I am teased endlessly for being a chatterbox. But for all my gregariousness I cherish solitude, enveloped as I am by the bustle of a big Indian city. Is it even possible to steal quiet reflective moments from the din of urban living? Yes it is. Solitude is in the mind. Learning to shut out the noise is key. And seeking (relatively) quieter times and islands of serenity.
Here is a gallery of images that evoke quiet solitude for FriFotos on Twitter. All but one, from some of the most crowded and chaotic cities on earth.
“Life for each man is a solitary cell whose walls are mirrors”
Eugene O Neill
“In a soulmate we find not company but a completed solitude”
Robert Brault
“Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.”
Marcus Aurelius
“Finding solitude in the concrete jungle is powerful and peaceful.”
Mike Dolan
“I never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude.”
Henry David Thoreau
“What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be.”
Elen Burstyn
“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is the richness of self.”
May Sarton
Thank you for reading. Have a great weekend!
The Urge To Wander 
I like your post and thoughts on being alone, Madhu. Good post.
Thank you very much Ruth.
Exceptional photos as always, my dear Madhu, especially your silence of dawn in the Ganges…. ‘Solitude and silence” the two S I love! 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend, my dear friend.
Both so essential to stay sane in an urban jungle! A wonderful weekend to you too Marina 🙂
Ah, yes! 🙂 A wonderful Sunday and week ahead, Madhu! 🙂
Beautiful captures and thoughts on solitude, Madhu. Your opening shot and the Venice one, being my favorite. Have a great weekend, too.
Thank you Lynne. Any plans for travel?
Will be traveling in September. Taking a Danube River Cruise and adding on extra time in Prague and Budapest. What about you? Getting any closer to a studio apt.? 😊
😀 No time to look for one! We’re off to Northern Spain in a few days. And then I have quite a bit of travel lined up for the rest of the year, so downsizing might take a back seat for now, however hard it is to wind up every time. Hate this part of travel right up until I board my flight.
I know you will have a great time and remember to work in moments of quiet solitude. 😀
We all need moments of solitude in which to reflect and charge our batteries. Lovely photos Madhu.
Thank you Colline. Happy weekend!
… and in solitude, I gain a glimpse of my soul, eternal… universal…
Beautiful words, Madhu, and a beautiful thought that you convey through this post. Thank you for these magnificent images – the glories of solitude.
A pleasure to see you here lovely lady! 🙂 Hope the work front has eased up a bit.
Lovely, Madhu. We too find places of solitude – temples in SE Asia, early mornings, Humayun’s tomb, in a forest or field somewhere. Thank you for this, as I sit in solitude looking at the tall trees in the garden where we are house sitting. We are blessed indeed.
Namaste, Alison
Or a magical herd of deer! 🙂 We are blessed indeed…Namaste Alison.
Goodness, you have made St Trophime look very different with your POV…I love it!
He he, I ignored the gorgeous columns and focused on this lone tourist instead 🙂 I was fascinated by how still he was.
Always look behind you (or away from the obvious)….a very good idea!
🙂
You’re so right about the need for solitude, Madhu, although I fear too many people either never take the time to experience its joys or are afraid of it. Lovely photos, of course, and I enjoyed the quotes as well.
Have a wonderful weekend,
jaent
Thank you Janet. I too know many people who fail to differentiate between loneliness and solitude. A wonderful weekend to you too.
Wonderful selection. Love the style of presentation, with quotes. The Venetian picture has got to be one of my favourites!
Thanks Kasturika. That one is a lucky shot that is my all time favourite too!
Identified with the St Tropheme pic. I often steal cherished solitude in chapels, on beaches, inan empty pool at night and always on my nightly walks, when I commune with GOD in creation.
Late night walks are the best. We don’t get to do it much here in this heat. I suggested to hubby that we move to Bangalore and he retorted with ‘You blog there and I’ll slog here!’ That might be more solitude than I bargained for 🙂 Appreciate your stopping by Ashu. Have a fabulous weekend.
As a kid I spent three months in Provence and was never taken to Arles or Avignon; I will change that in the future. I remember that photo from Venice 🙂 I will read your story about survival in the bit. Have a great time in Spain, Madhu!
P.S. I forgot to mention top notch perspectives and compositions in all of the enclosed photos.
Silence and solitude are gifts that we give ourselves.
Silence and solitude are treasured gifts that we give ourselves.
Well said Sally. Your comment would not be out of place between quotation marks with all those other wise words up on my post!! 🙂
Some of my best writing comes when I’m in a coffee shop surrounded by talkers but I’m in my own writing head
I really enjoyed the post, and the pairing of quotes, Madhu. My favorite photo was of the woman leaning over the balcony on the Grand Canal. Beautiful!
In solitude I can talk with self or I just want to meet peace within.
Absolutely Tushar. The ability to be happy in your own company is a gift.
Beautiful. Alone but not lonely.
Yes, and that’s the difference between loneliness and solitude. Happy Saturday Carly.
Absolutely lovely, Madhu. Love such solitude moment frames.
Thank you Niranjan. Hope your weekend is going well.
When we’ve experienced those really chaotic cities we appreciate calm even more. I love how you’ve captured these peaceful places Madhu, Lodi and Humayun’s tomb trigger memories especially and both are perfectly composed images 🙂
Very true Gilly. I was surprised by and envious of the many beautiful parks and quiet corners in Delhi. We have precious few quiet public spaces here in Chennai.
I love all the photos but my favourites are the first one, Humayun’s Tomb and Lodi Gardens. I haven’t been to Lodi Gardens (though Delhi almost became my second home during 2010-2011!) but perhaps will visit if I do end up in Delhi yet again 🙂
Thanks Kat. Let me know when you come next. I could try and meet you there. If you can’t come South that is 🙂
I will be heading to Calcutta in mid Oct – not too far for us to meet? 🙂
Excellent post Madhu, with some lovely captures.They all come together so well with your chosen quotes.
Just the kind of peace I always seek out, too – a moment or two of solitude and quiet amidst the bustle. My favorite such moment was a grassy terrace at Machu Picchu, tucked away from the crowds, where I sat in silence for a half hour one afternoon as the sun lit the dense mountains beyond the famous ruins.
“Solitude is in the mind.” I believe that too. It is possible to turn off the noise in any situation if you tune your mind to it.
Wonderful set, Madhu. I love the light in the first capture.
Madhu, again you have mastered a wonderful post. Solitude and awareness is something every body should seek for, in order to become happy and peaceful. Your images speak those words.
Beautiful post, quotes and photos. Are the people in your photos posing/do they know you are taking the photo or not?
Have a beautiful weekend Madhu, this series is exquisite – a beautiful post.
Lovely thought, Madhu. No sweeter and more serene spot than within oneself.
The photos are wonderful as always!
Awesome photos and post
I love the mix of autobiography, beautifully chosen photos, and splendidly apposite quotations, especially, but by no means only, the soulmate one.
We have something in common, Madhu. I’m also a chatterbox who seeks solitude. I’m as happy alone as I am with a group of friends. Your photographs are wonderful, and I know I would find serenity in each of these peaceful locations.
Being more introverted than not, these sunk into my soul and spirit. Beautiful as always.
I adore aloneness, Madhu! Happy travels in Spain 🙂
My weekend passed by in a flash….. It’s midweek now, and your photos make me yearn to be able to travel soon. When, only He knows….. Enjoyed each frame, as well as your comments! Don’t stop shooting….!
Very nicely explained. Solitude is something we all cherish.
and sometimes in the most crowded places, we find solitude in that one moment that we steal for ourselves.
beautiful photos Madhu! Loved them!
You’re from bbay? we should catch up sometime!
some quiet moments… i must say the image of Venice really struck a chord. i like all the layers and textures – and i recently spent a few much-too-short moments there recently myself. would like to go back one day with some time in my pocket to explore…
True, it is nice to be alone sometimes, we live in a small place so we get many quiet moments. Regards.
Mmmmm, the wonderful silence of solitude…such silence is magnified when living in a dense, lively city. Enjoy and smile 🙂
Wonderful pictures and quotes as always Madhu – I miss India so much…
True words and glorious moments of blissful solitude!