Live the Language

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Have you seen these incredible and gorgeous little videos from Gustav Johansson, Niklas Johansson, and Albin Holmqvist?

They warm my heart and make me squeal with delight. These are the simple pleasures of travel... seeing, learning, and doing - and so beautifully presented. Really spectacular!!

So far cities include: Beijing, Barcelona, London and Paris.

Each video brings me back to my time in each of these cities.

I can't wait for the German version. They remind me of my own language school experiences.

Don't they make you want to jump into language school as soon as possible?

creative outlet

Nearly every time I feel as if I am finished going through travel photos I see something else and feel inspired.

I love paint, watercolor, and the juxtaposition when combined with photography. Without delving too deep into art and art history (which is my background) it's the dichotomy between photographers using light to 'paint' their images and with painters creating with nature that really fascinates me. They are such different mediums, but can be united in striking ways.

There are quite a few creative projects going on for me and many more brewing... these are a small sample of some of the things I've been working on.

Art is just so therapeutic. My Mom always said people need a creative outlet and I whole heartedly agree - especially when I can combine it with my loves: art, travel, and Stefan.

Marrakech Menara

One of the prettiest airports I've ever visited.

Flight to Marrakech

Our flight to Marrakech was through perfect weather, which enabled us to see much of what was down below including:

The exact moments when we cross the Pyrenees mountains (where my family's dogs are from)...

When we left Spanish airspace and crossed onto the African continent.

Beautiful remote villages with very interesting topography. Incredibly this photo has only been color corrected.

The red buildings that are everywhere in Marrakech... and perfectly suited for some tilt-shift photography from the plane

As-Salāmu`Alaykum*

We are finally back from our Winter hiatus. Morocco is full of energy, beautiful colors, patterns, cheerful residents, and delicious foods. The warm African sun was fantastic and that glow was radiating, especially at dusk.

In addition to Marrakech we also visited the beach in sleepy sea side Essaouira. They were wonderfully different from one another, but both incredible in their own rights.

I'm really trying my best to get through editing these photos, especially because we have quite a few more trips lined up before the summer sun rolls back around. I can't wait to share the great things we saw, ate, and experienced. We even tried our hand at price negotiating... Stefan is clearly more seasoned than me.

* Peace be upon you, in Arabic.

Photo Booth

...always worth a visit - even if there was too much developer, which made me look like I had a 5 o'clock shadow comparable to Stefan's.

This is a great site to find them near where you live or if you're heading out on a trip.

New Year's 2011

Once again we were reminded of Paris' beauty and why we've fallen in love with the place.

We had a two day celebration for New Years Eve and New Years Day on the roof top of the Palais de Tokyo.

Best of all was talking to some of the museum workers, especially about the art heist next door, which happened a week after we visited last May. It's such an audacious theft. We were looking at the window where the person got away and imagining where the works are now being stored and by whom. It's absolutely fascinating.

Hopefully the photos will pick up where the words fail me. It's an incredible city that never gets old.

The iconic Eiffel Tower - sadly there were hardly any fireworks + around 2am they shut the lights off completely

Pierre Hermé, who has a white truffle macaron for the season - it's delicious, as is everything that guy makes.

Patrick Roger's fantastic chocolates - the dark chocolate citron vert is perfection

Pretty + delicious pastries

Centre Pompidou

The I love you wall in Montmartre

Lots of cheeses

Grenelle Bridge Lady Liberty

Love locks

The Notre Dame

Street Art

... more Street Art

Jusqu'à la prochaine fois - à tout à l'heure, Paris!

Parisian New Year

It is going to take me days to pour over the photos we've taken in Paris. To say we had an amazing time bringing in the New Year would be a massive understatement.

Hope 2011 is treating you just as well!