This week the theme at PhotoFriday is debris. I took this photo in Daejeon, South Korea. I was walking back from the HomePlus and found this trio of randomly discarded items caught my eye. I've occasionally wondered what they story that landed this trio together.
Noisy is the theme this week at PhotoFriday. This photo was taken somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is the engine of the Hanjin Phoenix, a freighter ship that I had the opportunity to spend a couple weeks on. The engine room was one of the main areas that was off limits to my wanderings, but the chief engineer did give me a private tour. Unfortunately, it was so loud that I could barely understand half of what he was telling me about the machine.
This week at PhotoFriday the theme is Brown. This was taken in Amadeo, Philippines, which is the Coffee Capital of the Philippines. The mayor of the town invited us in for a cup of coffee. I was able to tell him it was the best coffee I have ever had. It also was the first cup of coffee I had ever had. Two more cups have followed, but that first cup still was the best.
Wealth is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. They say you can't take it with you, but many try. This casket is on display at the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston, Texas.
This week the theme at PhotoFriday is Edible. I had several photos of foods from around the world I have consumed, but figured I would go with what many might find one of the more disgusting items. This is some balut from my last trip to the Philippines. While it might not be the most appetizing images, it actually was a whole lot better than I expected.
The Weekend is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. I have spent the last three four days sitting inside a vehicle watching the pavement pass by, and my weekend is looking like more of the same. I am not exactly sure which way I am heading, I just know I need to get home from this long road trip I am on.
Isolation is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. This shot was taken towards the end of my self imposed hermit days this winter. Guess after so many days without contact you get a little stir crazy. And being stir crazy can lead to ideas like canoeing in the snow or setting up your own bowling rink.
The theme this week at PhotoFriday is Morning Routine. Sadly in my current employment status, I do not have any great morning routine, or at least one that would be worthy of a photo. So I give you a photo of one of my favorite statues. And really, don't most of us enjoy a little toilet reading in the morning?
This week at PhotoFriday the theme is pet. I do not have a pet. Part of the reason is that they limit the vagabond lifestyle. I would also have a hard time spending money to take care and feed something that I am just going to have to clean up after.
But if I had a limitless supply of money and land to have animals to call my own, I would probably have to have an elephant. There is just something cool about seeing one up close. Perhaps it is due to my desire of being in a circus as a kid. It could also could be related to the Simpsons episode where Bart wins an elephant. Either way, I am guessing I would be the coolest guy on the block, owning my own pachyderm.
Costume is the theme this week at PhotoFriday. Last summer, I took my sister-in-law and nieces to Chick-fil-A for their Cow Appreciation Day. This guy was there to claim his free meal for dressing up like a cow. I only received a free sandwich, as I only wore a cow themed hat. Guess I just wasn't that committed to the cause.
This week the theme at PhotoFriday is iconic. I took this photo on my last trip to California. This statue is located on the campus/compound of the Crystal Cathedral. My friend Dave and I both were puzzled by the metallic baby Jesus. I think I made the joke that he looks less like the son of God, and more like the son of Destro. Cobra-la-la-la-la-la-la!
It has been a while since I have been online on a Friday for PhotoFriday. This week's theme is White. I chose one of the photos I took last month while I was wandering around the frozen lake. This was from one of the sunnier days. Part of me wishes I was back up there, although I hear it is bitter cold. But that is what the wood stove is for, right?
This week the theme at PhotoFriday is Old Fashioned. This is one of my friends and my grandpa's tractor that he fixed up. I envy his mechanical skills.
This week the theme at PhotoFriday is "Rough." It has been a few weeks since I have posted a PhotoFriday entry, mostly because of the traveling. This one is from the last trip to the Philippines. These are some of the many bricks my team help build alongside the Habitat For Humanity crew. And only one thumb was damaged in the process.
Movement is the theme this week at PhotoFriday. I took this photo this week up in Seoul. I spent more time on the Seoul subway this week than I might have in the last two years. If I am right, I was on it for over three and a half hours on Tuesday alone. I am heading back up tomorrow for one last visit before my boat leaves this country in four days.
Tools is the theme this week at PhotoFriday. This was in the window of a knife store in Basel, Switzerland. If I had a spare thousand Swiss francs around, I could have bought the Swiss Army knife with 85 different tools.
I took this shot during the Duran Duran concert April 17th, in Seoul, South Korea. It was not easy to get the shot, as security guards were constantly watching for the evil people who brought cameras into the concert venue. It did not help that I was in the very front of the crowd. Luckily, I got a few shots off without being caught. You can read more about the concert in my previous post.
Professional is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. Had to look though my photos to find someone/thing that looked professional. This photo of my friend Andrew was prefect. He took me to my first shooting range last summer. The guy not only was a great shot, but a great instructor. Guess it helps is in law enforcement. Although I think he was only being nice when he thought my shooting was good. That or I have spent way too many quarters on Virtual Cop at the arcade.
My Little Secret is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. I am not sure if my secret is that I still owned this shirt until about a week ago, or that I still occasionally watch wrestling. The best/worst part about it is that here in Korea there is a channel that shows WWE at least once a day. I think I've watched the Ric Flair farewell address about five times this week. I think I have said too much, and should stop there.
"Electricity" is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. This photo was taken last fall when I was in Hong Kong. Every night they put on an amazing light display in the harbour. I would love to know what the total electric bill to run the Symphony of Lights. I posted a video of the show on the YouTube.
"Fragile" is this week's theme at PhotoFriday. This was a bomb I came across while wandering around some old war trenches in the Vosges Mountains of France. I tried to pick it up, just to see how heavy it was. I even thought it would make a cool conversation piece in my apartment. Luckily, there were some people who felt it would be unwise to load a undetonated WWII bomb into the back of van full of students. Those same wise people were not on another trip we made to the area, but that is another story for another time.
"Far From Home" is the theme at PhotoFriday this week.
I have considered myself fortunate to be able to wander so far from the pumpkin fields of Morton, Illinois. There are hundreds of photos I could use to show myself "far from home" I picked this one, just because it is one of the more recent photos. It was taken in Subic Bay, Philippines, while I was in the area helping with a Habitat for Humanity building project.
To be honest, home is a concept I struggle more and more with. While many of my peers have a place to call home, I feel homeless. Sure there are places I know I can stay for long periods of time and feel comfortable, but a home I feel I lack. In some ways I would love to say because I am longing for a heavenly home, but I think it might have to deal with my ever need to wander.
This actually line of thought could fill a huge post, so for the time being, just enjoy the photo. As with every photo, it was so much better in real life.
PhotoFriday's theme this week is "The Good Life." You probably are wondering why a photo of the shore of Lake Baikal is a representation of the good life. Here is the simplified version of the story behind this photo:
I was traveling across Mongolia and Russia with two good friends. We stopped ended up in Port Baikal for the evening due to a mix-up out of our control. In the process we found ourselves on a hike with two complete strangers. As we walked along the train tracks outside of the desolated area, my brain began to play tricks on me. I wondered exactly why these two men had a large backpack and a full shopping bag. My brain was flashing thoughts about the Russian mafia and various ways tourists have been mugged. As the mist began to come down, and my blood was being pumped out by the thousand mosquitoes that surrounded me, I began to wonder if this was the end. Could this be where this crazy adventure of my life ends.
Our two guides then told us to walk ahead another kilometer to a train tunnel, look around for a while, and then return for dinner. We walked ahead to the tunnel, where two of us shared similar thoughts. After some laughter we returned to a campfire along the shore of the lake. The contents of the backpack and bag were being cooked over a fire for our consumption. Our guide had even made tea from various leaves he had collected along the walk. It might have been one of the best meals I have ever had.
Perhaps a little thought about death makes you realize how good life is. I was enjoying a meal beside a beautiful shore with two great friends in a part of the world I never imagined I would explore. That my friends is why I feel I have the good life. Good friends, good travels, good food, and a good God who has provided it all.
"Fuzzy" is the PhotoFriday's theme this week. This photo was taken at a friend's house. I knew he liked to wear those crazy Russian style hats, but did not know he had multiple hats. Guess it is good to always have a spare. Perhaps there are different levels of thickness and warmth provided by each hat. I did not bother enough to find out.
By the way, I learned they are called ushankas. I have learned my something for the day.
"Art" is this week's theme at PhotoFriday. This is a shot from my recent trip to India. Everyday we would have some time for arts and crafts with the children at the orphanage. We were amazed at the creativity the children displayed in their projects.
"Infinity" is the theme this week at PhotoFriday. This was my high score on the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster ride at Hong Kong Disneyland. Actually, this was my highest unassisted score. Later in the day, one of the park employees told me how to get a higher score. Although the highest score came when the ride stopped moving for a few minutes, but the targets were still live.
"The Machine" is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. Above is the 1989 Toyota Camry that was kindly donated to me this summer. Thanks Dave! I do not know if reasoning was as an easy way to get rid of the car, or because he secretly wanted me to end up broken down along the side of a highway. I was impressed with how well that car performed. It made it all the way from Los Angeles, CA to Marquette, MI without any issues. It did not even take the shortest route, much to the chagrin of a Texan police officer, who told me I should not be driving in his state. That was right before he did a thorough drug search of the car and those riding it in.
Now it sits in storage, awaiting the next big adventure. In fact, last night my dad was asking me if I thought it would make another trip to the west coast and back. Not sure, but I would be game to find out.
I also like this photo of the car, taken by one of my friends who decided to join me for a week of the road trip.
I am back from break, and trying to get back into posting again. This week's theme at PhotoFriday is "Disastrous." I dug up this photo of the first car I owned in Europe. It was a great car, but unfortunately an Italian guardrail was no match for the Mazda. The funny part was that two weeks after I had left in an Italian junk yard, one of my coworkers, who was a complete mooch, called me up asking to borrow it.
"The Best of 2007" is the theme of PhotoFriday this week. I've posted over a thousand photos taken in nine different countries. It is hard to narrow down to just one as the best. I picked this one, as it shows one of the things about travel that I love most, the open road. Travel to me is not always about the destination, but the journey. Too often for me the best parts about a trip happen on the way. The destination is sometimes the icing on the cake. J.R.R Tolkien said it best, "Not all who wander are lost." I am just grateful I have been able to wander this far and for this long.
The PhotoFriday theme this week is "Sunrise." It must be proof that I am not really a morning person, when this is the only sunrise photo I have. I took this from the top of an orphanage near Bangalore, India. I am excited to be able to return there in about two months. This will be my third time taking a group of students from our school to work with the children there.
"Dead of Night" is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. This was taken two summers ago in Moscow. My friends had left for the airport, and I decided to wander around Red Square at midnight. One of my favorite activities when I travel is to wander major cities in the middle of night. A city changes so much when all the activity dies down, and the locals all go home. There is something about wandering around streets that are usually full of activity, but at the time are deserted. One can get the feeling of being the only survivor in a ghost town. Plus, you can save a few bucks on lodging that way.
"Travel" is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. This might be the toughest theme for me to narrow down. Having passed through over thirty five countries, how do you pick one photo from all those adventures? I chose this photo of the Basel SBB train station. It has been a starting, ending, or midway stop to some of my greatest adventures. From here I started several ski trips into Switzerland. I pass through here three times on a fifteen day, fifteen country trek across Europe. Even on my summer of riding the Trans-Siberian railroad, I managed to pass through the SBB. On that trip, I arrived and found a place to store my luggage. Ten minutes later I entered one of my favorite churches, only to miss the first song of the morning service.
I look forward to my next time through that fine station.
This week "dangerous" is the theme at PhotoFriday. I loved when the frog signs and fences would pop up in Germany. The fact that you have to drop your speed almost fifty percent shows that danger those frogs can bring.
"Strength" is this week's theme at PhotoFriday. This game of tug of war happened last year in India. I am excited about going back again this February for my third visit to the orphanage.
The PhotoFriday theme this week is "Real Life." I took this shot in Hong Kong. I am beginning to think that while on vacation the only real life is that you see in the people who are living out their normal day to day lives.
"Wholesome" is the theme at PhotoFriday. Last week in Hong Kong, I experienced many different culinary delights, including chicken feet. They told me that it was actually considered a very healthy dish.
This week "The Beach" is the theme over at PhotoFriday. Here is a shot of the area where the "The Beach" was filmed. I was fortunate enough to do some night diving in that bay.
"Fantasy" is the theme of PhotoFriday. Here is a photo from the opening ceremony at Hume Lake this summer. They put on a performance of a Viking attack on a Nordic town, complete with fake rain and pyrotechnics.
"Purple" is the theme this week at PhotoFriday. Here is a shot of one of my favorite musicians, Bill Mallonee. This is him perfoming at London's Borderline back in March 2004.
This week's theme at PhotoFriday is "Unfinished." Here is a photo I took this summer of a snake snacking on a frog. At this point, he is about to enjoy some tasty frog legs.
"Old" is the theme of PhotoFriday, not to mention how I feel some days. Here is a photo from my summer adventure. It is of my head and the General Grant Sequoia. The tree's age is estimated at 1650 years old, myself around 34.
"Oddity" is the theme at Photofriday. On my road trip across America, I stopped in Springfield, Missouri to visit a friend. We were hanging out at Steak and Shake around midnight when in walked a young boy. With a lisp, he asked for water. When he received his water, he thanked the waiter and walked out. Oh yeah, he was also dressed like a Roman soldier, complete with sword and shield.
"Barren" is this week's theme at PhotoFriday. After two days in the desert, I think I saw plenty of barren land. Here is one of the photos from the road.
I've posted some more photos from the first part of the trip. Chris has also has posted his photos. Check them all out.
"Purity" is the theme at PhotoFriday. I took this photo of a child of nomads in Mongolia. I can only imagine what it would be like to be raised without the influence of mass media all around.
"Futuristic" is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. While I was in Switzerland this spring, I came across this futuristic public toilet. For some reason I was impressed enough to take a photo. Guess it was the fact that the toilet bowl also served as the sink, plus I'm pretty sure it was self cleaning too. What more could you ask for?
The theme at PhotoFriday this week is "Relaxation." Sometimes there is nothing greater than a canoe, a calm lake, and no schedule telling you when to return.
Ambushed is not just how I've felt lately, but also the theme of PhotoFriday this week. And for it I'm busting out one of my favorite photos. This was taken a few years ago in Venice. I had the students line up, poured out a bunch of corn, and then yelled "Run." It was time to show the birds who was boss.
I've taken care of the Haiku Friday, now it is time for Photo Friday. This week's theme is "stillness." I took this photo a couple summers ago while spending some time at the lake. I could get lost in this photo for a while. in fact, I might just do that right now...
Immature is the theme of this week's PhotoFriday. I kept seeing these hot dog stands around Moscow this summer. Every time I had to laugh a little, as I thought they had a rather strange name. Guess it was only the font that makes it look bad, as in Russian it is pronounced, "Stardogs." Yep, I can be so immature.
It was a cold and rainy day in Russia. We were on a hike several kilometers from a small remote town. It was bad enough that my mind started playing tricks on me, causing me to think that this was going to be where I would die. But evil was taken up a step when the mosquitoes began to swarm.
I was looking through some old photos on my computer today. I came across this one that also fits in the theme of "Light" on PhotoFriday. This was taken at the morning Fashnact parade in Basel in 2004.
Accidental is the theme at PhotoFriday this week. I was trying to get a photo of the Mongolian countryside from out my train window. Unfortunately, when I hit the button on my camera another train was passing by. This is what I got...
Here is my photo for the theme of "boy" at PhotoFriday. I took this photo of this boy in Istanbul this summer. Wasn't aware until later why he wore this outfit. When I learned, I was thankful I wasn't a young Turkish lad once.
PhotoFriday's theme this week is "silver." Here one of my favorite shots from this summer. Don't know if it is because of the the tuba, the fact I'm in it while taking it, or that it is along one of my favorite stretches of the Rhine.
Recently I wrote about "Home," and now it is this week's theme at PhotoFriday. While I've lived in many places around the world, I guess this view above any other tells me I'm just a short boat ride from the place I feel at home the most on this planet.
This week's Photo Friday theme is "Famous." This photo has been on my site for a while, but it might be the most famous people I've met, or at least have given the bunny ears to...
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