Adventures in Amsterdam

Even the graffiti in Amsterdam is charming. This was the first picture I took in the city.


I can't explain this. I was watching out for bikes but I wasn't expected a hoard of rollerbladers. They came out of nowhere and then they were gone. Just like that.


One of my favorite things to do is watch outdoor movies. We caught Rear Window the first night in Vondelpark with a blanket and picnic spread, wine and all. Another outdoor favorite- eating!

Subtitles in Dutch! We kept laughing before everyone else.


For those who've never been to Amsterdam, this is their association. For a newbie, I didn't see the big deal. I just ended up cotton mouthed and had to calm down my at first chatty, then paranoid friend.


and the music! I caught the train to Haarlem for the Jazz Festival. I think I am a Jazz Festival junkie. Montreal is my favorite. But have yet to go to New Orleans.

World famous jazz club- Cafe Alto. No wonder I loved Amsterdam. So many favorite things in one trip.

Beautiful Amsterdam

My first time in Amsterdam and I can't believe I waited so long. I loved it immediately!
So warm, inviting, and so colorful... The people, the weather, the scenery...


I love it that you can travel anywhere you need to go by bike. Though it's not so fun when you're a pedestrian. I don't know how many times I almost got run over by a bike.



or you can travel by canoe! The canals were breathtaking.

Photography as Inspiration

"Photography as inspiration" is taken from a quote by Mira Nair, filmmaker.

Here are some of my feeble attempts to do just that.


In Japan



In Montreal- L'Oratoire St. Joseph. The story is that people would come from all over to be healed by St. Joseph and would no longer need their canes.


Montreal Jazz Fest 2009


Private gallery in Montreal (self portrait)


I was there! at the Inauguration of President Obama...

Le Louvre- then and now

Coming to Paris was especially amazing because I hadn't been back in ten years, since I was backpacking with my friend after we graduated from grad school. It was even more fun taking pictures this time because ten years ago, I didn't have a digital camera. I was lugging around my manual- Pentax K1000 and a disposable pan0ramic camera. I came home from a 2 week trip with over 10 rolls of film.

We also didn't have internet booking for hotels and travel, so we would arrive at each city, with our travel book in hand and call around until we found a place with vacancy. We did this for 4 cities! Not fun.

So here is the Louve ten years ago. I think this was taken with the disposable.



And the Louvre in 2009 with my new digital camera (only my second so far)- Sony Cybershot H20, which I love!! It's a huge upgrade to my old Canon Powershot.

Portals

I have a thing for portals or openings. So inviting and I love the symmetry it offers. I notice that I am drawn to these when taking pictures. It's almost an obsession.

The first two are at Hampton Court Palace.



This is the stupid maze in Hampton Court Palace. I'm mad at it because I got lost (duh, it's a maze) and never even found the center. I only went in because the admission was included with the admission to the Palace.


These are the stairs leading up to Sacre Coeur in Montmarte.

The strong women of Paris

The first thing that strikes me about Europe is the amazing artistry. I especially love how the beauty and strength of women are well portrayed in European art.



I'm not sure this is a female but I was fascinated by it.


This Piety sculpture was inside the church.


One of Degas' dancers in the Musee D'Orsay.


This one is on the rooftop of Musee D'Orsay. It gave me the sense that she is watching over the city.

Guys playing football

This is at the foot of the stairs of Montmarte, Paris. It reminded me of a picture I took in Sevilla, Spain in May 2007. Maybe it will become a theme.

La Tour D'Eiffel! Incredible!

I will let this picture speak for itself...
Not because it's so great, but because I don't remember where it is except that it's in Paris. Actually, I don't even remember that but according to the date, I was in Paris. I guess if I'm to take this seriously, I should take notes? Though sometimes, I just want to take pictures just cause it's pretty or to capture the moment. Maybe that's ok too.

After arriving in Paris, we dropped our stuff at the hotel and then went exploring. First stop was the Eiffel tower. We weren't sure if we were heading in the right direction afterwhile, but then we looked around the corner and saw this!


Then we got closer...
I think I took a million pictures of the Eiffel Tower, but I just couldn't stop. We didn't go up because the line was too long and I didn't want to apy, but I think the best view is of the Tower itself anyway.


When it twinkles, I become struck with fascination like a child. Fireworks have that affect on me also.

London, baby!

I like London better and better with each trip. Actually, I didn't like it much my first time but now I've come to really appreciate it.



This trip, my friend and I arrived in the morning and crossed the Millenium bridge to go to the Globe theater. It was my friend's first time in London, but she recognized the bridge. "This is the bridge that got destroyed in Harry Potter!"


We wanted to go see the matinee of 'As You Like It' at the Shakespeare Globe Theater. We didn't buy tickets in advance, so we were mad at ourselves when they told us it was sold out. However, they have a waiting line for returned tickets and we were able to get two standing tickets that are only 5 pounds each! Much easier than getting tickets for Shakespeare in the Park in NY. We found good standing spots right in front of the stage and didn't mind standing at all. We were both blown away by the performance. We also enjoyed the croque sandwich that they sold right outside.

Once upon a time...

...there was a little girl who loved any type of adventure- big or small. And she made sure to document her adventures along the way because she has a bad memory and needed the mementos. She also enjoys sharing her adventures with fellow explorers.



This is my favorite picture from my trip last year to Kenya- Masai Mara. More pics to come.

I am off to Europe in about 9 hours- starting from London then to Paris then to Amsterdam. From here I begin my blogging adventures with lots of pictures...