Travel
Stacks On Stacks. Kyoto, Japan. December 2014.
While waiting at the train station in Kyoto, I stepped into a comic book store to kill some time. I could not read any of the titles, but the way the books were stacked jumped out at me, incredibly colorful and bright. I love this Manga style.
Pipe Up. Helsinki, Finland. July 2013.
A standout for me in Helsinki is the Sibelius Monument, a beautiful abstract installation dedicated to Finnish composer and patriot Jean Sibelius. The monument is constructed from 600 steel pipes welded together and actually does produce it's own music when the wind picks up. Visitors can walk right up to the piece, touch it, stand underneath it and that is exactly what I did to capture this shot.
Clog Fetish. Amsterdam, Netherlands. July 2010.
When Oranje, made it to the World Cup Final in 2010, my sister and I took a jaunt from London to Amsterdam to watch the final in Museumplein. We favored the Dutch over Spain, but of course, things did not go that way. The cruel defeat did not slow us down, however this photo of clogs might be the tamest picture we took during our few days there...
If My Heart Leapt Out of My Chest. Paris, France. August 2012.
If my heart took the form of a structure, it would closely resemble the Sacré-Cœur. The Eiffel Tower may be the star of Paris, however the Sacré-Coeur (to me) is a close second. I love the Roman-Byzantine influence of the basilica-it's curves, symmetry, and striking white stone. It is a bit of a climb to reach the Sacré-Coeur, but it is absolutely worth the view when you get there.
Doorway to Heaven. Marrakesh, Morocco. February 2015.
The Spa at the Royal Mansour in Marrakesh may be one of the most beautiful spaces I have ever walked into. You enter the spa and walk down a candle lit hallway towards this glorious white birdcage. The Royal Mansour was commissioned by the King Mohammed IV and he wanted it to be a landmark that honored Morocco's regaled history of craftsmanship. You will see this craftsmanship reflected in the design and handmade details of the hotel and spa.
I took this photo as I was entering the spa lobby and it was a like walking into a piece of heaven. If you are looking for a brief and serene getaway from the medina, THIS is the place.
Most Popular Girl in Santorini. Santorini, Greece. November 2012.
Roz and I visited Santorini at a time when there were more strays roaming the streets than tourists. Obviously, we became very popular with these locals.
Rio Gives Me Wings! Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. September 2014.
One of the most exhilarating things I've ever done is paraglide in Rio. Paragliding and hangliding (pictured above) happens off of Pedra Bonita, a mountain above the São Conrado beach. The only thing that kept me occupied enough to ignore the tingling sensation in my legs was taking photos. My carioca friend Karen recommended a wonderful glider she jumped with and after a very short "training" (run, run run, jump, sit!) with him, I took a 1700ft (507m) leap of faith with Rodrigo at the helm.
Oculus to the Sky. Rome, Italy. January 2009.
I studied in Rome the summer of 2003 and returned six years later with my sister Tracie. The Pantheon is on every visitor's 'must see' list and for good reason. Perhaps it's the Libra in me, but I love the Pantheon for its symmetry and balance. The dome was constructed in a way where a perfect sphere would fit underneath it. The distance from the ground to the oculus is 142 ft (43.3 m) and the diameter at the base of the dome is also 142 ft, so you can imagine a giant globe taking up the interior of the building. The oculus is also the main source of natural light and as the sun moves so does the beam, shining a spotlight on various parts of the interior throughout the day. It's beautiful to witness.
Happy Day. Tokyo, Japan. December 2014.
My father and I visited Meiji Jingu on a Sunday and were fortunate enough to catch a few Shinto wedding processions. The procession is led by a priest, two shrine maidens, followed by the couple and their guests. The bride typically wears a white kimono and hood, while the groom is in a black dress robe. Looks a bit more comfortable than a white gown and penguin suit to me.
Somber Stelae. Berlin, Germany. December 2008.
Pictured here is my younger sister Tracie standing on one of the stelaes of the monument. We visited Berlin in December knowing that wintermarkts and glühwein would be unforgettable, however it was monuments like the Holocaust Memorial and Berlin Wall that left the most memorable impressions in the winter.
Howth Harbour. Dublin, Ireland. April 2012.
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I thought I would share a photo from Howth Harbour just outside Dublin. April was a beautiful time to visit Ireland, the weather was cool, but the colors were vibrant. Perfect climate for taking photos that look like they could be postcards.
Brake It Down. San Francisco, CA. March 2015.
This mural caught my eye as I was walking in The Mission district of San Francisco yesterday because of the stark contrast between the two levels. I love how the lettering sits perfectly between the plain and the colorful. The Mission is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city because of the numerous works of public art on display. You cannot turn a corner without seeing a splash of color and lots of character. This is just one of many I captured in my short stroll between a cafe and my BART stop. There will be more to come!