Why I Travel: Because I Love Places of Transit

From Photo Class

Airports. Train stations. Subway systems. Ferry ports. These places fascinate me. I love the comings-and-goings, the people-watching, the hubbub of movement as travelers board, disembark and hurry on their ways. This weekend my sister and I went to see Up in the Air. Some of my favorite scenes were in the various airports. I liked trying to identify the different terminals I'd been through.

From Sydney

Next time you're in an airport or train station, take a moment to observe how such hubs of transport portray themselves to the people passing through. From the architecture to the tchotchkes for sale in the knick-knack shops, I believe you can learn a lot about what locals value and want to share with visitors. The train station in Cambridge, England is positively swamped with bicycles outside. The subway system in Prague is like a city-wide art exhibit. And at 8am every day at the central train station in Bangkok, they play the national anthem while everyone in the station faces a giant portrait of the King and all hustle and bustle halts.

I just love soaking this stuff up.

From Cambridge

From Czech Republic

From Bangkok

It's best when there's a little humor involved:

From London 2007

Between my work and personal travel, I spend a lot of time in airports, so it's a good thing I enjoy them. And it's a good thing I don't get flustered by all the frenetic activity at such places, as most of my travel mishaps have happened at airports or train stations:

2003: got separated from my friends on a train in Italy, ended up in Milan instead of Venice
2007: detained in Heathrow for describing my job as "unemployed" (stupid, stupid. I should have at least said "freelance designer")
2009: purchased a non-existent LAN flight from Lima to Cusco and thus had my hopes to see Machu Picchu dashed, but got to spend a lot of extra time in the Lima airport
2009: forgot to register for an electronic visa to Australia until I checked in for my flight

I tend to collect "oops" moments in such places. At least I can get some good people-watching in while addressing the issue.

Which is it? Exit? Or No Exit? From Sydney

Why I Travel: To Take Advantage of Amazing Subject Material and Improve My Photography Skills

A trip is a great excuse to take pictures because, really, how can you resist capturing memories when the Eiffel Tower/Reclining Buddha/Sydney Opera House is the backdrop? Not only do such landmarks make great subjects, but so do fellow travelers. The adventures, foreign cultures and genial camaraderie combine to make people more open to being in photos.

As I take more photos, I continue to learn how my camera works and how to capture a great shot. I have also had the pleasure of meeting and traveling with other photo nuts who impart tips and tricks that make me a better photographer.

My recent scuba adventure provided me the chance to try underwater photography for the first time. It was equal parts challenging and exhilarating. As if I needed another excuse to go diving again, now I hunger for the chance to take my camera beneath the waves again.

The Bride

...oh, and a bit more alcohol.

From Laura & Gino's Wedding Reception

Cafe

I'm slowly going through the process of uploading my pictures. One of the detriments to taking 1,200+ pics is that then I spend way too much time sorting through them to pick the best shot. And one of the curses of knowing my way around Photoshop is that I also want to touch up and color correct every picture I post. I've tried to limit myself to Photoshopping only a handful of pics. Here are a few of my favorites. More still TK.

Peruvian espresso. From Around Lima

Enjoying said espresso. From Around Lima

On the rocky beach. From Around Lima

Entering Detox Mode

Oh the irony of that previous post. After I gushed about the joy of travel, I managed to sustain one of the most disappointing travel experiences of my life: I missed the opportunity to see Machu Picchu. There are details I'm still trying to figure out, but right now it looks like the LAN flight I purchased to Cusco (the small town where people start their journey to the breathtaking Inca ruins) never actually existed. It was some kind of glitch in the computer system at the moment I purchased my online ticket. LAN, the airline company, hasn't said as much, but they put up no fight when I requested a full refund for my round-trip tickets, claiming that the time had been changed for my flight and I was never notified. The interesting thing is, the LAN timetable is quite consistent. Every day in January, the latest flight to Cusco is 15:00. My flight was supposedly scheduled for 16:45. Other details just don't jive, and I'm hoping it will support my case for a full reimbursement for the costs of the tour and hotel I had booked. I'm not holding my breath, and it'll probably take a bit of a fight (they're not answering my emails so far), but I'm not going to give up without trying. After all, no reimbursement can replace the wondrous experience I missed out on because of their error.

Overall, though, this was a fabulous trip. Much needed. It had been 15 months since my passport had been inked by an immigration officer, and I think it (read: me) was feeling a little restless. Oh, it was a great trip. People think I'm an odd one for taking trips like these on my own when I don't really know the people I'll be meeting up with. But I love getting to know new people. And besides, when it's a well-oiled meeting (read: plenty of alcohol), the ability to make new friends is infinitely easier. A couple of pisco sours (the local Peruvian drink of choice) and everyone's out salsaing on the dance floor with their 20 best friends.

The Dance floor. From New Year's Eve Peru

To give you a sense of how much alcohol was consumed, I kept a loose tally of what I drank during the week...and I was the lightweight of the group. I'll preface this by saying that everyone was safe, no one drove and no one (that I heard of) ended the nights hugging the toilet.

Empty glasses. From New Year's Eve Peru

Here's my week in drinks:

Champagne
Champagne
Rum & Coke
Rum & Coke
Champagne
Pisco shot
Rum & Coke
Pisco shot (I think this was a half a shot...Gino knew I was nearing the end of my night)
1/2 bottle of Pilsen beer
Cusqueña beer
Champagne
Champagne
Hazelnut/coffee drink thing
Strawberry pisco sour
Maracuya sour (passion fruit-flavored pisco sour)
Maracuya sour
Maracuya sour
Cusqueña
Pisco shot (small)
Maracuya sour
Maracuya sour
Rosé wine
Rosé wine
White wine
Maracuya sour
Cusqueña
Maracuya sour
Malbec
in-flight red wine (Lima - San Salvadore)
in-flight red wine (San Salvadore - LAX)

I will repeat again: I was the light drinker of the week. All those pisco sours (well, the passion fruit-flavored pisco sours) with the white of a raw egg in each one might have been the contributor to my digestive issues at the end of the week. Oh well. The sacrifices one makes for a good time...

Pilsen Beer (one of the local faves) and some salsa. From New Year's Eve Peru

I have to sort through my 1,200+ pictures. Hopefully I'll post those by the weekend. To hold you over for the rest, I've provided a few previews from the New Year's Eve Party.

The Bride (Laura), her mom (Cheryl) and her sister (Shannon) ring in the New Year. From New Year's Eve Peru

More Viviane at Christmas

From Viviane Christmas 2008

Christmas Cheer

Yeah, yeah. I'll get around to posting a real post soon.

From Viviane Christmas 2008

Election Reflection

From Election Night 2008

I’m a bit delayed with this post. Then again, what better time to discuss the election outcome than on the day designed for the whole nation to take time to give thanks?

I vividly remember where I was when Barrack Obama first entered the national stage. It was just a couple days before my mom and I moved to Arizona to join my dad. We were in a neighbor’s living room to watch that night's Democratic National Convention speeches, and I was standing toward the back of the room. I remember being enraptured by his keynote speech, his presence on that stage. (Watch that speech in full here.) A year later, when Obama came to Tempe to stump for Senate candidate Jim Pederson, I knew I had to be there. The crowd seemed huge then (read my account here), but by the standards he set this past election, it was downright intimate, and I was able to press my way to the front to shake his hand and say, “Thank you for all your hard work, Senator.” Five years ago I wrote up a list of things I want to do before I die (a “bucket list” before they were called that), and near the top of the list is “Meet the President”. I’m half-tempted to check that off thanks to my fleeting connection with our now President-Elect, but I have a greater hope that our brief contact is only a foretaste of a future meeting.

A girl can hope, right?

From Election Night 2008

On election night, I had a few friends over to watch the results roll in. When the election was called in favor of Obama, I expected the tears to flow like they had when I watched Michelle Obama speak at this year’s convention, like they had when Barrack graciously accepted the nomination. But somehow the tears didn’t come this time. I think by then it felt so natural, he looked so Presidential, the tears seemed better fitting for Jesse Jackson and Oprah. The only thing that flowed at our watch party was the bubbly, and that was quite sufficient.

From Election Night 2008

In short, on this day of Thanksgiving, I add this to my list of things for which I am grateful:

I am thankful for the inspiration Barrack Obama has brought to our country.

PS - I'm also very thankful for my sister, Ally, whose birthday is today! Love ya, Sis!

Slowly catching up

I'm going to try to catch up over the next few days with pictures and thoughts from the past month or two. First, a couple pictures from Megan & Jon's visit:

Real men drink strawberry milkshakes

From Megan & Jon Visit Phoenix

Megan!

From Megan & Jon Visit Phoenix

We had fun

From Megan & Jon Visit Phoenix

Recent snapshots

Megan and Jon get into town tomorrow (today, I guess). Hijinx will ensue. In the meantime, enjoy these pics from scattered events throughout the end of summer/beginning of fall.

Viviane might be up to something here...

From General Arizona Fun 2008

Melissa gets some lovin' from Max, the newest pup in town

From General Arizona Fun 2008

Trying to play with Max & Bandit. They were probably too busy nipping at each other to pay Viviane much attention.

From General Arizona Fun 2008

A client's kitty.

From General Arizona Fun 2008

I love this shot of Juma.

From General Arizona Fun 2008

Downtown Phoenix can be simply beautiful on the rare day that there's no brown cloud

From General Arizona Fun 2008

Juma again

From General Arizona Fun 2008

CoMo Photos

Finally, here's a few more pics from Columbia. Link to the albums is at the end. Enjoy!


Indulging in a Missouri staple: Toasted Ravioli!

From Return to Mizzou

I did a lot of walking in these shoes to, from and around campus. Gotta love a pair of comfy AND stylish kicks!

From Return to Mizzou

I spotted Margaret!

From Tiger Game Day (vs. Univ. Nevada)

Matt can't say no to classic stadium food

From Tiger Game Day (vs. Univ. Nevada)

Group shot

From Tiger Game Day (vs. Univ. Nevada)

Truman!

From Tiger Game Day (vs. Univ. Nevada)

Return to Mizzou

Tiger Game Day (vs. Univ. Nevada)

Old Missouri, Fair Missouri

Here are a few more teaser pics. Hopefully Friday I'll get the rest uploaded to write out some captions. In the meantime, enjoy!

From Return to Mizzou

Shakey's! Please ignore the silly expression on my face. I was in frozen custard bliss right then.

From Return to Mizzou

Dan snaps a shot of Matt & Elise in one of the amazing new RJI rooms.

From Return to Mizzou

Trying to look cute. It's amazing how many practice shots it took until I got something decent.

From Return to Mizzou

This one's for Pat.

From Return to Mizzou

Good ol' Lee Hills Hall.

From Return to Mizzou

My freshman year dorm room. This is where it all began.

From Return to Mizzou

Dinner with the Daugherties!

From Return to Mizzou

The new Mizzou Arena

Family Fotos

I finally finished putting together my online album from last weekend's family reunion. Below are a few of my favorite pics, in addition to the ones in previous posts. There's an abbreviated version of the album if you follow this link.


Wade wanted to play cards with the big kids


Casey goes after the volleyball


We took a fun hike to Sprague Lake for a picnic


Amend cattle were once branded with the "UIU" brand. We "branded" the younger kids to show that they carry the Amend brand on their hearts.

View all the pictures here:

Amend Family Reunion 2008