Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
My blog-pal Anthony has a great memory, because this morning he reminded me of a post I wrote three years ago. With apologies to those for whom this is a rerun, it at least explains why I was more excited about the heat-sensitive eclipse stamps than yesterday’s actual eclipse. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I admit it: I feel […]
Filed under: Attempted humor, Psychology, Travel | 65 Comments
Tags: philately, stamp collecting, stamp collection
Running away to Arles
I’ve always believed it’s my duty as a citizen to be engaged and informed. But lately I find myself reacting to the news in ways I never used to. It’s a reflexive and visceral response — even when events don’t directly affect me. My instinct is to discuss these events, because they’re important. But then […]
Filed under: Photography, Travel | 90 Comments
Tags: Alyscamps, Arles, Arles Amphitheater, Arles photos, Arles travel, Cryptporiques, Roman cemetery, Roman ruins
An Arles appetizer
As an amateur photographer I have lots of bad habits, but by far the worst is not looking at my photos after I take them. Over time, the weight of all those photos becomes oppressive, as it can take hours to sort through my mostly crappy snapshots to pick out a handful of favorites. Eventually […]
Filed under: Photography, Psychology, Travel | 109 Comments
Tags: Arles, creative process, creativity, Photography, Travel
Saturday shopping in Arles
The sky at home is (yet again) drippy and dark, so I’m turning to my archives for some sunshine. Esteban and I spent a few days in Arles last year. Because we’re both history buffs, we were keen to see the Roman ruins and the well-preserved medieval city. But mostly we came for the Provençal […]
Filed under: Photography, Travel | 67 Comments
Tags: Arles, French market, Provence
Paris connections, revealed
From its doorknobs to its house numbers, Paris is rich in architectural details. But it was the city’s iconic pavers that led me on my most recent historical adventure. In some streets the pavers are still arranged in beautiful fan-like patterns. The rue de l’Abreuvoir offers a nice view of the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, […]
Filed under: History, Paris, Photography, Travel | 80 Comments
Tags: Conciergerie, Dr. Guillotin, French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, Paris, Paris pavers, Paris photography, Paris riots, Pavé de Paris
Paris connections, part 4
This is my fourth post in series about the unexpected historical connections that abound in Paris. See the past three days’ posts for other clues — or tune in on Sunday for the full story. The Place de la Concorde is not only Paris’ largest public square, but arguably its most historic. Its name changes […]
Filed under: Paris, Photography, Travel | 49 Comments
Tags: Paris, Paris France, Place de la Concorde
Paris connections, part 2
One of my favorite things about Paris is that everything is somehow connected. Here’s the second clue. What does it have to do with yesterday’s photo? I will reveal all on Sunday. Paris’ pavers come in a variety of sizes. You’ll find large ones like these mostly along the quays that line the Seine river.
Filed under: Paris, Photography, Travel | 35 Comments
Tags: Paris, Paris lamp, Paris paving stones, Paris photography
Check out them knockers!
Street photography is my Parisian passion. But when I’m traveling with other people, it’s unreasonable to ask them to wait a half hour until the right person walks into the frame. That’s why on this last trip I concentrated instead on small architectural details I could snap on the run, almost without missing a stride. […]
Filed under: Paris, Photography, Travel | 67 Comments
Tags: Paris doorknockers, Paris doors, Paris poster
The trip you’re on
When it comes to travel, Esteban and I are planners: Before every trip we peruse a stack of guide books from the library, study some history, and map out our logistics. Eight cities and three countries in one trip. WHAT WERE WE THINKING?! Although we still leave plenty of time for serendipity, planning helps us […]
Filed under: Paris, Psychology, Travel | 68 Comments
Tags: back injury, Travel, travel tips
Paris’ street-sweeping heroes
Photography often makes me adopt some strange positions. Such was the case when I slithered on my belly along Paris’ Seine river to frame this shot. So engrossed was I in my task that I barely registered the sound of the street-sweeping vehicle approaching from behind, nor did I notice it stopping. “Is everything alright, […]
Filed under: Paris, Photography, Travel | 73 Comments
Tags: Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, Paris photography, street sweepers
