Pic of the Week: 27 July - 2 Aug

Pool by the Dead Sea at sunset


This week's photo is another one from our trip to Jordan and Egypt, although a pool surrounded by palm trees could be almost anywhere...


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 20-26 July

Stinson Beach


Mamasita, E and I took a walk on Stinson Beach, shortly after my sister's wedding in September 2005. As usual in Northern California, it was windy and chilly, but lovely. A good day for parasurfing - or taking photos of parasurfers, to be more accurate.

Pic of the Week: 13-19 July

Photo collage from Jordan & Egypt


These are some of my favorite pictures, from one of my favorite trips. (Click on the link to see my blog from the trip.)


The camel on the left is sitting in front of the Treasury, in Petra. After spending two days in Petra, we took Land Rovers through the desert, trading them for camels (on the bottom right) after several hours of driving over bumpy sand dunes. It was immediately apparent that camels are better suited to the landscape - it was much more comfortable and they were less likely to break down.


That night, we camped in a Bedouin tent and watched the sunset. The photo in the middle on the bottom was taken around 5 PM Jordan time as the sun was going down and the sliver moon was starting to show. After the trip, I found out that Hank was born in California around the same time, and Sara was watching the moon as well.


The top right photo was taken a few days later. We climbed Mt Sinai overnight and reached the peak just before sunrise. I had been worried about reaching the top, but it turned out that the hike was not quite as bad as I had feared. Still I didn't understand the women climbing in street shoes and even heels. It wasn't that easy but maybe blisters don't matter when you're on a religious pilgrimage. I, being a heathen, was grateful for Gore-Tex lined sneakers. Even without the benefit of a religious background, though, I thought the sunrise was beautiful, so calm and peaceful. Things look different from the top of a mountain. And catching a sunrise is always a rare experience for a non-morning person like myself.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

One & Other

The Fourth Plinth


Rather than attempting to explain Antony Gormley's Fourth Plinth project, One & Other, I am providing links so you can go read about it. (But then come back, OK?)


The Fourth Plinth


One & Other


Now that you know about it, I stopped by Trafalgar Square this evening while I was in town. It was lightly raining, and the man on the plinth was simply standing there in a nice suit, smiling vaguely and looking around. I thought it actually captured the spirit of the day quite well.


As I walked away, I spotted two girls walking toward the plinth wearing clown costumes - the next hour's participants? or just a Saturday night out in London? Just one of the many things I love about living here. No matter what you're wearing, there's a place for you here.

Pic of the Week: 6-12 July

Family trip to Italy, May 2008


We spent 2 weeks in Tuscany last year with our families. The left side of the picture is of our parents in Lucca. The right side is the town of Manarola, in the Cinque Terre. You can read more about it on my blog here.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.