22/7: Santa Barbara, as so many other older cities and towns in California (because nothing is really old in California, except the trees), was founded as a Spanish mission. Today, it remains one of the few missions that are still in use. The place was crawling with tourists, just as everything else in Santa Barbara, but still it managed to convey a feeling of peace and reflection. There’s just something about these small gardens, surrounded by low buildnings or stone walls. It’s like the outside world doesn’t exist anymore. It’s calming.
And this is a Moreton Bay Fig Tree. An amazing sight. It looks magic and wise, as if it could answer many of the questions about the mysteries of life, if you could only understand when it spoke. But to learn the language of trees would probably require time and patience. And maybe even life in solitude, prayer and celibacy. I guess a mission is the perfect place for a tree like this to grow, then.
After the fig tree, I think this thing, somewhere between a fountain and a pond, was my favourite. It was the first thing that met you, right in front of the main entrance, and the murky green water was filled with pink and white waterlilies. Like something from a fairytale.
… or the film Atonement, you know, the scene where James McAvoy and Keira Knightley are in a fight over a broken vase, Keira jumps into the fountain/pond/pool to get the broken piece of porcelain, steps out of the water all soaked and dripping, with the fabric of her dress so close to her body that she looks naked – and she storms off. James is left by the fountain/pond/pool, frustrated and lovesick. He leans down over the murky green water and puts his hand just above the surface, almost touching, as if being jealous, wanting to be part of the water that just moments ago got to embrace Keira.
I saw Atonement in the theater by myself back in 2007, and I think I cried quite alot. But now, so many years later, what I remember the most is that scene by the fountain/pond/pool. It might be the strongest, most expressive and touching films sequences I’ve ever seen. It is so beautiful, and so sad.
And, you see, I tried to reenact the scene, sitting by on the stone edge, leaning out over the murky green water. But the photos didn’t turn out as I had pictured them at all. My mother is good at many things, but she is no photographer.
Katja Malmborg 