Liverpool … in pictures.

In October 2015 I moved to Liverpool.

Since January 2016 I have started using film to take pictures. This is Liverpool as I see it.

The black and white pictures are all shot with Kodak Tri-X 400TX 35mm
and the colour pictures with AgfaPhoto Vista Plus 200 35mm.

This is one of my favourite pictures. I tried to secretly take a picture of those guys on the street market around the corner, until they've spotted me and kindly agreed to pose for me. Granby Street Market, Toxteth, Liverpool
This is one of my favourite pictures. I tried to secretly take a picture of those guys on the street market around the corner, until they’ve spotted me and kindly agreed to pose for me. Granby Street Market, Toxteth, Liverpool
Granby Street Market, Toxteth, Liverpool 2
Granby Street Market, Toxteth, Liverpool
Granby Street Market, Toxteth, Liverpool
Granby Street Market, Toxteth, Liverpool
People Watching a Theatre Play, Granby Str., Toxteth Liverpool
People Watching a Theatre Play, Granby Str., Toxteth Liverpool
Crosby Beach, Liverpool
Crosby Beach, Liverpool
 Antony Gromley's Statues "Another Place", Crosby Beach, Liverpool

Antony Gromley’s Statues “Another Place”, Crosby Beach, Liverpool
Liver Building
Liver Building, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
The Liver Building seen from the River Mersey, Liverpool
The Liver Building
In the Air, Liverpool
In the Air, Liverpool
Albert Dock, Liverpool
Albert Dock, Liverpool
At the Waterfront, Liverpool
At the Waterfront, Liverpool
At the Waterfront, Liverpool 2
At the Waterfront
At the Waterfront, Liverpool
At the Waterfront, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
At the Waterfront, Liverpool
At the Waterfront, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
Toxteth, Liverpool
Toxteth, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral
Reflections - Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
Reflections – Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
2016 Liverpool Soundcity Festival
2016 Liverpool Soundcity Festival
Cream, Liverpool
Cream, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool
Iceceam Van, Liverpool
Icecream Van, Liverpool
Granby Street, Toxteth, Liverpool
Granby Street, Toxteth, Liverpool
Granby Street, Toxteth, Liverpool
Granby Street, Toxteth, Liverpool
Granby Street, Toxteth, Liverpool 2
Granby Street, Toxteth, Liverpool

Sofia … in pictures.

Since January 2016 I have started using film to take pictures. Here is the result.

The black and white pictures are all shot with Kodak Tri-X 400TX 35mm
and the colour pictures with AgfaPhoto Vista Plus 200 35mm.

At the Schoolyard, Sofia, April 2016
At the Schoolyard, Sofia
Sofia, April 2016
Tram Nr 20, Sofia
Building of Flats
Flats
National Theatre "Ivan Vazov", Sofia
National Theatre “Ivan Vazov”, Sofia
Глад - Hunger, Sofia
Глад – Hunger, Sofia
Flats, Sofia
Flats, Sofia
At the Market, Sofia
At the Market, Sofia
At the Presidency, Sofia
At the Presidency, Sofia
Statue of Georfi Diitrov, Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia
Statue of Georgi Dimitrov, Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia
Lenin's Head, Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia
Lenin’s Head, Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia
Lenin, Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia
Lenin, Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia
Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia
Museum of Socialist Art, Sofia
National Theatre, Sofia
National Theatre, Sofia
National Theatre I. Vazov, Sofia
National Theatre, Sofia

The Greek crisis

In short, I feel generally better about life, knowing that Greece exists.

near Perdika
near Perdika
near Perdika
near Perdika
A cruise among the Ionian islands.
A cruise among the Ionian islands.
A cruise among the Ionian islands.
A cruise among the Ionian islands.
A cruise among the Ionian islands.
A cruise among the Ionian islands.
A cruise among the Ionian islands.
A cruise among the Ionian islands.
Parga
Parga
Parga
Parga
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Parga
Parga
Sivota
Sivota
Parga
Parga
near Parga
near Parga
Sivota
Sivota
Sivota
Sivota
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Kefallonia
Sivota
Sivota
near Perdika
near Perdika

 

 

 

 

 

Berlin, I love you to bins.

It is true. I love Berlin and its bins too. Somehow, I find them representative of the city, being dirty, witty, rude, … cool, creative, diverse and yes, definitely living up to the quote by the infamous Berlin ex-mayor “poor but sexy”.

Thank you Berlin for a lot a lot a lot a lot of things, which I cannot put on a picture. But the bins I could, so I did.

***

PS: it goes without saying that pics of Berlin’s orange bins are always much appreciated on my email: antangelova@abv.bg. Will make sure they do not land in the spam. 🙂

Beauty Box (Unten den Linden, Mitte)
Beauty Box (Unten den Linden, Mitte)
Becherbuttler ( Hackescher Markt, Mitte)
Becherbuttler ( Hackescher Markt, Mitte)
Bürgerschaftliches Engagement (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Bürgerschaftliches Engagement (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Bitte füttern (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Bitte füttern (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
CO2-Sparbüchse (Jüterbogerstraße, Neukölln)
CO2-Sparbüchse (Jüterbogerstraße, Neukölln)
Danke für die Hot Dogs (Mitte)
Danke für die Hot Dogs (Mitte)
Freidrichsrein (Boxhagener Straße, Friedrichshein)
Freidrichsrein (Boxhagener Straße, Friedrichshein)
Für die Zigaretten danach (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Für die Zigaretten danach (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Gib Gummi (Skalitzerstraße, Kreuzberg)
Gib Gummi (Skalitzerstraße, Kreuzberg)
Gib's mir (Alexanderstraße, Mitte)
Gib’s mir (Alexanderstraße, Mitte)
Gute Sitte in Mitte (Karl Liebknecht Straße, Mitte)
Gute Sitte in Mitte (Karl Liebknecht Straße, Mitte)
Häufchenhelfer (Alexanderplatz, Mitte)
Häufchenhelfer (Alexanderplatz, Mitte)
Kippendiener (Alexanderplatz, Mitte)
Kippendiener (Alexanderplatz, Mitte)
Macht Pankow Blanco (Berliner Straße, Pankow)
Macht Pankow Blanco (Berliner Straße, Pankow)
Mc it rein (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Mc it rein (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Putzdamer Platz (Potsdamer Platz, Mitte)
Putzdamer Platz (Potsdamer Platz, Mitte)
The embassy of clean Berlin (Unten den Linden, Mitte)
The embassy of clean Berlin (Unten den Linden, Mitte)
Würstchenbude (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Würstchenbude (Friedrichstraße, Mitte)
Gut fürs Geschäft (Windscheidstraße, Charlottenburg - Wilmersdorf)
Gut fürs Geschäft (Windscheidstraße, Charlottenburg – Wilmersdorf)
Was Du heute entsorgen kannst (Pestalozzistraße, Charlottenburg - Wilmersdorf)
Was Du heute entsorgen kannst (Pestalozzistraße, Charlottenburg – Wilmersdorf)

For a better understanding of Berlin boroughs and neighbourhoods I put a handy map taken from: http://berlinmap360.com/

Berlin Boroughs
Berlin Boroughs: taken from http://berlinmap360.com/

 

Misho: the white cat

For a while, I have been thinking to write a little blog post about my little white boy Misho with some of his best shots collected throughout the years.

Why?

Because he is a personality: a little creature and a big character. Up until his twelfth birthday, Misho would never drink water. He just didn’t fancy it. You do not get any more hipster than that.

And also because Misho is a funny cat.

I’ve always thought that I can learn a great deal from him: to say no – firm and loudly, to never stress out too much about stuff, to spend more time just chilling under the sun, to eat only what I fancy, to stretch more, to sleep more and to generally enjoy life much more in every possible way.

I am still learning.

I have about 3 zillions photos of Misho collected so far but stay relaxed as here I will upload only just a very few of them, the ones that I found most “representative”. Hope they would bring a bit of coziness and a smile in your day.

Mirrow Image (2008)
Mirrow Image (2008)
The Paw (2008)
The Paw (2008)
Human (2009)
Human (2009)
 Winter (2010)
Winter (2010)
The Lion King (2011)
The Lion King (2011)
Misho and Usein Bolt (2012)
Misho and Usein Bolt (2012)
Misho and the Olympics (Misho is already getting a bit bored) (2012)
Misho and the Olympics (Misho is already getting a bit bored) (2012)
 Pancakes (2014)
Pancakes (2014)
Skyping with Misho (since I moved out to live abroad we have our regular weekly catch-ups) (2014)
Skyping with Misho (since I moved out to live abroad we have our regular weekly catch-ups) (2014)
Misho and Freddie (2014)
Misho and Freddie (2014)
posing for the camera (2014)
posing for the camera (2014)
 passport photo (2014)
passport photo (2014)

… more to come … 🙂

 

Out and About

In the following gallery I have attempted to collect some little details from the last few months. Sometimes it is indeed in the little things.

The Swimming Pool, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
The Swimming Pool, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
Sunday Wedding + Сватбари , /Dresden, Aug.2014/
Sunday Wedding + Сватбари , /Dresden, Aug.2014/
“Back in the DDR. You don’t know how lucky you are boy”, /Dresden, Aug. 2014/
“Back in the DDR. You don’t know how lucky you are boy”, /Dresden, Aug. 2014/
Back in the DDR, Part II, /Dresden, Aug.2014
Back in the DDR, Part II, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
Yoga in the Park, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
Yoga in the Park, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
The Tight Rope Walker, /Dresden, Aug. 2014/
The Tight Rope Walker, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
Yenidze Mosque Behind Bars, /Dresden, Aug. 2014/
Yenidze Mosque Behind Bars, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
Der Dresdner Zwinger, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
Der Dresdner Zwinger, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
On the River Elba, /Dresden, Aug. 2014/
On the River Elba, /Dresden, Aug.2014/
German Order , /Rügen, Aug. 2014/
German Order , /Rügen, Aug.2014/
The sign DOES not read DIE Camper. Because that would be rude. /Rügen, Aug. 2014/
The sign DOES not read DIE Camper. That would be rude. /Rügen, Aug.2014/
Stairway to ... Heaven (?), /Rügen, Aug. 2014/
Stairway to … Heaven (?), /Rügen, Aug.2014/
Sunday, /Rügen, Aug. 2014/
Sunday, /Rügen, Aug.2014/
The sign above the doggy reads: “Take”. His eyes read “Take me with you.”, /Sofia, Sept. 2014/
The sign above the doggy reads: “Take”. His eyes read “Take me with you.”, /Sofia, Sept.2014/
•A graffiti art project, which could be seen on different places around the city. The text reads: “The boring job kills.”, /Sofia, Sept. 2014/
A graffiti art project, which could be seen on different places around the city. The text reads: “The boring job kills.”, /Sofia, Sept.2014/
a glimpse into a Sofia inner yard, /Sofia, Sept. 2014/
A glimpse into a Sofia inner yard, /Sofia, Sept.2014/
From left to right: the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Assembly, The Monument to the Tsar Liberator, /Sofia, Oct. 2014/
From left to right: the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National Assembly, The Monument to the Tsar Liberator, /Sofia, Oct.2014/
On Light, Sheep and Men, /Koprivshtitsa, Sept. 2014/
On Light, Sheep and Men, /Koprivshtitsa, Sept.2014/
On Light, Sheep and Men, Part II, /Koprivshtitsa, Sept. 2014/
On Light, Sheep and Men, Part II, /Koprivshtitsa, Sept.2014/
Just on Light and Sheep, /Koprivshtitsa, Sept. 2014/
Just on Light and Sheep, /Koprivshtitsa, Sept.2014/
Blue and White, /Sozopol, Sept.2014/
Blue and White, /Sozopol, Sept.2014/
Blue and White, Part II, /Sozopol, Sept. 2014/
Blue and White, Part II, /Sozopol, Sept.2014/
Postcard From Sozopol, /Sept. 2014/
Postcard from Sozopol, /Sept.2014/
Postcard From Sozopol, Part II, /Sept. 2014/
Postcard from Sozopol, Part II, /Sept.2014/
Sefton Park, Liverpool, /Liverpool, Nov. 2014/
Sefton Park, /Liverpool, Nov.2014/
Sefton Park, Liverpool, /Liverpool, Nov. 2014/
Sefton Park, /Liverpool, Nov.2014/
Good Morning, /Berlin, Aug. 2014/
Good Morning, /Berlin, Aug.2014/
Rules, /Berlin, Aug. 2014/
Rules, /Berlin, Aug.2014/
The simple pleasures of life – the water can for the summer flowers on the balcony. And all the warm summer days that are associated with it, /Berlin, Aug. 2014/
The simple pleasures of life – the water can for the summer flowers on the balcony. And all the warm summer days that are associated with it, /Berlin, Aug.2014/
… and while the humans are shopping … , /Berlin, Aug. 2014/
… and while the humans are shopping … , /Berlin, Aug.2014/
Silent Film at Midnight. There is hardly anything more romantic than that, /Berlin, Aug. 2014/
Silent Film at Midnight. There is hardly anything more romantic than that, /Berlin, Aug.2014/
Late Afternoon Walk, /Berlin, Sept. 2014/
Late Afternoon Walk, /Berlin, Sept.2014/
The Crack - after the rain and before the next one, /Berlin, Sept. 2014/
The Crack – after the rain and before the next one, /Berlin, Sept.2014/
The October sky just for a few seconds time, /Berlin, Oct. 2014/
The October sky just for a few seconds time, /Berlin, Oct.2014/
City Landscape (or how the autumn arrived on quiet cat paws), /Berlin, Oct. 2014/
City Landscape (or how the autumn arrived on quiet cat paws), /Berlin, Oct.2014/
Autumn in Berlin, Nov. 2014
Autumn in Berlin, Nov.2014

in Sofia

I love Sofia with all its spontaneity, illogical winter sun and everyday surrealism. Today somewhere at the end of December Santa Claus brought back spingtime for a while.

IMG_5447 IMG_5465 IMG_5468 IMG_5469 IMG_5472 IMG_5486 IMG_5502 IMG_5505

A little update on my little experiment

This week I have started a job at a bookstore. It has been a dream of mine for some time. The place is only until Christmas but nevertheless I appreciate it very much and I am happy to be surrounded by books and by people who feel a connection to books.

A month ago, I have sent out 65 speculative applications to 65 bookstores in Berlin and I have opened up a spreadsheet to document the whole application process. Just for the experiment’s sake and for the laughs.

I have received 20 negative replies (most of them friendly, two especially nice and only one rather rude) and two “maybe”s. The rest 40 bookstores never even replied.

I have told the story to a friend of mine and wise as he always is, he told me to see it the other way round. He said: “65 is an impressive number. Imagine that number in apples!” That lovely comparison alone made me feel better. Then he went: “Besides, now is only your ego suffering.” He was right.

So I let it go. Inside I knew I have done everything I can. I have done my job.

Time passed and last week out of the blue, I was invited to a job interview. This Monday I have signed the contract and on Tuesday was my first day.

I feel good in the bookstore as I knew I would. I feel in place. I do believe it does make a difference if you take people’s money selling them shoes, smart phones, clothes or if you sell them books. They not only buy a book. They buy a story. They buy time. Or at least I like to see it that way.

Today a 12 year old girl came to ask me if we have Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. She asked it in a serious manner, pronouncing the author’s name very carefully. I thought that this is one of the most wonderful things: to be at the age where you still haven’t read “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”.

That story was one of those little-big gifts hidden in the day. For that and for the outcome of my experiment I am grateful.

When I wrote the previous bookstore post I have received the most generous and sincere support from so many people. I could feel all that positive energy coming to me even from a distance. For your energy, support and help I thank you, dear friends.

Huck Finn

From Them to Eternity: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

The last years the list of the contemporary music artists who I really want to see live gets shorter and shorter for different reasons: age, taste, time.. Nevertheless, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds always remained in my personal must-see top 3. Thanks to a dear friend of mine, this dream became true. A couple of days ago, I went to a Nick Cave gig for the very first time.

There are some moments from that evening, which I wouldn’t like to forget so I will try to capture them in words.

It’s Nick Cave’s long dark silhouette, silk suit and golden shirt. It’s his obligatory strange and exciting dancing and pointing with the finger (watch a video from a live performance of “Red Right Hand” and you’ll get the picture).

It’s Warren Ellis. It’s Warren Ellis and his eccentric music genius, his violin, and the stillness and power of his stage presence. It’s Warren Ellis and his beard and hair (!).

It’s the piano performance of “In Your Arms”. I don’t dare question the existence of love after that. I honestly don’t.

It’s the songs from the new album “Push the Sky Away”. It’s “Jubilee Street” and “We Real Cool”. It’s their deepness and comfort. It’s that line: “Who wrote you a book you never read? Yeah you know. “

It’s the old songs. It’s their madness and strength. It’s them murder ballads.

It’s “From Her to Eternity”. It’s the song that sings the city I live in. It’s the song that tells the story about a girl. And about angels.

It’s the honesty and the light of that concert and I dare say of every other Nick Cave concert. You know it when you see the expression of his face when he performs. It’s painfully serious. As if he is pouring his heart out. And so do you in return.

It’s that concert of my favourite Prince of Darkness and that night in Paris I wouldn’t like to forget. Never was the darkness so bright.

With many thanks to my dear friend Plamena Karaliyska who made that night and memories possible for me.

Push-The-Sky-Away