A Photographer's Dilemma

As I mentioned here, Gabriel and I are going to South America over the winter holidays. We're planning on Argentina and Uruguay, and have also added Brazil into our itinerary. My excitement is mounting, and any free moment I have is spent scouring the web for interesting villas and resorts to stay at.

One question, though, that keeps popping into my mind, is whether or not to bring my DSLR camera with me on our trip. As a budding photographer, I love any opportunity to spend a day photographing a new country. That's half the enjoyment of the trip for me! However, I've also heard that bringing a large, flashy camera with me to South America may not be in my best interest. Perhaps I'm better off using a smaller, pocket-sized digital camera.

In NYC, I asked Gabriel's family what they thought of my dilemma of whether or not to bring a DSLR camera. Without a moment's hesitation, they all exclaimed in unison, "No!!!!!"

Don't wear jewelry, don't bring a purse, and don't, under any circumstances, bring a flashy camera!

They proceeded to tell me horror stories of people getting their earrings ripped from their ears on the streets of Buenos Aires, gold necklaces snatched in the city center, and the need for a money pouch 24/7.

I have to admit, I was a little deflated, and a little apprehensive about our upcoming travels. I know that Buenos Aires is a busy city, and, like all cities, necessary precautions must be taken. However, I do get the impression that perhaps it's not as safe as others. A few nights ago I checked out some travel photographer's forums to see what people were saying about bringing large, expensive, cameras to Buenos Aires. The general consensus seemed to be: bring it, but use extreme caution, don't carry it in a traditional camera case, and never let it out of your grip.

On the one hand, I feel like the whole purpose of a camera is to use it, so I may as well just bring it! On the other hand, if I lost it (and my photos) I would probably be devastated...but isn't that what back-up memory cards and insurance are for?!

What do you guys think? To bring or not to bring...

The Value of Travel

I'm in the middle of mid-term exams, and my head is swarming with supply, demand, and profit maximization. Little else is happening in my life besides moving from one exam to another, and completing multiple assignments and quizzes in between.

I remember, last summer, sitting on a sand-bar in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, looking up at the crisp white yachts bobbing on the bright blue water, as the sun slowly set on the coast of Mallorca, Spain. Christian, Gabriel and I had just swam out to a secluded island, offering little besides stray seashells and washed-ashore seaweed. We sat in the sand-bar for the longest time, being pushed and pulled by the tides and picking up tiny colourful pebbles in the sand.

"I'm going to remember this moment when I'm stuck in my room, studying for exams in the fall", I told the boys.

I made a mental image of what we were experiencing, truly soaking in everything. There are times when I see a place or city on my travels, and I just breeze over it, a whirlwind of guide-books, photography, and exhaustion left in my wake. There are other times, however, when I really, really feel a place. At that moment on the sand-bar, I let all my worries about leaving Amsterdam and Gabriel go, and I became truly present in the moment. I soaked it all up.


Now, that the reality that I knew would occur, has occurred, I'm left with this scorching memory of my time in Mallorca with the love of my life and one of my greatest friends. The more and more I delve into stocks and bonds, the more and more my thoughts are pulled towards that Mallorcan beach.

Traveling is so wonderful while you are experiencing it, but it is just as great reminiscing and having the memories for a lifetime. Last year's gift of travel created memories, images, and stories that have been woven into the narrative of my life, and will stay with me long after the Mediterranean tides have washed over the sandbar.

NYC vs. A’dam

When we returned from our quick jaunt to NYC, a few people asked me how it compared to Amsterdam. I had been to NYC many times before, and regarded it as an over-the-top, typical North American city on steroids, peppered with the New Yorker spirit, yellow honking cabs, and unforgettable Broadway shows. When I visited two weekends ago, I saw the city differently, and naturally couldn’t help compare it to my beloved Amsterdam.

   

NYC window display (above) vs. Amsterdam window display (below)

The first difference I noticed was that there are a lot more cars in NYC than in Amsterdam. In A’dam, people use their bikes and the trams for the bulk of inter-city transportation, while in NYC, the streets were constantly plugged with heavy traffic. I did see some cyclists, but the lack of bike paths made for some pretty wild bike-riding.

NYC street market (above) vs. Amsterdam street market (below)

Before I continue, I must say that I’m not trying to point out faults in one city, over another. I’m just reporting on their differences, the things that struck me. I love both NYC and Amsterdam, and they really are so difference that you can’t compare them on a larger scale. One city is filled with old-world charm, coziness, and relaxation, while the other is the hub of North America, pulsing constantly to the beat of its vibrant citizens, entertainment, and culture. They’re totally different, perhaps even polar opposites in  some regard.

As we were walking through Midtown and the Upper East Side, I noticed these women, clad in fur with red lipstick painted on their oversized lips, looking like surprised Zombies. They were spooky! Completely surgically-enhanced in some areas, and decked head to toe in decadent clothing, they all looked like clones of each other. In Amsterdam, I never saw women with over-the-top plastic surgery. In fact, the older women aged so gracefully, that they often looked in their 30s, with the addition of a few story-lines on their faces.

When we stepped into the Palace Hotel, we saw a woman with a tiny dog, shaved, and dressed in a Juicy Couture sweater. As we made our way to the Columbus Day parade, we passed some ladies on 5th Ave who had decked their dogs in matching outfits. I turned to Gabriel, “no one in Amsterdam would ever be caught dead with a dressed-up dog, except on Queen’s Day.”

Architectural differences between the two cities

Gabriel replied, “If a Dutchie saw this, they would throw the owner into a canal, and rescue the dog!” I don’t believe I ever saw a dog dressed up while in the Netherlands. Amsterdammers love their dogs (and while I’m on the subject, I didn’t see one bit of dog poop in NYC, something I can’t say about A’dam…), but they’re often bigger dogs who are so well-trained they walk without leashes.

Gabriel noticed how everyone was shorter in NYC, and he felt like his usual tall self (6 foot 2 is considered average in A’dam, and I think he liked reclaiming his status as “the tall guy”, when we were in NYC).

 

I noticed how all the stores in NYC are open late, even into the wee hours of the night! Venture out of the Dam Square region late on a Saturday night, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a pharmacy, restaurant, or convenience store open for business. It was great to be able to grab a reuben sandwich at a Madison Ave diner, filled with NYPD cops, at 11pm.

Every city is different, and every city retains its own vibe. NYC and Amsterdam are two of the world’s greatest cities. Which one do you prefer?

Autumn in New York

Last weekend I visited New York City, arguably one of the greatest cities in North America, if not the entire world. There is an energy and pace about NYC that I have yet to experience anywhere else.

I had a wonderful weekend exploring NYC with Gabriel! We met up at his Grandma’s apartment in Midtown last Saturday morning. I was so happy to see him and his family! Our weekend was filled with long walks around the city, many blisters from my Ugg sheepskin loafers, cupcakes, Starbucks coffee, holding hands, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, NYC Columbus Day parades, and delicious Argentinean meals.

In between catching up with family and playing with Gabriel’s adorable 2 year old Spanish-speaking twin cousins, we would sneak away to a beautiful cafe on East 49th for cappuccinos and a lazy morning reading the New York Times. We frequented the exact same cafe when we were in Antwerp two summers ago, as it was right near our hotel. Being in the same atmosphere, across the Atlantic, brought back a flood of memories of our time in Belgium.

My favourite parts of the trip, besides seeing Gabriel and his family, were strolling through Bryant Park, shopping in the fabulous shoe-floor of Saks Fifth Avenue, and visiting the New York City Public Library. On our last afternoon in the city, Gabriel took me out for lunch at SushiAnn, an incredibly delicious Japanese restaurant on East 51st street. It was so yummy, I’ve never had such fresh tuna before! If you are looking for a wonderful place to grab a nice sushi lunch (or dinner), I highly recommend SushiAnn.

Oh Autumn in New York….what a wonderful weekend :)       

Anne Frank Video

Just recently, an amazing video was released by the Anne Frank Foundation. The video is the only known film footage of Anne, taken at the wedding of her neighbour in Amsterdam on July 22, 1941.

Although it is only 20 seconds long, the video clearly shows Anne looking out a window to the celebration below.



Click here to visit the new Anne Frank Foundation YouTube page.

NYC in Four...

Taken in NYC two years ago

Only four more days until I'll be strolling through the streets of Manhattan with Gabriel! We're meeting up in New York City this weekend, and I absolutely cannot wait to see him and his family. I predict lots of photoshoots, and warm cups of coffee while taking in the views of Central Park....


Since school started, I've been such a bad blogger! My head is literally spinning with thoughts of balance sheets, interest rates, and supply & demand! Argh! I can't wait to get out of town, clear my head of all schoolwork, and enjoy the company of my love. Saturday cannot come fast enough!