I would go in a heartbeat

[15_the_circle]

[OT from cottage renovations]

among my acquaintances are numbered some who, after years of study devoted to scripture, have a complete grasp not only of the events and peoples chronicled, but also a wonderfully detailed feel for the Holy Land as it was in biblical times, at least as described in surviving texts.  I have not have the same basis of faith but this vision, so clear to them, is still something I can appreciate as an intellectual construct, a detailed historical recreation. 

on the other hand I do possess an extremely vivid mental picture of the Middle Earth of J. R. R. Tolkien's writings.  this vision is centric to the books, not to the recent films adapted from the same works.  I had very mixed reactions to the films: there was so much they got right, but so much else that turned out unforgivably wrong, particularly the handling of certain characters.  after viewing any of the films one must at once read the books again. 

far be it from me to contradict the publicity arm of New Zealand's tourism industry, but the best way to visit Middle Earth is in one's head.  but not, it turns out, the only other way.  a while ago I learned of the existence of an account, long out of print, of an 1886 visit to Middle Earth undertaken by three British gentlemen.  the book, illustrated with early platinotype photographs, is quite difficult to find.  the good news is that one of the author's descendants has taken the trouble to make excerpts available online.  I have queries out to several antiquarian book dealers: whoever responds first gets the sale, price is no object.  until then the online bits will have to do. 

Comments

[szap.livejournal.com]

Did I mention I've been riding with the riders of Rohan? For the making of the movie, there was a call out to Glenorchy, S. NZed for all hack stables and sheep herders with brown chestnut horses to come for a gymkana - a party with horses. They were all given helmets with blond wigs and apparently had a very merry old time. In the attached picture, both our horsies were in the movie, (David's got horsie makeup in the way of spray-on brown for the forlock.)

But that's not the reason to go. Go because it is the most beautiful place I've ever been.
http://www.kayakero.net/per/vac/dec_02/graphics/horse_1.jpg
http://www.kayakero.net/per/vac/dec_02/index.html