I believe there’s no better way to appreciate new materials than by taking them with you everywhere. While on a road trip, I noticed some stunning Japanese cherry trees displaying beautiful colors, signaling the arrival of spring. I took this as the perfect opportunity to visit the Japanese garden in Hasselt, Belgium and capture some photos. Unfortunately, my visit was cut short as I discovered that the garden was closed to visitors. Despite the beautiful display of colors between the gates, I was unable to take any photographs.

After leaving the garden, I continued my journey towards the main city of Hasselt. It was a very crowded Saturday afternoon with a lot of things going on in the main city streets. With my Hasselblad camera in hand, I was ready to capture some great images.

As we approach the new port, notice the iron blocks with the letters spelling “Hasselt”. This new location brings forth exciting going-out zones, featuring beautiful restaurants and new stores that create a stunning environment. Walking alongside the serene water always brings a sense of peace to my mind. With my camera in hand, I aim to capture images from unique perspectives.

This camera is a game-changer! With its superior image quality, I don’t need to use any presets or manipulations in Lightroom or Photoshop to produce stunning images. It’s always spot on! I’m eagerly waiting for my grip to fit on the camera, but even now, it brings peace to my busy mind. I always wanted to pursue photography in this direction since I was young. However, due to its high price, it seemed impossible. But now that I have this machine, I’m thrilled that I made the investment.

The black and white images above are a perfect example of why I love photography. But that’s enough about me. Recently, we visited Hasselt, and there was a lot going on in the city center. Some people performed a dance show to raise awareness about protecting the environment and minimizing waste. The show was called COSH!

At COSH!, you can learn more about sustainable shopping, minimalist lifestyle, plastic-free living, and responsible and fair trade fashion.

https://cosh.eco/nl/

I witnessed a fantastic performance by some young breakdancers on the streets of Hasselt. As we listened to the music, we noticed an unusual event taking place in the city – a parade. Given that carnival was still taking place in some parts of the country, I initially assumed that this was part of the festivities. However, it turned out to be something else entirely.

An old Catholic military order from 1202, known as The Livonian Brothers of the Sword, had entered the streets. This order was established during the Livonian Crusade in 1202 by Albert, the third bishop of Riga. The order consisted of warrior monks, mostly from northern Germany, who fought against Baltic and Finnic polytheists in modern-day Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The order was also known by other names such as Christ Knights, Swordbrothers, Sword Brethren, Order of the Brothers of the Sword, and The Militia of Christ of Livonia.

The Livonian Brothers were an order of knights who followed a set of rules similar to those of the Knights Templar. They were required to be of noble birth and take vows of obedience, poverty, and celibacy. The order consisted of soldiers, artisans, and clerics. The Knights had a general assembly which selected a grandmaster and other officials. The grandmaster served for life in the order. Even today, their duty is to help people in need, such as those who have a hard time finding food or are living on the streets. They believe that their actions speak louder than their cape and sword, and strive to help people with their hearts without asking for anything in return. Their cause is a very noble one indeed.

My visit to Hasselt was a wake-up call that we can’t ignore. We need to take action and make changes – changes that don’t just help others, but also help our planet. We live in a busy world where we often overlook our behavior and the impact it has on the environment. We waste too much water, throw away countless tons of food, and overlook the benefits of recycled clothing. But it’s not too late to make a difference. Life is fast-paced and we often miss the little moments that matter. By taking a step back and appreciating what we have, we can realize the urgency of making changes in our surroundings. So let’s take action today. Let’s work together to make a positive impact on our planet. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can make a significant difference.

Let’s create a world we can be proud of – a world that’s better for us and for future generations.

Thank you