November 26, 2007
November 22, 2007
Just Good Fun
Do I even have to say anything about this picture. I think the expression on the girls' faces say it all. Karneval in Cologne is that of nothing I have ever experienced before in my life. When and where else can hundreds of thousands of Koelners and visitors celebrate the 5th season in a fashion where no one is ashamed of what garb they are wearing (including me). Pirates, animals, football players and just plain crazy people having "Good Fun" in the streets on a Sunday afternoon, what's not to love? It was definitely one of my best memories of my trip so far and I thank who ever took this picture as it is the only picture evidence of me wearing a sweater made for a 8 year old girl.
November 20, 2007
A Picture...
This is a picture of Cologne, the first place I saw in Germany and now my home. I will never forget this city and this view from the top of the cathedral is a good visual explanation of it. We were fortunate enough to get a tour through the seldom seen parts and onto the roof and it offered an unforgettable view of the city. It shows the Rhine and the train station, both the transportation hubs of the city, and also a spire of the cathedral, an unmistakable mark of tradition. Both of these aspects of Germany are very clear explanations of the culture here and this picture captures them.
Breath taking panama
http://www.renekueppers.de/photography/hamburg2005/hauptbahnhof2.jpg
This picture basically sums up what I feel is one of the biggest differences between America and Germany. The German transportation system (despite the ongoing strikes) is wonderful. I can hardly remeber what life was like without the bahns to take me anywhere I want to go in the city.
Flamenco!!!!
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
This is a sunrise in the Sahara Desert on my recent trip to Morocco. The camels and the dunes are things that are so characteristic of the desert when portrayed in movies and books, but to see the whole picture in person is incredible. Watching the sunset and sunrise from the dunes and is such a peaceful experience, and something that not very many people can say that they've done.
Picture Worth 1000 Words
This picture was taken on the Strand, the area along the beach in town. Although it was a cloudy day, there were still a lot of people enjoying their gorgeous Queensland weather. Living in the tropics isn't for everyone, but North Queenslanders really know how to make the best of every situation.
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
This picture describe the current situation in France.
For the seventh straight day, France is bracing for another day of strike that affect mostly public transportation. The rail strike over pension reforms is costing between 440 and 586 million dollars daily, the government said.
Lancaster at a Glance: Picture worth 1000 words
I was tempted at the beginning of this entry to post one of my favourite shots from my trips to London: the view from the Thames of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Without doubt, it's the view I always associate with London and consequently England too. But when I thought more about it, I realized that this wasn't such an accurate portrayal of my time here. Instead I chose this snapshot of downtown Lancaster, which I took the day I arrived. You can see the typical English grey skies and the architecture that continues throughout the city. This is the picture my mind's eye will always have of Lancaster, if not only because I've walked down this street at least once a week for four months. Keystones pub is prominant, indicative of how much that scene is part of daily life over here. I had no idea when I took the photo how much time I would come to spend at that cozy pub, surrounded by both American and British friends and a warm pint. It may not be the most spectacular view I've seen abroad, and I've spent time in places *other* than the pubs, I promise, but to me this is Lancaster. The quaint little British town that's come to be my home away from home and Allegheny, grey skies and all.
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
Sevilla's Cathedral is the third largest in Europe and it is the center of the city. Religion is practiced and considered something different to everyone. The cathedral has services as well as many tourists. The small chapels in neighborhoods are filled with people who go for devotion to pray. There are also cultural Catholics like my host mother who have crosses in their houses but who only go to mass occasionally. Everyone celebrates fiestas which are holidays such as Christmas and Semana Santa. Even to people who aren’t religious Sevilla’s cathedral is the pride of this city.
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
November 19, 2007
Picture Worth 1000 words
This photo was taken directly outside my dorm on the lawn where seven wallabies set up camp at least three times every week. They take a huge patch of grass between our walkways and lounge for hours on end. These wallabies aren't stupid: they know there are tons of students walking all around them within arms reach but they don't panic about it. I think they exemplify Aussie culture because wallabies seem so inherently laid back. Within the student culture, people don't stress as much about exams as we do at home: first of all, they don't have as many, and second, they're content with passing the class instead of trying to beat everyone else out for the best grade. I've also held a job while I was here and even my employer had a laid back vibe. His favorite phrases are "no drama" and "no worries mate!" I think the Aussies and the wallabies got it right - it certainly makes for a more fun and stress free life.
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
This is a picture of the chateau of Saumur, which is the town next door to Angers. Chateaux hold an important historical significance to the history of France.
Kianjokoma
This is the landscape of Kianjokoma taken from the edge of Mount Kenya forest, most of the people have tea farms and grow most of their own food. The fact that this are is extremely fertile is what most impacts the people here. Many people do not get an education because the way they see it, as long as they have land they can make a living and support their family. Since many people work in their farms all day many people do not leave Kianjokoma, This means that most people have never seen a white person and it becomes a big deal. The farms have a large influence on the upbringing of the people here which effects how I am treated and viewed.
November 18, 2007
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
This picture is of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin. Much of Germany was destroyed during World War II and the cities lay in ruins. After the war, there was a question of whether the old building should be rebuilt, or if new, modern buildings should be built instead. The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is a perfect example of how today Germany is a mix of the old and the new. A new, modern chapel was build right next to the bombed out church, which was left standing as a memorial to the destruction of Berlin during World War II.
St. Martin Umzug
Picture Worth 1000 Words
This is a picture from my birthday dinner at my host mom's mother's house. (Didja follow that?) The French are so stereotypical it's shocking. Berets, scarves, baguettes, wine and cheese...food here is extremely important, and the difference between a typical French meal and, say, an American or German meal is enormous. They eat light, but well, and take pride in every aspect of a meal, from the seating at the table to the type of tea they have after dinner.
Picture worth a 1000 Words
This is a photo of a German billboard. Germans are very open about all things sexual, and I feel this image captures that openness.
November 17, 2007
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
On the top of this image is a handmade unique painting I bought done by an Aboriginal man I met at Cultural Fest at the beginning of the year. The Aboriginal spirituality is known as "Dreamtime," a religion without time or place. Dreamtime has sacred beings, generally beings of nature, and this kangaroo is one of them. The story represented in the painting is the story of the men hunting the kangaroo for food. The solid lines around the kangaroo are the hunters' paths as they search, and to the right of those lines are the kangaroo's tracks and droppings that they follow to find him. This painting represents my Australian experience because I've gained a great deal of knowledge about Aboriginal Australia and I've really learned how to appreciate it. I feel that it is a truly genuine, beautiful Australian tradition, and that's why I got the kangaroo tattooed on me - it is paying homage to the Indigenous Australian culture, as well as to my amazing experience in this country. Plus, this souvenir definitely won't add any extra weight to my luggage!
A Picture Worth a 1000 Words
I think this picture really sums up France for me. Almost everywhere that you turn you see a roundabout, a statue, a castle, and a church. Which I am still blown away by because in the U.S. you can't find a castle, or a roundabout, let alone a gothic church and a statue on the same street corner! The US is such a young nation that all of these things are amazing to be able to walk around and find. The french think nothing of it, for them its just another church or castle. I guess ones man's cast aways really are another's fortune.
November 16, 2007
Picture worth a 1000 words
This picture was taken during the anti-war protest that took place on September 15th. Protesters marched from the White House to the Capitol Steps, where they were greeted by hundreds of police officers. This picture is symbolic because while America is called the land of the free, hundreds of people were still arrested that day during the march. I think this picture is ironic in a way because the capitol building is suppose to be an embodiment of our democratic values, yet people were detained for voicing their pacifist beliefs that day.
November 14, 2007
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
This is a picture of me skydiving from 14,000 feet over Mission Beach. The name of the beach is fitting, I was on a mission to discover something about myself that I never thought I could do. This picture perfectly fits everything that I have expiereced in Australia. Fear, risk taking, and living every moment to the fullest. The motto here is "no worries mate."
Picture Worth a 1000 Words
An elderly couple celebrating Guy Fawkes Day together. Despite being a different culture and a different place, people still honor their country and uphold the ideas of freedom and unity. The only thing that differs is the circumstances under which people gather.
November 13, 2007
The English Countryside
This photograph was taken in Grasmere in the Lake District near William Wordsworth's house. Wordsworth had said that his writing was inspired by the views from his house and the beauty of the nature surrounding his home in the Lake District. The English countryside is an aspect of English culture that I find fascinating. It brings a sense of calm over you while at the same time eliciting feelings of inspiration and wonder in the fact that everywhere you look in England there is so much history. When I have been homesick or just needed a lift throughout my time here I have journeyed into the countryside and have felt connected to something... as if there have been others just like me throughout time that have walked where I have now walked and felt wonder, ease, excitement and inspiration that I have felt from the beauty of the English countryside.
November 5, 2007
Picture Worth a 1000 words
Picture Worth a 1000 words
For this blog, please select a photograph or image that you have captured/created, and post it, with a brief note about its context and significance. The picture should really say it all.
The photograph/image should capture some aspect of the host culture that you find fascinating, disturbing, humorous, or unique. Your text should briefly explain why.
Please remember to size the photo/image, and upload it before you start typing your text.
DUE DATE: NOV. 20, 2007