Life’s complicated just now. I don’t need any more challenges. But here I am, taking on one which is entirely self-imposed. It’ll help me reflect on the good moments in life, or at least on interesting times.
The challenge is one provoked weekly by WordPress, my blogging platform. Once a week, they provide a word. Just one. To respond, I and fellow bloggers choose one of our own photos to interpret the theme. Just one.
This week’s challenge is ‘Magic’. Other bloggers have published photos of sunsets; a cube magically suspended from a building; a fairy-tale castle in Schwerin; scacciaguai, or benign demons; a butterfly; pebbles; flowers; scenes from distant lands – all magic in their own way.
My own magic moment is from South Korea.
Imagine Busan, the city where Emily’s living just now. Imagine busy streets, crowded markets, streaming traffic, a high-rise metropolis of three and a half million people.
But it’s a coastal city too, and one day we took the path at Igidae. Here were views across the bay to those high-rise towers at Haeundae, to Gwangan Suspension Bridge, and to a jagged, rocky coastline.
As we walked away from Haeundae, we replaced city bustle with solitude, with crashing foaming waves, salty spray crusting our hair and faces, rugged paths leading us first up craggy cliffs then down again. The busy city was never more than minutes away, but we were at the edge of a primitive, savage untamed world, unchanging since time began. That was a kind of magic.
My challenge posts will appear on Sundays. Hence ‘Snapshot Sunday.’
Loved the crashing sea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was quite thrilling at the time.
LikeLike
Great idea, and I knew you’d put your own twist on the challenge too! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Has to be done…. x
LikeLike
This paragraph spoke to me. “Life’s complicated just now. I don’t need any more challenges. But here I am, taking on one which is entirely self-imposed. It’ll help me reflect on the good moments in life, or at least on interesting times.” Often I ask people why they blog. It seems that you, like so many of us, hear the challenge and can’t resist its call. Your picture is magical. Water is magical, and watching waves splash against the rocks and sparkle in the sunlight mesmerizes onlookers – even in a photo. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was a special day. But blogging’s in many ways pretty magical too, isn’t it? Establishing connections with people we think we’ll never meet. But then – Abracadabra! Sometimes we do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Blogging is totally magical. I leave the US in Dec to fly to Australia to meet up with two of my blogging friends. I can’t wait! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep us informed….. Bon voyage!
LikeLike
Magic indeed. What a stunning shot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
That really must seem magical–so close to the city, yet so far. And that photo enhances the sense of mystery and magic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was one of those days we particularly remember.
LikeLike
Snapshot Sundays sound a great idea – lucky us. And you’ve got off to a fine start. Is that the walkway right above the waves? Looks a bit scary to me, but magic definitely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I promise, Ros, it wasn’t scary. Thoroughly well-made and sturdy, typically good Korean workmanship. Hoping for magical intervention unnecessary!
LikeLike
Utterly beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was.
LikeLike
I feel the same if forced to use the tube. Irrelevant to this blog (couldn’t find your email address), do you fancy a walk and pub lunch on Saturday?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The quick answer is ‘yes please’! The longer version will be found in my email to you ( I hope I still have your address)
LikeLike
Great pictures – What a magical locale!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was. Lucky us!
LikeLike
Stunning pictures! Ah, it’s been a while since the last time I posted for weekly photo/writing challenge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, do start again! You don’t need me to tell you how many interesting people you’ll meet – just like I’ve ‘met’ you.
LikeLike
I know, right 😊 I just started to blog regularly after a hiatus. Yeah I think I should post for WP challenges again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your first paragraph resonated with me. The reason I began blogging nearly three years ago was to remind myself about the good things in my life; to make me realise how lucky I am. To be able to say thank-you or remember a good time or recall the sight of something magical keeps us sane, I think. Your photographs show exactly how wonderful that place is. The second photo especially!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve very much enjoyed the ‘diary’ element of my blog – just for my own satisfaction – as we have indeed had some good, or at least interesting times. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m deeply envious. When I was in South Korea it was a working trip and we didn’t get to explore much outside Seoul (with the notable exception of a day trip to North Korea). I would love to go back but in the meantime I’m living vicariously through you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I on the other hand am quite envious of that day trip, stage-managed though I suppose it was. I’d love to go back to South Korea. We barely scratched the surface.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugely stage-managed. I wrote about it briefly on Mrs P, some time ago. It was fascinating, though discomforting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll try to dig out the post. How long ago?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just put Korean in the search box. It should appear. (Fingers crossed.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s stunning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was a great day.
LikeLike
This looks amazing! Must be amazing to drive along the road so close to the wild ocean:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
No driving Inger. Only walkers need apply.
LikeLike
WOW. I loved seeing your snapshots from South Korea. I look forward to your next magical post… enjoy.
LikeLiked by 1 person