Architecture of Stockholm, Sweden

Posted on 28th January 2015 in architecture

When I arrived in Stockholm in early September all I had was my flip-flops. I had worn holes in my shoes in Budapest and left them on the corner for some lucky soul in need of some red skate shoes.

When I got off the plane, it was cold. Then it rained. My first order of business was to find myself some leather soles.

I think it’s clear in the photographs how brisk the city was, which I really appreciated in it. It led to the clean feeling, the put together, well kempt style of the city. Further, the giant stone buildings, sculptures, and details all around the city made me feel like I was walking along Viking turf.

Nordic.

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comments: 0 » tags: buildings, city, stockholm, sweden

Architecture of Istanbul, Turkey | Part I

Posted on 12th March 2013 in architecture

The summer of 2012 found me in Istanbul, Turkey for a week. I chose Istanbul mostly because I had to leave the Shengen region of Europe which I had been inside of for too long. I found a place to stay for relatively cheap using the amazing services of airbnb.com, but the place was fairly sub-standard to most North American destinations. I would wake up in the morning and shower and there would be a slug on the shower floor, and I won’t even describe the kitchen. However, when you’re on a budget, and all you want is a place to stow your bag and rest at night, these kind of things are perfect. It turned out extra good, as the first night there I met an Australian traveler from Paris named Olivia (of Oh la la livia and Cleopatra’s Bling fame) who was staying in the same place I was. As it turned out, she had also met another Australian on her flight, Tabitha (who takes some pretty cool photographs), who lived in Paris too and was on the same quest as Olivia was. Olivia, being the friendly soul she is asked me if I’d like to join her and Tabitha to one of the Princes Islands, Burgazada I think, the next day, so there’s five photographs in a row, starting with a wood house and ending with an upward glance of a mosque minaret, from the little island. It was actually amazing because the island had very few cars, and most of the transportation was by donkey or walking.  We spent most of the afternoon sitting on a small spit of beach/cement we found at the end of a road alongside a handful of locals who couldn’t keep their eyes off of the two ladies I was with! (I found it a bit amusing and cute, they found it a bit odd and peculiar)

The other photographs are from my wanderings around the city streets. I would usually get up, and just start walking. It was so hot, I’d usually be in a tank top, shorts, and sandals all day. I’d usually leave around 1000 hrs, and get home around 1900 – 2100 hrs.

I particularly love the lighting that would come as the night closed in. It was a certain golden glow and really added to the romanticism of the place.

 

Istanbul - 24082012 (91 of 328) Click here to read more.. »

comments: 0 » tags: city, eastern europe, europe, istanbul, turkey, walking

Architecture of Riga, Latvia | Part 1

Posted on 19th February 2013 in architecture, wandering

I have spent most of my life learning about my families history, or at least one branch of it. Those of you who don’t know me, I’m extremely fascinated with genealogy, and boast a family tree of over 2000 relatives. But, that’s a glory story for another day.

I had the opportunity to visit one of the most mentioned places in that part of my families history, Riga, Latvia, in the summer of 2012, and early fall. It was amazing because due to my family connections, I had many places to see, and was also invited to see many more.

I made two trips there. The first came as a half trip for the Mid-Summer festival I was invited to. Fun times. The second came at the end of my European tour, just after Stockholm, Sweden.

Riga is known around the world for boasting one of the most magnificent displays of Art Nouveau architecture, which I was so lucky to catch on a sunny evening walk. The final photograph is taken inside the Ghetto museum, which has the actual lampposts and cobblestone bricks that were transplanted from the ghetto of Riga, a few blocks away, to the museum. Just remembering the stories I read about it shake me to my very foundation.  This holocaust and WWII history is very tragic and not to be taken lightly, but if you’re interested to read more about it, wikipedia has a page on it.

This is Part I (find Part II here) of a II part exploration of the architecture in Riga.

Well, this is what I saw:

 

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comments: 2 » tags: architecture, buildings, city, eastern europe, europe, ghetto, history, latvia, riga, wwII

Faces of Istanbul, Turkey | Part II

Posted on 17th January 2013 in Street Photography

This is the second installment of Faces of Turkey (Part I is here if you missed it).

I managed to spend a little time on Galata Kpr. and catch an absolutely stunning sunset. This is a very famous bridge where many fisherman gather every day to fish off of, which is then followed by assorted snack sales men and women, followed closely by the tourists all getting their photographs taken and.. well, you’ll see.

One of my most memorable moments is catching the two kids getting bored at their little sidewalk shop and the younger brother had covered his brothers hairy leg with toothpics stuffed into them. He didn’t want me to take a photograph of it, for some reason, and put his hand down to try and stop me from taking it, you can see his younger brother putting his hands up as if to say to his brother “don’t mess it up!” after he had spent a good time stuffing them in there. I laughed at the two of them, and they laughed back.

One of the last photographs on this post is of the road Sıraselviler Caddesi, which heads fairly straight to Galata Kpr. I spent a lot of time walking along this road, as it lead to most places I was going. It is one of the busier streets around, the photograph I have shown is not in it’s busiest time. The bazaar was busier (which I captured in Part I).

Istanbul - 24082012 (304 of 328) Click here to read more.. »

comments: 0 » tags: citizens, city, eastern europe, europe, faces, galata kpr, istanbul, old, people, Sıraselviler Caddesi, street, turkey

Calgary, Alberta

Posted on 15th September 2011 in adventure, architecture, Street Photography, wandering

In the middle of my trip through Rogers Pass, and the Kootneys, I had a few days to kill with Kimberbow in Calgary. So, I did what any photographer would do with blue skies and all day to kill in a beautiful city, took photographs!

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comments: 0 » tags: alberta, calgary, canada, city, photography, street