I'm going to start with the sweetest part of Kyoto. Kind of like eating dessert first.
Nagano, Japan
This is just a small taste of Nagano: the town with the most delicious savory pastries, eye-popping topiary and colourful parking garages—or at least that's what stood out for us.
Northern Alps, Japan
Even a mere glimpse of mountains makes my soul want to dance (see photo evidence). This is probably because Toronto lies in a particularly flat area of Canada, so I often play a game with myself and pretend that especially pointy clouds are mountain outlines in the distance. To my delight, Japan had no shortage of mountains—gently rolling hills, snow-capped peaks, and green summits dotted with pines.
Tokyo Waterfront
We had a very vague plan of attack when it came to exploring the vast waterfront. The only thing that was a must, was the visit to Tsukiji fish market—the biggest seafood market in the world.
Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
I feel we owe the Tokyo neighbourhood of Shimokitazawa a love letter, or at least a thank you note. It was the first (and last) stop on our Japan journey and we immediately felt at home.
Love Your City: Florence
Three things you love about Florence: The beauty around every corner;The vibrant expat community; The combination of comfortable size and wealth of world-class events.
Love Your City: Hiroshima
Three things you love about Hiroshima: Very comfortable city; There are 2 World Heritage sites; It is very clean.
Love Your City: London
Three things you love about London: Summer in London is extraordinary; There’s a feeling here that anything is possible; Sometimes I forget what a majestic beast of a city this is.
Love Your City: Moscow
Three things you love about Moscow: Summer in Moscow (when it finally arrives); The rhythm of the city; The city’s history.
Japan Bound
We're off to Japan friends!
Moscow's Metro Dogs
About 500 dogs are estimated to live in Moscow's subway. Many have learned to use the metro system to commute to the downtown core in search of food.
Wilder Mann by Charles Fréger
My friend Jeff (a talented photographer in his own right) alerted me to to this incredible series of European mythological monsters brought to life by artist Charles Fréger. The child in me rejoices and recoils
Eyes as Big as Plates
I've been feasting my eyes on this photo project by artists Riitta Ikonen and Karoline Hjorth. For the past 2 years they have been photographing heroic seniors from their communities.
Ghost Town Walks: Fukushima & Chernobyl
Google streetview's "Memories of the Future" project.
Some light reading
Yesterday a most excellent package arrived from Tokyo. A beautifully put-together city guide from Ebony Bisyz of Hello Sandwich—and she happens to be from the neighbourhood where we'll be staying, Shimokitazawa.
Anabelle's Israel
If you find yourself in any Israeli city, you’re likely to be met by a gang of cats. The legend goes that when the British occupied Palestine, they brought along cats with them. Generations of un-neutered cats has left Israel as the land of stray cats.
Let's Get Lost: Japan
I'm so psyched to say that our plans to visit Japan in May are coming together. And my head is spinning with the prospect of exploring Kyoto alleys, hiking the Japanese Alps, dipping into a real onset bath...
Blackfeet Country, 1890s
“Walter McClintock graduated from Yale in 1891. In 1896 he traveled west as a photographer for a federal commission investigating national forests. McClintock became friends with the expedition’s Blackfoot Indian scout, William Jackson or Siksikakoan."
