Visitors

Monday, May 2, 2011

The Art of Just Sitting

There is much to be said for sitting, especially while traveling (or touring). Sometimes, the best part of the day is when one stops touring for just a while and enjoys the local scenery.

You can go to the park and use the chairs as a table for your chess board.
Luxumbourg Garden, Paris

The same chair can be an island to claim your space while you read.

Or, you can claim the entire bench and enjoy the Spring sunshine.

Some seats look comfy, but you are not allowed to sit on them!
Napoleon's apartment, Louvre, Paris

Some don't need a chair to sit, the floor will work just fine.
L'Orangerie Museum, Paris

But if you are walking a lot, there is nothing more welcome than the outdoor chairs at the Bistro.
Imperial, Rue de Rivoli, Paris


Sometimes you can use a chair while you wait for someone.
Germany


Or you can take an afternoon off from your touring and enjoy the sunshine on the upper deck of the river boat.
US Swiss Ruby, River Elbe, Germany

If the weather is not warm enough to sit outside, blankets placed on the back of the chair make it more inviting...and cozy.
Berlin

You can buy a  lounge chair to take home. It is especially cute when the nostalgic traffic symbols decorate the canvas.
Berlin and the adored traffic symbols

Some seats are very fancy with gold decorations and velvet covers.
Vienna Opera

Some seats are functional and are comfortable enough to get you from one city to the next.
Train from Prague to Olomouc

Some seats aren't seats at all, but are standing room only areas.
Vienna Opera offers many "standing room only" seats every night.

See the standing room only seats at the top?
Or you can purchase a nice place, an actual seat, to watch the show.
Vienna Opera

A nice British Pub seat is a good place to rest after a long day and catch up on the local news.

Enjoy the tour. Enjoy the travel. And take time to learn the art of just sitting.
The Art of Just Sitting, Second Edition: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza If you are really interested in "The Art of Just Sitting", enjoy the book.  I found the book after I had written the blog post.  (Affiliate Link)

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