some more Israel

I’m lucky enough to have been to Israel a few times, now. This winter, I went with my grad. school program. I find that each time I go, part of the connection I feel has to do with the land– and I really enjoy exploring more in depth, and paying attention to details that I might otherwise overlook. I also love that even during the winter in Israel flowers bloom (far less dreary weather-wise than the snow and sludge here!).

 

The day before the program started, I made my own walking tour of Jerusalem. It’s such an interesting city– I find the juxtaposition of very old and very new to be so fascinating (the fact that all the buildings there are made of Jerusalem stone really makes it look even older). The windmill is a mark of Yemin Moshe, the first Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem outside of the old city. It’s so interesting to think of the changed landscape (socially as well as physically). 

 

Montefiori's Windmill

 

dead weed

Israel

It’s a tough time to be in Israel right now. I just returned from a two week trip– even though Israel is in the midst of a terrible war and a political quagmire, it is still such a beautiful country. The next few posts will be photos from Israel in the winter.

Sunset in Acco (Acre)

 

 

View of Beit Lechem (Bethlehem)

 

 

Beans in the Ben Yehuda Market (Jerusalem)

barbed wire and holy sites

 

 

Quebec City

I’ve been to Quebec City twice, each time for Carnival. Think: February. Think: extreme negative temperatures (try -60 with windchill). Think: ice hotel, drinking rum from a weird candy-cane tube, bonhomme, sledding/tubing, maple syrup, and horse drawn sleigh rides. It is basically a winter wonderland. Maybe I should go back in the summer– when you don’t risk freezing your face off! A lot of Quebec City has a very old feel to it, with churches and stone-work buildings.

get me to the church on time

This photo was taken in the Bahamas in 2007. I loved the contrast between the distress on the building (the walls are stained and mossy, and just look rather old) and the crisp blue sky. This photo happened by accident– my friends and I took the $1 bus ride, and meant to head to the beach, but ended up going in a rather large loop around the city. For some reason, we got off the bus (I think there was a grocery store nearby), and were able to see beyond the regular tourist attractions, “handmade art,” neon, and alcohol. 

South Dakota

This image is pretty iconic of South Dakota, where there’s a cowboy kind of vibe. I saw a lot of skulls! It’s a little creepy, looking at the pretty mountain backdrop through a curtain of cow bones, but interesting nonetheless. Unfortunately, it was snowing when we drove through (in June!!!!), and the sky was very gray and overcast. This would have been a really great shot with a nice clear, blue sky. Alas!

Taiwan

 I spent a few weeks in Taiwan in 2004, and was lucky to be able to take a short tour of the country (granted, it is a small country!). I loved how green and mountainous some of the views were. The terrain was thick, lush, and green, and clouds loomed low over the peaks. I didn’t have as much fun at the time, though, especially after trying to walk in that little stream without shoes!

Rain

 

The Grand Canyon after rain

I love how changes in light and atmosphere can so greatly alter the look of a place. This is a picture taken at the Grand Canyon after a very heavy rain. There’s so much mist, and the light is so low, that you can barely recognize this as the Grand Canyon.

From Thailand

 

the view from the top of an elephant

These are a few photos from a trip to Thailand with Jenny. We toured around the country before stopping in Malaysia on our way home on our graduation trip.

 

Women praying at the foot (literally) of a very tall Buddha

Thailand was an absolutely beautiful place to visit. I was constantly bombarded with stunning visuals– lush greenery, high mountain peaks, the hustle and bustle of large cities, old (even ancient) religious sites, gold and gem stylizations. 

 

deep fried roaches, anyone?

Not to mention interesting food options! Although I, as a vegetarian, never ate any meat in Thailand, I was always amazed by cultural differences regarding food. In the US, you would probably never see anybody offering fried maggots. Apparently, though, insects pack a lot of protein for the punch. Personally, though…. no thanks. 

 

I’m sure I’ll post more from Thailand. I took hundreds of pictures there, and this doesn’t even touch the tip of the iceberg.

I won’t lie, this isn’t my first blog…

But it is my first blog meant to share and showcase photography. I’ve been to some cool, strange, and amazing places in my life, and I have a lot of photos from my travels. And they just sit on my hard drive, collecting electronic dust.

Which is silly.

As I keep traveling through life, I’ll post more photos. I will also be posting some retro-photos, if you will, from my past. 

Here’s one to kick this whole thing off with. Vancouver 2006.