I was picking loads of fresh mint when I heard the bells getting closer and closer to the field. The farmer had let these cows out into the field directly behind ours. I picked up a handful of dandelion greens and mint and went over to feed them. They didn't want what I had until I threw it to them. It was a nice little break watching them grazing in the sun, occasionally butting heads and jockeying for the best position. It's moments like these that we travel.

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travel sounds

Cow Bells Vermiglio Italy - Farm Sounds

The monoliths stand on the rolling hillsides like visitors from the future. Robots. Metronomes. Sentinels. In other parts of Scotland there are standing stones that are 6,000 years old. These wind turbines are their descendants. In thousands of years from now there will be questions about their use and how they were erected. 

Read more at http://www.visa-vis.com.

Visa-Vis Travel

Whitelee Wind Farm Scotland

The bitter wind cut through and around corners on this January day in Locronan France. There was no hiding from it. Most of Brittany is closed in January, so our options for refuge were the patisserie and the crepe place, both of which we sought and lingered in. 

Read more at https://www.visa-vis.com/the-best-of-brittany-france/2017/1/29/the-charming-town-of-locronan-france

Locronan France Church Bells

There is surprisingly little for a monk to do in their down time. Quite often at Plum Village I found them singing or strumming a guitar. There were instruments everywhere, and this common room had an out of tune piano that this monk hauntingly played while I did yoga.

Travel Sounds - Monk Playing The Piano Plum Village France

We were in a small room in the corner where the saint Shushanik is buried. Listening to the chanting and the bells and the singing when the priest came to shake his incense into the room. He surprised us, but we surprised him more. I didn't realize I took this picture until later that day.

https://www.visa-vis.com/unique-travel-sounds/

Travel Sounds: Metekhi St. Virgin Church Tbilisi, Georgia

We recently spent 5 Days in Borjomi Georgia. On this day I took a quick hike up to a 1200m peak to look out over Borjomi. On the way up there was some real silence in the woods. Silent except for my huffing on the incline and the chirp of one lonely bird. Read all about it on our site!
https://www.visa-vis.com/greater-caucasus-travel-blog/5-days-in-borjomi-georgia

5 Days In Borjomi, Georgia

The malva plants are abuzz with sleepy frosty sugar covered bees that dip and slide in and out of the purple flowers. The plants themselves can get over 5 feet tall. I walk through them like a field of young corn in mid America, the sun is blazing so I squat and then sit before my legs go numb and with both hands rustle the big green leaves aside to wrest the pollen laden flowers from the stem with a satisfying snick snick snick. Their shade protects me from the sun. Nothing but patience protects me from the sting of the bee. http://www.visa-vis.com

Travel Sounds Malva Picking In Vermiglio

The umbrella was trim and tailored and grey with a carved wooden handle. And old. The clasp to hold it together is a metal circle and a button. It seemed to require a better dressed companion than myself. Somebody with a hat and a tie and polished shoes. 

We made it to the restaurant without using it but were blown there by the impending storm you hear, but while we ate we watched people coming in soaked and knew that soon it would be our turn. https://www.visa-vis.com/unique-travel-sounds/

TRAVEL SOUNDS #13: UNDER A BORROWED UMBRELLA IN VERMIGLIO, ITALY

We were back in civilization after wandering the Sahara with our guide for 4 nights. Lights and a roof and a kitchen seemed a shock to our system. We wanted to be back in the sand and under the stars. So much so that I left my bed and slept on the floor by the window so I could feel the breeze.
Our guide started playing this soft gentle song of the Gnaoua, but ended it by saying his people weren't slaves so he couldn't sing or play it properly. His people were Tuareg. His people were nomads. His people were free.

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Travel Sounds: Gnaouan Music, Morocco

People sat in the crowded room until there were no seats. Then we stood in all available corners. She closed her eyes and placed her fingers upon the strings and inhaled. We never heard the exhale for the flurry of sounds coming from the koto erased everything - our thoughts, our dreams. Nothing was left for us to do but to close our eyes and inhale.

Koto Japanese Harp Concert At Portland Japanese Garden

Visa-Vis is the travel site of two people who sold their belongings to travel around the world. This is a collection of site specific sounds collected on our travels, along with short descriptions of that particular moment in time.

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