We haven’t participated in a weekly photo challenge in a while but this topic was intriguing. We don’t do a lot of street scenes because we aren’t very good at getting them (we’re looking for our cameras and the whole thing is already over) and we’re more likely to be in settings such as beaches, deserts, glaciers and gardens that don’t have street life. But in thinking about the topic several images from our travels popped (whoops – typed “pooped” but fixed it) into our minds, so here they are.
The pictures reflect the places in many ways. This first one was taken in Beijing and gives a sense of the hardness and seriousness of life there. It also shows that they get the whole geeky glasses craze.
In Barcelona the pickpockets enjoy Las Ramblas aso does this bubble-maker. He must have used Bubble Viagra!
Speaking of Spain, the people of Catalonia turn out in massive droves on Independence Day every year and seem to fervently believe that they will be able to separate themselves from being a part of Spain. They won’t, but it’s an important tradition to dream and rant about annually (at a minimum).
Boston isn’t trying to not be a part of the United States but some of its citizens might like to withdraw from the brutal winters. This shot was taken after the huge winter storm “Nemo” in early February of 2013 which was directly linked to Blonde’s move to Florida later that same year!
Everywhere we go we see at least one bride and groom. Most recently it was a bride in a very complicated gown in the Doha airport. In February of 2013 it was a young couple having wedding photos taken in the Dubai Miracle Garden. One of the miracles was that we didn’t hear the guards yell at them.
We were quite surprised to see many Chinese people in Singapore burning “Hell money” and then learned that it was to appease hungry ghosts. Why didn’t we think of that!
During the Hungry Ghost Festival it is believed (well maybe not universally) that the Hungry Ghosts of Hell are released to roam the earth. Makes as much sense as a lot of things Sarah Palin has said – actually, a lot more sense.
Travel trip: If you want to avoid Chinese tourists then travel during the time of the festival as the Chinese are not supposed to be away from home at night and not go on overseas trips. In 2014 it’s from July 27 – August 24.
Now for a more in-the-moment culture; Iceland. When they say “point and shoot” there it apparently means to shoot as part of a staged (we hope) execution in a back alley. Life’s rugged and isolated so they have to find their humor where they can and they’re good at it!
In Reykjavik Blonde felt an immediate love for the city when on the first day she spotted this friendly fellow who most clearly was not an elf or any other sort of little person! Although the costumes vary this is how grooms-to-be are humiliated by their friends at a bachelor party. Some lucky girl got this guy.
Singapore, often referred to as “the miserable city,” was not miserable to us but it hardly looks like a bucket of giggles for this man. There was very little sun and no rain so it isn’t entirely clear what protection the umbrella was providing. However, he has a certain air of permanence and gravity to him that indicates he is not usually expecting a fun surprise! Maybe he knows something about birds in Singapore that we didn’t know.
And finally a shot taken in Doha, Qatar. In the souk women go in and out of the shops and buy things and these men (usually oldish and Indian or Pakistani) lug the stuff around in a wheelbarrow. It sure beats having a husband sighing and grumbling around about why do you need to buy your 327th abaya.
It was fun going through old photos to find them and we hope you enjoyed looking at them or just enjoyed wasting your time!