Archive for the ‘travel’ Category
Planted like angelic seeds in my life I love watching them grow by Brooke Reidt
Element Eden asked me who I surround myself with and what draws me to those people. I thought I would introduce you to some of my friends who inspire me. Somewhere along the way they were planted like angelic seeds in my life and I love watching them grow! So many of my close friends are artists, constantly creating their own art and living out their dreams. There’s too many people like this in my life that I simply adore and are hugely inspiring to name here, so consider this a sliver. (A big sliver since I didn’t post yesterday.)
Meet Ixchel, such a small girl filled with so much magic! Ixchel is named after a Mayan goddess and she seems like she’s from another universe or perhaps a whole universe exists within her. She creates photographic images that you want to climb inside of and make a new life for yourself without boundaries. Just looking at her photographs takes you on a trip to places you can’t find on any atlas. All shot with film and no photoshopping! Look!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ixchelara/
This is Niki. I met her on a porch of a house called “The Legion of Doom” in Ohio when I was hitchhiking across the country at 17. She very much seems a part of me. Living on opposite coasts I still feel like I grew up right beside her. She’s a genius the way she moves color around on canvas, wood or paper. You know that story about the boy who turned everything he touched to chocolate? Well this is the girl who turns everything she touches to beguiling beauties. Niki and her art are a spellbinding sea yours eyes need to swim around in. http://planticandwingishscenery.blogspot.com/
Mariqueen is a mermaid. No seriously, you’ve heard the lore of singing sirens that make ships wreck? This is her! Her voice gives you shivers and it does kind of kill you in a way. She’s a mother, lover and singer of the supernatural descent. Currently hypnotising, mesmerising and making waves in her band How to Destroy Angels drown your ears. http://howtodestroyangels.com/
Steve is cosmic. If Picasso came back to life as a hunter of life his name would be Steve. Steve is a magician of the arts, he dances to the beat of his dreams. From sculpture, mosaics & installations, to abstract paintings erupting in color he manifests a world of love you can live inside of. His art is not only a life of dedication but a life celebration. http://stevefawley.com/
This is Chris. I think you can see just from this picture that the energy of this being is extraterrestrial. Yep this picture was taken from one of his performances somewhere on a moon orbiting in the outerest parts of outer space. I know I wish was there too! The energy this alien invests into the music he makes can take you there! Listen to his project Free the Robots it will take you on that universal voyage you’ve been dreaming of. Chris is also one of the owners of a really impressive restaurant here on earth who is celebrating their 4th anniversary this weekend, The Crosby go! http://www.myspace.com/freetherobots
June June she’s sucha swoon you just want to spoon her forever! Aside from being sweet like a pile of puppies, she’s made of crystal prisms that cast rainbows of light on everything in her path. You know that Rolling Stone’s song “She’s a Rainbow”, that’s June. June is an artist, designer, blogger, film maker and snowboarder. She’s kind of a mystic sometimes she disappears and then resurfaces with some new zesty project or film that captivates your heart. http://blog.boatpeopleboutique.com/ http://www.peepshowfilms.com/
Finally there’s Paul who is one of my oldest friends. He divides his time between New York and traveling to the edge of earth. Right when he’s teetering so close to the edge you wonder if he’s fallen off and disappeared forever, he propels himself back to the present dimension sharing stories of people through photographic artifacts. His photographs transport you into intimate introductions with people and places that are so alternative to the nature you know, you wonder if it’s a dream. Paul has dedicated his life to exposing these hidden treasures through portraits you can see here.
http://www.paulnemirahcollins.com/
I Couldn’t Agree More!
As I head to France today for the Adaptive Snowboarding World Championships, I leave this quote behind. Life is an adventure, live it up!
~Amy
1 day and 3 hours… with traffic by Guest Blogger Brooke Kelley
They say home is where the heart is. Looking back on these past three years of traveling and sofa surfing up and down the west coast I am blown away at how many homes have stolen my heart. BUT as amazing as each and every sofa and family I impose on…nothing beats good ol’ home sweet home. It is because of my amazing rock of a family and friends that I have been so blessed with at home that I am able to have the confidence and endurance to take on the rest of the world.
I could not have dreamed up anything better than exactly what I was doing in Cali. but at the same time I could not ignore the faint long distance call to wonder back homeward for a little. “Cali. has everything any one could ever ask for!” I hear everyone say. Oh, and I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I hear this one…”Missouri?!…oh you mean Misery!!” At the end of this adventure, every single one of those scallywags will be asking to sleep on MY sofa for a change! Stay tuned to the journey homeward and the hidden treasure that is to be found in good ol’Lake of the Ozarks!
America the Beautiful by Guest Blogger Johnie of Calypso Letters
The journey from East to West (or West to East for that matter) is rough– almost 48 hours of straight driving over 3,000 miles– but everyone should try to make it at least once in her lifetime. Driving from Philadelphia to Santa Monica took us through the lush green fields and forests of Pennsylvania and Ohio, tornado bruised Oklahoma and Missouri and the bare rockiness of New Mexico and Arizona. The Grand Canyon blew our minds and Vegas didn’t disappoint. Take your time in roadside gift shops and “authentic” Native American trading posts, where you can find treasures like $2 dream catchers and packs of fireworks eight feet tall. Plus, nothing feels better than arriving in sunny southern California–my new home!
XO- Johnie
See more of our hiking, biking and driving adventures at Calypso Letters!
Mexican Pride in Full Effect!! By Guest Blogger Porcha Dodson
I had the pleasure of traveling to the Gulf of Mexico and spending some time with the locals in Puerta Vallarta!
Located on the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Ameca River, Puerta Vallarta is known for its beautiful beaches, cultural history, tropical climate and gracious locals who are eagerly awaiting any tourist willing to indulge in their hidden treasures.
During my stay in Mexico, I was able to travel downtown and experience the rich culture and pride of the Mexican people. I got a sneak peak into the day to day operations of some local mom and pop shops and how they depend on American tourism to survive.
Most recently, the hotel and restaurant industries in Mexico have suffered tremendously due to lack of tourism and travel to the coastal plain.Tourism makes up about 50% of all economic activity in Puerta Vallarta. American media has painted a portrait of crime and drug lords which has ultimately affected the economic growth of the Mexican economy.
Don’t believe the hype!
The Mexican people are in full effect and ready to welcome you with open arms.
Do yourself a favor and indulge in the beauty of Mexico and all that it has to offer.
Vamos!!
Wine and Chocolate…..PK visits DeGrandel wine farm in Capetown By Guest Blogger Porcha of Project Knapsack
Project Knapsack and friends take some time out from helping students to visit the illustrious DeGrendel wine farm and factory in Capetown, South Africa.
Like so many memorable stories about the origin of great wines and farms, this particular vineyard is owned by Sir David Graff and has been in the family for three generations. Mr. Graff has created a legacy of upliftment in the local community, supporting farm laborers and their families and encouraging education for their children.
We were so lucky to have a grand tour of the estate and an lesson on wine making by PK friend and wine connoisseur Stefan Kotze, who also informed us that he is a huge Element fan. We were able to see how wine is extracted from the grapes, fermented and turned into one of their delicious varietals.
After the tour, we traveled to the tasting room and tried a bit of each wine. My favorite was the Winifred, which is a blend of Semillon, Chardonnay and Voigner……..simply divine. The wine tasted experience was paired with amazing chocolate from My friend, Karlien Van Stratten’s new chocolate factory, CocoaFair. Ahhhh, a day of pure indulgence:)
For more information about DeGrendel wine farm visit www.degrendel.co.za
Robben Island Visit by Guest Blogger Porcha of Project Knapsack
One of my favorite places to visit is Robben Island. It is so rich with history and culture. The unique piece to Robben Island is that all of the tour guides are former inmates who were released when the the prison shut down.
From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. The Island is located in Capetown South Africa and is accessible by cargo ship through the Cape Town Waterfront. The shark infested waters surround the prison making it hard for the prisoners to escape. President Nelson Mandela was jailed there for 27 years after being accused of political activism.Because of his great influence on the prison community, Mandela was taken away to solitary confinement for most of his sentence. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum, a poignant reminder to the newly democratic South Africa of the price paid for freedom.
Day 2-Project Knapsack travels to the Lion Park…..BEWARE!!! By Guest Blogger Porcha
Today, the PK gang traveled through the jungles of South Africa.These are some of my favorite shots from the Lion park in Johannesburg. The park is located in the bush area of Gauteng and is open to the public. There are two areas of the park, one for the herbivores and one for the carnivores.
I loved spending time with the baby lions and was quite intrigued by their playfullness and strength. We also went to the a more open area, where the male and female lions harbor. There are signs located throughout the park telling guests to stay in their vehicles at all times….Really? When you see how massive and strong these animals are, you realize just how low you are on the food chain.