Havana Cuba cars
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The Old Vintage Cars of Havana

The first thing everyone notices immediately when they land in Havana are the vintage, pre-revolutionary American cars. 1950s Chevys, Fords and Oldsmobiles are everywhere. In fact, there is an estimated 60,000 vintage cars in Cuba. But seeing them everywhere in Havana felt like stepping into a scene of “Midnight in Paris”. It was surreal. It was like stepping back in time.

Havana Cuba cars

In its heyday before the Cuban revolution, Cuba was a huge importer of American cars. All this came to an end when the US embargo struck Cuba allowing nothing from American soil to be imported into the island, including spare parts to fix and maintain the cars.

Desperate to find parts to maintain their beloved vehicles, Cubans began refurbishing parts from the former Soviet Union and also used their creativity to care for their beloved cars, often sacred in the family. Some Cubans have made their own replacement parts or have even used common household items to keep their vintage cars running. 

Havana Cuba cars

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flowering trees
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Springtime in the Desert

This week’s Photo Challenge is to celebrate Spring in photos. Sadly, here in Minnesota we have had the wettest April in 130 years and our Spring is very far behind. We don’t even have leaves on the trees yet nor do we have our gorgeous spring flowers. Instead of lamenting on how awful the last six months of weather has been here in the nordic Midwest, I thought I’d share some beautiful photos from our Spring break trip in early April to Tucson, Arizona.

Springtime in the desert is one of the most beautiful places to be. If you have never been to the Southwest before in the spring, it may sound ironic that spring inside a desert can be green. Yet Arizona experiences a beautiful, green spring with tons of rebirth, brilliant flowering plants, trees and cactus, and song birds from all over the place heading north for the summer. It is a wonderful time to visit Arizona.

Here are some of the lovely Spring photos I took during our recent visit to Tucson. You will see that it is the perfect time to visit!

Cactus are budding and blooming…

Desert Cactus buds

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Annapurna Trek, Nepal
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On Top of the World at Nepal’s Thorung-La

I will never forget the moment I was on top of the world. I was trekking around the Annapurna through the world’s largest pass – Thorung La. We rose in darkness and anticipation of our two-hour ascent up to the highest point of our Himalayan hike, the pass at Thorung La at an intimidating 17,769 feet (5,416 m). 

We had spent a sleepless freezing cold night at Thorung Base Camp to acclimatize before our morning ascent. I remember being so utterly cold during the night in our barren, unheated room that I emptied every single item of dirty clothing out of my pack and slept in everything I had along with three wool blankets. Unfortunately I was still frozen to the bone and could hardly sleep that night due to the high altitude and apprehension about the next day.

Would I be ok? Would I get altitude sickness? Would I make it to the top? These were all the worries and concerns that were racing through my restless mind and keeping me up in the middle of the cold, dark night.

Annapurna Trek, Nepal

Our last day-long hike up to the top of Thorung La Pass in Nepal.

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The Gargoyles on top On top The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris
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The Best Monuments in Paris

Paris is my favorite city in the world. I love the sensational architecture, stunning monuments, fabulous culture and endless restaurants and outdoor cafes. I spent six months living in The City of Light in my early twenties as a university student studying abroad and have been to Paris several times ever since. Somehow, her grandeur never fades nor her ability to completely blow me away like no place else.

The history of Paris utterly intrigues me and can be found everywhere along her streets.  Each turn around a corner reminds you of Paris’ magnificent past and each monument marks a particular moment in time that made Paris who she is today: A vibrant, beautiful city that never seems to sleep.

Last April, I was back in Paris on a trip with my mother and sister, and I had the opportunity to capture many updated photos of this phenomenal place. Here are some of my favorite monuments that will always remind me of Paris.

The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris

The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris

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Plaza de la Catedral Havana
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Sunrise in Old Havana’s Plaza de la Catedral

One of the downfalls of taking an organized tour to Cuba (the only legal way for Americans to go) is that unfortunately there is not a lot of free time. Per the restrictions imposed by the US Treasury Department, Americans must spend the entire day doing people-to-people meetings. If you don’t attend one of the meetings, the US tour operator can loose their license. Our meetings began at 9 am and typically didn’t end until after dinner around 9 or 10 pm. Therefore, the only way to branch off on your own meant either early in the morning, during an occasional afternoon break or after dinner.

We had toured spectacular Old Havana on our first full day in Cuba after a morning presentation by a top Cuban architect, however, by the time we arrived it was mobbed. I got tons of photos but knew that I’d have to go back and explore on my own. I had read in my guide book that the best time of day in Old Havana is sunrise. A time when the hordes of camera-clad tourists are still in bed after a late night drinking rum and dancing salsa. A time when only the locals are out and about slowly starting their day.

I hailed a cab from my hotel, The Meliá Cohiba in Vedado and was in Old Havana at the Plaza de Catedrale by 7 am. When I arrived, there was not a soul there except me. Imagine my utter delight to have the entire square to myself. Indeed it was a delicious reward for dragging my tired body out of bed at 6:30 am on vacation.

Plaza de la Catedral Havana

Sunrise over Old Havana

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Street Photography Havana
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Street Life in Old Havana

Havana is a phenomenal place for street photography. The once elegant mansions in various states of decay and renovation, the colorful people and attire, and the never-ending photo opportunities could leave you snapping shots all day long.

In fact, there are few places (besides Paris and Antigua, Guatemala) that I’ve found so incredibly photogenic as I did in Old Havana. I could have spent days there just walking the winding streets and taking pictures of every day life. To catch of glimpse of the colors, sounds and feel of Old Havana, check out this collection of street shots below. I hope you enjoy!

Street Photography Havana

 

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Fusterlandia Havana Cuba
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A Look into Cuban José Fuster’s Fantasyland Fusterlandia

One of the true joys of going on a people-to-people tour in Cuba was the fascinating look inside the real life and culture of Cubans. Our first cultural visit occurred on the very day we arrived in Havana after a charter flight from Miami that morning. We were met at the airport by our fabulous, charismatic Cuban guide Abel, and taken to see the work and community art of Cuba’s most celebrated ceramic artist, José Rodriguez Fuster, at his outdoor ceramic fantasyland “Fusterlandia”.

A step inside “Fusterlandia” is like taking a walk inside a Disneyland of art. The entire community surrounding José Fuster’s studio and home is decorated in Fuster’s unique style of mixing painting and ceramic and it is utterly surreal.

Fusterlandia Havana Cuba

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Men Washing in the Street Delhi
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Juxtaposition: A Photo Essay

jux·ta·po·si·tion
noun
  • the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.”the juxtaposition of these two images”

This week’s photo challenge is one of my absolute favorites: Juxtaposition. As a traveler, we often see juxtaposition wherever we look. Contrasting and even sometimes confusing images appear that make us open our minds and think. In fact, juxtaposition is a great way of teaching us about the world around us and how other cultures are similar and different than our own.

Following is a compilation of some of my most favorite intriguing images I’ve captured that have lead me to question and ponder on the meaning.

India

Men Washing in the Street Delhi

Men Washing

selling flowers

Selling flower in the slum

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Windows in Provence, France
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Windows of the World

“Better keep yourself clean and bright. You are the window through which you must see the world.” – George Bernard Shaw

Like doors, I find windows to be a fascinating photography subject. While doors can be rather mysterious making one wonder what exists behind them, windows offer a glimpse occasionally into another world. Here is a look at some of my favorite windows I’ve photographed around the world.

Peru

Windows in Peru

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The One and Only Magic Kingdom

There is no one place on earth more magical in the eyes of a child than Disney’s Magical Kingdom. Awash in a fantasy land of every princess, prince and famous Disney character and ride awaits a place that proudly earns the phrase “Where all your dreams come true”.

As an avid normally off the beaten path kind of traveler, Disney World is not exactly on the list. It is very crowded, very expensive and over the top. Yet, as we are passing through Orlando on our way South for a family cruise it was now or never.

I will be honest in admitting that I still remember my favorite rides from over 30 years ago when we drove all the way from Minnesota in our station wagon to Florida. So yes it must be true that in the eyes of a child Disney is pure, simple magic and one of a kind.

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This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: One. To see more entries click here.

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Annapurna trail, Nepal
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The Community of Hiking

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”  — John Muir


 

One of the best things about hiking is the community of people that you meet. Many of the trips are unforgettable not only due to the gorgeous scenery but to the amazing companions you meet along the way. Talking to people from different backgrounds is what makes life more interesting and there is no better way to build a friendship and a community than by taking a hike together. Here are some of my favorite communities I’ve met through the various journeys I’ve taken along the way. Each person I’ve met has impacted me with laughter, joy, compassion and storytelling.

Argentina: 

We met a wonderful couple from Italy on their honeymoon at Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. Here we are at the end of a spectacular day hiking returning to El Chalten, a tiny outpost in the middle of nowhere.

Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Nepal:

We spent two weeks trekking with our two Nepalese guides. Lots of laughs along the way and good times at night playing cards over an ice cold beer. So many memories of this special time we shared together.

Annapurna trail, Nepal

Walking along the Annapurna Trail with a local Monk.

Walking along the Annapurna Trail with a local Monk.

The Machu Picchu hiking group at “The Bar in the Clouds”

Our entire group indulged in probably too many Cusquenas on the last day of our trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Yet we had a fabulous time for our last night together.  I can’t think of any other bar in the world with a view as amazing and special as this one!

France:

During a six day trek throughout Vanoise National Park we were never short of meeting new friends along the way. Evenings were always the most fun!

Vanoise National Park

Vanoise National Park

Picnic lunch

China:

And how could I ever forget this photo? I had just reached the top of the Great Wall of China and this fun-loving group of Chinese girls invited me as the alien blond intruder to be in their photo with them! How could I refuse?

Great Wall of China

Guatemala:

Then there was the early morning climb up the sacred Santa Maria Volcano where the local Mayans go to pray. A huge community of them were on the top chanting and picnicking watching the neighboring volcano erupt into steam.

Xela, Guatemala

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Community. To view more entries, click here. 

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Arizona Sky

I found some remaining pictures from my recent visit to the Sonoran desert of Arizona. Every night, the sunsets are magical and unique. It is my most favorite time of day and so insanely peaceful that all my worries seem to fade away with each brilliant ray of light and color splashed across the sky.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science”. – Albert Einstein

Sunset over Sahuaro

“When you focus on the goodness in your lives, you create more of it.” – Oprah Winfrey

Arizona Sky

“Don’t wait for the last judgment – it takes place every day.” – Albert Camus

Arizona SkyAnd finally the last drops of light disappear beyond the horizon…

Arizona Sky

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