Weekly Photo Challenge – Entrance

I have so many photos of entrances, especially those to churches, I had a hard time deciding which ones to include.

Entrances can be opulent, functional or rudimentary. Either way, it’s one detail that tells us a great deal. See what you think.

Entrance, Buckingham Palace
Entrance, Buckingham Palace
Entrance, Paris
Entrance, Paris
Entrance, Union of Writers, Havana
Entrance, Havana

 Entrance, Chatelet Metro, Paris

Entrance, Chatelet Metro, Paris

 

Entrance, Jamaica
Entrance, Jamaica
Entrance, The Pierre Hotel
Entrance, The Pierre Hotel, NY

Enjoy!

 

Travel Photo Thursday – New York City

New York from New Jersey
New York from New Jersey

New York City has an unmistakable skyline but it’s difficult to see it when you’re in the city. Some of the most spectacular views are from New Jersey. I took this photograph in Jersey City, which because of its close proximity to Lower Manhattan is fast becoming part of the business and financial area of New York City.

The tall structure on the left (with cranes on top) is the new building going up at Ground Zero.

Building at Ground Zero
Building at Ground Zero

Enjoy!

 

Harlem Week 2011, July 31 – August 30

Harlem Week was organized 37 years ago by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce as Harlem Day, a Harlem Weekone-day celebration of the rich economic, political, artistic and cultural history of the community. It was also intended as an effort to counter some of the negative images of Harlem and lift the spirits of its citizens.

Since then, Harlem Week has evolved into a month of street fairs, musical performances and sporting events. This year, more than 100 activities, including film screenings, restaurant specials, parties and an auto show are planned.

Following are some of the activities taking place at this year’s Harlem Week. Follow this link for a complete list. Continue reading “Harlem Week 2011, July 31 – August 30”

Weekly Photo Challenge, Mountains

Sani Pass, Drakensberg Mountains
Sani Pass, Drakensberg Mountains

The highest mountain range in Southern Africa, the Drakensberg Mountains reaches 11,424 feet. This part of the mountain is the Sani Pass, a 5 1/2 mile unlit dirt road that connects KwaZulu Natal to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Sani Pass Switchback
Sani Pass Switchback, Drakensberg Mountains

Sani Pass from Lesotho

Sani Pass, from Lesotho

The view of the Sani Pass from 9,400 feet, in Lesotho.

Travel Photo Thursday – The Apollo Theatre

The Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre

Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Apollo Theatre is the landmark music hall that introduced performers such as Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Lauryn Hill, James Brown, Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross and countless others. It’s also been home to Showtime at the Apollo. Amateur Night introduces new musicians to the public.

Apollo Theatre marquee
Apollo Theatre

The Apollo Theatre is located on125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr and Frederick Douglass Boulevards in Harlem.

 

Historic Harlem – 125th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd

Of all the places I’ve lived, Harlem is the only one that makes me constantly aware of history.

On my block, for example, the famous Great Day in Harlem photo of black and white jazz musicians was shot in 1958. From time to time, as I’ve looked out my window to see various groups recreating that iconic photo.

And sometimes when I walk down 125th Street, I try to imagine what it must have been like in the early 1920s when Jamaican born Pan-Africanist, Marcus Garvey, decked out in his military regalia complete with plumed hat, and members of his Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), the first black nationalist organization, would parade down the streets. Or when in the 1960s Malcolm X would stand on the corner of 7th Avenue and 125th and preach black self-determination. Continue reading “Historic Harlem – 125th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd”

Caribbean Airlines Will Need to Rebuild Customer Trust

Though it is said that air travel is statistically safer than traveling our congested highways, it’s the high probability for loss that gets me. Thankfully, all 162 passengers on board Caribbean Airlines are alive but when I heard the news of the crash late Saturday night, I felt a sense of unease.

As someone who travels frequently, this type of news always shakes me even though my attitude is, if it’s going to happen, there’s little I can do. I think of the time a few years ago in Spain when news reached us of a crash just as we were about to board a flight. We were delayed for several tense hours but when our flight was ready, we went with it. I also recall the American Airlines crashed near Queens in 2001. I tried not to see any of the photos as I was flying out the following morning. And finally, I think of a friend who was lost on Air France 447. The relief I’ve felt that no lives lost were almost overshadowed by these other thoughts.

Continue reading “Caribbean Airlines Will Need to Rebuild Customer Trust”

Weekend Getaway – Bermuda

Bermuda Cup Match takes place this weekend in Bermuda. My friends are there. Since I couldn’t make it, I’m thinking about them and wondering which of the sites they’ll get time to see.

Held over two consecutive public holidays, Cup Match is a signature event of Bermudian cricket that pits two rival cricket teams, Somerset and St. George’s, against each other. It has been held on the island since 1902.

Outside of Christmas, Cup Match is the most popular event in Bermuda. Scores of Bermudians and international visitors swarm the island, swelling the population to more than twice its size. It is one big weekend-long party that shuts the island down. Continue reading “Weekend Getaway – Bermuda”