When I visit hotels, I like climbing up as high as I can to see the view from the top. I like to go onto the roof if possible - yes, I've had a few little expeditions through bits of the hotel I was not supposed to see! When I get onto the roof it is sometimes a whole different world. I was thinking about this and found two rooftop scenes which are very different. Both were taken from excellent hotels. The first, below, was taken on a day of howling winds and brilliant sunshine from the roof of the Hotel San Roque in Garachico, on the beautiful Northern coast of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. The sea was roaring, deep blue with white foam, and I liked the contrast of the simple shapes of white and tile, against the mostly dark blue background.
The second is from the roof of the Al-Mamlouka hotel in the old part of Damascus, on a pleasant autumn morning. . The hotel is in a fabulous old mansion, beautifully tiled with a central courtyard where you can sit in a mirrored alcove, amidst fruit trees and a fountain. It's all very peaceful, tucked away in the muddle of narrow, busy streets in the Christian Quarter. What I love about this roof scene is that it is like a whole little world of its own. People keep all kinds of things on their roofs in these closely-packed old houses - I specially like the minaret turret - or that's what I think it is.
Oh! I love rooftop scenes! Strangely enough, I have not taken many of my own, but maybe you will like these two:
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Paris, in April 2010
and
http://s524.photobucket.com/albums/cc327/MeksPics/Nizza%2003%202010/?action=view¤t=Nizza048.jpg
Cannes, in March 2010.
You are right about it being a world on its own up there! As for exploring the roofs of hotels: I did that once and locked myself out... the metal fire door slammed shut behind me, as I was too stupid to think of putting something in between the door and the frame to keep it open for me. It was a bit embarrassing when I had to make myself noticed to someone from the hotel to let me back in :-)
Both of these are lovely scenes. I agree the second one is like a litle world of its own. I have never thought of going up onto the roof of a hotel but will now the next time I am in one.
ReplyDeleteOh, these are wonderful! I do think there's room for a whole little book on rooftop scenes from hotels. They simultaneously give an overview and allow you to focus on details.
ReplyDeleteHow exactly do you get onto all these rooftops?
ReplyDeletei love roofs. i have always tryed to draw them. is realy difficult! the first picture looks almost like greece : )
ReplyDeleteThere is something utterly compelling about roofs and I particularly like your second shot. I would definitely buy a book about rooftop scenes as I'm far too feeble to go clambering up them myself.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors in the first photo, while the second one looks very interesting. The second photo tells a lot of stories. :)
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought of doing this but it gives a wonderful perspective to everything.
ReplyDeleteJenny Woolf, Your opinions about two scenes interested me very much.
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking, I love the waves of Japanese roofs covered with dark gray roof tiles. It is similar to the first scene. But, on the roof top of a building, water tanks, air conditioning machines or unused metallic things are put. The roof top looks very messy. I don't like this kind of scene.
But, after I read your words, I took a close look at the second photo. I got to understand what you meant. I see their daily lives are there. Over the small minaret, there is a mosque-like structure. Each roof top is its own world and characteristic. And I thought I love this!! At glance, two things look similar, but by seeing closely they become very different. Jenny, sorry my poor explanation. I hope you will understand what I wanted to say.
Have a great day!
When I visited Bali, the hotels lined along the coast were the same colour with the first photo.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast with the ocean was clear and also calm. Your idea to go up on the roof of hotels is so pleasant.
Wonderful pics. As you say, the extraordinary things people keep on their rooftops! I like looking at the tops of buildings from street level, seeing all the interesting bits of architecture that you normally miss if you're looking straight ahead.
ReplyDeleteI also like to go up on rooftops. They make a good spot for elevated views of the places or landscapes. Like the second shot, I could get a glimpse of things closely related to the life of the people there.
ReplyDeleteId love to try and go on rooftops someday and get a great view of the place Im visiting. Not always easy to go to rooftops, though. ^^
ReplyDeleteLike the Teneriffe one but have to say that the Damascus one is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI like your style! Going to the roof has a lot of appeal. It was beaut seeing both. Could almost smell the sea, from your description of the Tenerife roof. Those roof tiles are charming too. The Damascus roof certainly looks to be an often visited spot :D)
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