world press photo exhibition

So, a while back i alluded to a photo exhibition i stumbled upon while in Amsterdam. Slacker that i am, i will finally share it with you now!

The world press photo exhibition 2011 actually opened on my last morning in Amsterdam. It was staged in Oude Kerk (old church), which I had actually just planned on visiting to check out the interior with my museumkaart, but was surprised to find so much more!

"Our mission is to encourage high professional standards in photojournalism and to promote a free and unrestricted exchange of information. World Press Photo aims to support professional press photography on a wide international scale. Promotional activities include an annual contest, exhibitions, the stimulation of photojournalism through educational programs, and creating greater visibility for press photography through a variety of publications."

It was such a unique setting - amazing photojournalism ranging from general news to nature to sports. Definitely some shocking scenes too. A cool inclusion was a 12-photo series from one of the chilean miners who was trapped last year, going about his everyday workout as usual. Check out how they integrated the exhibition amongst the beautiful details of the church.

You can check out all the winners here- definitely worth browsing!

♥ Callah

yes please

Punta Cana forecast

♥ Callah

easter weekend in the netherlands

Apparently I have three readers who want more! lol.
Friday morning was pretty low-key. I stored my bags and checked out (no cheese sandwich at breakfast,,, kind of disappointed!), and then went to the train station to buy a ticket for later. I found Rembrandthuis, which was actually quite difficult, and grabbed a free audio tour through the house (which is where he lived and had a painting studio, but in the end couldn't afford it and it was taken and everything auctioned off). There was also a pretty large etching exhibit, which was quite cool to see how it is actually done, I had no idea all the work involved.

I grabbed some lunch and ate in Dam Square again (it kind of became my home base for the few days I was in Amsterdam) and then went to Oude Kerk (Old Church) where it turns out there was a photo exhibition. I won't talk much about it since I'll do a separate blog post, but I will say it was the coolest setting I've seen for something like that!  After that I grabbed my bags and headed to the train station... goodbye, Amsterdam!

45 minutes later I was in Den Haag (the Hague - it's odd that this is one city which they anglicize the name for).  My friend Jacky picked me up, as well as another girl who was staying the exact same days I was, Lana. We stopped at the supermarket to grab a few supplies, namely Dutch treats for me to try out! We came out to a freak rainstorm (the only rain I saw while in the Netherlands.. unusual, I think!) and dropped everything off at her apartment before heading to the promenade at a nearby beach for dinner.

Saturday was low key... cheese sandwich for breakfast (hah! now i'm addicted, I think), the city centre in the afternoon (where I opted to visit the Mauritshuis museum and see Vermeer's "Girl With a Pearl Earring" - which I fell in love with - while the girls shopped) and to Jacky's friends house for the evening where we made dinner, played card games, and generally had a great time.

Sunday was the big touristy day. I had mentioned to Jacky how I wished I could go to Kinderdijk, which is a UNESCO heritage site with 19 old windmills. It turns out it wasn't as far as I thought, so we spent the morning walking around there and doing a canal boat ride to the futhest windmill, having a picnic lunch, and then driving up to Keukenhof gardens to be blown away by the beauty of the ridiculous amount of tulips and other flowers. It was a great day.

Now here I am... I think we may try to spend an hour or two at the beach (depending on how long it takes us to get ready!) before coming home to get all packed up to head home. I can't believe a week has passed by, but for once I am actually looking forward to coming home... that's a first!

♥ Callah

Gouda in Edam

Ok, where did I leave off? Night two. I met up with Anna, the korean roommate, back at the hostel because she wanted to see the red light district but was shy and immature and did not want to go by herself! It was kind of embarrassing, lol- she was pointing and giggling and asking me so many questions I didnt have the answers to! I can't really tell you how a prostitute feels standing in a window, you know, seeing as I've never been one.


Anyways she was happy I had been her escort (haha, pun intended) so she could see the "real" Amsterdam before she left. Too bad, I think that is missing out on such a huge part of it!

Yesterday I pilfered another cheese sandwich (I will never want one again by the time I get home... Brekkie and lunch 3 days in a row, I'm in a different hostel tonight but I assume it will be similar here as well) and set out for the waterland region... A bunch of cute little fishing villages north of Amsterdam. It was such a cuteness overload I almost couldn't handle it, lol! I visited Marken, took a ferry to Volendam, and finished in Edam. I sampled a few cheeses and then didn't figure out til too late I didnt even try Edam cheese there... I had Gouda lol! Edam had this super cool little museum which is actually a preserved old townhouse complete with the steepest, narrowest staircases ever and a floating cellar... Safe to say bumped my head a few times. I napped and read and listened to my iPod in a cute little park and perhaps burned my shoulders a tiny bit (jealous?!).

I had considered another museum open late but I couldn't bear that thought, museum burnout after Tuesday! I ate some takeaway in Dam Sq and listened to a busker, and later on had a beer people watching at a sidewalk table... I am now officially ok eating and drinking by myself without even a book as a distraction. It's like that sex and the city episode.
Today I had to switch hostels, so now I am in the heart of the medieval district with all the shops... And on late shopping night too :) I did a quick whirl through the historisch museum, wandered way across the city to see the De Grooier windmill and have my picnic (you guessed it, stolen cheese sandwich and apple) on a canal bank and then found my way to the hermitage, which was an excellent albeit smallish museum in the exhibit sense. I hit up the shops and it's safe to say my spring/summer wardrobe is considerably improved. Another early night for me I think as I have not been sleeping too well. I have all morning and afternoon here tomorrow and then it will be off to The Hague to spend Easter with my friend Jacky that was my very first roommate in Wellington, NZ (and incidentally thought I was a bitch the first time we met because I was brushing my hair... When it was looong and painful to brush! Good thing we got past that, hah!).
 
♥ Callah

P.S. if anyone is actually reading this comment and let me know if i should continue blogging while I'm away!

amsterdam

Yesterday I landed in Amsterdam and had pretty much the easiest airport experience ever- the customs line was short, there is nothing to fill out, and they don't ask questions. Then I went to the luggage claim to see my bag had literally just come out - I was on the train probably within about half hour after landing. Not bad!!

I arrived to my hostel about 1pm, and dropped my bags off and started wandering the city. The weather has been gorgeous so far! The architecture is seriously amazing and the canals are beautiful. I found the Begjinhof, which is a cool enclosed former convent hidden away in the middle of the city. I grabbed dinner at a sidewalk table and did some people watching, and headed to the Anne Frankhuis, which I have wanted to see since I read the diary back in the fall- way before I had any clue I'd actually be here. It was so surreal to be there, and see all the narrow steep staircases and some of their belongings, as well as the actual diaries themselves. The rooms are empty since the furniture was confiscated when they were arrested, and Otto Frank wanted them to remain that way.

In the evening I started chatting with a few girls in my room, and ended up taking a stroll through the red light diistrict which is literally across the canal from my hostel. It was so weird to see. It's strongly advised you don't take pictures there, but you walk down the alleys and there are windows with red lights overtop, and girls inside in lingerie. I may or may not have had a "space cake", haha. I'll let you use your imagination with that one.

Today after free brekkie (which I actually took advantage of and grabbed a free lunch as well) another roomate and I headed out, destination Rijksmuseum. There we saw "The Night Watch"and Rembrandts and Vermeers among others. I bought a "museumkaart" which has already nearly paid for itself, as after a picnic lunch I hit up the modern museum and then finished up at the Van Gogh museum (which was also having a Picasso exhibit).

I finally found a wall charger for my iPhone (note to self, apparently GB adapters aren't universal throughout Europe!) and now I'm off to dinner. Tomorrow I think I will head out to some touristy fishing villages to take a break from all the art that I've oversaturated myself with. Rest assured I've taken a crapload of photos which I'll share when I'm home!

♥ Callah

all things swedish

one of the places i was strongly considering before i decided on the Netherlands was Sweden. Why? seems like there is a swedish theme going on with my interests right now.

Stieg Larsson's Millenium trilogy- the girl with the dragon tattoo starts off a bit slow but once the story picks up, it just (mostly) keeps on going through the whole series. According to my kobo i'm 78% complete the 3rd book. Apparently his wife is considering finishing the fourth novel that was nearly complete when Stieg died. I've also watched 2/3 of the foreign, subtitled films. 

source

Robyn. i love this girl. getting right up front to the stage in the summer was pretty much the coolest experience. This picture is obvi from before we got bumped up.

ikea. I think this one goes with the need for an explanation or pictures. Remember my new duvet? the insert is from Ikea, lol. Driven to while listening to Robyn.

H&M... new jeans and legwarmers... perfect for to & from the studio in chilly weather! 

So, Sweden has been added to the list of places to visit.

♥ Callah

Holland FTW

So, my DDS (dentist, in normal-people lingo) is closing the office for a week in April. I decided to go to Europe and make the most of not being tied down to a mortgage (yet!).

Sweden, Spain, Greece... where to go? It didn't come to me until it came to me (it seems like a pretty obvious statement, but maybe you know what I mean)... Holland! My very first roommate in Wellington, NZ is Dutch and whenever we chat, a few times a year, she always asks when I am coming to visit. I messaged her and said, now! 

source

Check out an amazing Holland photo album here - random set I found on Flickr.

Booking flights is like playing the stock market. When I first checked a few weeks ago, the price was reasonable enough. I decided to wait until payday... and then it went up $300! I searched earlier tonight but got distracted and didn't see the results until just now. They were dirt cheap. But of course, refresh... they went up about another $300 from earlier in the evening, but still cheaper than the original, reasonable price! So I jumped on it and booked my flights. I leave on April 17th, in the evening... so as soon as Paish's wedding festivities are all said and done, I'm leaving on a jetplane (except I know when I'll be back again).

On the list:

- Anne Frank's secret annexe

- people watching in cafes (no, I won't be smoking up!) along the canals

- lots and lots of tulips!

- visiting my friend in the Hague

- Van Gogh museum

- cheating on my veganism in Edam and Gouda

... and lots more to figure out. If you've been there, leave some suggestions!

SO EXCITED!!

♥ Callah

featured blog!

Too cool, I've had a few photos featured on the travelpod main page. I really need to go through that all and edit it, and make a book out of it or something! Apologies for the wonky formatting of this post. 

      

Here's another pic thats been featured.

♥ Callah

in iPhone photos- Montreal

Long weekend in Montreal. I didn't really actually do much of anything in particular, except catch up with friends and eat out, a LOT, and do some yoga and window shopping. I promise I did stuff last time.

So, I also didn't bring my camera around with me and even forgot my iPhone on our 8km trek to Chinatown (where were ran into a Taiwanese celebration) and the Old Port. Here are a few random snaps I did get.

St Viateur bagels- I trekked across town for these, all because my sister wanted some real Montreal bagels. She better bring me back something nice from Mexico... buying Corona in Ontario doesn't really count.

This place seriously was COOL. Hard to describe but they had these long skinny spatulas that held a bunch of the bagels in the oven, and would pull the freshly baked bagels out and dump them into that pile you see in the back left. The smell in there was amazing.

My first macaron experience. Little disappointed at the lack of classy packaging. To be honest, they were just ok. The salted caramel was delish and the pistachio was pretty decent, but I wouldn't spend that much on them on a regular basis. And the other flavours, not at all.

The hill Katrina walks up for school every day. It's bigger than it looks, and the mountain was so pretty with all the changing leaves.

This photo magically appeared on my phone, no idea how i captured it.. but it's cool.

So, there you have it. A fabulously relaxing weekend away. Good times. Thanks for playing host, Katrina!

♥ Callah

I absolutely have to reblog this series of photos which I spotted on Splendora.

Check out "The Beauty in the Abandoned" series of photos by photographer Álvaro Sánchez-Montañés for more breathtaking shots of the desert overtaking abandoned houses in the Namib desert. Stunning.


♥ Callah

10k pics

Got the pics today from the Ottawa Race Weekend 10k. Normally they are all hideous, but Stephanie & I purposely sought out the photogs for post-race snaps.

 

(My actual time was 1:22:07- still slow, but the clock is even slower- it took about 8 minutes to get to the starting line!!)

♥ Callah

My Olympic Vid Collection!

Here are a few videos I took while in Vancouver this past week!









♥ Callah

The end is here

So, turns out being on the plane wasn't so horrible after all. The satellite TV was WORKING, and it was so awesome to see every single TV tuned into the game. It's definitely a memorable experience to hear every passenger erupt when we scored the winning goal!


So, another item crossed off the bucket list. I can honestly say it was the best experience of my life. Canada rocks!!

♥ Callah

O Canada!

I am seriously having like, the best day ever. Last night we wandered amongst the insane crowds literally right outside our hostel (all the streets and closed), and hit up a pub for some drinking (finally!)
Although tired this morning, the Bronze Medal men's game sure woke me up... even though our country wasn't in it, it was an amazing game between the Swiss & the Swedes (or, Ikea vs. Sigg). Highlights including someone shouting "Riiicooola" and the wave. Swiss made a comeback in the last end, winning 5-4 (i think!)
Took the bus to Granville Island, and when we transferred found ourselves right outside the Lululemon Lab- they create/sell new designs there. Made a sweet new purchase (more details to come!) and found the Hockey Helmut toques were on sale - only $10!!- to celebrate our Women's gold, and to wear during the Men's! (Or on the airplane lol!)
Granville was awesome- loved looking through the kids shops and found tons of Olympic merch without the lineup of the Bay- finished souvenier shopping wandered through cool stalls downtown, and had a sushi dinner. Not to mention, our winning streak continues! Tied for record of most Gold Medals at the Winter Olympics ever, and we've got the hockey game tomorrow! (Sure everyone is aware... but I am seriously so excited it's crazy). Unfortunately didn't get to actually see us WIN the curling thanks to people having commandeered the TV to watch exhibition figure skating (cause seriously, who cares?)
Anyways! Last night tonight, crazy long travel day tomorrow but so excited to head out and celebrate!

Van city update

So, day 3 (already!) of being here at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics! Not gonna post any pics yet, since I've been keeping the facebook pretty (ok, VERY) updated!
On Tuesday, wandered around and queued up for the viewing platform to see the Olympic Torch/ Cauldron. Was worth the wait as otherwise you're stuck behind a fence which sucks for photo ops!

That night, headed to the Victory Ceremony where we saw Ashleigh Mciver given her gold for Ladies Skicross. Talk about amazing atmosphere, the crowd went crazy and I loved everyone singing "O Canada" as our flag went up!

Yesterday, hit up Lulu to pick up the "Gift of Yoga" passes (and buy a new top, delayed reward for the 30-day challenge!). Went to a flow class yesterday and did power yoga today (which was INSANE, btw), I'm loving changing it up from my regular Moksha series!! Trying things and pushing myself in new ways!

In the late afternoon, began the long process of seeing an event. Seabus to Lonsdale Quay, Olympic bus to Cypress, 1.5-2 km walk to the venue. Foggy at first but it did clear up somewhat by the final round. Saw some amazingly crazy jumps... and falls! So much respect for the athletes! Luckily the rain held off until we were walking back to the bus. My crappy boots basically had puddles inside them by the end of the night! Then lined up at 11pm for the Olympic Superstore, where I bought some small things. I seriously nearly die of cuteness overload when I see the mascots.

Today, chilled out and watched the events on TV- Irish pub for the hockey, got completely decked out. (Watch for a What She Wore- Olympic edition lol!) So excited both Mens & Womens teams headed for gold in curling. I'll be watching Sweden battle the Swiss for bronze on Saturday morning. Have to mention how amazing our Figure Skating bronze was- congrats to Joannie for sure.

Tomorrow: hot yoga followed by JAPADOG! For realsies. Oh, and lots more event watching, and maybe even a little homework. Maybe is the key word.

♥ Callah

P.S.

I love buying travel insurance through World Nomads, since they have the option to donate to Footprints like I did last year. This time, I chose a water program. Feeling warm and fuzzy now!

I also had a code which was an extra $8.40 donated to the cause by World Nomads - anyone buying travel insurance, I would definitely recommend! They pay claims in decent time too!
Can't wait for the completed project update :)
♥ Callah

Your thoughts, please.

I've just bought a bunch of amazing frames (and plan to buy some more, going nuts) to adorn my soon-to-be-made over bedroom.
Question: Is it lame to have travel pictures of yourself (like, with no one else) in your own room?
Comments please!
♥ Callah

A new love!

Well, no luck on the job but I'm not crushed like I thought I would be! I'm actually quite proud of myself for getting so far, as it's a pretty tough process. Oh well!

Anyways, totally fell in love with London/ England. I actually think it's my fave city I've ever been to. I'm realizing I not just need to live in a city, but a foreign city! It's where I'm happiest. I'm thinking I will definitely get a working visa at some point and head over there for a year or two. Now, the question is, can I wait 16 more months for my sisters wedding! I am maid of honour after all!


Anyways, didn't actually do too much else in London. I feel like I spent forever just traveling by train/tube! Getting delayed 5 hours on the way home wasn't too fun either. I did get to Greenwich to stand on the Prime Meridian and confirm the iPhone clock is very accurate, and check out the National Maritime Museum (with a Kiwi guy I asked to take my pic, and proceeded to chat with around the museum for 1/2 hour), and the Queen's house, which is an art gallery. On Wednesday I headed up to Lincoln to visit a guy I met whilst in Fiji. Lincoln has an amazing, nearly 1000 year old Cathedral- the gothic architecture was stunning. Also briefly saw a castle, and then proceeded to spend the rest of the night partying student-style.


Thursday was all travel again, thanks to delays. Enjoyed 241 Cocktails during happy hour- yum! Was also introduced to a hilarious British show called the In-Betweeners, hard to describe but it's about guys in high school (actually filmed at my friend's little brothers high school), very vulgar and crude but SO funny.

On another note- my stupidity, despite instructions, caused me to break my hair straightener so I splurged on a GHD today. Considering the last one was 5 years old before I broke it, I have high hopes for my (dual voltage!) GHD. I've used them on my hair both long and short, so I know it's an awesome investment. Yay!

For pics, friends head on over to facebook. Too many good ones to choose a few to post here. Loved the new Rebel XSi- served me well!

♥ Callah

Quick London Update

So, forgot the card readers etc so pics will have to wait... Friday isn't so far anyways. Can't believe I'm pretty much half done the trip, thanks to the 26+ hour delay cutting off pretty well a day and a half.
Things I've done thus far:
-got on the wrong train first thing out of the airport (successfully corrected myself though!)
-Tower of London
-Tate Modern
-National Gallery- amazingly huge and beautiful huge gallery with tons of big name pieces ,Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, Rousseau (sp?), etc
-Seen Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, the London Eye (didn't ride it- its so slow it looks like it isn't moving!), Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace... etc etc
-Successfully gotten to the 2nd interview (tomorrow)... despite shaking like a leaf doing my Charlemagne presentation!

Lots of sightseeing and tube riding, haven't done too many things involving fees. Thinking about heading to Greenwich tomorrow to learn about, and straddle the Prime Meridian and hopefully a few more museums/ galleries! Paish & Vero, you'd LOVE all the free art galleries here (if you haven't been before?)

(heart) Callah

bathtime!

Apparently I'm not smart enough to take a jacuzzi bath.
(It's usable, although not completely finished, i.e. no shower curtains) I thought I'd give it a whirl before heading to London tomorrow. Poured in a couple capfuls of bubble bath- same thing I've been doing since I was a kid.
After about one minute, I had to call my mom into the bathroom to turn off the jets- the switch is on the wall. The bubbles were foaming madly and ready to pour over the side. It was like a movie... a bad one! The hilarity was photographed but I'm not sure if bubble bath pic is too "scandalous"!

via

Going to be MIA for the next week, I'll see if it's possible to post a few photos while I'm experiencing the UK's worst cold snap in 30 years. Seriously. I thought it was going to be WARM (i.e. 0C)!
P.S. I'm totally visiting Platform 9 3/4.
♥ Callah