初旅第二十七日：时间层叠

2023年9月20日

Temporal Layers — a terraced, citadel-like study rising above the Mediterranean, inspired by the ruins of Amathus near Limassol, Cyprus — *Temporal Layers*, sketched after walking the hill of ancient Amathus, Limassol.

Date: September 20, 2023
Location: Limassol, Cyprus

A late-summer walk through the ruins of Amathus on the edge of Limassol, Cyprus: sunlit stones above the Mediterranean, where history gathers in layers and the sea keeps the old stories moving.

Layers of Time on the Hill

Today, I found myself wandering through the ancient ruins of Amathus in Limassol. The weight of history pressed upon me as I traced the paths once walked by ancient civilizations. The sun cast elongated shadows of the crumbling pillars, and the whispers of the past seemed to echo with every step. I was particularly drawn to the remnants of the old temples, imagining the ceremonies and rituals that once took place there.

Quiet Moments Above the Sea

The view from the hilltop was breathtaking, with the azure Mediterranean Sea stretching infinitely, its waves telling tales of ancient mariners and mythical creatures.

Salt and Wild Thyme on the Breeze

Warm limestone, a breath of sea salt, and the faint resin of scrub and herbs seemed to thread the air—simple notes that made the ruins feel fiercely alive.

Choosing Stillness Over Sketching

I took a moment to sketch the juxtaposition of the old ruins against the modern cityscape of Limassol. Then I let the pencil rest and simply listened—the silence between lines as instructive as the marks themselves.

A City in Sync with the Sea

The contrast was a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the layers of history that build upon one another. As the sun began its descent, casting a golden hue over the ruins, I felt a deep connection to this land and its stories. Today was a day of reflection, of understanding the impermanence of life and the eternal nature of art and stories. I left Amathus with a heavy heart but also with a renewed sense of purpose, inspired to capture the essence of this ancient city in my artwork.

Travel Notes

Weather: Clear skies, 22–29 °C; bright, dry light with long afternoon shadows; a steady sea breeze carrying warmth off the stone.
Scents: Sea salt over sun-warmed limestone; hints of wild thyme and scrub along the slopes.
Sounds: Distant surf, gulls wheeling, a hush from the city below; footsteps soft on dust and fragmented marble.
Reflection: Among toppled columns, the present felt paper-thin—art as a way to keep listening to what time leaves behind.