Snazzy Snaps & Travel Tales
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Belgrade Street Art Movement
It’s almost impossible to not notice the Vegan street art around Belgrade. The cute and colorful characters and the simple slogans are brilliant. I’m NO VEGAN, and I’m not planning to GO VEGAN, but I do appreciate a movement and I love street art.
It’s almost impossible to not notice the proliferation of GO VEGAN street art around Belgrade. The cute and colorful characters and the simple slogans are brilliant. I’m NO VEGAN, and I’m not planning to GO VEGAN, but I do appreciate a movement and I love street art.
Friend, Not Bacon.
Friend, Not Omelette.
We Are Not Food.
My Tits, My Milk.
I’m not sure who is behind this campaign. Couldn’t find much info online about it. But, kudos to the artists that came up with it! Once you see them, you can’t un-see them. They’re everywhere!
Belgrade is certainly not the only city to see Vegan street art. Here is a Tumblr dedicated to Vegan street art around the world.
I found this interesting article about someone who painted VEGAN over a McDonald’s mural in Huntington Beach, California. This is NOT cool. Don’t paint over a beautiful mural. Make your art on a random wall. But don’t paint over someone else’s piece, even if it is a Mickey-D’s mural.
In my opinion, graffiti is a beautiful thing. I’ve seen some amazing street art around the world on this trip! Each city has its own style. Belgrade has some phenomenal artists, like this one who does these black and white portraits of important political and historical figures. This piece is quite controversial. It features Bosnian Serb anarchist, Gavrilo Princip, who assassinated the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and essentially started WWI.
Buenos Aires has the most impressive collection so far (Read my previous post about it) I love cities like BA, and Venice CA, where street art is not only accepted, but celebrated and encouraged. It can turn a decaying city into a colorful, tropical concrete jungle.
Street art is a powerful medium that can be a catalyst for social movements.
I’m sure we will see some politically motivated street art emerge over the next few years in the U.S.
Curious to see what people come up with…
Chasing Croatian Waterfalls - Pt 2
Round 2: Krka National Park. Plitvice was pretty, but I had heard good things about Krka. Krka is literally on the way back from Plitvice, right off the E65. So, I set out and took my time getting down there.
Round 2: Krka National Park. Plitvice was pretty, but I had heard good things about Krka. Krka is literally on the way back from Plitvice, right off the E65. So, I set out and took my time getting down there.
I left Plitvice without eating breakfast so it was serendipitous that I spotted a cheese stand at a cute little farm not far from where I was staying!
They were selling several varietals of cheese---I opted for the smoked cow cheese, 20 Kuna worth. (~$2.90 USD. Not bad!)
Started driving, and takin' hunks off the wedge. But, as delicious as it was, I couldn’t eat that much of it. At least it held me over until I could get to a real lunch spot and get some pizza, aka, more cheese.
Driving down, I had one of those emotional road trip moments, where you realize how beautiful the world is, and you just wish everyone could be with you in the moment to experience it. Croatia is a gorgeous country. I hesitate to compare it to one particular US state, because it feels like a combo of many.
I stopped on the side of the road a couple times. The Croatian countryside was lookin’ fine and I wanted to remember it.
Finally, got to Krka National Parks.
Right outside I saw signs for warthog crossing, and I wondered if I’d run into a bunch of Pumbas? No sight of ‘em---or smell of ‘em though.
Got my ticket to Krka and set out on the path. Another wooden trail, icy blue to emerald green crystal clear water and more small waterfalls EVERYWHERE.
Check out this barista-inspired river froth:
Krka is a bit smaller than Plitvice. Actually, it’s a lot smaller. BUT, pound for pound, it might be better because of the finale. The end of the trail is spectacular, and the end of the Plitvice trail felt a little anti-climactic.
Get this---in the summer, you can actually swim in the final falls area! Not in the fall though.
Did you know that I’m super lucky? I was born on 7-11-77, which is naturally lucky. Sometimes, this luck is dumb. Like when I was taking this video and a fish jumped out of the falls! Check out the 0:35 mark of the video to see a special moment.
This is me, proud of the fish I just caught.
In case you missed it, here is a close up:
One thing I learned in Igauzu Falls --- where there are waterfalls, there are rainbows. You just have to find the angles. Found ‘em.
And, be on the lookout, I was taking photos near this cement wall and realized I was hanging out with many insect friends that look like ladybugs but are not. They are "firebugs". Cuties.
It only took me about an hour to get through the Krka trails. They were gorgeous! Better angles than Plitvice. The sun wasn’t always blaring in the background.
If you ever make it to Croatia, and only have one National Park in you, I’d take in Krka. Plitvice is bigger, and has more variety, but Krka is a tighter package. The colors are stunning.
Next up---chasing waterfalls in Malaysia! Sunday is the day!
Chasing Croatian Waterfalls - Pt 1
Croatia is home to some wicked waterfalls in: Plitviče Lakes National Park, and Krka National Park. I set out on a solo adventure and it was very nostalgic. It’s fall in Croatia and the leaves were changing color. The foliage reminded me of the US...a little...
Croatia is home to some wicked waterfalls in: Plitviče Lakes National Park, and Krka National Park. I set out on a solo adventure and it felt very nostalgic! It’s fall in Croatia and the leaves were changing color. The foliage reminded me of fall in the US (a little bit).
The drive up to Plitvice is ~2.5 hours. I was cruising up the freeway doing 140 (km/hr), and the weather was perfect! I was thinking how easy the trip was going and how happy I was to be on the road again.
Until, the freeway suddenly...just...CLOSED.
Apparently, there were severely high winds and it's not safe to drive on E65 in these conditions. The problem was, my SIM Card was broken and I had no way of looking up directions. I DID have an old-school GPS, but it kept re-routing me onto the freeway.
I drove up to the tollbooth and asked for directions. She rattled off a series of directions in her limited Croatian-English and I barely caught anything except: “You must take the OLD road”.
But how is one to know where the old road is…?
Drove around, back and forth in the middle of the Croatian countryside. And I realized:
1. There are far worse places to get lost than Croatia! I was near some gorgeous lakes, with red and orange trees and big mountains in the background. Croatia is beautiful! I decided to stop and take some pics.
2. It is well past my pizza time. Croatia is near Italy and they are proud of their pizza. I must stop and fill the tank.
Stopping for pizza was helpful, as they tried pointing me in the right direction. But, I still got lost again. Finally stopped at a tollbooth for a second time and asked them to type directions into my phone.
I finally found the old road. Arrived at my AirBnB around 8pm. The trip was supposed to take ~2.5 hours. Instead it took ~7 hours. Oh well, I made it!
Plitvice Lakes National Park is pretty big. It is a series of 16 lakes that are connected by a wooden hiking trail and a series of waterfalls. It’s not the type of thing where you hike for a while to get to the ONE waterfall. There are several different hiking trails with MANY small waterfalls and lakes. I chose the H route, which takes ~4-6 hours to get through. This is the start of the H route---as you can see the lakes are crystal clear!
BTW, Plitvice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see why it is protected---it's wondrous.
And, it was a beautiful fall day for a hike.
Unfortunately, I think going in the afternoon was a mistake. It seemed like every awesome waterfall had the sun right behind it, which killed my photography game.
Maybe it would have been better to go in the am? But I had worked until 5am the night before and then woke up around 10ish. (This job is getting in the way of my sightseeing) :] That being said, here are the best of the shots I took:
Plitvice Lakes are gorgeous. It was a breath of fresh air to be in the woods during foliage season, especially after all the urban living the past 8 months. Plitvice is no Iguazu Falls, (the best waterfalls I've ever seen) but it is a beautiful experience!
Next up, in Pt 2 --- Krka National Park! Stay tuned...
Serbia's Church of Saint Sava
The Serbs love them some Saint Sava! As I’ve written in a previous post, St Sava is one of the most important figures in Serbian history. And the Church of Saint Sava is one of the most treasured structures in the city. She is a beaut! (from the outside)
The Serbs love them some Saint Sava! As I’ve written in a previous post, St Sava is one of the most important figures in Serbian history (Serbian Prince, Orthodox Monk, enlightened teacher & author, etc).
And the Church of Saint Sava is one of the most treasured structures in the city. She is a beaut! Especially with all that white marble, and immaculate detailing.
Also, Saint Sava Temple is one of the biggest church buildings in the world. It ranks up there.
Interestingly, the interior of the church is still under construction. There is scaffolding set up, and while some of the windows look really nice, it is very much unfinished.
It's bizarre because the outside is so stunning! There aren't really any seats or anything. But, there are still a couple areas set up for worship and prayer.
I can only imagine what the inside will look when it is finished, especially if they put as much love and care as they did with the outside. Supposedly a lot of the interior decor will feature mosaics. (thumbs up emoji)
Here are some photos of the temple as the sun is setting.
Saint Sava Temple is a most impressive sight! I really enjoyed the peacefulness and tranquility of the church grounds. Even as there were kids scootering around and street vendors pedaling ice cream and souvenirs.
2 and a half words for Serbia, "Get-er done!" I wanna see your inside shine like the outside. See you soon, Saint Sava Temple!
Looking Back at London
I loved London. Maybe it's because it felt 'safe' after 4 months in South America? Or, maybe it's because I'm a Sherwood, and my ancestors are British? But, I loved it, and felt quite at home there. Sadly, I did not spend much time there, as I did 3 weekend side trips. But, the time I was there was lovely and here's a long overdue recap of some of the highlights!
I loved London! Maybe it's because it felt 'safe' after 4 months in South America? Or, maybe it's because I'm a Sherwood, and my ancestors are British? Either way, I loved it and felt quite at home there. Sadly, I wasn't there much, as I did 3 weekend side trips (Wales, Paris, Edinburgh). But, the time I was there was lovely. So, here's a long overdue recap of some of the highlights!
Looking back, I did not do much sightseeing and the majority of my time in London was spent in the Tube (aka London’s public train system). I traveled during the weekends but during the week, I commuted into the RY co-working space: the Collective: Bedford.
The workspace was really cool, and I dug the vibe. It was right by the British Museum in a cool area of London, not far from SoHo. I would usually get off the Tube one stop early, (Oxford Street) because I liked the vibe of Ox St! It must have been the flags and banners.
Or, maybe it was the cool street performers doing my favorite Justin Bieber song?
The commute to the office was ~50 - 55 minutes. The London Tube is the most intricate train system I've seen, although probably not as crazy as NYC. Thank God for the CityMapper app! Here is a video of us walking the Tube hallways on my birthday:
And, us riding the Tube on my birthday:
Lots of time spent at Tube stations:
Lots of views like this:
And people like this:
One night, I was craving wings. I found a BBQ joint named Bodean's. Not only did they have fantastic wings, but the ribs, brisket, burnt tips, etc, were top notch! Great to find a strong BBQ place.
London has one of the best geotag filters on Snapchat. Love this teacup one:
I've already written about my experience at the Tate Modern Museum, but here is a video of the awesome views from the top floor:
My last night in London was amazing. Finally met up with one of my friends from LA, (formerly LA, she has been living in London for almost a year), Jena Mihalovic.
Jena picked the restaurant, this trendy spot called the "Sketch Gallery". Sketch has multiple rooms, and each one is decorated uniquely by the British artist David Shrigley. We dined in The Gallery, which was incredibly cool. Love the sketch drawings on the walls and the tall ceilings.
The food was fantastically weird. Most of the dishes had ice cream with it. But, it would be a small scoop of mushroom ice cream or some strange concoction. I loved everything!
One funny feature of Sketch is the uber-hip bathroom setup, featuring futuristic "pods" to do your business in. It's funny to see so many people taking photos in the bathroom. I was one of them.
That was a perfect final night for a fun month. Thanks to Jena for picking the perfect place and sending me off right!
I'd love to go back to London and spend more quality time there! I'm sure I'll be back.
Side note: I’m way behind on photos and blogging. I’ve been working hard all summer and have had a hard time keeping up with balancing work and sharing my travel experience! But I am trying to catch up. I just posted the best of my London pics to Facebook. Check em out here.
Stay tuned for more! I will catch up!
Prague Film Project: Princess
My friend and fellow Remote: Patrick is making one short film per month of Remote Year. As an experiment in Prague, he invited us all to pitch a story idea. I wrote 3 ideas and he chose 1. Here is a behind the scenes look at: "Princess".
My friend Patrick, aka Pootee the Explorer is making 1 short film per month of Remote Year. (You may recall I was an actor in his Bolivia: Salt Flat People film) As an experiment in Prague, he opened the plot to anyone who wanted to pitch a story. I wrote 3 ideas and he chose 1 to make into a short film.
I wrote a short and simple concept, and then Patrick took the ball and ran with it.
He side stepped out of the backfield, bowled over some defensive lineman, juked a couple linebackers out of their jockstraps, stiff armed a corner, did a 360 spin around the free safety and high stepped into the end zone for a touchdown! He even did a Beyonce style touchdown celebration dance.
I am so happy with the way this turned out and I think it was a great collaboration. Patrick and I have a similar sense of humor and our goals with Princess seemed to line up perfectly. And it was a fun production to be a part of from location scouting, to casting, to production, etc.
The plot centers on a ridiculously naive American girl who comes to Prague to find her prince. It's a musical of sorts, with some classic Disney elements. Laura Pounds was the perfect Princess!!!
Prague is a gorgeous city to film in and our actors are just as gorgeous!
Jonathan Black and Anhton Tran were phenomenal backup singers and dancers and brought incredible energy to the movie! And the amazingly talented Natalie Underwood provided the perfect voice-over to set the tone for the film.
We had an absolute blast filming. Everything fell into place in a two day shoot. Like, when we ran into these white birds on the Charles Bridge. Disney Princesses are always very animal friendly.
SPOILER ALERT : The rest of this post will contain imagery and info that you should not see before watching the film. So, without further adieu, here is Princess:
SPOILER ALERT : Film reveal info is just below these next few lines!!! Stop now and watch the film! Don't scroll down until you watch!
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Ok, now that you've watched the film, you probably know why I did not want you to see the rest of these behind the scenes pics.
Can't reveal the Prince before you watch the film!
Richard Hessler was the perfect Prince. He played it so well, and I think he even looks like a classic Disney Prince, don't you?
One of the challenges of making this movie was finding a Prince t-shirt. We tried a few different stores in Prague, but to no avail. I was forced to make a t-shirt. I think it turned out well.
After painting the shirt, I had to dirty it up and make it look "homeless" chic. I was rubbing this white t-shirt all over the ground. People thought I was weird.
But, the shirt wasn't getting dirty enough on the dry groundSo, I rubbed it in a dirty puddle. And then, i was worried that it was TOO dirty. It was really nasty and dark and almost obscured the word PRINCE. But, when it dried, I think it looked appropriately worn and disheveled.
The other big prop we needed was the Frog from Prague. Luckily, some typical Prague souvenirs are puppets. We were able to find this ratty little puppet that i think was perfect.
One of the funnier moments of filming came at the dinner scene. Richard was playing a homeless man, and surely was to be hungry. When she goes to toast with him, he chugged the glass of wine, picked up the bottle of wine, and chugged a quarter of it and then started WOLFING down the food. This was one take and we all could barely keep from laughing!
Well played, Richard. He nailed it.
Hope you liked Princess as much as we liked making it! The reviews have been funny so far. People seemed to love the build up but were a little shell shocked by the ending. People asked me afterward if I needed a hug.
Naw, I'm good! I'm a hopeless romantic. But, hey --- happy endings are for Hollywood.
Serbian Sightseeing Scramble
It’s my last week in Belgrade, and per usual, I’m running around trying to see sights that I put off seeing the first 3 weeks. In one day, I visited two museums and one art gallery. Success!
It’s my last week in Belgrade, and per usual, I’m running around trying to see sights that I put off seeing the first 3 weeks. In one day, I visited two museums and one art gallery. Success!
Right across the street from my apartment is the Historical Museum of Serbia.
I had no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised! They had two exhibits. The first was Saint Sava, Serbian Prince and orthodox monk, one of the most important figures in Serbian history. He was known as The Enlightener, because he possessed vast theological knowledge and spiritual power which he brought to the people of Serbia. He is regarded as the father of Serbian education and literature. And a protector of the Church and its people.
The second exhibit featured Mihajlo Pupin, a Serbian physicist, chemist and scientist. I didn't know anything about Pupin when I walked in, but came to realize how important he was. He came to the United States to study and work and was instrumental in developing long distance telephone technology. He was friends with Nikola Tesla and apparently made quite an impression on Albert Einstein. Oh yeah, and he was a founding member of NASA.
The Pupin exhibit itself was extraordinary! It was interactive, like the first room you walk into, you have to turn the huge page of this oversized book to get the intro video to play:
And in another room regarding Pupin's migration to the US, you stand on the floor of this "boat" and a bunch of lighting and sound effects start to play:
In another room, you swing on a swingset and the video animated back and forth to the rhythm of your swinging. Phenomenal interactive museum design by the Serbs here! And overall, beautiful displays.
After the Historical Museum, I hopped over to the Nikola Tesla Museum. Nikola Tesla is a huge deal in Serbia, even the Belgrade Airport is named after him: Nikola Tesla Airport.
The Nikola Tesla Museum is actually really small.
I was expecting a much bigger layout, but even though it's small, the demonstration was impressive. They show a 15 minute video on the history of Tesla and his accomplishments. And then they demonstrate a few of his most important inventions like the alternating current (AC) coils, the remote control, and spinning motors.
Tesla has over 300 patents and his technology was way ahead of the times. People couldn't even wrap their brain around how important his work was. Many modern inventions were made possible by Tesla. He invented AC current, which is the standard for electric power. Almost every washing machine uses his motor. He invented remote controls. And, he basically invented radio. (Although he didn't get credit for it because larger companies stole his patents)
The speaker was saying that one of his proudest accomplishments is the fact that an electrical unit was named after him: T. T, for Tesla is a unit of magnetic field. They even feature this on the Serbian currency: 100 dinars:
Oh and I got to be in the same room as this incredible man! Tesla's ashes are in this urn:
Walking around the same night, I randomly walked by this really cool art gallery called U10 Gallery. I walked by it at first, but when I saw the art in the windows, I backtracked and checked it out.
The exhibit featured French artists, not Serbian, but the style seemed to fit so perfectly in the gritty Belgrade aesthetic. I think it's multiple artists named Printnoiz / Magnaro.
You could just walk around aimlessly any night in Belgrade and find a cool museum, gallery, cafe, restaurant, bar, etc. So much to see and do. The best spots are usually tucked away or hidden from the road. In Belgrade, they don't invest in the outside of the buildings. But, don't judge a book by its cover. Open the book and you'll see the beauty.
It's too bad I'm leaving tomorrow, because I could stay in Serbia for a long time! LOVE Belgrade.
Greek Salads are Great in Greece
Go figure, the Greeks got this down. I’m a huge fan of Greek salads (sans olives). Maybe it’s 'cause I grew up with tons of fresh tomatoes n cukes from the garden in the summertime? Or, it’s probably the big chunks of feta cheese. But, I could eat one every day...and, that’s exactly what I did for 8 days in Greece.
Go figure, the Greeks got this down. I’m a huge fan of Greek salads (sans olives). Maybe it’s 'cause I grew up with tons of fresh tomatoes n cukes from the garden in the summertime? Or, it’s probably the big chunks of feta cheese. But, I could eat one of these every day...and, that’s exactly what I did for 8 days in Greece.
Every restaurant has their own style.
Efcharis in Athens near the Monastiraki Metro station put a bunch of green bell peppers and pepperoncinis in there! Pepperoncinis are really underrated.
Theofanis in Akrotiri deep fries the feta cheese patty. And, they use orange bell peppers. And, tons of capers. I for one, am all for capers.
Akro on Black Beach (In Akrotiri, not Perissa. It’s the 3rd beach in the Red Beach, White Beach, Black Beach water taxi cruise) serves up a heaping pile of Greek salad goodness. They also put plenty of bell peppers and capers in, but also arugula (LOVE IT) and toasted nut bread croutons.
I am now having Greek salad withdrawals.
Luckily, back in Belgrade they have this thing called the Shopska salad (Šopska salata). It's kinda similar to the Greek salad: tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, oil and LOTS OF SIRENE CHEESE.
Zavicaj restaurant is pretty liberal with the cheese, and sparing with the onions.
Bajloni Bar & Beyond has a better handle on the ratio of cheese to salad.
I think my big takeaway from this whole post is that I need to go back to Greece as soon as possible. Specifically, the islands. Because, this was my view from Akro on Black Beach when I ate my last Greek Salad:
The Beauty of Belgrade
Belgrade, (capital city of Serbia) was the biggest wild card on our itinerary. No one in the group had ever visited, which was odd. Outside of Cordoba, at least someone had visited all the other cities. But, Belgrade remained largely unknown which created allure and mystery.
We had heard about Belgrade’s hoppin’ nightlife (not as appealing to me these days, but every once in a while I'll venture into the night and cut a rug). But, other than that, not much info.
In the city preview, Belgrade was called “charmingly gritty”.
I’ve been here two weeks now and I concur, the city is charming! And, a bit gritty. But, with grit comes history and character.
The city was at war not long ago, and that post war grit combined with the typical European urban decay creates a rich cityscape.
RY has us living right in the heart of the city center and I LOVE the location. We are right next to the House of the National Assembly building:
...and across the street from the Historical Museum of Serbia:
We are a few blocks away from Republic Square, which is a city center / big outdoor mall. In my neighborhood, are ~100 cafes, bars, restaurants, etc. All with their own unique character. And, good music!
Only a couple years ago, there was an effort to revitalize the Belgrade Waterfront, an area along the Sava River. They’re investing a lot of money into it, and I think it’s paying off! There are river boats, a bike path, shops, cafes, restaurants, etc.
The local neighborhood is very graffiti friendly and reminds me of Venice, California. But, the Belgrade Waterfront is all class compared to Cali coast.
Belgrade may not be on any American’s list of places to travel in Europe, but I guarantee if you come here, you will not be disappointed. It’s a hidden gem, and an up and coming destination for future backpackers!
Remote Year (Half Year) Revelation
Been on the road for 6 months now and visited 2 continents & 10 countries. Hoping for 20 by year’s end. I’ve learned a few things about myself and the world along the way, but one revelation in particular stands out.
Been on the road for 6 months now and visited 2 continents & 10 countries. Hoping for 20 by year’s end. I’ve learned a few things about myself, and the world along the way, but one in particular stands out.
In the good ole U.S.A., we are so lucky that English is our native language. English is a global language and the most widely learned second language. Almost everyone speaks at least a little. (We'll check back on this in Asia)
We just landed in Belgrade, Serbia on Saturday, and they have a whole different alphabet that I can’t even comprehend! (See below, Serbian Cyrillic) But, almost everywhere I go, I see signage in English, menus with English translations, etc. Almost everyone speaks enough to help you out.
This is the cafe/bar I'm in right now in Belgrade. It's called M-Eating. And as you can see, the sign outside, the signs on the walls inside---all in English.
We are so fortunate. Traveling the world is a cinch when everyone* speaks your language. (*Well, not everyone, of course, but plenty enough to get by easily)
This leads me to another thought.
I think learning a second language should be mandatory in the United States. From a YOUNG age. I think foreign language should start in grade school and be part of the curriculum all the way through high school.
I wish I knew how to speak a second language. And third, fourth, fifth, etc. Almost all of my European travel mates know ~3-5 languages. I wish I was forced to learn at least a 2nd when I was younger.
Now more than ever, we live in a global economy. Our world is so interconnected. If we want to be a leader, (heck, even compete) on a global scale---why don’t we push our communicate skills to better relate to other countries? We shouldn’t rest on our laurels because English is the most common language. We should be pushing ourselves to learn, grow and adapt. The rest of the world adapts to English. And I am so thankful for that.
Who knows, maybe if future generations were fluent in foreign languages, it would bolster our long term economy? Perhaps it would create more jobs in the US?
If anything, it would go a long way in showing the world that we aren’t just selfish Americans who think their s*#t don’t stink. Cuz, trust me...that's a thing. :]
Sunset Hill, Riegrovy Sady Park: Prague
Prague likes to party! Inside, or out, there are plenty of places to congregate with the community and enjoy the summertime vibes. One of the best places to watch the sunset over the iconic Prague Castle was right near my apartment: Riegrovy Sady Park, aka Sunset Hill.
Prague likes to party! Inside, or out, there are plenty of places to congregate with the community and enjoy the summertime vibes. One of the best places to watch the sunset over the iconic Prague Castle was right near my apartment: Riegrovy Sady Park, aka Sunset Hill.
It’s a big park, with several beer gardens. (FYI, open container alcohol is legal in Prague) Every afternoon and evening, people would gather on the hill for sunset picnics.
It’s a little touristy, but there are plenty of locals mixed in. Great vibes, and gorgeous views!
Check out the scene:
We went one night for Derryl Carter's birthday.
Just a couple of us, Leah, Derryl and I, but it was super chill!
I took a ton of snaps of the sunset behind the Prague Castle, and it was amazing to see how the colors changed over the course of golden hour.
Sunset Hill was perfect. Prague is utopian in many ways!
Skydiving Klatovy, Czech Republic
First time I leapt from a moving plane was in 2004, for cousin Rebecca’s birthday. We had a huge crew and it was one of the best days of my life! When I found out Remote Jacek was a licensed skydiver, I knew dive number 2 was somewhere in my future. Monday, 10 of us ridiculous Remotes drove out to Klatovy to get out kicks flying through the air.
Jacek, Signe, Kelly, Travis, Miranda, Samantha, Eric, Paige, Brecht, Adam and I!
First time I leapt from a moving plane was in 2002, for cousin Rebecca’s birthday. We had a huge crew and it was one of the best days of my life!
2004, Perris Valley, California
When I found out Remote Jacek was a licensed skydiver, I knew dive number 2 was somewhere in my future. Monday, 10 of us ridiculous Remotes drove out to Klatovy to get out kicks flying through the air.
Jacek in his element!
He normally smiles a lot, but I think he is just too overwhelmed with happiness to smile here!
Jacek leading the group in a slow mo Top Gun style walk.
On the first dive, the airplane exit was on the side of the plane, and I dropped out sideways. In Klatovy, their planes have a rear door. You have to walk to the edge and look out below you. This was waaaay cooler than the side drop, and an incredible way to start the jump!
Interestingly, I was not really scared, or even that excited about the jump. It was weird. Maybe because I’ve got 2 paraglide flights under my belt, I was a bit more comfortable? Or, the fact that my tandem dive guy had jumped over 15,000 times?
Don’t get me wrong--it was AWESOME and I loved it. But, I miss the stomach butterflies that were flying around for my first time!
Guess I’ll just have to do a solo jump next time!
4 of us were on the first plane -- Kelly, Signe, Brecht and I after the jump!
Here are some pics. First, Travis, our Remote Year Community Manager...
Next, Samantha...our Remote Year Operations Manager...
Travis and Samantha embracing! We sometimes call them Tramantha. Here, they are definitely one entity: Tramantha.
The Tramantha embrace got them all tangled up!
Eric and Adam got to wear cool diving suits! I just jumped in my plain clothes. At least I got goggles though.
Paige coming in hot!
Paige and Adam are on cloud 9 after their landings!
Probably the best shot I got --- Eric landing right near us.
If you've never tried skydiving, I highly recommend it! It is so beautiful to see the country from so high up. It's incredible to be able to fly through the clouds. And, flying through the air is an indescribable feeling.
Prague Welcome Party Fire Dancers!
Our first week in Prague featured a perfect Prague Welcome Party by our relentless leadership team of Travis and Sam. Once again, they upped the awesome party ante by bringing in traditional Czech fire dancers! It was nothing short of spectacular.
The party was held at the Vysehrad, an old historical fort built on the hill overlooking the Vltava River. I got there early and was able to take some sunset snaps of the river, marina, etc.
Unfortunately, I had a photo failure - my tripod broke! It was a really cheap piece that I bought back in Cordoba and I knew it was chintzy. BUT, it was very lightweight. Well, one of the screws got stripped and I could no longer tighten it. Bummer.
At least that happened after I got these pics:
The party was a little challenging for me personally, as I’m working west coast hours, and I got a last minute request from a client. I finished eating, and started working, right there at the party. Thanks to Arestia for this pic!
Finished up the client request juuuuust in time for the fire dance show!
Now, I’m working with a busted tripod and need to take long exposure shots. Super challenging, because I’m trying to hold the tripod still while taking 1-4 second exposures. But, with some careful hands, I was able to keep it steady.
And then...couldn’t believe it. My memory card was full. LOL Photo failure #2.
The fire dance show was only about 5 minutes total? And, half the time, I’m deleting pics from my memory card. Comical in hindsight, super frustrating at the time!
That being said, I think I got some decent shots.
And, special thanks to Diane Brashear for sharing her video of the show!
Kudos to Remote Year, and Travis and Sam for planning an awesome party, and giving us our own fire dance show! We are spoiled.
London: Tate Modern Museum
Jumping back in time: Even though I was barely in London, I saw some stuff. Only visited one museum besides the British Museum, and it was a standout. I'd be remissed if I didn't mention the magnificent Tate Modern museum.
Every hour, this sculpture is rearranged by Museum workers. Constantly evolving, kinetic sculpture.
Even though I was barely in London, I saw some stuff. Only visited one museum besides the British Museum, and it was a standout. I'd be remissed if I didn't mention the magnificent Tate Modern museum.
I love museums and galleries just as much for the space itself, as the art collections. The architectural aesthetic is an equal player in the experience of viewing art. A museum is one big installation.
The Tate Modern is ginormous and I think I only saw ~30% before work called. The museum is free, except for the special exhibits.
The special exhibits were: Mona Hatoum (Palestinean installation and video artist who lived in England most of her life); Bhupen Khakar (modern, provocative Indian painter); and Georgia O’Keeffe (Flower painter). I decided on Mona Hatoum, whose work seemed the most interesting.
My decision to choose Mona Hatoum was the best decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.
Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But, my artistic taste buds were tickled. Everyone is lining up to see Georgia O’Keefe and barely anyone for Mona. Suckers! Sorry, Georgia, your flowers are pretty. But, Mona is operating on a different frequency that my brain is completely tuned into.
I'm not the only one who was starstruck by this exhibition: See article: "One of the shows of the year"
In one installation called "Homebound", there are numerous kitchen utensils sitting on table top counters and on the floor in in a huge space. They are connected by live wires, and an electrical current is pulsating through the space. You can hear and feel the electricity from two rooms away! I was spellbound.
Image taken from the Tate Modern website.
Mona's work reminded me a little of Jorge Macchi, abstract Argentinean artist that I saw and reviewed in an earlier post at the MALBA in Buenos Aires. She even did a few pieces of art where she deconstructed city maps, similar to Jorge.
I was not able to take any pics in the Mona Hatoum exhibit, but her work is electrifying, intriguing, unnerving, nerving, exciting, and fresh. More. I want more! I did buy some postcards though:
After the Mona exhibit, I didn't want or need to see anything else. My brain was fully satisfied and I had to go back to work.
But, before I left, I squeezed into the packed elevators to visit the top floor of the museum and check out the 360 views of the city. Spectacular!
And, back into the tube to head to work.
Two big big thumbs up for the Tate Modern!
A Little Fairy Tale City, Edinburgh - Pt 2
Wandering through the city of Edinburgh is definitely the way to go. So many hidden gems, and cute little shops with punny names: "Thistle Do Nicely", "Procaffeination", etc. We came upon this cemetery called Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, which was visually stunning and weirdly warm and welcoming.
Wandering through the city of Edinburgh is definitely the way to go. So many hidden gems, and cute little shops with punny names: "Thistle Do Nicely", "Procaffeination", etc.
We came upon this cemetery called Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, which was visually stunning and weirdly warm and welcoming. Love this skull and cross bones tombstone.
Walking from Old Town to New Town, we saw this local band playing near the Scottish National Gallery. #bagpipes
My last night in Edinburgh, I was walking home and heard some soulful music coming out of this pub called the Royal Oak. And, I was drawn in to hear this incredible song by Martin Bowland and company. I don't know the name of it, and I wish I started recording from the beginning. But, I'm glad I was able to capture at least the latter part. Love the women dancing so merrily!
We spent some time at the National Museum of Scotland, which features art, history, science and technology. They had a special exhibit on Celtic art, that was well worth the special ticket price but there was no photography allowed inside. You'll just have to trust me---Celtic art is cool.
And, no visit to Edinburgh is complete without a trip to the Edinburgh Castle.
The line to get in was about 40 minutes long and £16.50, (aka $21.50 USD) may be a touch steep, but then again, I did not take advantage of all the Castle had to offer.
I didn't have enough time to see the Stone of Destiny, or the Renaissance Ladies, or the Great Hall. But, the National War Memorial was amazingly impressive.
The National War Memorial houses some of the best stained glass artwork I have ever seen! No photography allowed inside though.
This pic is from the Edinburgh Castle Website. STUNNING STAINED GLASS!
The rounded triangular patch (pictured below) was a dog cemetery for the highest ranking regimental officers. So cute that they gave their K-9s such a ceremonial spot!
The views from the Castle are just incredible.
3 days had me hooked. Edinburgh IS a gorgeous little fairy tale city.
Multiple times during the weekend, I got soaking wet walking around in the rain...but I didn't even mind. Because the city is just charming.
And they have some of the classiest toilets I've seen. I think we need to bring wood back.
The last thing I’ll mention about Edinburgh is that there is a really strong pub culture. If you like drinking pints, and tasting fine whiskey, this is the place for you.
Just don’t end up like this guy.
Bye bye, Edinburgh. Back to London on the train...beautiful Scottish countryside!
A Little Fairy Tale City, Edinburgh - Pt 1
I was seeing London for a month, but totally cheating on her. I couldn’t resist the Sloandog Millionaire challenge in Wales, and Paris was peacocking across the pond. Then, I found out that Jim and Shauna Finn were going to Edinburgh, Scotland and once again, I was leaving London for another city.
I was seeing London for a month, but totally cheating on her. I couldn’t resist the Sloandog Millionaire challenge in Wales, and Paris was peacocking across the pond. Then, I found out that Jim and Shauna Finn were going to Edinburgh, Scotland and once again, I was leaving London for another city.
Remote Year Heleri told me that “Edinburgh is a magical, fairy tale little city.” The art and architecture is medieval & charming and the sound of bagpipes mixed with seagulls is omnipresent.
Did you know that Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn, since the late 1300s? They believed that the unicorn was the natural enemy of the lion, and had the strength to defeat lions, and even elephants. The Scots love myths, legends and lore!
Also, did you know that much of the Harry Potter books were written by JK Rowling in Edinburgh? Jim and Shauna are huge fans and visited the Elephant Cafe.
Edinburgh is a coastal city with a maritime climate. Grey skies are par for the course. (Get it, golf reference? ~Golf was invented in Scotland)
But, the cloudy grey backdrop compliments the faded stone buildings that are covered by a layer of bright green moss.
One of the first things we did when we arrived, was wander up to Calton Hill, which is the headquarters of the Scottish Government, and features several impressive monuments and structures that shine bright in front of the gorgeous cityscape backdrop. Another amazing photo spot.
We also hiked Sir Arthur’s Seat, the main mountain near the city center that provides panoramic views of the entire city. (Including Calton Hill)
This is a short hike (~45-60 mins to the peak), and a must-do for any tourist. It's a pretty easy hike, with only a little rockiness near the top.
Shauna and Jim
We timed our hike to culminate with sunset at the peak, but the fog and rain rolled in and killed my photo game. Or, it made the photos more ominous and therefore better? Still a sweet trek.
David McLaughlin, loungin' at the top.
David McLaughlin, peakin'. The other people were trying to get out of my photo opp...I told them not to worry, but they insisted on trying to duck.
A Little Fairy Tale City, Edinburgh - Part 2 features the National Gallery of Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkland Cemetary and the famous Edinburgh Castle. Stay tuned...
If you'd like to see my favorite snaps from the trip, check them out on Facebook.
Street Art by Free Mozaik in Prague
I love street art. And, I love mosaics. One of the first things I happened upon in Prague (after my nap) was this graffiti mosaic wall by the artist Free Mozaik. Prague is one of those travel places that gets a ton of hype. “I’ve been to 30 countries and Prague is my favorite!” I hear things like that all the time. I’ve been here for 3 days and can already say, Prague lives up to the hype in SO many ways. And, I’ve juuust scratched the surface.
Not sure what PAIN HICSL is up top, but I guess just someone's tag.
I love street art. And, I love mosaics. One of the first things I happened upon in Prague (after my sleepless night travel nap) was this mosaic graffiti wall by the artist Free Mozaik. This is located on Chorvatska, ~6 blocks from my new place.
Prague is one of those places that gets a ton of hype. “I’ve been to 30 countries and Prague is my favorite!” I hear things like that all the time.
I’ve been here for 3 days and can already say --- Prague lives up to the hype in SO many ways. And, I’ve juuust scratched the surface.
It’s little hidden gems like this mosaic wall that make Prague so intriguing. (Well, that and the ~2,000 castles) It seems like every corner you turn, there's some wondrous sight to see. The city feels like an artist's dream.
Copious castle snaps coming soon.
In the meantime, check out this cool video on the "Making of" the Chorvatska mosaic wall, by Free Mozaik.
My Romantic Weekend in Paris
Ahhhh, c’est l’amour! Paris has a certain, 'Je ne sais quoi'; a magical charm that entrances even the insufferable. Everywhere you go, you see couples suctioned together, sipping champagne and eating each other’s faces. It’s truly romantic, even for a solo traveler.
Ahhhh, c’est l’amour! Pa-ree has a certain, “Je ne sais quoi”; a magical charm that entrances even the insufferable. Everywhere you go, you see couples suctioned together, alternating between sipping champagne and eating each other’s faces. It’s truly romantic, even for a solo traveler.
At first I was unconvinced, but by day 3 the city had me. I love traveling alone (sometimes) because you learn a lot about yourself. I had several epiphanies over the weekend and am happy to share them.
Paris museums are the best! (in the world) (that I’ve seen so far).
Granted, I haven’t traveled THAT much, but ‘ces musées sont magnifiques’! I only went to 4: Musee Rodin, Le Louvre, Musee d’Orsay and Musee d’Orangerie. Sure, the Uffizi in Florence is incredible, and I have not been to Spain yet. And, no offense to all the beautiful National Galleries in the States, and the sweet museums in South America. But, kilogram for kilogram, Paris wins. Future blog posts will cover them in detail.
Musee Rodin
Le Louvre
Musee d'Orsay
Musee d'Orangerie
Van Gogh in the Musee d'Orsay
Why am I not producing artwork?
I mean, sure I like photography and I do design for a living. But, why am I not drawing, and or painting. Why have I not moved much on my animated short film? Paris inspired me, and I need to carve out time to make my own art. Must get on this. MUST.
I think I could survive on JUST crepes and ice cream.
You can put a lot of good things into crepes, from proteins to greens. And, I probably wouldn’t have that many sweet crepes. I’d save my sweet tooth for ice cream.
The second time I got a sweet crepe, it backfired on me. I call this next snap: Whipped Cream Broken Dream
Four years of French lost and FOUND!
When I first got off the train, I tried to purchase a Metro ticket and was lost. A man tried to help me but I could not understand a word he said. And, the kiosk would not take a card---only Euros. I gave up and decided I’d walk the ~6 kilometers to my hotel.
Four months of Spanish speaking countries was easy. But, now I had a bit of a panic realizing that I could not remember a single word of French. It was like all my memory space for foreign words was overwritten in Spanish. I would say Gracias, instead of merci. And, Si instead of Oui.
But, funny thing. Throughout the weekend, French words and phrases would just popped into my head. I would see a sign and it would trigger a set of words that was previously lost. By the end of the weekend, I was actually conversing with a couple Parisiens. “Il n'y a pas de photographie dans cette chambre?”
Parisiens hate when you butcher their language.
If looks could kill. Wow, the looks on peoples’ faces when I would try to order my crepe or ice cream in French. Their eyebrows would furl, the lips would purse, and the looks of contempt was sharp as knives. It was actually quite funny and it did not stop me from trying to practice. I’d just say something really animated like, “C’est très bon!” and try to get them to smile. Sometimes it worked. Other times, not so much.
There's no stopping selfie sticks.
It's hard for me not to look at selfie sticks with slight disdain, even though, I think they are very handy and I love it when a friend of mine has one (Mike Dasalla). But, I wonder...what's the difference between a selfie stick an a tripod? I walk around with a tripod. Do people find that obnoxious?
What do you think of selfie sticks?
But, more importantly, what are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump's stances on selfie sticks?
A lot of taxi drivers dress like limo drivers.
Keepin’ it classy. Well played, Paris.
French Onion Soup tastes like French Onion Soup
Tried it at one restaurant and it tasted exactly the same as it does in the United States. But, the baguette that it was served with was way better.
Baguettes are better in Paris. <EOM>
Macrons are magical.
They're a textural thrill ride! They live up to the hype in every single way. I imagine all macrons in the world are made by Master Chef Junior winner, Chef Nathan Odom.
I’ve got a lot of passion for Paris. The romance is real. The city has got a major love lock on me. Au revoir, mon amour!
First Time in France: Bastille Day
Last Thursday, I rode the high speed Eurostar train from London to Paris as a little birthday present to myself. Made it just in time for the Bastille Day (Night) celebration. Truly a shame what happened in Nice. :[ Thankfully, Paris was at peace.
Last Thursday, I rode the high speed Eurostar train from London to Paris as a little birthday present to myself. Made it just in time for the Bastille Day (Night) celebration. Truly a shame what happened in Nice. :[ Thankfully, Paris was at peace.
Hotel concierge told me where to go to watch the fireworks over the Eiffel Tower. I didn’t have time to get to the Trocadero, but my hotel was near l’Arc de Triomphe, and I figured this could be a decent spot to set up my tripod.
Scoped out a spot with the Arc on the left, Eiffel on right, moon in sight. This was suiting up to be a perfect 'long-exposure-double-famous-monument-fireworks-photo-phenomena'.
Not a bad view!
Long exposure could be cool, light trails of cars, and fireworks off in distance...
But, as soon as the show started, ALL the cars driving around the Place Charles de Gaulle circle just STOPPED. Right in the middle of the roundabout to watch the show. Completely blocked my view.
And then, people started popping up out of their sunroofs like Whack a Moles.
Photo phenomena fizzled. Packed up the tripod...plan B.
It’s really tough finding a spot to watch fireworks when 90% are watching the show through the lens of their smartphones. You can imagine the looks on the French faces as this American is getting in the way of their precious iPhone videos. No poker faces in Paris -- if they don’t like you, it’ll be obvious.
I improvised and feel like I got a couple decent snaps. Of course, it would have been sweet to be closer, and get some long exposure goodness. But, just happy Paris was a peaceful place.
The show was pretty impressive, fireworks shooting out of the top of the Tower.
And it felt like there were 3 distinct finales. Love fireworks! (Especially when they're not at 7am, Cusco.)
So much more to say about my Parisian adventure...stay tuned...
The Sloandog Millionaire Two Peaks Challenge for Remotes that Want to Hike Good (and Do Other Things Good, Too)
The weekend was originally supposed to be the Three Peaks Challenge: hike the 3 tallest peaks in the UK in 24 hours. Snowdon (Wales); Scafell Pike (England); & Ben Nevis (Scotland). DJ Jeff Sloan was the organizer but due to last minute logistics, we ran the option play, and were presented with The Sloandog Millionaire Two Peaks Challenge for Remotes that Want to Hike Good (and Do Other Things Good, Too).
A brook in Scafell Pike, England
The weekend was originally supposed to be the Three Peaks Challenge: hike the 3 tallest peaks in the UK in 24 hours. Snowdon in Wales; Scafell Pike in England; and Ben Nevis in Scotland. DJ Jeff Sloan was the organizer but due to last minute logistics, we ran the option play and were presented with The Sloandog Millionaire Two Peaks Challenge for Remotes that Want to Hike Good (and Do Other Things Good, Too).
Two for three ain't bad!
The Sloandog Millionaire, really strong beard game
or some reason, I/we did not research hiking climate conditions in the UK in July. I think we were just overly exuberant to go on an excursion.
The Challenge Competitors: L to R: Kelly, Jeff, Paige, JP (Bottom), Me, Miranda & Johnson
IMPORTANT NOTE: Just because it is warm in London, does not mean it will be warm in the mountains.
Too much rain, so I could not take photos with my good camera. It's a shame, because Wales is gorgeous!
One exciting thing is that I got to drive on the opposite side of the car / road! This was scary. And exciting. And weird. I hit 5 curbs in about 4.5 hours of driving. The roads in Wales are super narrow, and the curbs are not steep...they were more like speed bumps. LOL
I didn't feel so bad, because Miranda hit 4 curbs and Sloandog hit ~4 in much less driving time. My curb to drive time ratio was actually pretty solid comparatively.
We drove down to Wales to hike their highest peak (Snowdon, aka Snowdonia) and the weather was so fierce that the staff could not make their way up to the peak to man the shack. That’s how crazy the rain, wind, sleet and freezing cold weather was. It was like a white out on a ski slope. I did not prepare for said elements. I thought we’d be hiking in warm weather. Rookie mistake. Moronic. Paid for it.
Us preparing for the hike. Are we really going to do this!?
I was completely soaking wet within 10 minutes of hiking. But, I powered through, because I’m a champ and, it's The Sloandog Millionaire Two Peaks Challenge for Remotes that Want to Hike Good (and Do Other Things Good, Too).
Paige, trying not to get blown over by the fierce winds.
When we got to the peak, we saw two Brits dressed in proper cold weather hiking attire. One said to us, "It's Wales in July, what did you expect?" Well, Mr. Smarty Pants. I've never been to Wales in July, so I guess I did not know what to expect.
No, it's my bad for not doing research. I own it.
Paige and I approaching the peak, up to the right.
The peak!
Yup, that's what I was wearing. At least I had a cold weather Patagonia long sleeve underneath.
Still having a blast, level 3 fun!
After drying off, and a nice warm meal in Wales, we headed north up to Scafell Pike, in Keswick, England. On the way up, we saw some gorgeous views of the countryside and the best rainbow I've ever seen, outside of Iguazu Falls.
We got some rest at a hotel in Morecambe Bay, England, just outside of Lancaster. It's a coastal town, and looks very New England-y...but I guess that's a weird thing to say, since it is definitively Old England-y.
The hotel did not have dryers for us to deal with our soaking clothes. We tried 3 or 4 hotels and we almooost got one hotel owner to bite. Until he saw that we had 7 peoples' clothes to dry and he angrily bailed with the quickness.
The next day, at Scafell Pike, our clothes were still pretty damp and cold, but our spirits were warm and fuzzy! The Sloandog Millionaire Two Peaks Challenge for Remotes that Want to Hike Good (and Do Other Things Good, Too) was in reach and we intended to finish it.
The weather at Scafell Pike was less fierce, but still fierce. There was much less rain than Snowdon, thankfully! But, winds were WHIPPING.
Whipping so hard that my poncho only lasted about 1 hour before it got ripped off my body. Mother nature was laughing at us again!
Me in the red / pink poncho.
We hiked up for ~3 hours, and almoooost made it to the peak. We easily could have summited, but timing was not on our side. We had to get back to England at a reasonable hour, and turned back an hour from the top.
It did not matter, because the hike was GORGEOUS. A lot of the fog cleared on the way back down.
This weekend classified as Level 3 Fun. Level 1 fun is the normal things you do in life, and you don't even think about them. Going to the movies. Seeing a show. Playing games.
Level 2 fun is planned fun. Going on a trip, and doing extraordinary things that you don't often do. Rare moments. Great memories.
Level 3 fun is when the unexpected happens! Like when you go on a hiking trip, and you're totally unprepared for the elements...but you embrace the ridiculous experience! This weekend was totally Level 3. None of us knew how nuts the road trip would get and how crazy the weather would be. But it all makes for an awesome story and unforgettable memories.
When we got back to the rental car place, my group surprised me with a birthday card. I was stunned, and feeling all sorts of good vibes. Definitely did not expect it!
They called me "Dad" because I was the oldest in the group and I was the first driver to start the trip!
What a phenomenal group of travel mates. We had so many laughs and so many good times! It was the first time I had traveled with a bunch of them, and it’s refreshing to get to know people in the group that I had previously not known well. Much love to the Challenge Competitors!
Weekend 1 was wondrous.
Weekend 2, is PARIS. Leaving on a train in a little bit...