The Pink Tutu

Have you seen these photos? I man dons a pink tutu, sets-up a tripod, and takes pictures of himself around the world - originally for a laugh, and now to raise money for breast cancer. 

Mad props, man.

All images via The Tutu Project

Happy Weekend!!

Bask

Today is a straight-up gorgeous day. All I want to do is sit outside and bask in the sun, like a cat. I'm counting down the minutes until I can do. just. that. I was going to do my taxes tonight, but that will have to wait until dark ;)

Here's some places I'd like to be basking:

Malaga, Spain

Jade Jagger's Beach House in Goa

Never too old for a teepee!

 

Amazing beach

Texas

I'll probably be on my porch instead. You know I'll be drinking one of these :)

Happy Basking,

E.

On the Map

Have you seen these? Awesome snaps from the worldwide Google Maps cameras, collected by artist Jon Rafman. Some are obviously people hamming for the camera, but many offer a candid glimpse into life around the world. Fascinating.

Some of the images are beautiful, or funny. Others are heartbreaking. As Rafman says, "Although the Google search engine may be seen as benevolent, Google Street Views present a universe observed by the detached gaze of an indifferent Being. Its cameras witness but do not act in history. For all Google cares, the world could be absent of moral dimension."

Rafman identifies the many lenses through which we can view these shots - gorgeous panorama, human interaction with the Web, candid moments. Another application is a rarely seen view of those living on the perimeter of society. He says, "In theory, we are all equally subject to being photographed, but the Street View collections often reveal it is the poor and the marginalized who fall within the purview of the Google camera gaze."

Thoughts? I can't stop thinking about what happened to the baby crawling by the Gucci store...

* all image from here.

Seven Super Shots

Hello travellers!

I'm taking part in Hostelbookers Seven Super Shots - a little travel blogger round robin, if you will. See my submission,  below!

A photo that... takes my breath away:

Utah, USA: This was taken near the Four Corners. Amazing, amazing clouds, bright blue skies, and the light was pure and crisp.

A photo that...makes me laugh or smile:

Bangalore, India: A perfect moment caught on film - I was riding a ricksahaw through town when this gent, surprised to see me in all my blonde-haired, blue-eyed glory, snapped a picture of me with his phone. I surprised him by doing the same! 

A photo that...makes me dream:

Near Pohang, South Korea: This was an amazing morning, with the mists rolling over the hills surrounding this temple.  I dream about who might have stood there before me, admiring the view.

A photo that...makes me think:

Bubaneshwar, India: Street dogs (and cows) are all over India and it was incredibly sad and disconcerting, especially in a culture where animals are often highly valued in religion. I carried snacks in my pockets to share with them from time to time, rabies be damned.

A photo that...makes my mouth water:

Bangalore, India: nothing is better than fresh fruit - unless it's artfully displayed fresh fruit on the side of the road in India. The start of mango season is like a holiday! 

A photo that...tells a story:

Wellesley, MA: This is a ground shot from my college visit trek around the Eastern seaboard - the journey that helped me discover Davidson and take the first steps towards my adult life ... in Vans, of course.

A photo that...I'm most proud of (my National Geographic shot):

Varanasi, India: I followed this priest away from the banks of the Ganges in order to snap a pic of him carrying holy water in his shiny tin pail.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures - looking through my albums, I felt a little sad and nostalgic, but also so grateful for all the amazing things I've been able to see.

See some other bloggers' submissions here, here and here.

Smile!

Some days, you just need a little something extra to make you smile.



From here, via Pinterest.

How fun does this look? Apparently, on one day a year in Hamsburg, Germany, cars are banned and residents can get around town in these bad boys. Looks like the most fun, and totally incovenient, means of travel ever. Who's in?

Also, doesn't it look like that little girl is having the best day of her life? A pig in bliss.