Geotraveler’s Niche

Super excited to find three copies of the November/December issue of National Geographic Traveler in my mailbox on Wednesday. One from my annual subscription, and two extra thrown in from the Society.

Under the “Long Weekends” department, I wrote about Yellow Springs, Ohio – a wonderful, tiny town of about 4,000 people, known for its eclectic, artisan flair mixed with good ol’ Midwestern sense of community.

I’d initially pitched the story along with other ideas last year (yes! 2008) which the editor had rejected so when that email arrived this summer while nesting in Stockholm, I was beyond elated.

The final published version ended up being about half the word count of the submitted version probably due to layout and space requirements…. which Yellow Springs promptly pointed out to me (after expressing sincere gratitude, to be fair). Really didn’t know how to respond back to them on that particular one.

In an industry where travel media magazines are succumbing to the suffocating economy and rough financial times, I’m extremely grateful to have my piece in NGT and sooo looking forward to more pitches and opportunities to work with the magazine.

After all, it was a childhood dream of mine.

I took only three shots while in New York last week.

Two with fantastic travel writer, down to earth soul, and my new friend, Anja Mutic at a South African restaurant that serves scrumptiously delish Peri-Peri chicken.

And this one which epitomizes New York city’s world renown street food vendors. From hotdog and pretzel stands to Greek gyro kiosks and other street grub, what I loved about this stand is its attempt at one stop street food shopping.

You can grab donuts and danishes in the morning for breakfast, return for a chicken gyro for lunch, and grab some lamb chops over rice for dinner.

Shot with point-and-shoot Panasonic Lumix camera.

So this past weekend, I picked up the camera, drove out to a local park, and wiled away time snapping the reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn.

Looking for new angles. Playing with light and shadows. Testing out various exposures. Using the color photography tips I previously shared.

As we’d round a corner or look at the same scene from a new vantage point, oohs and aahs would escape us. While spring – the rebirth of life – remains my favorite season, autumn never fails to disappoint in terms of spectacular displays of vibrant colors.

And with it comes new reflection points.

I see fall as a transition into more unstable times, times when family remains higher priority and faith safely guides you through the dark troughs of upcoming winter.

A metaphor for finally severing a 11-year old relationship with a corporate career. It is scary. As you see the bright greens of summer (in essence, steady money) turn those bright reds and oranges of instability in just 5 days, you can only leap out in faith knowing that winter is the time to incubate, create, and nurture one’s creativity.

And spring is the time to watch those visions blossom so beautifully.

You can check out a few low resolution foliage shots here – Fall Foliage Gallery.

Shot with Nikon D300

Currently in NYC for the Restless Legs Reading Series.

Color Photography Tip – Always look for patterns.

Fodor’s – 5 Photography Tips for Capturing Color This Fall

Did a piece on color photography, sharing five tips and how I applied them on a trip to Bermuda.

Forbes Traveler – America’s Best Cupcakes

Rounded up some of the best cupcakes around the country. Writing on a topic that’s so subjective was quite challenging. After all, everyone thinks their mom bakes the best cupcakes.

Live Unchained – “Life is a Journey” Interview

Was approached by the wonderful ladies of the Live Unchained project which celebrates talent and artistic expression in women of the African diaspora. In it, I discuss traveling, writing, photography and living out passions step by step. Do check it out.

Photo shot in Bermuda.

My emotions were mixed when I first saw this blue Peugeot lorry hurtle down a backroad in Nigeria. A loud cackle erupted. After all, this was a daily occurrence in the country’s commercial capital, Lagos.

My cackle was quickly replaced by suppressed giggles of unbelief.

And then sheer horror at what I was observing. The motorcyclist and his passenger had been following this truck for a few miles, drinking in more than a lifetime’s supply of black tarry exhaust fumes.

Deducing that those fumes were causing real harm to the environment and climate was a no-brainer, but what hit it home was the fact that its consuming power, its vortex-like oxygen-sucking power was on full display for me to see.

For all to see.

Last year, I’d written about global poverty and how it’s lived daily amongst us all. This year for Blog Action Day, we tackle the ever growing debate of climate change and how global warming is truly recomposing our atmosphere.

While you may feel far removed from this picture and the lives affected by unregulated environmental standards in far away countries, every single country (including yours) adds to the mass pollution that’s driving this cause.

After all, we do share the same oxygen supply. Right?

Today is 2009 Blog Action Day- Climate Change. Take Action. Even if it starts with just heightening your awareness of the world around you.

While typing up answers for an upcoming interview for Live Unchained, I came across this question:

Do you think that what a traveler stands to gain or contribute varies in different settings?

Got me really thinking way past the question.

The act of travel in itself is so subjective. It touches and transforms us all differently. Experiences range from life-changing epiphanies to downright atrocious situations. One of the reasons I appreciate Brave New Traveler (part of the Matador Network) is that it aims to explore the various dimensions of travel objectively.

As travelers, we usually seek to gain more insight, more tolerance, more understanding of various cultures we immerse ourselves in. In a sense, expanding our views beyond those habitual boxes and situational bubbles we live within each day.

We continually want to gain. In terms of contributing, volunteerism immediately jumps to mind – sharing time, giving tangible items, serving others. We rarely often see ourselves as cultural ambassadors too.

When I travel, I strive to be a sponge readily expanding. Soaking up knowledge and cultural understanding, immersing in and respecting various points of views, sharing my story, serving others and squeezing out generously where needed…while inherently remaining a sponge without somehow transforming into a mop.

In essence, I let travel enrich, not define. For definition, I look to a higher power.

Photo shot in Lisbon, Portugal.

You know you’re at a rugby wedding when a line-out is formed to catch the tossed bouquet. Flew out to Dayton this past weekend to celebrate with dear friends. Here are a few shots of the sexy ambiance.

Continue reading ‘Photo Essay: Scenes from a Rugby Wedding’

As writers, tuning into your own voice and style of putting words to paper is crucial. Your own way of communicating feelings, emotions, random thoughts. I’ve never been a fan of imitating others; your favorite authors.

While genres may change as you go through different phases, your voice and style usually stay true.

The Traveler’s Notebook has started publishing field notes from popular writers, and I can’t wait to read more. To get into their creative process. A constant sense of playing catch up, it seems these days. Discovering exquisite writers. New authors.

After all, my background wasn’t literary. Over 14 years was spent programming, analyzing, refactoring, creating logical solutions. Coding programs efficiently in a few lines. Communicating efficiently in a few lines.

My style isn’t verbose. It never will be overtly verbose.

Each day, I see those words, those phrases getting a lot tighter. With time.

Photo shot in Sundsvall, Sweden.

United’s In-flight magazine, Hemispheres, recently went through a major overhaul after switching publishers. New departments were introduced while its signature series that outlines three-day itineraries for major cities around the world, 3 Perfect Days, was kept.

For its “One City, Five Hours” department, I wrote a Whirlwind Stockholm piece that takes you through Sweden’s cosmopolitan capital city in just five hours: crisscrossing iconic locations, digging into scrumptious Swedish cuisine, and partaking in fika like a local.

The overall editorial process was solid, and working with the editor was fun. Been splitting time between Stockholm and the states for a couple years, and this assignment had me reaching once more for my map of Stockholm to identify the best route.

Then I took a look at their published map…their accompanying illustration was all wrong.

They’d used the wrong map. Needless to say, I’ve promptly notified my editors of the error. There’s really nothing they can do about it now.

Anyways, I am looking forward to penning more pieces for the magazine. Currently brainstorming ideas. Ink Publishing provides online access to the entire magazine so you don’t have to hop aboard a United flight to check out the latest issue.

You can read my Stockholm piece here but be sure to use the red route on the map below instead:

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Haaa. Cupcakes. Those decadent miniatures of goodness that can draw out a smile from even the grouchiest of us all. Just wrapped up a yummy article for Forbes Traveler that had me researching these perfect portions of bliss. As part of the assignment, I visited a local bakery which has gained quite some popularity…including a spot on a recent American Express commercial.

Here are a couple more shots.

Hungry yet?

Hands down the coolest travel community on earth, Matador Network recently launched its MatadorU, a twelve-week program guaranteed to help you launch your travel writing career, but more importantly, help you find and hone your true voice. The program was put together by most of the Matador founders and editorial team (myself included).

Like Senior Editor David Miller always says, “Come correct!”. Write about what you know. Try not to be who you’re not. While mimicking your favorite writers is a form of flattery, it really doesn’t get you far.

You need to be you.

MatadorU’s rock solid curriculum has no fluffy information built in. It gets to the point succinctly.

If you’re looking to take the next step, I highly recommend the course. If you’re unsure, listen to David Miller break down the program over at Travel Writers Exchange.

As part of its popular Notes from the Road series, I recently wrote a piece, Notes on My Polish Informant, for the Traveler’s Notebook about the very beginning of my love affair with Poland. A country that blew away all my expectations with the warmest of souls. Souls that suffered so much and know what it is to be persecuted.

Puts things in perspective.

Oh….on another note, the official announcement was sent to the crew today.

About my decision. The transition. The new life.

Emotions are mixed. They range from relief to sheer terror. After all, I got degrees to do this. Been doing this since I was nineteen. This corporate life. The daily challenge it brings which I actually love.

The right side of my brain finally won. Once October rolls out, a free agent emerges, open to more assignments and more travel. More photojournalism. Free to pursue all those pesky side passions too.

Free to be the creative me to its fullest.

Photo shot at Jasna Góra Monastery, Czestochowa, Poland

The Matador community has some of the most vibrant personalities on earth and one such individual is N. Chrystine Olson. We first connected through our mutual love of travel, writing, and…rugby. We’d toyed with various opportunities to collaborate on subjects we both love.

We finally found one – American Football vs. Rugby: Which is Tougher? for Matador Sports.

I took the stance of an ex-rugby player who’d competed at top levels, and she took the position of an American Football officiant.

Made for a fun collaboration.