As far as the eye can see…

August 1, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

I’m kind of on a travel roll right now- I mean come on, it’s summer! This is the time when a lot of us take off and enjoy the warmer weather etc. etc. so I’m wrapping up the summer with…

august-landscapes

I don’t think you actually have to go too far from home to admire landscapes, but they are something that I definitely notice when I’m the road. Landscapes say so much about the place and the culture and therefore are difficult to ignore. Not to mention they are pretty darn gorgeous a lot of the time. So before we get back to seriousness of life and the weather starts to cool off, here is one more month of “exploring”.

Culture :: Biking Boulder

July 30, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

Tyler H. Boyd

Each sport has it’s own culture and here we get a glimpse of bike culture. Now if only I didn’t feel like I was going to die every time I tried to ride my bike up a hill I might actually try it.

Culture :: Surfing without legs

July 26, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

Mark Tipple

In most cultures, we don’t always appreciate how much the disabled can really do. Unfortunately, we tend to forget about what they can do and instead focus on what they can’t do. That’s why I like this video. It focuses on how even without the use of her legs, Pascale can still live her dreams.

Culture :: Return of the Sun

July 23, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

Now that the weather has finally gotten warm, verging on hot for the Pacific Northwest, take a mental cool off:

Glen Milner

I’ve never lived in a place with extreme living conditions. I can’t imagine living in the dark for half the year and bright sunshine the other half. Nor can I imagine living in a place that is perpetually cold, except for those few months in the summer where the snow finally melts away.

On the other hand, these people are used to these harsh conditions, and the changes occurring due to global warming are changing their culture. No longer are they able to live as their ancestors have- something that seems to be prevalent across the planet as we use more technology and interact in different ways. But with these changes comes a silver lining- we have opened the world to everyone and not just the few wealthy people who can afford to travel.

But what are we losing by changing our cultures and merging into one?

Culture :: Andean Gold

July 9, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

I believe that some of the best things in life are worth waiting for- and the this beautiful video says just that.

The Inoue Brothers

I visited Peru about three years ago now and had the privilege of seeing these animals roaming the mountain side, but never a ceremony like this. However, I did see the community spirit that is the Peruvian culture. Each community is very tightly knit and everyone helps with the survival of everyone else. I think that’s what I like about Latin culture- that the community is more than just a group of people living amongst one another, but they are one large family.

Culture :: Black Rock City

July 2, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

Do you remember how in college you end up making up ridiculous games that you found absolutely exhilarating and were the perfect excuse not to write papers or study for tests? You know, like sock wrestling, or hallway jousting or indoor slip ‘n slides that ran the whole length of the boys 3rd floor wing. Wouldn’t it be fun to try those out now, to let some of that stress of every day life feel silly again? I think I’ve found the place that lets you do those things again:

Anders Christian Rasmussen

This place looks wild and un-inhibiting. I think the dust would probably bother me, but there’s something about this festival that makes you wonder how do we go from the silliness that we can so easily create at one point and then slip back into the practicality of work and every day life?

Why travel…

July 1, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

Not so far from “travel”, I present to you this month’s theme:

July--Culture

Culture is why I like to travel, so it only makes sense to transfer from travel to the reason why I travel. Happy 1st of the month!

Travel :: Living with Camels

June 28, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

travel quote

Travel :: The John Muir Trail

June 25, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

The Muir Project

This is trailer is something closer to home, figuratively and physically, than the previous videos that I’ve posted this month. This is only a thousand or more miles south of where I live and looks relatively familiar. I like to spend weekend up in the mountains hiking and being away from city life, which is a whole other experience all on its own. Sometimes you only have to go as far as your backyard to experience something new.

I think what I like most about this film is the combination of art and the outdoors. These are two things that I’m passionate about (can you tell?) and I like the blend of the two. It also brings back memories of taking a travel photography class in college while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. The scenery was very different, but the idea of documenting your journey on camera and in journals makes the experience very different from a day hike. You notice more about your surroundings and reflect more about what you are going through emotionally and physically. It also takes your mind off things when you feel like curling up in a ball and giving up for the day. Documenting the the journey through art is a very powerful thing.

Travel :: On the Map

June 21, 2013August 28, 2013Leave a comment

I’m just going to say it. I’m a nerd, I love books and there is nothing you can do to make me feel otherwise. I like to peruse book stores, spend hours with my nose in a book, and get lost in the narrative. I’m veering away from film for a day to talk about a book about maps. Yeah, I said it, a book about maps. Who woulda thought?

My best friend gave me this book for my birthday: On the Map: A mind expanding exploration of the way the world looks