the road less traveled...by shannon saffold

2008-05-14T22:45:00.000-07:00

Burma.

Templo de Debod Madrid Spain

2008-03-07T16:45:00.001-08:00

Templo de Debod Madrid Spain
Originally uploaded by Freakland - フリークランド

I visited Madrid, Spain today, compliments of freakland. Here I sat and gazed at this beautiful structure set on the west side of the city of Madrid. This beautiful temple is far from home though. Its construction began in 2nd century BC by Adikhalamani (Tabriqo), king of the country of Meroe in southern Arabia. It began as a small chapel to honor Amon. As Amon's popularity and importance grew so did the additions to the small chapel until the Temple of Debod was completed.
In 1960 construction began on the Aswan Dam to help mitigate the yearly floods that caused severe problems for the residents of Answan, but the construction of the dam jeopardized many historical monuments in the immediate area. Thanks to UNESCO the Temple of Debod was one of 24 other monuments that were excavated and moved to safer locations. Spain was the lucky recipient of the temple as a token of gratitude for their generous aid in saving yet another of Egypt's monuments, Abu Simbel.
I love the way this photo captures the sun behind the clouds and its reflection on the waves below.
Thank you freakland for sharing this breathtaking view.

About the author: Shannon Saffold invites you to travel the world vicariously through photos posted on the web. Send photos of your own travels to Shannon Saffold.

The Great Wall of China

2008-02-29T10:24:00.001-08:00

The Great Wall of China
Originally uploaded by kk+

Today I traveled to the Great Wall of China, thanks to kk+ 's beautiful photo on flickr. I love that this photo makes me feel as though I'm standing in a tower of the wall looking out over that expansive country.

The Great Wall of China or 长城, in simplified Chinese, literally means "long wall". Long wall is right! It travels over approximately 6,508 km (that's 4,000 miles for my American readers) of country side. Construction on the wall is estimated to have begun during 5th century B.C. and continued on through 16th century B.C. It's purpose was to help protect the northern borders of the Chinese empire. This sprawling structure can actually be seen from space.

You know what they say "good fences make good neighbors"...

thanks for letting me stand in your shoes kk+.

About the author: Shannon Saffold invites you to travel the world vicariously through photos posted on the web. Send photos of your own travels to Shannon Saffold.

Enjoying the World Via the Web.

2008-02-28T17:56:00.001-08:00

Although I may not be able to travel the world at this time in my life, others have shared their experiences with me via the internet. Today I visited this tranquil canal in Amsterdam, thanks to josli. I could almost feel the sun on my face as it slipped behind the trees.
The bridge in this photo is only one of over 1500 bridges that cross the extensive canal system of Amsterdam. The canal system, consisting of 4 main canals in concentric circles, was developed in the 17th century when the population in that area was on the rise. The three inner canals were intended for inhabitants to live and run business while the fourth circle was for the purpose of defense. Prisengracht is the longest of the 4 canals and boasts, as one of its points of interest, the home where Anne Frank hid with her family and friends during the German occupation of the Netherlands in WWII.
Thanks josli for sharing your beautiful sunset in Amsterdam.

About the author: Shannon Saffold invites you to travel the world vicariously through photos posted on the web. Send photos of your own travels to Shannon Saffold.