Madness

The End of Brazil

2007-10-19T22:18:00.001-07:00

The Transport
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

My last couple of sets in Ihla Grande and Paraty have now been posted. It took me a while but I needed to sit down to clean through the mess and type out some answers. Enjoy.

Chillin in Rio

2007-08-06T18:11:00.001-07:00

Chillin on the Steps
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

After spending 5 days in Rio de Janeiro I can see how time might go a bit fast there. We had lots of fun and Im still uploading the many pictures Ive taken there. It was a good start and now Im off to see more of brazil.

Street Fighter

2007-07-30T21:19:00.001-07:00

Street Fighter
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Last saturday we ventured out to the city (Campinas) and got to witness some live capoeira, which was quite the exciting treat. At the fera hippi we also got to enjoy some delicious snacks and see some of the brazillian daytime (we dont do much of that).

Itatiba Zoo Park

2007-07-30T21:16:00.001-07:00

I
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Some of our friends took us to the Itatiba Zoo Park so that we could finally behold the magic of the monkeys and the other wild creatures of brazil, of course within the comfort of caged environment. You don't want the crazy birds to come peck your eyes out do you?

Magic Nights

2007-07-21T07:51:00.001-07:00

Jacob at Magic Games
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

For some reason we've been finding ourselves going out every night. And not for a few afternoon drinks but for a complete night of dancing, which seems to entail staying out till 5am. Its a bit much a times but now it's kind of a sad night when we don't get to go out. The latest set of pictures shows one of our groups of friends that take us (force us) out on these nightly adventures.

Tantinho

2007-07-09T07:58:00.001-07:00

Tantinho y la Banda
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Coincidentally while I'm here, one of the great bars of Campinas is having their 5 year anniversary, which means that we're getting treated with some of the best music of this country (I think). Here's Tantinho de Magueira, of the Rio de Janeiro School.

Vida Livre

2007-07-07T20:57:00.001-07:00

Radio Livre
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

So now im in Brazil. Its purely random of course, as it always seems to be with me. I was sent here to do some research at the Universidad de Campinas, in São Paulo, Brazil. It's quite the change from the US and Europe (though not so much from PR); eating delicious foods everyday, drinking tons of fruit drinks, playing futbol and dancing forró. The people are of course super awesome, though their language could be a little more straight forward :)

I've started posting pictures again, this one of the Radio Livre tower at Unicamp.

Crystallization & Interesting Things

2006-11-14T22:05:00.001-08:00

Crystallisation
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

I've just put up a few new pictures, just because. Just because I haven't, just because I have a few new ones, just because. Several of them I realize have been taken on simple walks through this small town I will now reside it for the next few years. They are quiet pictures, serene in their lack of motion but by no means devoid of life. Like the crystals on that honda, life here is simple but perfect.

Canyon Hiking

2006-06-23T23:53:00.000-07:00

First Jump
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Me, Raf and a some visiting bostoneers head to the local Cañón de San Cristóbal to do some extreme hiking and rock diving.

Jazzin' the Night Up

2006-06-23T23:52:00.000-07:00

Gettin' Crazy
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

My best friend Uziel Colón makes his big band debut at the annual Heineken Jazz Fest, an accomplishment not to be taken lightly. It was also a kick-ass performance.

Dave's Multidiversment Wedding

2006-06-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

Henna Circle
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

So Dave finally got married and everyone can rest a little more snuggly tonight. I'm not sure why though, what with the impending doom of multiple Daves in the near future....

Alas here are the pictures of the wedding, lots I know but there was just too much coolness to capture.

Fun with Ithacans

2006-05-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

Girls
Posted originally by nirakara.

We spend a good ol' Saturday with three awesome girls from Ithaca College exploring the Farmer's Market and the Little Tree Orchards. Did I mention they were all crazy? Yeeeaaaahhhhh.

Ithaca Farmer's Market

2006-05-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

Pendants
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Yumminess, creativness, and plenty of hippiness abound at the local farmer's market. How awesome is this place?

Ben Folds

2006-05-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

Ben Folds Stands
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Ben Folds graces the stage at Cornell University, and of course thousands show up to sing along.

Immigration

2006-04-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

Young American
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

On April 10th the people of Boston spoke out against the new immigration bill. Even a democracy requires some fixing every once in a while.

Spring Blossoms

2006-04-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

Cheery Blossoms
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

A few flower shots for those of of you that might not have the seasons to look forward to.

Rock out!

2006-03-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

The Feeling
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Last night we went over to Clark for a special presentation of Copper Tree, Liam's band. There was of course much rocking out and good fun.

Hanging Out

2006-03-06T23:14:00.000-08:00

Drinks
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Yeah so I don't think I spent this much money ever in Europe. But Ithaca is a one of a kind place, it really makes you want to go out every single day and night too. The music, the cool bars and cafes and restaurants with awesome food... it's really hard not to enjoy this place, and enjoyment takes cash :) With the exception of course of the hike to the frozen waterfall, but the following french onion soup at Simmeons to warm up nulled out that "free experience".

Webcomics

2006-03-06T17:49:00.000-08:00

So now that I'm back on the Internet train, and have my sweet laptop back (whoohoo!), I'm exploring the new art of webcomics. Since anyone can do it it's really driving the market for them up and creating many a good strip. Check out this atypical, nice-thought provoking comic series about a boy named Copper and his dog Fred.

To the old masters...

2006-03-05T19:37:00.000-08:00

I've just realized that two greats have recently gone, and nobody told me about it while I was away. Mr. Miyagi, that is Pat Morita died this year! He was the master that taught us all what's really important about karate. And Richard Pryor... a great, funny and just all round awesome actor. Take care!

Crazy Man

2006-03-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

Porn Director
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

I don't know why but I love this picture! Juan has the coolest orange glasses that I would never be able to pull off, and with the big medallion and the beard... yeah awesome. Anyway more of Ithaca online now!

Folk Fun

2006-03-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

Lindsay Mac
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

The best part of a college town? Awesome random music you've never heard of. Rock! I mean Folk!

Cats in Ithaca

2006-03-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

Evil Corina
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Well this is Juan's cat, but there are also cousins in Ithaca which makes it more fun. Cornell's little surrounding town is an awesome and quite lively town and of course lots beautiful scenery to go explore!

Back in Black

2006-03-02T16:45:00.000-08:00

The Moon
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

So I'm around New England, and I'm visiting friends and what not, so here are some pics of these last two or so weeks.

Creative Night!!!

2006-03-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

Sweetness, Blogger finally added a multiple picture upload function, I'm so happy!!!

Ok quick recap I've left Europe and I'm somewhere between New England and in upstate NY currently. Please forward any questions to our department of inquiries.

Well as part of my being back I was initiated into the Creative Night Group (CNG) composed of Liam, Irma, Brian and Danielle.

The story is that each person gets a topic from every other and in the span of like 15 minutes (supposedly) one comes up with some creativeness, in the form of poetry, play, music, art, etc. and then everyone gets to see. My talents apparently don't lie in the form of words, as they do for some of the other folks in this group, but I did sketch out some fun drawings. The one above's topic was from Liam: Sockpuppet. Below is Danielle's suggestion, Sky by Night. I've improved on them a bit with the use of photoshop for your enjoyment.

What follows are my attempts with words. Firstly "Connections", given to me by Irma...

Connections (monologue)

I severed all connections, and disappeared from every world. I disconnected my emotions and my thoughts; enough was enough! Or at least that’s what my girlfriend has said… ok ex-girlfriend now.

The lights were on, but it was all darkness. I’m not used to it I guess, but reality was just too empty. Where is the good fight to fight here? If I don’t know my enemies how can I win? Defeating the left-over meatloaf tonight, where’s the glory in that? Where’s the magic in serving cat food to my pet? He might as well be an undefeatable overlord.

Tomorrow I’ll put on a suit, with no armor and I’ll bear no brilliant sword. No damsel will want saving and no dragon slaying. *Sigh*

Awww screw it, one more hour playing online can’t hurt.

Diesel (poem, topic by Brian)

Are you diesel?
Are you clutch?
Are you money?
Or is it too much?

The words and phrases,
The trophies on our shelves.
When we look in the mirror
Do we see ourselves?

Like a burning engine
Ready to flare,
Your friends are the fuel
And they're all gonna stare!

But you are diesel,
You are course,
You will hold steady,
With all your force.

Door to Grenoble

2006-02-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

Blue Door!
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Grenoble, France that is. Here are a few pics of the old Daphine capital, a nice mountain town to enjoy the cold in.

St. Malo

2006-02-05T03:13:00.000-08:00

Stairway to Water
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

I also stopped by St. Malo, where you can appreciate the massive tides that rule over this part of the world.

Mont Saint Michel

2006-02-05T03:12:00.000-08:00

River of Salt Water
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

I just had to see this in person before I left. The mythical island that disappears in the water twice a day. It was a nasty day, but maybe it added even more to the illusion of magic.

Le Grande Arche

2006-01-30T11:31:00.000-08:00

Le Grand Arche
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

And just for completeness a few more have been added to the fourth set. This arch if for you Ben!

Le Art

2006-01-30T11:27:00.000-08:00

Pierrot
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

My final set of Paris is the Louvre, where I saw some of the most magnificent creations on paper and stone man has ever made. I only have a small sampling as the Louvre website has everything available but for a quick ride it ain't bad.

Holy Pentagram

2006-01-24T11:16:00.000-08:00

Pentagram
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

We spent the day yesterday at Amiens in the north of France checking out the tallest gothic cathedral in France and freezing our buts off.

Modern Art Playground

2006-01-24T10:49:00.000-08:00

Modern Playground
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Some random fun here in Set 4 of Paris. Not that many pics, just a set from the other day biking around with Ed and Louren.

Happy Cat

2006-01-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Cat
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

A little break from the outdoors for some art in this set, Paris #3!

Viva la France!

2006-01-22T07:10:00.000-08:00

Convention Nationale
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

The second paris set now has comments, which might or might not be useful to you, I don't know. I haven't posted any more however because the internet here is freekin' expensive, but I will soon.

Beautiful Paris

2006-01-18T13:16:00.000-08:00

Paris at Dusk
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

As some of you know I'm in Paris now and there is lots, and I mean lots to take pictures of so I'm trying to hold back and also provide a good cross section. At this point there are two set, but only this one is commented. Try to be patient :)

Royal Pool

2006-01-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

Royal Pool
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Here are the pictures from Cordoba finally posted and commented. The picture looks not coincidentally like Damascus. This was an important site of the Moors for quite a while. Most of the beautiful sites were thankfully well kept.

The Beauty of Granada

2006-01-09T12:42:00.000-08:00

Arabic Gate
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

This is a city lost in time. Even more so than Sevilla, a past of mixed cultures is embedded in the buildings and the people of this place. It´s a also a nice place to get a cup of tea!

Bedouin

2006-01-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

Bedouin
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

This is a picture from the Three Kings Parade in Sevilla. It was quite a crazy time with the hundreds of kinds and bedouins all throwing candy at you while you´re trying to take pictures of them!

Sevilla

2006-01-08T15:03:00.000-08:00

Moon Cross
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Sevilla pictures are now posted. Im getting kicked out of the internet place so go check them out, and also pics of the Three Kings day parade and I need to add comments to pics of Granada too, but theyre comming!!

San Juan de los Reyes

2006-01-03T18:50:00.000-08:00

Chill Hall
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

A fifteenth century monastery, perched up on the hill-city of Toledo sits quietly on a perfectly sunny spanish day. The floors are covered with colorful tiles and the ceiling is all handcrafted wood, and despite not being able to take pictures officially, the one-handed monk has let me get away with it for a small donation to his pocket.

Crustless!!

2006-01-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

Just as a quick note to all you curious folk. Indeed it is true you can get your bread crustless, right from the supermarket. Now that's progress!

Happy New Year

2006-01-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

1 Minute to Go
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Crazyness in Madrid. The whole Plaza del Sol was packed tight full of people and between the grapes and champagne it was quite a fun time. Of course at mightnight the night had only just started. Today I woke up at 5pm, nuff said.

Towers in the Sky

2006-01-01T18:01:00.000-08:00

Towers in the Sky
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

This is Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona; an amazing creation which will probably be in construction for anothe 50 years or maybe a century since the whole thing is made of solid hand carved stones.

Lyon at Night

2006-01-01T17:38:00.000-08:00

Basilica at night
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

The few pics of Lyon are on. I was only there for a day but the Basilica was amazing.

Copper Tree Rox

2005-12-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

This is Liam Morley, first and foremost my homeboy from 4 Farnum Terrace. But in this context he is also the lead singer for Copper Tree (formerly known as This is the Future by Ben and I), and awesome band based in Worcester MA. I would suggest you check them out at their website where you can download songs and lyrics and whatnot. I suggest the Roomate Song myself, but I´m partial.

And if you leave a comment tell him he looks cool in his cabby hat!

Chronic-WHAT?!-cles of Narnia

2005-12-26T17:08:00.001-08:00

Ok this is something I just have to post because everyone needs to hear this. Its the Chronicles of Narnia Rap from SNL, check it out here dawg:
http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=zLElfJ9YCh0

Moving on...

2005-12-26T15:54:00.000-08:00

Skiroute
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

No im not on a skiroute right now, Im in fact in Madrid celebrating Las Fiestas. But I´ve been away from comptuers for a while so here is the last batch from Innsbruck. This was my third and final day which I spent on the slopes of Schlick 2000 on a beautiful Austrian day. Joyeux Noel, Bon Nadal, Felicidades and Merry Christmas everyone!

A Lesson in Skiing

2005-12-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

A View
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Which is not the same as a ski lesson. The latter is something you pay for, the former is something you earn. I thus dedicate this picture to Callum, my best ski instructor and friend, who taught me to slice and not carve; to bend my knees and put my weight back; and most importantly the value of a good fall.

And when you get to the rental shop in Austria and they ask you if you know how to ski, ask yourself if you have ever fallen in powder so thick that pushing down with your poles does not get you back up, but instead sinks you further; or if you have ever wondered if you're even moving because as far as you can see the whole of the world is a stationary plane of white, or finally if you have ever taken three or more gondolas to get to the top of a mountain.

3200 meters is my personal best now, and I think I'm finally learning how to ski (thanks Cal).

Fried Bread!

2005-12-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Fried Bread!
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

And just to keep people interested I'm now in Innsbruck, Austria. Way the heck on the west side of Austria, and right by the mountains. So I think its time for some skiing, dont you? Oh but I ate some fried bread tonight, just thought Id share that.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn

2005-12-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

Cute Cat
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

This is the oldest operating Zoo in the world, and also one of the most impressive. This was deffinetly a highlight of my Vienna visit, though so was the opera and the museums. Do you know Egon Shiele? I certainly do now, and I for one love him!

Cultural Depot

2005-12-17T12:21:00.000-08:00

Cute gone Wrong
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Vienna is certainly the center of classical art and music, but its remained on the cutting edge of culture to this day. The place was just a homage to the achievements of the mind.

Passau

2005-12-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

Night Cathedral
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

The little town that nobody knew existed... I simply came here to visit some friends, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip to date. It is the meeting point of three major rivers and the home to some beautiful sites. This is St. Stephen´s at night by the Christmas Market.

Week in Krumlov

2005-12-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

Wednesday Night
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Yeah so it's the seventh day here and I'm finally leaving. It's an amazing place and somewhere you can really get stuck, and I did. "Um, can I just stay one more night..." times five nights.

I've added a few more pictures just for your enjoyment. Check them out!

Tea at Krumlov

2005-12-05T07:36:00.000-08:00

Tea Still Life
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Well I arrived at Cesky Krumlov, in the south of the Czech Republic just a few days ago, and now I'm in love with the place. It is beautiful to be sure but it's the very small town feel and laid backness of the place that makes it great. I mean when was the last time you spent like 4 hours in a tea shop reflecting and discussing the various traits of teas around the world?

Posted!

2005-12-01T11:37:00.000-08:00

Graffiti 10
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Ok at 1 Czech Crown per minute I've now put up the pictures from Cologne, Waimar, Bonn, and Berlin. It was hard work to catch up but now enjoy! (This by the way is graffiti from the old Berlin Wall)

Unpostable

2005-11-30T06:53:00.000-08:00

My pictures that is. I haven't found a good internet place with USB accesible for my uploading of pics so I haven't for a while. Well but for those trying to keep track I'm heading to Prague today. I'm in Dresden now and came from Berlin where I was a couple of days taking in the many histories that unfolded in that city, and before that (temporally and historically) Waimar where the republic was signed in some time ago before the nazis and soviets came in the picture. Before that I was in Cologne in western germany and of course thats where the last post dropped us off. Hopefully I'll be able to post soon, take care!

Guy and Agnes

2005-11-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

Monsieur et Madame Adam
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

I had such an awesome time in Bouillon, I can't believe no one knows about this place. But its the people, not the places that I'll never forget. This couple shared their house and their lives with me and it was really a marvelous experience. If only there was a way of finding people like them in every town I visit!

The House of Ardenne

2005-11-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

Cool View avec Nick
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

At the very top of the fortress in Bouillon we find Nick, perched with camera in hand. This was the home of Godfrey, leader of the first Crusade.

Citadelle de Namur

2005-11-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

The Front Tower
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Ranking as one of Europe's mightiest at the time this Citadelle is, even by Roman standards, quite huge. It lies in the capital city of the french speaking region of Belgium: Wallonia.

Statehouse at Night

2005-11-18T02:58:00.000-08:00

Statehouse at Night
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Of more noteworthyness of course in Brussels is the statehouse that survived the bombing despite being the target. Its auite a sight.

Manneken Pis

2005-11-18T02:57:00.000-08:00

Manneken Pis
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Possibly the stupidest thing to take a picture of in Brussels is this statue, and no one in their right mind should waste their time visiting it. Yeah so just so you recognize it heres the picture.

EE Experiment

2005-11-18T02:55:00.000-08:00

EE Experiment
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

At the little town of Ghen there isnt terribly much to see, but there was the SMAK museum, deffinetly a must see in the Nick guidebook to things no one tells you about.

This guy was all about putting visuals and audio together, but i just wanted to make one of my own ;)

Chocolate Egg

2005-11-18T02:53:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Egg
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

120 kilograms of chocolate at the chocolate museum in Brugges. YUM

Brugges in Spanish is Witch

2005-11-18T02:52:00.000-08:00

Cool Witch 1
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Or Brujas. Does this explain this picture? Im not sure but it was a cool statue. The rest of the tozn made no such refferences, but then again i was mostly looking at churches and chocolate.

Johannes Wotenbogaert

2005-11-10T04:32:00.000-08:00

Johannes Wotenbogaert
Originally uploaded by nirakara.

Ok after suffering much with the posting of pics to the blogger thing, I´ve now applied the Flickr technique, in which I put all of my pictures over there and tell you about them over here. Whatta ya think? I can blog straight from over there and I get that cool picture bar thing over on the right (those are all my pictures being shown). How cool is that?!

<- Oh yeah and that´s a nice rembrandt :)

In Wageningen

2005-11-09T04:48:00.000-08:00

So I´m in Wageningen right now, staying with my friend Ana who goes to school here. The town is quaint, with lots of farm, animals and of course, water canals. Everything is bikable, even the highways. As if that weren´t enough you can go to the national park and they´ll let you borrow a bike for free to roam around in! What a concept.

Now in Dutch!

2005-11-09T04:12:00.000-08:00

So I´m on a trip; a mission if you will... to discover the coolness of the world!!! Ummm, yeah. Well anyway I have a couple of months on my hands and some places I still haven´t been too. I figured well, its time to travel some more. As my main-dawg Randy ¨Macho Man¨ Savage would say: Ohhhhhhhhhhh yeah!
This is my arrival at Paris CDG on the 29 of October, where I was all of 2 hours in the morning (6am) sippin´ on some hot chocolate and munching on a toasy croissant. That´s the life... but then onward to the low lands.

Endgame

2005-07-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

Right well I didn't have as much internet access as I thought I would (or maybe I did) but the trip is now at an end. I find myself in Athens again and we leave in the morning back home. So for now I post this one picture from Oia in Santorini for everyone to enjoy. Toodles!

After many days in Greece

2005-07-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

Ok so I haven't had many internet available days, well none since the last post. But now I'm back in Athens after several stops all over the country. The first two pictures are from Delphi, you can see the temple of Apollo in one where the Oracle used to sit. And the face is Hadrian's boyfriend (that was cool back in the day, women just weren't good enough for a real emotional relationship). The other is a monastary in Meteora (Kambalaka), several of them and some nunneries were perched on these rocks where the monks and nuns live in relative solitude (except for all the tourists!). And tommorow off to the greek isles!

It's all greek to me

2005-07-16T13:13:00.000-07:00

We're in Greece!! And my sister couldn't wait so we got a little internet at the hotel. So... here is the Acropolis as seen from where I was , and the other is Lord Byron's (yes the poet, but also humanitarian) graffiti on Poseidon's Temple (also an acropolis). Oh man and how I love that everything is spelled using math symbols ;)

George Clinton & the Parliament/Funkadelic in Madrid

2005-07-14T23:52:00.000-07:00

"Weeee want the funk, give us the funk!" -And we want it in pampers and colored dreads. Need I say more, indeed I think not. The Parliament and I celebrate a most happy birthday, awww skeet skeet skeet skeet god damn!

Blast from the Music Past

2005-07-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

Ummm no I didn't take that picture. However I did go to see Mamma Mia tonight and it was awesome!! It was a rocking good time in fact. They have such cool songs, despite their clothing choices (though it was the times) that the theater was simply jumpin' with their sounds. So here's to ABBA, you guys rocked!

Evening in Madrid

2005-07-12T04:24:00.000-07:00

Random pretty sunset pictures I took at El Retiro park.

Real Academia

2005-07-12T04:21:00.000-07:00

La Real Academia de España - the place where my sister studied and worked

El Rastro

2005-07-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

Today we woke up to the ruckus of "El Rastro". A huge outdoor market that occurs Sundays right under my sister's window. Pictured are some colorful shoes, a brazilian man playing the Berimbau (a typical capoeira instrument) and Bartolo. Bartolo was this crazy old man who kept playing with this puppet (we bought one afterward) making him sing and dance to the silliest songs he could come up with. "Por ahi viene Bartolo, el que siempre mea solo!"

Life in Madrid

2005-07-09T01:35:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I stumbled upon some protest in the Plaza del Callao, "Rompamos el Silencio" which had the group Repercusion which was giving up quite a show. The people were of course of unique character and quite photographable. They were of course very passionate about their cause, which were concerning various issues in Spain, such as the lack of [affordable] housing.

On another note we did a city walk/tour of the great writers of spain, such as Cervantes (whose deathplace is pictured above). Finally at night we hit up La Soleá which gave us live flamenco singing and playing and it was amazing. The energy of the music and the power of the singer were a powerful combination (think Gipsy Kings).

In Spain!

2005-07-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

So I just got to Spain on way too many hours of airplane riding. I absolutely love it here though, everyone is awesome, most people drive TDIs and no one understands my spanish. Take as an example the lunch picture there, where I ordered a regular coke and got told that my options were "normal or light, we don't have regular", which is made particularly funny by the fact that they use the words 'normal' and 'light', phonetically translated to spanish. The big building is the Cathedral of the Almodena (next to the Royal Palace). It's sometime after midnight, we just got home from dinner (tapas at the public plaza), it's sometime after midnight and I haven't slept for several days... how fun!

2005-06-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

Irma Viola shots - "Musical Roses"

2005-06-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Irma Viloa shots - antique

2005-06-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Irma Viola shots - my first favorite

2005-06-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

Testing out "Hello" with a cool tower picture.

First Post

2005-06-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

Ok so I'm not much of a blogger, the word 'blog' itself always conjures up a large gelatinous mass in my mind and so I'm not particularly attracted to the idea. However I do love sharing my pictures so I'm doing this to replace my website which will, as soon as I move out of my apartment, find itself serverless. We'll see how it goes...