It's been too long

Well, it's been a few months since I posted any photographs. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to travel much recently, so I have been focusing on cooking. If you love to look at photographs of food or want ideas of what to make please check out my instagram feed (victoriamarie2104). I'm posting photos on their fairly often now that I have an iphone. I love how easily I can tweak my photos and post them from my phone!

Just an FYI for anybody who visits my blog, I will be heading to Hokkaido for 4 days. This means that I will be taking photographs with my Nikon once again! I can't wait to play around with my camera, because it has been too long. I've been attached to my iphone camera a little too much, although I do have to say it takes good quality photographs for a phone camera.

I will definitely be posting to my instagram account of my trip, but also expect photos to be posted on my blog once again.....at least until I run through all of my photos.

Until then here are a few photographs that I didn't have a chance to upload from my visit to the Dale Chihuly exhibit. If you haven't been and you are in the area, what are you waiting for? You won't regret it!

Cheers!

Native American Art

There was only a small section of Native American art and history, but it was beautiful. The weaving techniques, the clay jars, the photos were just inspiring. Don't just glance through this area. Please take your time through here as you can miss so much without a proper look or thought.

These were just a few of the photos that really rooted me to the spot. I would have stayed here for hours if my friend wasn't waiting.

Seattle's Dale Chihuly Exhibit

 The giant flowers scare me a little, but the rest of the exhibition was amazing! The next time I visit I would like to go again. If you like ocean life or gardens that you will enjoy this exhibit as well. It's right next to the Space Needle, so it's hard to miss! Also, they offer a slight discount if you buy tickets for both at the same time.

This is just the beginning of what I really enjoyed at the exhibit. I will post some more soon!

Ahhh Seattle!

 

 Honestly, I love living in Japan. It has become my home and it will be my home for the rest of my life, but Seattle will always feel like home when I visit.

 Seattle is one of those cities that you can relax and see the sights without rushing to each one to make sure you fit in 10 sights in one day. That's what I felt like I had to do when I visited New York. It is a great city and I definitely want to visit again, but there is sooooooo much to do there! I had 5 days there and I was exhausted afterwards.  Everyday we fit at least 3 sights in, of course the Metropolitan Museum of Art took a whole day and it still wasn't enough.

 This is around the Space Needle. You can find the EMP (Experience Music Project) and the Dale Chihuly Exhibition here as well. I visited the Dale Chihuly Exhibition and it was amazing! If you haven't gone yet, you should make plans to! If you enjoy art or color or darkened spaces, you will like the exhibition.

A Door in Santa Fe

I stood staring at this door for a couple minutes. I just happened to catch the colors out of the corner of my eye and I had to get a closer look. I'm glad I did! 

How amazing is this door?

Inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

 The stained glass windows were beautiful with the light streaming through them.

I wasn't a real big fan of this Cathedral, because it is a little over the top. If I had to choose one cathedral of chapel to visit I would choose the Loretto Chapel. It's beautiful in it's simplicity and we can't forget the spiral staircase!

With that said I did find some details that I enjoyed at this Cathedral, like the door.

A Stroll Through Downtown Santa Fe

 I love everything about this building. The ivy, the awning, the balcony, the color....

 There were quite a few shops to stop. I found a chocolate shop that I was somehow able to tear myself away from without buying any chocolate. I would have bought some, but I wasn't sure how well they would have held up in my suitcase in Japan where it was still quite hot.

A shampoo explosion is bad, but a melted chocolate explosion? I didn't want to try my luck.

 I loved the souvenir shops, which yes are a little over priced. But then again that's part of buying souvenirs and it helps the local economy....hopefully, the local economy. No matter what it is a good way to bring home a little of the local products to remind you of your time there.

Can you tell I am a souvenir addict?

 If you walk just a few minutes from the center of the town you can find galleries and quiet streets like these. Part of it was that it was the off season, but I can't imagine tourists swarming this area. It felt more like the area the locals would spend their time. Quiet and simply decorated cafes and restaurants. Plenty of apartment buildings and office buildings.

San Miguel Chapel

I liked the simplicity of this chapel. 

 It was a small chapel, but there was a lot of attention to detail put into this chapel. They are small details (as I mentioned it was a simple chapel), but still noticeable. The main detail was the back wall. If you notice there is no large crucifix like in most chapels, there is only the small one of the table. Like I said simple details.

I know there is a name for these, but I can't remember and I'm unable to find a name for them with a google search. These are supposed to help to heal the part that the metal is shaped into. If you have lung problems then you get a lung "charm", if your cow is sick then find a cow "charm". I was surprised at how many different pieces were available.

Seoul, Korea: Guard Parade

 

 Just inside the gate of Gwanghwamun I saw this parade of guards in the traditional uniforms of the past.

 The choice of bold colors and the banner made to look like it is on fire would definitely stand out on the mountain side. What a way to announce your presences.

 You  can see which colors were favored by the courts.

 At first I thought this was a mural of two horses, but now that I see it again I'm thinking they're dragons.

 Doesn't it look more like a dragon? It has the spiny back and the bushy beard and tail. Then there's the flame like wings coming out of its flank. Or is a mix of different creatures?

Seoul, Korea: Gwanghwamun Gate

 When you walk out of the station you can see this statue and the mountains.

 Looking towards the subway entrance you can see the city.

 If I remember correctly this is the statue of the man who created Hangul.

 The Gwanghwamun Gate. Does the mountain look like a wave to anyone else?

 It's interesting how different the view is depending on which direction you are looking in. This way you only see the city, but if you turn around you see a big gate and the mountains.

 The guards were standing so still in the wind and cold that I started to wonder if they were wax figures.

 Then this guy started fidgeting and I realized there are real people standing in the cold! I hope they had down jackets under there, because it was freezing! The colors of the flags and the clothing were a great contrast against the white of the gate.

Inside this passage way is a great mural of 2 horses. Make sure to look up when you pass through here.