in Lebanon, the weather is getting hot now. The last two months have been busy, I was sick and on leave, so much of whatever is called spring bypassed me. I spend a week in the camp as Duty Officer, maybe that what make me sick.

I went to Germany and used the occasion to purchase, yes, another camera. This time, after reading a lot about it, the Fuji X100s was the target, in black, like my old film Leica's which I miss using. I tried to use the M6 with Film and it works like a charm, but the difficulty starts with buying film these days. I managed to get a couple of rolls of Fuji film but then the next problem is to get it processed and printed and, oh well, scanned. My scanners have given up service in the meantime and I can't really think of buying a new one. So, the x100s it was , with the 34mm F2 lens, which was what I used most on my Leica, the 35 and the 50mm. What can I say about it? It looks good, is cute and certainly reminds me of the Leica's a lot, but I have to get used to it, which I eventually will over time. Will it make me give up my other interchangeable lens cameras like the OMD and K5? No it won't since I still like Wildlife photography, even if I have not engaged in it for some time now. The 'Wildlife' in Lebanon is of a different nature, you might have your own impression and thoughts about it. No, it is nothing of the way I found in Africa or even in Pakistan.

"The old guard and the new kid"

"Wildlife Photos"

Germany was dedicated to attending to house and garden and a few visits of friends and family which are also always nice. The sickness caught me off balance, needing me to go to the hospital for a few days, but they fixed me up well. I actually like the hospital, not only did they fixed me, but the view and the food was good too. The food was certainly better then the one served in our mess-hall. Another thing I like was that they had a rocking-chair in the room, so while resting I could gently sway and look at the Beirut port and watch the ships sailing in and out. Truly watching from the shade my friends.!!

Lebanon is trying to elect a president, but no luck yet. Fighting has been raging in the east of the country, in the Bekkaa valley close to the border with Syria, hopefully it is not coming closer. The folks from the south are active as well, lot's of overflight by Jets, and the ain't from the Lebanese Air Force.

"The last frost in Germany, frozen Tulip"

"Spring in Germany - early morning light"

I am trying to organize and archive all my photos, something I admit I am not very good at, but which I will have to master if not to loose total control. I like more to plan my next photography adventures, i.e. travels, then sorting and viewing the results. As mentioned before, I am contemplating of going, eventually to Japan. I have too, since it is my desire to do so for a long time. When and how, is what I am working on now. Ten years ago I was very focused on Africa, but that has been replaced with my love for everything Asian. I am (here is the old sermon again) looking forward to retire from what I do now, in order to fully engage with photography and also maintaining this website and writing more stories. It will come, but honestly, I can't wait anymore but will have to. I will write more about my experience with the x100s once I take more serious photos with it and be able to put it to a full test. I am quite certain it shall serve my photojournalistic desires well. Otherwise nothing new from any travels or from here in Lebanon, waiting now for the first real hot days. What beats me most is when the high humidity sets in, that's the killer. Until next time, bye for now.