Why would we have come across a Texas Longhorn on the way to Florida?
My sister and I recently threw my mom a party for her 70th birthday and as part of the preparation we both scanned a bunch of old photos to put together a little slide show. This is one of the doozies I found in the photo shoebox I dug out of mom’s closet. It was taken the summer of 1973 when my family went on a road trip to Florida….I think.
Here are a couple of other thoughts I have about this photo:
- Whomever shot this clearly knew nothing about the “rule of thirds” in photography. In fact, they clearly had no understanding of composition at all.
- What is that thing that is sticking up in the picture pointed at the animal’s snout? Was my grandmother poking it with a stick? And photographer, did you not see that when you were looking through the viewfinder?
- Why is my half of the photo totally muddy while my sister’s side is clean and chaste? Seriously?
- My outfit here is AWESOME! I would totally wear those clothes right now.
- While I would look like a total hipster if I wore my outfit again, I can’t say my sister would say the same about her ensemble. I mean, she could probably wear something like that now, but I think people would tsk and call her a cougar…she’s nearing fifty.
- I think my wrists are still just as skinny as they are in this photo. I tend to avoid wearing watches for just that reason. It’s always a challenge taking out those extra links to get it to fit. Besides, I have an iPhone, who needs a watch anymore?
And finally:
- Why the heck did we have to climb up on a rock pile to stand next to this thing? What was the attraction? I need some context here, and the person taking the photo didn’t bother stepping just a little to the left so that we might get a glimpse of the sign over my head. Maybe it was some cool place like “Desi Arnaz’s Famous Florida Steakhouse” or the “Home of the 30oz. T-bone.” I’ll never know.
Ugh. Dumb pile of rocks and fiberglass cow.
Hey, does anyone know where this photo was taken?
Do you think my clothes look awesome too?
A few photos taken at the ruins near Pisac, Peru in August 2010.
Look, it’s not always my fault that I’m a dork. Sometimes nature has a hand in it too.
Like a HUGE fly in my coconut water!
Not Refreshing...
Ah, much better.
Refreshing!
Cruz del Condor - Colca Canyon, Peru
My first impression when hiking up from the parking area, along with scores of other tourists, to reach the overlook to see the Andean Condors fly about was….eh. It was early morning and and we had to wedge our bodies close to the edge to try to look down into the canyon to see an occasional speck or two fly by. I thought to myself, “This might be another one of those disappointing tourist traps”.
As time went by and the thermal currents warmed, the Condors’ flight paths grew higher and higher until a group of five amazing birds glided back and forth above our heads. It turned into one of the highlights of my trip to Peru and something that I am thrilled I had the fortune to experience.
For more photos of the Andean Condors and my trip to Colca Canyon in Peru, check out my Flickr photostream.
The view from our room/deck at El Albergue, an excellent hotel option in Ollantaytambo.
For more images of Ollantaytambo, check out my photo set on Flickr!
A major attraction in the “White City” of Arequipa, Peru is the Santa Catalina de Siena Monastery. Begun in 1580 and enlarged and rebuilt over time, the walled complex still is home to about 20 Catholic nuns who live in a secluded area of the compound. The remaining areas of brightly colored avenues, fountains, gardens and stark living quarters are open for the public to explore.
To learn more about the fascinating history of the monastery, it’s inhabitants, and the reason why Pope Pius IX sent a strict Dominican nun to straighten out the convent in 1871, visit the organization’s website.
Here are some more photos from my Flickr set on Santa Catalina.
I'm Eco Friendly!
This shot was taken one afternoon while walking along the coast of Sitges, Spain.
My friend Mike: “That’s a nice shot. Were you tired?”
Me: “Um, I don’t’ think so. Why?”
My friend Mike: “I just thought you’d be tired after carrying that tree around in your backpack.”
Doh! It hadn’t even registered until that comment. Up until then I thought it was actually pretty decent picture of me for once.
Sitges, Spain
After spending the day relaxing on the sand at Sitges, we headed toward town to find something to eat before jumping on the train back to Barcelona. I turned around to get another view of the beach and saw this little girl looking over the wall, watching the people playing in the surf.
On this cold day in Chicago, I wish I were there right now holding her hand…but not in a pervy way.
Here are a few more Flickr photos from my day in Sitges.
Man, it's hot in Hanoi!
This shot was taken back in the summer of 2008 when I spent a few weeks in Asia. It was early in the morning and I was already sweating like a pig! I thought the linen shirt would be a good travel option, right? Well wrong, unless you don’t mind walking around all day looking like an uncomfortable, sweaty tourist. Hey, just because I was one doesn’t mean I wanted to look like one!
If you want to see more photos from that trip check out my Flickr photo set.
Here are some photos taken on our Fat Tire Bike Tour of Paris.
