The diversity of UK, the vast emptiness of Wales, and the grand imagination of Tolkien

Is there a law limiting the use of vowels? When the names of the various places flashed in front of me after reaching Wales, there were not enough vowels considering the length of the names? How does one pronounce it? The turmoil created by the usage of vowel settled down quickly. Like the previous mental chaos created in my life by various events, this new one too ended without a closure. My mind is an energetic nomad traveling from one place to another while exhausting my body. Wales and her language have taken me another place. Last year, I was in Scotland. The Scots have a different language. So does the fourth part of UK namely Northern Ireland. So this tiny island is indeed a concoction of different languages and cultures! As an Indian, who has always prided in our uniqueness of "Unity in diversity", the diversity of UK comes as a surprise.

While traveling through Wales, you found barren mountains covered with dried grass. In many ways, Wales is similar to Scotland. There aren't many people around. The roads are good but wide enough only for two vehicles. Although we were well into Spring, the mountains have not shed their skin to reveal greenery. The sight was beautiful. At some places, the sky appeared to be touching the mountains. At other places, the mountains wrapped a white cloak of mist around them. I remembered two people while enjoying this beautiful sight. Peter Jackson and Tolkien. Peter Jackson could have shot his movies here in Wales. Why did he go to  New Zealand instead of Wales or even Scotland? Wales is full of nothingness. He could have built his expensive sets here. I used to wonder how Tolkien could have imagined such a world in his mind before writing it down. Everything is big. The mountains, castles, and the meadows are ginormous. They appear not only vast but also empty. It would have been easy for Tolkien To imagine something of this sort if he has visited this part of the world before. After all, it takes only a stroll in the evening or a lonely car ride among this vast emptiness to jump-start your imagination.

Tags: Musings, Car, Wales, Tolkien

Comments

  1. Something to learn about Wales here :)
    I wish i could be in Europe someday...Amsterdam, Switzerland, Greece and Scotland are my top spots.

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    1. Those are all great places to be. I wish you the best in making it happen.

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  2. Wow. Makes me want to go to Wales. No pictures?

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    1. Pictures will follow. :) Keep checking in here.

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  3. Never been to Wales. Wish I oould some day. Sounds enticing.

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    1. Wales has got some good places to visit and photograph.

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  4. Wow, what a place to visit! Astonishing indeed. Very well described Nona, I can literally imagine the places while reading your post. I hope I get to drive on those beautiful road in wales.

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    1. Thank you for the encouraging words. Wish you all the best for making your dream come true

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  5. i could just imagine the places with every word that you described. :)

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    1. Thank you very much. It is one of the best complements for a blogger. :)

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  6. Wales, Scotland, Ireland have been on my wish list for long. Been to the Lake District though ....a visit there will reveal why Wordsworth was so inspired

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    1. I have not been to Lake District yet. That is on my to do list. :)

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