Tuesday, November 07, 2006

The wheels in the sky


I don't often post more than one image from a given series. I think I should change that strategy, because sometimes you end up with a very different view - and a very different feeling - despite the fact that the only thing that's really moved is the minute hand of your watch.

Before you crinkle your nose and wonder what the heck I'm talking about, click over to my entry from September 14th, entitled Take off, eh. (No worries, I'll wait here.)

[Tick, tock, tick tock...]

OK, now that you're back, it's pretty obvious that both images were taken from the same seat, only the first one was taken right at takeoff from Toronto, and this later one was captured close to touchdown in London. Same seat, same angle, radically different background, completely different feel.

As with my other recently-posted overhead view, I wonder if the folks below knew or cared that there were eyes looking down on them. Whether or not they did it's always comforting to know that the rich tapestry of farmland waits for me every time I come home from far away. My heart races when this warm scene first presents itself outside my window.

As I prepare for another trip out west, I look forward to this moment, because I know the real joy of my homecoming lies not too far beyond.

Your turn: I hope you'll take a lingering look out your window and share the scene with us in a comment. Why is it memorable? Why do we look out the window in the first place?

13 comments:

Karen said...

Well, it's a gloomy day here, but people are rushing off to vote, which is so incredibly cool. Democracy in action. It rocks. Voting is cool and I'm feeling pretty good that I just did.

That has nothing to do with what I see out my window but it seems way more important.

Hi Carmi. I can't figure out how you took that photo, but it's amazing!

DirkStar said...

Darned groovy site, dude!

http://jestersrap.blogspot.com/

Jill said...

Whoa - great shot, Carmi.

kenju said...

A change of scenery is good for the soul, no matter what you see when you cast your eyes in a different direction. It is raining here today, but as I look out, I see a tree whose leaves are so yellow as to seem painted on. It give a cheerful feeling, even in the rain.

That photo of yours is so crisp and clean and lush green.

atpanda said...

Oh man, I love flying into Phoenix. Its home. When you come in from the East you fly over the Superstition Mountains, which are really fierce and beautiful, and covered in snow at the right time of year. From the West I get farmlands, a totally different part of the Valley then I live in. But when we get lower I love to look out the window and identify things. There's my mom's community college! The freeway to my house! My house! The pool at ASU! Love it.

Anonymous said...

What a cool picture, I love that.

Perhaps we look out the window to find out where we are going, what other people are doing, where we are along our journey...

Anonymous said...

Amazing photo, Carmi! Liked the other one also, but really love the clarity and "feel" of this one.
Looking out my window....and all I see is darkness. Sorry.

Jef said...

Today I looked out the window for a respite from the howling chaos inside me. It gray and raining on the brick path that Jeff built, winding through the ferns. Even though I feel gray and like I can't see for the rain and fog, I know that if I follow my heart in this trying time, I'll end up in a sunny place. Still, the ferns seem to enjoy the rainy day, and I find that I do, too.

srp said...

I've only flown once in the last three years. Before that I flew at least two or three times a year. Circumstances change.

The last time was to New York and as we curved around for landing I saw the lower end of Manhattan out my window. All I could think was how empty the skyline looked without those two towers.

DeAnn said...

Hey, there's no limit on plane photos. Most people don't get up there often enough to be choosy, and the views are breathtaking.

Anonymous said...

If we didn't look out the window life would pass us by. we would miss so much.
I look out the window to keep me humble. We are just one very small part of a very big world.

Anonymous said...

I always wonder that while on a plane, too. As I watch the tiny little cars drive down there, I wonder if they know that they're being watched and thought about ...

I'm at work so the view outside my window is of our small parking lot and the cross streets that make up our corner. It sounds dreary, but hey, at least I get to sit by a window, and I do see some cool trees next to those streets.

They're bare, and ready for winter. I can't believe it's that time again.

Jennifer said...

this is a super cool pix but it leaves a lump in my stomach... it's such a good pix that i feel like i'm hanging off the wheel takin the pix... i feel like i'm going to fall! weird, i know... but that's what looking at that pix does to me!