate SG1. Take all stories below with a grain of salt (I do that).

The first objective was an animal (reptile) shaped stone, which have some old inscriptions and based on its shape, may have been used as a sacrifice altar back in the ancient times. It also has a base that may cover some things below.

luana

Then a circular portal, pretty much looking like the Stargate portals which may be a gate, if you know how to activate it.

luana

The cell of hermit Dionisie Torcatorul is documented from the medieval times, but is a cave which, upon the looks of the carving may have been used by Dacians in the ancient times and even before that, in the stone age.

luana

As many other objective from that age, Dionisie's cell is guarded by a phallic symbol/sculpture:

luana

Fundul Peșterii is something unique as is a stone age / prehistoric living place in a vaginal shape:

luana

And next to it, there is another phallic symbol:

luana

Tihăria is a mountain, but is also a wall, like a part of the walls of the citadel of the giants, who lived there before humans. Maybe the city of king Luana, which was guarded by a sun:

luana

Somewhere in the forests there are springs with water of life, which king Luana used to heal and revive people. Those may be the sulphuric springs I drank from myself (I don't feel special now):

luana

Also carved in stone is Iosif's little church, which is also documented from medieval times and probably lived long before that.

luana

At Scaunele Spătarului, the legendary Negru Voda, founder of the country, brought his captains and have them titles and lands around, their names can be found in the mountains nearby.

luana

And you can see with your eyes prehistoric writings:

luana

The cave church in Aluniș is known from medieval times, but it was built on an older cave:

luana

The living quarters next to it are unlike Christian living quarters, so they have to be Dacic, at least

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As the sacrificial stones and altar above:

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There are tunnels everywhere, in many cases triangular and they have magic properties, possibly teleporting people in various places far away:

luana

Piatra Ingăurită was again a medieval hermit church hosting people fleeing away from anti-Christian prosecution, but by the look of the carving, it seems used since stone age

luana

Crucea Spătarului is a sign on the mountain, from more modern times (XIX century) when a noble wanted to hide his treasury

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As there is near a map for finding it. If only one can read it...

luana

Before the forest grew, Ghereta was a good observation point over the entire valley and the entrance in the giants (before the human times) citadel:

luana

Bucătăria looks like a kitchen and hat smoke leftovers on the ceiling, but it looks like the place for the holly fire of Dacians:

luana

Țurțudui mountain is an old place, with prehistoric carvings, but it was also a place where supposedly the military in the 80'ies conducted paranormal researches

luana

And when the experiments ended with a disasters, they dynamited the place (I am not sure the dynamite effects looks like that) and blocked the path by cutting trees

luana

Agatonul Now was yet another medieval hermit church for refugees:

luana

And before it, Agatonul Vechi was used, until destroyed by an earthquake:

luana

Closer to the valley and civilisation, the Fundătura monastery was prosperous back in its medieval times:

luana

Near Rugionasa you can see pictographic writings, similar with Sumerian tablets:

luana

And also a yearly calendar, reminding of the Sumerian civilization

luana

If you raise your eyes, on the other mountain you can see a human face, a bearded Dac

luana

Not far from there, in Ulmeț, you can find some trovants or babe, curiously made growing stones, which you can't tell if they are natural or man made.

luana

An Stargate SG1 season I said? Well... thinking there are many other place we lacked the time to see, I would say maybe two.

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Friday, June 1, 2012

Temptation n the hay stack

Only the strongest can resist temptation, and at times even them may need to cover eyes or ears.

temptation

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For whom the bell tolls?

What is the most important when a bell tolls, for whom it does or who make it do so?

bell

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Offender

Some say the best defense is a good offense. So probably is a good idea to grip your sword tightly and press forward.

offender

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Defender

"You shall not pass" they say, and pass you not.

defender

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Mourner

The old graveyard in the city of Sighișoara proved to be an ideal place for this shooting, even if it happened on a Sunday afternoon,

graveyard

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Self service

Calssara was one of the special guests at Otaku 2012 and she had a session talking about cosplay in her country, Germany. She told they never pay the photographers (as the photographers are the one needing to pay the models) and they prefer to learn and do the shooting and editing themselves, since after a 2 hours session, the photographer will give only 3 photos. It was not the time and place for me to try to intervene, telling how is a 2 hours session is a good thing if you get 10-15 good photos (publish worthy) and how bad photos are not useful for the model.
Actually I see this conflict: models pushing for all the photos ("I had a pretty smile in that one, does not matter my legs and arms are unflattering"), while the photographer refusing to put his name on pictures less than his intended level (any photo session, from any photographer, will produce some bad photos).
After all, Calssara do some decent pictures, so learning is always a good thing. Still, I think some people have to learn more about the TFCD concept.

cosplayer photographer

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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

No caption needed

This picture can be captioned is so many ways, and all of them funny, it needs no caption. Just laughs.

stormtrooper

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Fan service

Fan service is often found in anime and manga, so it couldn't have missed from the Otaku anime festival. Most of the time it is aimed at the male audience and then it can consist of gratuitous panty shots or jiggling breasts. Now, thanks to Calssara, we were blessed with some beautiful panty shots:

fanservice

The female audience was pleased also, by the apparition of Ellfi's muscular pectorals:

fanservice

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Otaku cosplay

Some of the costumes from Otaku: special guests, contest participants, general audience. A lot of people was wearing costumes there.

cosplay
cosplay
cosplay
cosplay
cosplay
cosplay
cosplay
cosplay
cosplay
cosplay

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Special cosplay guests

This year the Otaku anime festival had as special guests a few famous international cosplayers, which also served as members of the jury. I think is the first time this happens in a Romanian cosplay event.

cosplay

Those cosplayers were also examples of quality cosplay, as you can see here, Calssara from Germany and Elffi from Finland:

cosplay

And also Licorne from Hungary:

cosplay

Can I say "multipaaaaasss!!!"?

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