Easy Ridin'

I had never ridden on a motorbike before Saturday. Now I know what I have been missing all my life. Hopping on the back of Mr. Lulu's bike was the best $25 I have ever spent. He is part of a group called Easy Riders who take tourists on single day or multiple day trips into the Vietnamese countryside.

I opted just for the day trip to the surrounding areas of DaLat, but the feel of racing across the countryside and through the mountains at 65Km/hr made me definitely rethink the short duration of my trip. We saw coffee fields, flower greenhouses, a silk factory and had to trek down a slippery cliff to a gorgeous waterfall, among other things.

Enjoy below and here!

The Buddha Awaits

When one gazes across the DaLat horizon it is hard to ignore the silhouettes of pure white Buddhas that overlook the city. I am fortunate enough to live in the shadow of one of these icons. The courtyard that accompanies this statue and its pagoda is gorgeous and just as tranquil as one would think it should be.

As my first week in Vietnam is coming to a close my apprehension is lessening, however I am still struggling with lack of activities. I am sure this will be changing in the near future as I start to become more acquainted with the locals. A fellow teacher and I already have a dinner invite with a local family who runs a corner shop this weekend. If I thought I was getting a taste of Vietnam at the cafes, I think I am in for a treat.

Enjoy the trip to the pagoda below and here.

...Still in Transit

About three days and some major time changes later I was finally on my way from Saigon to my final destination, DaLat, Vientam. The 8 hour bus ride was topped off by a seemingly endless Vietnamese variety show that was playing on the huge flat screen which the bus came equipped with. I never knew how much I appreciated my IPod until I endured about 3 hours worth of loud songs in an Asian language.

Needless to say, the countryside was gorgeous and the contrasting scenery was amazing; from a crazy city such as Saigon to the tin roofs that dotted the countryside and the rolling mountains that finally welcomed us to DaLat.

Enjoy a few from Saigon and more from my bus window below and here.

Getting There is 1/2 the Battle

New York > Frankfurt > Singapore > Saigon

This was quite a 30 hour journey and there was nothing better then the amazing massage I treated myself to in the Singapore airport. I have a feeling that normal plane rides are going to be an ooey-gooey piece of cake from now on.

We had a 6 hour layover before our final leg to Vietnam and used the time to explore the Singapore airport. I have never gotten better service then on Singapore Airlines, they made sure we were fat and happy, literally feeding us every 4 hours. We also got socks and a toothbrush! American Airlines with their pay-on-board meals will never be the same again.

Since I am having trouble uploading pics to the blog please enjoy my airport shots here.

It's a Wrap

It's officially 6 days until I leave for Vietnam. There are so many thoughts churning about this new experience that I'm not sure I have the capacity to put them into words. So, in the meantime check out the entirety of my NYC photo-documentary project Seasons of the City - that is if you haven't already. :)

It's all here.

Not Goodbye, Only See You Later

Summer is not my thing. I am a temperate climate kind of girl, therefore Spring and Fall are my Utopian seasons. However, 2009 has granted us NYC residents the most spring-esque summer someone like me could have asked for. My hair wasn't frizzy, I didn't break a sweat walking from the office to the subway and I could enjoy a day of sun in the park without feeling like a piece of overcooked bacon.


This was just the icing on the cake of my amazing summer and irony struck when it all ended the day I left. My last day in the city I decided to head down to the Lower East Side, Alphabet City to be exact, to capture some of the real New York. The place that, during the day, is just out of reach of tourists, club-goers and bar-hoppers. Needless to say I sacrificed some sweat for my craft, but it was all worth it. Especially when the last image my camera saw of NYC was the urban beauty of the elusive empty subway car.


I think that was a fitting end to a great chapter. Enjoy the last of the Seasons of the City below and here.

Seasons of a New City

While in San Antonio this weekend for Air Force BMT graduation I only found it fitting to let my camera see some of the sights as well. From the little I saw outside the base, San Antonio seemed to be a great city. It had an old-world feel with well-placed touches of modern.

It was amazing to see the brand new Airman who I've been missing for the past 2 months. Unfortunately though, it seems like goodbye is a trend during these past 2 weeks. Now I'm just waiting on the countdown to Vietnam! Only 15 more days and I'm going to be thanking my lucky stars for Skype.

It's true that everything is bigger in Texas. Enjoy below and here.

Trespassing

The use of color in photography is what intrigues me the most. We are surrounded by so many brilliant shades and it's so easy to take them for granted. Sight is a wonderful gift and capturing this city has made me appreciate it so much.

Each place I visit has such a unique and diverse palate - I am so intrigued about what Asia will present. No where have I been more aware of color surrounding me then at 5 Pointz in Queens. Every time I take the 7 train I catch a glimpse of this graffiti park, staring longingly at it's photographic potential.

Potential transformed into my favorite NYC city shoot, and this graffiti had some stiff competition. Enjoy below and here.

The Beginning of the End

Tomorrow is my final day at work and my last full day in New York City. How will it be to say goodbye to the city that has stolen my heart? The same as it will be to bid adieu to those people who have done likewise.

Although I am having a hard time getting enough of the sights and sounds of this amazing city, another adventure awaits and I must jump in feet first. However, adventure can certainly wait until I capture the urban lunch-time beauty of 9th Avenue. See below and the rest here.