In Awe of the Oculus

Jutting into the blue sky and reflected into the wavy blue glass of the modern skyscrapers surrounding it shines the brilliant white spine of the Oculus.  Somehow, the structure manages to appear part T-Rex, part whale, part dove, and all sci-fi, while being truly magnificent.  It isn't the set for a new Transformers movie though - it's the new transit hub at the World Trade Center designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava for the bargain price of $3.7 billion (that's right, billion, with a "b"). The Oculus under construction.Source: New York Times Although the area around the Oculus is still under construction, the Oculus officially opened in early March 2016.  Eventually, the Oculus will function as...

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Posted in: architecture,English,Financial District,Freedom Tower,J-Mad,Manhattan,MTA,New York,New York City,Oculus,Post-Bar Life,Santiago Calatrava,Tribeca,World Trade Center

Fresh Water & Fireworks

For the Fourth of July weekend this year, I returned to the land of the greatest of lakes.  Although I've traveled to a lot of cool places, there really is not anything that can compare to a day on a clean, sandy Lake Michigan beach. Spending time on the water kayaking was relaxing as always.  The water was so still and clear that I was able to see the shattered wooden remnants of an old boat wreck several hundred yards off the shoreline (no pictures because I thought I might drop my phone in the water).  However, in Michigan there is always a catch - water that still and clear is usually c-o-l-d and the water temperature was about 52 degrees Fahrenheit (about 11 degrees Celsius).  I dove under anyway but popped...

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Posted in: " "Time Lapse," Photography,"Fourth of July,#puremichigan,Beach,English,Fireworks,J-Mad,Lake Michigan,Michigan,Post-Bar Life,Pure Michigan,Sparklers,United States

Inti Raymi 2015: The Andean Sun Comes to D.C.

While working in Ecuador, one of my most memorable trips with coworkers was to visit Cotacachi and Cuicocha, a couple hours north of Quito in the province of Ibarra.  The area is beautiful, and our trip was made especially memorable because we happened to arrive in the town during Inti Raymi - the Inca festival of the sun.   Lago Cuicocha, Ibarra, Ecuador, 2013 Inti Raymi is a celebration of the winter solstice throughout many Andean communities across Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador (remember, it's the Southern Hemisphere so their winter solstice is the northern's summer solstice).  Taking place on the shortest day of the year, the festival is a celebration of the sun, longer days, planting, and the harvest to follow....

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Posted in: English,Festival,Inti Raymi,J-Mad,National Museum of the American Indian,Photography,Post-Bar Life,Smithsonian,United States,Washington DC