5 moments of wonder

Behind every photo is a desire to document a moment, capture a feeling and perhaps dig a little deeper to see something differently than you might at first pass. But, in some special instances, you are faced with a scene that causes an extra bit of wonder.

It's that you've never seen something quite like it before, or just that the light, the mood and the feeling of the place suddenly affects you deeply.

This Monday's inspiration comes from those moments of wonder - a feeling that can be vividly conjured up from memory without any effort. 

That winter morning when the lagoon swelled and the tide poured into Venice like spilled ink swallows up a page. That morning when there was no clear line between land and sea. That morning when I trudged through knee-deep waters feeling impossibly damp and impossibly giddy. 

That stroll in the Jordaan on a quiet August morning in Amsterdam when I peered into the canal and saw a whole world reflected in it. Although I always chase reflections, sometimes their perfection catches me off-guard, and I feel like magic must exist. 

I had never been that far north. I had never sailed fjords and witnessed waterfalls stemming from the sky. But, most wondrous of all, I had never squinted from the sun at midnight or felt, as I did then, that the practice of telling time was suddenly obsolete. 

Among my favorite of days, my time at the Masseria near Ostuni is etched into my memory. The feelings of tranquility, discovery, significance and insignificance brought up by an old estate and ancient lands. The complete overload felt by all my senses in a paradise of dry heat, crunching earth, deafening crickets, fragrant wines and savory ingredients. The desire to feel connected to others, to oneself and to nature. 

Arriving at Sintra was like travelling to another time altogether. It took time to go through every part of it and really take it all in - all its details, its architectural uniqueness, its fantastical feel. There are a few places in the world that have this effect, but Sintra was my first such experience and one that I cherish.

Tell me: What's one place or time where you've felt struck by wonder? Leave me a comment, I'd love to know. 

Have a wonderful (!) week!

From my heart to yours.

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