spring layout

A new, bright colored blog layout! It only took me two days of changing colors, fonts, and designs, then changing my mind again. It took several re-sizing to get the header just right. I'm picky, what can I say? I didn't take any photos today (gasp!), so I will leave you with this quote from an awesome photography book by Troy M. Litten:

"When I travel, the destination is not really the point. I am fascinated by the transient places of travel – the banks of TV screens that hang from airport terminal ceilings announcing departures to far-flung locales around the globe, the ever-changing view from a speeding train, ordering a meal from an undecipherable menu, exploring the subway beneath an unfamiliar city, waking in another characterless hotel room that could be anywhere, the tourist souvenir vendors touting their wares.

Traveling faster and faster through this increasingly interconnected world, many of these everyday experiences that fill a journey get lost in the rush of getting from “You Are Here” to wherever you are going. But by opening yourself up to the rhythm and rhyme of the seemingly mundane details of travel, the familiar becomes unique, the ordinary extraordinary and the over-looked well worth a second glance.

This is what inspires me to travel. It’s not about getting there, it’s about all the fun you can have along the way."

oh look, more rain

It's been raining for days, though not continuously. It will be cloudy all day with light rain here, heavy rain there, and suddenly the sun will be out and you can see blue sky, only for the clouds to return after a few minutes. Some odd weather, we're having...

Monday sudden rainstorm - I was just outside in the sun 5 minutes before this.

One of two rooftop terraces in our building.

The view from one side - yes that is a Pizza Hut.

And the street below...

Oh here comes the rain again, time to go back inside!

walking around on a saturday

Today, I went with Dad and Susan to the bus terminal so they could get tickets for tomorrow (they have things to take care of in Quito), and we walked from there through the center of town, across the river, and home again. Later, we also made a trek to the mall, which seemed the farthest walk yet! I snapped a few photos of today's adventures.

This is a tiled map of Cuenca - it's on the wall next to a place where we grabbed a bus schedule for me.

The bigger picture: the blue section in detail - we were across the street from the park (#3).

No idea why these posters were going up, but they're interesting - there are little pictures in their eyes.

On the way to the mall, hills and green everywhere.

the walk home

We do lots of walking around Cuenca, so of course I always have my camera with me. Friday was a long day at Moca Cafe (the new job), and we (Dad, Susan, and I) ended up walking home, instead of hopping on a bus.

A double rainbow after a sudden shower a few days ago.

The brighter rainbow continued all the way across the city.

The new job - after I get the hang of things, it's going to be mainly me during the mornings and until 4 in the afternoon.

Beinvenidos a Moca Cafe Bar!

These are in a flower box next to the front door at Moca.

Home!

Cuenca, Ecuador

Yes, that's right, I've moved out of the U.S.! I got here in Ecuador very late Wednesday, and so far I like it! Snapped some shots along a 3 hour walk through El Centro with Dad and Nick. Some of these are with my iPod camera, but most were taken with my Canon point & shoot.

The rooftop view from our apartment building.

The old architecture around here is amazing.

That building peeking above the trees is a cathedral.

The park across from the cathedral. Apparently you can pay to have your photo taken sitting on one of these stuffed ponies.

Cathedral

Inside the cathedral. I didn't want to take too many photos, they were having a service.

Pretty stained glass windows in the church.

We ate lunch at Inca, a restaurant/bar.

They're working on making a riverwalk which goes right by Inca.

Home is that way...Somewhere. Still don't know my way around!

a compiled list of cameras in photos

I have amassed a very eclectic collection of cameras in the past few years. I'm moving soon, and won't be able to take them all with me, so I thought a list of snapshots would be a good idea. I can't quite remember in what order I got these, so hooray for random order!

Polaroid Cameras

The Button - My grandmother had it stored away and gave it to me. Apparently, it was my aunt's when she was a kid. This is the only one I have a flash for.

Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Land Camera - Seems like everyone has one of these. My mom's boyfriend had this one in storage and gave it to me, along with a case.

Sun 600 & One Step Express - Found both at thrift stores, and now have twin green One Steps after inheriting my step-mom's.

Misc. Old Cameras

Kodak Instamatic 1104 - Found this after digging through junk at Goodwill. I doubt it works, but it's a neat little camera.

Keystone XR108 Everflash - My parents' camera from when I was little.

Polaroid 232SL - An old film camera of my sister's. It may still work, but the battery corroded.

Minolta Freedom III - A thrift store find. I picked it up because it was a Minolta; no idea if it works.

Canon Sure Shot - a high school graduation gift from my grandparents (I think it was from them, it's been awhile...). The only camera I had before this was a little red plastic one as a kid. I was pretty excited when I got it. After I got my Rebel, I gave this to my step-mom and dad. They left it behind when they moved to Ecuador.

35mm Cameras

Cortland CX-7 - My mom's boyfriend had a lot of cameras, and he used none of them; this is one of many he gave me. Apparently, it was a simple camera that came as a gift with purchase, decades ago. Working on a roll of film in this one, still.

Kodak Pony IV - a Christmas gift from my brother, Ryan. I've used it once, though I have yet to develop the film.

Konica C35 - Another hand-me-down from my mom's boyfriend. I've used it on one roll, though I haven't had the photos developed, yet.

Canon Rebel G - a gift from my grandparents several years ago. My primary film camera.

My Rebel on a decades-old tripod my mom's boyfriend let me have.

Digital Cameras

The Samsung was my sister's old digital, and the Sanyo was my first digital that got dropped too many times. Neither of them work anymore, so I use them as bookends.

Canon PowerShot A2200 - My primary camera.

I hope to eventually get a DSLR (preferably a Canon Rebel), but for now that's just on the wishlist. I've also been using the camera on my new iPod Touch, which is handy when I forget to put my PowerShot in my bag. I haven't decided which cameras I'm taking with me when I move just yet, but I have a feeling a lot of these will be left behind in boxes.