Make Your Choices!

Dear All Bloggers:

One of the most helpful things for a photographer is to get some feedback. If you are willing, would you look at the images on my blog and let me know which photo you like the best and why? If you are having trouble posting a comment, just send me an email. I am a feedback junkie so please be brutally honest.

I am wanting to "define" myself and my photography work and it helps tremendously to know the impact of my photos on the viewer...a little like a dance.

This IS the last blog. I promise. I look forward to your feedback and to reconnecting when I return.

Thanks, Linda

Class Complete, Celebration Tonight, Touring Tomorrow

"The meaning of the place reveals the next step in my soul's journey. No trip is insignificant. Every time I am given a destination for travel, I am handed an opportunity to learn more about the meaning of my life. " Joseph Dispenza, "The Way of the Traveler"

Dear Bloggers:

This will be my final blog. We finished our class today and will celebrate at the River House http://www.supatrariverhouse.net/AboutUs.htm with a farewell dinner, slide show, and a final boat ride on the river.

Tomorrow I will meet my guide, Tong for some touring and shopping...and of course some final photos!

Attached are several photos from Soi Cowboy and Patpong as well as some food shots I have taken along the way.

Thank you all for being my virtual travel partners! Will have a quick time movie of the images from the class to share with you sometime in the future...only if you are interested. Time to start planning the next adventure!

Let me close with this quote:

" The pleasure of leaving home, care-free, with no concern but to enjoy, has also as a pendant the pleasure of coming back to the old hearthstone, the home to which, however traveled, the heart still fondly returns, ignoring the burden of its anxieties and cares. " Herman Melville, "Traveling" in the Piazza Tales and Other Prose Pieces

Thanks again, Linda

Back to Bangkok for a Little Sanuk!

Dear Bloggers:


Arrived back in Bangkok yesterday after a 3 hour bus ride. We tood pictures of young men on horses last night as they road along the beach. After arriving back in Bangkok, we took a boat to the Oriental Hotel (http://www.mandarinoriental.com/Bangkok/) and had a wonderful Thai lunch. We were then given the assignment for the day of : "Sanuk", which means to go have fun. A colleague and myself went to Soi Cowboy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soi_Cowboy and Papong (http://patpongnightlife.com/)...both are considered red light districts in Bangkok. Lots of opportunity to take interesting pictures. No one had the stomach for the Thai Boxing Matches! We also were given the assignment of a self portrait...how we wake up in the morning.



Tomorrow I will hook up with a guide named Tong for several days. We will be going to the Grand Palace, the Klongs, and several shrines as I try to take in all I can before boarding the plan for the US at 10:30 Friday night.



I am off to class so will add my photographic posts when I return to this update this entry. I will also add some photos of the incredible food we have been eating during the trip. Please check back later today for some final photos and a wrap up.


Thanks, Linda

Winding Down with an Ocean Room and Thai Massage

Dear Bloggers:

Today we started at a civil time of 9AM. Started the day with a walk on the beach, monk spottings, and horses on the beach at dawn. We edited and processed our images of Chinese New Year and the Floating Market. I have shared a few with you in the blog.

This is a beautiful resort and it is clear the protests at the airport recently have impacted travel to Thailand. The resort is very calm. Tonight we will do a photo shoot on the beach at the "Golden Hour" (Hour before sunset) with several models. We will practice fill flash.

We leave tomorrow morning at 9AM and head back to the Shangri-La for lunch at the Oriental Hotel.

I am keeping this blog short today or I will be late for my Thai massage! Thanks for checking in..I feel like you have been on this trip all along!

Linda

On the Road Again - River Ride, Floating Market, Ceramic Factory, and Chinese New Year

Dear Bloggers:



Well, we spent one nite at the Fishermans Resort and Spa and then edited and reviewed our photos from the Floating Market (http://www.bangkok.com/beyond-the-city/damnoensaduak.html) and River Ride the day before. We took in the ceramics factory and Chinese New Year Celebration today and then traveled to our next destination - Veranda Resort and Spa for TWO nights. Tomorrow we have several hours free and I am ready for a Thai Massage! This body of mine is definitely feeling the discomfort of many miles of walking, many hours of bus riding, and several boat rides on VERY hard seats.



The images I am posting today include abstracts from a wonderful ceramics factory and several from what life is like on the river. I hope to have some images from the floating market and Chinese New Year for tomorrow's post. Tomorrow we will learn more about fill-flash and raw processing.



We had a wonderful dinner at the Veranda Resort and Spa tonight(http://www.mixhotel.com/view/HuaHin/Veranda%20resort%20and%20spa-2.html ). We dined on grilled seafood and lots of Thai side dishes and sauces. We dined outside next to the infinity pool on one side and the ocean on the other.



I think I might even get a good night's sleep tonight since class doesn't start until 9...I am beginning to think there is some logic to the scheduling...work them hard and reward them at the end for work well done!



Keep your comments comming! The workshop ends on Wednesday evening with a farewell dinner. I will remain in Thailand on Thursday and then leave at 10:30 PM on Friday night, the 30th. I have found a guide named Tong who will be my escort for Thursday and Friday. Plan to do a cruise of the Klongs and visit the Grand Palace. We will also do some shopping.



Hope you are enjoying my images. Please feel free to provide feedback. Will be in touch!

Buses, Ferries, and Trains Oh My!

Dear Bloggers:

Today was a day of travel, photo shoots, great food, and a new location for the night.

I am posting my photos from last night - the puppet show at the Joe Louis Theater and the photo's from the Fishing Pier.

Our day started early by boarding a bus to the Fishing Pier mentioned on my travel schedule to the left. It was quite a site, not to mention the fish smells. The boats came in, unloaded their fish, were sorted, stacked, put on ice, and hauled away. You will get a glimpse of the pier from my photo's...it was fascinating to watch. The thing that struck me is how welcoming, again, the Thai and Burmese people were to having us present.

After the Fishing Pier we boarded a train to experience the case of the disappearing railway tracks. If you are curious about what I mean...check out this website:http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/2008/02/05/maeklong-market-railway-video?blog=5
After witnessing the "disappearing railway tracks" we were off the our new location to check in and have lunch. We edited and reviewed our images and then headed off for an evening market and photo shoot. We returned for dinner and then called it a day.

Tomorrow we head out early again and will be staying at another location by the ocean nearly an hour away. We start the day with a visit to the floating market and end the day with a Chinese New Year's Celebration.

Keep those blogger comments and postings coming...Linda

Great Fun, Little Sleep, Sunrise Shoot, Flower Market and Puppet Shows

Dear Bloggers:

Thanks for your patience! We have been running non-stop!

Today we had a sunrise shoot off the bridge and then on to the Flower and Vegetable Market before returning to the hotel for breakfast, more learning, practice, editing and reviewing our images. Our agenda keeps changing daily with new surprises around every turn.

The Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market) was outstanding. There were block and blocks of flowers and vegetables. I took many, many photos and had a blast connecting with people. I am starting to get more comfortable in taking people's pictures up close and personal. The people here are so open to connecting. They also seem to have a great sense of play. I have yet to have anyone turn me down. In fact, the young people almost feel insulted if you don't ask if you can take their picture! To learn more, check out the website at: http://www.hellosiam.com/html/Bangkok/Bangkok%20-%20markets.htm

We had the opportunity to get out and about on the boat, subway, and sky train today. We went to a Thai Puppet show held in our honor at the Joe Louis Theater. It takes three people to maneuver just one puppet! Evidently the Thai Puppets are world famous. You can learn more about them at the following web address: http://www.hotels2thailand.com/bangkok-show-event/Traditional-Thai-Puppet-Theater-Joe-Louis-Bangkok.asp

Tomorrow we head out for 4 days in 3 locations near the ocean. So, we will get to experience some of the more rural areas in Thailand. We will be taking buses, boats, and trains. Guess this is our opportunity to live like real travel photographers! Nevada, our instructor, travels about 6 months out of the year on assignment...so, our little travels are pale in comparison.

We will be shooting a night floating market and practicing our use of flash. We will also shoot the Mahachai Fish Pier and the Railway Market in Maeklong. We will be staying at the Baan Amphawa Resort. Check out the Market in Maeklong at: http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/2006/04/27/market_on_the_railway_tracks?blog=23

If you are interested, you can also check out our home away from home - Baan Amphawa Resort at:http://www.baanamphawa.com/

It is Chinese New Year in Thailand and we will be able to attend a Chinese New Year's celebration on this trip...another delightful surprise.

The images posted above may look a bit strange...they were based on an assignment from Nevada... She asked we take photos from "a different perspective" rather than straight on. She also asked us to capture gestures. Enjoy them for what they are...if you don't like them, I have 1000's of others!

Chinatown, Rides on the River and Sky Train, and Dinner at the Blue Elephant!

Dear Bloggers:

" Learn as if you would live forever, live as if you were going to die tomorrow"

With jam packed days and short nights, I feel as if I am living the above comment made by Nevada Wier yesterday!

We did a photo schoot in Chinatown today. We practiced connecting with people and taking their photos...getting comfortable in site of the language differences. Check out this site on Chinatown (In the midst of preparing for the Chinese New Year)at: http://www.into-asia.com/bangkok/districts/chinatown.php

Dinner last night at The Blue Elephant Royal Thai Cuisine Cooking School and Restaurant. Food was incredible and plenty. Check out the Restaurant at: http://www.blueelephant.com/bangkok/index.html

Hooray for Pete! He was able to Name That Fruit...Yes, it was indeed a dragon fruit. I was told you peel it and then scoop out the fruit with a spoon. Now, Pete did have a slight advantage as he spent some time in Thailand last year. Way to go!

We also had the joy of getting out and about on the river and also on the Sky Train.

On Wednesday we are off to Wat Pho and Wat Arun for a photo shoot, review of images and then to Tongue Thai for dinner...such a rough life!

Til then...keep checking in...Linda

Foot Massage - What a Treat!

Dear Bloggers:

As I walked about Bangkok before my class started later today, my mind was racing with each new experience.

The walkways so crowded I could hardle move. Vendors lined the walkways as they displayed their goods...everything from food to silk to massages of all types. Wat's are everywhere. At one point I wanted to cross the street, however, no cross walks here...so I have learned to do as the locals do...just do it! Funny how there is an unpublished and apparently innate way for both traffic AND people to move in a city of 10 million plus. Somehow it is a dance that works! Maybe that is why Bangkok is called the "City of Angels"...they must be looking out for everyone.


As I was wrapping up my walk, I walked by a massage vendor offerring one hour foot massages...for 250 Baht ($7.17 U.S.). How could I resist after a long flight and a long walk. Support the locals I rationalized. So, in I went. An hour later, feet still in working order, headache gone, and I, much relaxed after a cup of hot tea (which accompanied the massage), I was ready to return to the hotel. This could become a habit! I wonder if I could convince my husband Art to massage my feet for an hour for less than $10...probably not.

I have been trying to download images for you all to see, however, I am having some technical difficulty...will keep trying. I think I have to somehow make them web friendly.

Our first class revealed a very diverse group of photographers - Guatemala, Spain, Los Angeles, Miami, Manhattan, Michigan, Beverly Hills, and Sweden. We heard about Nevada's life as a photographer and how she basically trained herself.(Isn't that the point?) We had a wonderful Thai dinner this evening with traditional Thai dancers to entertain us. The food was spicy and in some cases undefinable...tasty none the less.

Let me leave you with this..again from "Lost Horizon": "Conway alone submitted to a rich and growing enchantment. It was not so much any individual thing that attracted him as the gradual revelation of elegance, of modest and impeccable taste, of harmony so fragrant that it seemed to gratify the eye without arresting it."

NEWSFLASH: With Art's help I am able to post images...still struggling with the placement however!

Now...my question of the day for all you bloggers is...NAME THAT FRUIT!?* (The image of the green and red fruit on the far right.) I plan on asking one of the staff in the morning...will let you know what I find out.

Stay tuned....Linda

Good Morning Bangkok!

Dear Bloggers:

Arrived in Bangkok to the beautiful Shangri La Hotel about 11:30PM on Sunday night. Did a brief tour of the hotel and crashed. The trip went off without a hitch...even though it was a long and grueling one. The hotel is right on the Chao Phraya River...the main river that runs through Bangkok and I am on the 20th floor. I can't help but think of the saying, "A River Runs Though It".

I sat by the window this morning and watched as Bangkok revealed itself to me as the sun came up. Clearly the river gives life to this city. I watched as the number of boats on the river increased by the hour as people travelled to work on the river as the city came alive. Imagine going to work by boat! Something peaceful about starting your day on the water.

If you are interested in viewing the hotel, go to their website at: http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/bangkok/shangrila

As I went to bed last night, on my pillow was the following quote from the book, "Lost Horizon"." He was discovering happiness in the present. When he sat reading in the library, or playing Mozart in the music-room, he often felt the invasion of a deep spiritual emotion, as if Shangri-La were indeed a living essence, distilled from the magic of the ages and miraculously preserved against time..."

For me, travel forces me to live in the present, make conscious choices, and marvel at how much I don't know. There are surprises around every corner...life is no longer predictable (if it ever was). From the high tech bathrooms in Toyko to the electrical converters that blasted the electrical system in my hotel room last night...you must be prepared to be surprised at every turn!

They say our mind and our thoughts drive our behaviors. I have been so aware of the stories I tell myself and the assumptions I make about the way things are in a foreign county. So many choices about what we choose to believe about our experiences. Amazed, once again how it feels to be in the minority...to walk in someone else's shoes. Humbling to say the least. You don't know what you don't know!

So, I am off to my photography class to learn just how much more I don't know...

Thanks for checking in...will post more tomorrow.

Linda

Let the Adventure Begin!

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” - Freya Stark

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Family:

Welcome to my blog! This is the first posting on my blog and I am thrilled to be sharing my journey with each of you. I leave for Bangkok on January 17th, arrive in Bangkok on the evening of the 18th, and begin my photo class on the 19th at 3PM. I know the trip will be somewhere between 20 - 25 hours - Albuquerque, Dallas, Tokoyo, Bangkok. I anticipate by the time I get rested, settled, and regain consciousness, my next posting will not be until the 19th. I hope to share a picture or two and several paragraphs on my experiences each day. The class, I know will be grueling with photo shoots, critiques, processing, group meals, etc. My promise to you is I will do my best to keep current.

This is an experiment for me and I am relatively unsophisticated when it comes to technical competencies. I am willing to give it a try however! All you need to do to stay afloat with my musings is to click on the link (provided in my initial email) each day or so and it will take you directly to my site. Leave a comment if you like, provide feedback if you must, and chat with other interested bloggers.

They say the journey begins from the moment you begin to plan your trip. I have thought of this journey for many months, my bags are packed, my family has showered me with the latest in photo gear, I've brushed up on my photoshop and lightroom skills, and now it is time to just do it. Next stop Bangkok!