Palma, Mallorca

One of the greatest places in Mediterranean Europe to wander the streets.

Unique to Palma is this extremely well preserved Medieval town.  More of a tourist attraction but most of the buildings are authentic and still occupied today by homes or small businesses catering to visitors.

Sometimes it really is all about the architecture.

ISRAEL, YAD VASHEM

Faith, History and Hope

My recent trip to the Holy Land was as much a a journey of hope as it was a pilgrimage of faith. 

In this photo one can see the wall being built between the City and the West Bank.  If you look closely you can also see that, at least when I was there, construction had ceased for a time.  I was fortunate enough to visit during one of those rare times of relative peace and stability.  It is sad to say that, like many similar conflicts around the globe, many peoples on both sides of the issues are being adversely affected by the desires of an extremely small minority.

Masada

 
Do I have an opinion on the subject of Israel and Palestine?  Yes.  Do I pick sides?  Yes.  And I will always be on the side of anyone who fights for peace, freedom and equality for all.

                        Olive Garden of Gethsemane

                                               Spire of Pater Noster

                                     Streetscape in Old Jerusalem


People I met and talked to, both Jewish and Muslim, were friendly, helpful and appreciative of any visitor who gave them the chance to show the real face of Israel.

Minaret in Eastern Jerusalem

                                         The Western Wall at midnight

                                                  Yad Vashem
"....in my house and within my walls, a monument and a memorial.... an everlasting memorial that shall not be cut off."

 

This kind of bullshit (seen on the outside wall of a Roman Catholic church) is the reason why it is so incredibly important that we do not ever turn our backs on history.  It never really ended for some.  

That some idiot painted the graffiti is not the problem.  What really bothered me was that it had obviously been there for some time with no effort on the part of the administrators of the church to remove it.

                                                                          

 The Beach at Tel Aviv

Adorama

Adorama, my other favourite photography store, is a bit more remote but mail order and internet shopping can be a beautiful thing.  Both Henry's and Adorama feature incredibly fast delivery as well as competitive pricing on every line of photography equipment available in the North American market.

Henry's Cameras

I've recently added links to my two favourite places to shop for new cameras and assorted photography gadgets.  Henry's always comes first because its the one I can visit in person any time I want.  Unfortunately for my wallet.  That's a lot more frequently than I probably should.

Baja California, A Day In the Desert

I was invited on a trip to Baja a few years ago.

 While everyone else spent their days on the beach, I spent mine hiking in the desert.

Can you see the cat's head in the image above?

  This was my first time alone with my camera in this environment.

Astonishingly beautiful and alive. 

There were vultures circling overhead every day.  The more I kept coming back, the fewer there seemed to be circling over my head.  My guess is that, after a few trips, they decided I wasn't as likely to become a meal as they had anticipated.

London, Salisbury and Stonehenge

My first trip to England was short, damp and cold.  It was the last week of March so I suppose the latter elements were to be expected.  I spent the vast majority of the three days with camera in hand.  

            Inside the close at Salisbury Cathedral

                          This spire was the tallest man made structure on earth for over 500 years before it was eclipsed by the Eiffel Tower

Big Ben.  

Awesome in person.

            A more modern piece of architecture on the London skyline;                The Eye of London.

                          Everybody is an aboriginal somewhere.

Drums and Percussion: A New Link for Anyone Interested in Music

(not my photo)

This is the link to the home page of professional percussionist Matt Wills, an up and coming face on the music scene in and around Toronto.  Check it out to find out where he will be appearing next or if you or anyone you know is interested in learning from the best.