Mihrab painted by my pupils at Islamic school

This is the mihrab my school children painted in art class. For those who don't know, it is a niche in the wall of the praying room that indicates the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.

Regentag, the ship my parents sailed around the world for Hundertwasser

She was actually taking a break from reading... Black and white currentmood, family life, my daughter´s room

I am a shadow hunter!

Quick pen drawing, my favorite belongins: plants, #homesweethome

Coffee and herbs, ink drawing

Moroccan style interior, italian coffee machine, bialetti

the herbs: mint and coriander

Moroccan mirror on the wall, who's the fairest one of all?

For me there is only one answer... الله

A child´s opinion about the refugee situation / Die Meinung eines Kindes über die Situation der Flüchtenden

I read a very touching post on Facebook yesterday, it is in german and I want everyone to read this, so I translated it to english and copied the german text as well.

The name of the woman who wrote these lines is Sabine Beck. I made a drawing inspired by the photo she posted with her text.

Yes, it is hard these days to see the beautiful things around.

But: 

My child says...

"Mum, bring a refugee child from Greece to us, so that it can live with us."

"It is not that easy, you know... I can't take a child away from their parents and bring it to Vienna. I can't care alone for you and for a new child. I have to work, too."

"You should bring the parents of the child, too. Logically."

"That´s not that easy, you know... The people can't just take a plane and come to Vienna."

"Why not?"

"Because they are not allowed to take a plane."

"Then they should take a car."

"That is not possible."

"Why not?"

"Because there are fences, and they are not allowed to come."

"Why not?!!!!!"

"Because many people are afraid of the refugees and for this reason politicians build fences."

"So what are they afraid of?"

"They are afraid of many things. For example, they are afraid the refugees will take away things from them, which they want to have themselves or need."

"And because of that there are fences and the refugees can't pass them?! Just because some people don´t want to share?"

"Hm, yes. You can say it that way."

"Muuuuuuuuum, and how would it be like to destroy that fence?"

"That is not possible.."

"Why?"

"Because it is prohibited."

"Mum, now for real...."

"Yes?"

"To let people die is much more prohibited, is it?"

True.

- Breaking News: "Flüchtling" ist wie "Schönling" eine Verkleinerungsform, diese Menschen werden durch unsere Sprache herabgesetzt, deshalb werde ich in Zukunft nur noch von "Flüchtenden" schreiben. - 

Ja, es ist schwer in diesen Tagen, das Schöne zu sehen.

Aber:
Mein Kind sagt...
"Mama, bring ein flüchtendes Kind aus Griechenland mit, das dann bei uns wohnt."
"So einfach geht das nicht, weißt Du.... Ich kann nicht einfach Leuten das Kind wegnehmen und mit nach Wien bringen. Ich kann mich nicht alleine um dich und um ein neues Kind kümmern. Ich muss auch arbeiten."
"Du sollst eh die Eltern von dem Kind auch mitbringen. Logisch."
"Das geht nicht so einfach, weißt Du. Die Leute können nicht einfach in ein Flugzeug einsteigen und nach Wien kommen."
"Warum nicht?"
Weil sie nicht in ein Flugzeug einsteigen dürfen."
"Dann fahrt´s halt mit dem Auto."
"Das geht nicht."
"Warum nicht?!"
"Weil da Zäune sind, und da dürfen sie nicht drüber."
"Warum nicht?!!!!!"
"Weil hier bei uns viele Menschen Angst vor den Flüchtenden haben und die Politiker deshalb Zäune bauen."
"Vor was haben die denn Angst?"
"Vor allen möglichen Sachen. Zum Beispiel, dass die Flüchtlinge den Leuten hier Sachen wegnehmen, die sie selbst haben wollen oder halt brauchen."
"Und deswegen gibt´s Zäune und die Flüchtenden dürfen da nicht drüber?! Nur weil manche Leute nicht teilen wollen?!"
"Hm, ja. So kann man das sagen."
"Mamaaaaaaa, und wie wär´s mit Zaun zam hauen?!"
"Das geht nicht."
"Warum?"
"Weil´s verboten ist."
"Mama, jetzt mal echt..."
"Ja?"
"Leute sterben lassen ist doch viel mehr verboten, oder?"

Stimmt.

                       

Sun and shadows, and what's left of my avocado tree

The light today is mesmerizing, I had to make a photo of my window with the roller blinds turnend down. Sadly, this is what is left over from my avocado tree. I enjoy "gardening" in my kitchen - it's actually sticking some leftover avocado seeds in the earth, placing them in the sun and watering them a bit. I actually grew four of them, they were beautiful with many leaves, until the mushroom flies came and their offspring attacked them. I bought a bacteria called bacillus thuringensis that killed them and it seems they died because I didn't see the flies anymore. So let's hope the avocado trees will recover soon.

The father of a good friend of mine planted a tree like this in Syria, it became a huge tree and they harvested ripe avocados every year. Unbelievable, isn't it?

Walking in the mist

Today at school celebrating the Prophet's birthday s.a.w., sending balloons with prayerful wishes for peace.

Winter window, Viennese still life

Ramadan Impressions: having Arabic Coffee with Friends at Iftar...

Ramadan Mubarak! May our hearts find peace. Love and light to everyone, whoever you are, whatever you do!

Taking a Sunday Noon Walk in Vienna's first district

It was not my intention, but somehow I traced the three monotheistic religions, beginning with a sad part of Austria´s history.

Vienna's Holocaust Memorial infront of the Holocaust Museum, Judenplatz

Tourists waiting in front of the Anker Uhr for the day´s highlight: At every full hour you can see another personality passing the bridge escorted by a suitable background music. The highlight is at 12 o'clock noon. At this time you see a parade of famous characters from history.

St. Georg´s Greek Orthodox church at Griechengasse reminds me a bit of a mosque, perhaps because it was built for the Ottomans.


And finally, this Church reminds me of Italy, because of the big place in front of it. There was a choir singing inside the moment I took the photograph. I liked to hear the silent voices coming from within.

We need to know more about you, Malcolm

 

Last week I've been to the bookstore here in Vienna to buy the autobiography of Malcolm X. I was astonished to hear that they didn't have it and that it is not available in German. So I ordered an English copy. Actually I am reading it at the moment and more and more admiring this man. It is unbelievable how black people suffered and still do. Debt is modern slavery he says and to me this is true. I recommend this book to everyone. A shame that there are no more German copies available. To me this is a classic, like Anne Frank's Diary.

Malcolm X, El Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, no more Little, Muslim

© Friderica "von" Wächter

The sound of falling raindrops is one of the most beautiful sounds to me.

My private little garden in the city consists of a few flower boxes in my windows. There is so much joy in watching the plants grow.

"You can't be genuinely kind to others if you are not kind to yourself... When we don't feel threatened - by our own judgmental tendencies - we'll automatically become nicer." Moutasem Al-Hameedy

My Swedish grandfather Gösta Ollén with me in 1977, Dalarna. © Bertil Stilling

He was a journalist, and like most journalists he invented a lot of stories. In the end he himself believed they were true. 

In Vienna there are people with garden gnomes in their windows.

Garden gnomes in the morning.

Garden gnomes in the afternoon.

Trying to find a way to show the lovely smell of spring.

Den Duft der Apfelblüte sichtbar machen... ein Versuch.

Love is the endless ocean of God - Rumi

God, Islamic Calligraphy, Allah, الله

More than a dozen pigeons and a cloudy sky

Say wat you want: I love doves, even in the city.  

It´s a weird, weird world

Weird plants in the sunlight, watercolors

It´s a weird world we live in. Some lives matter more than others. When 400, now 900, refugees die in the Mediterranean it´s not really interesting for the media. If a luxury liner would have drowned the media would report it way differently. 

One week later, day 18. : can you see the broom hanging in the full bloom?

Is this correct? Doesn't matter! At least I hope you understand my English.

This was the last time I saw the broom hanging in the tree. It found a new home and a happy owner.

weird dog pictures on a sunny day

A crazy dog on a lazy day.

Spring in Vienna

A group of Japanese standing under a blooming tree at Vienna Stadtpark. Reminding me of japanese cherry trees.

No human being is illegal! Viennese Graffiti, open windows

KEIN MENSCH IST ILLEGAL!

Day 13., the broom is still hanging in the tree

Thirteen days later the broom was still hanging there in front of the house we are living.

Viennese Easter Candy: Nougat Bombs and Glacéed Orange Slices

Nougat bombs instead of real bombs, please!

Kandierte Orangenscheiben getunkt, Nougatbombe hausgemacht, Osternest, Rahat (?)

Slowly it's getting warm inside