Category Archives: Phlog

Phlog = photos + words

Seneca Rocks

seneca rocks

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”

–John Muir

Continue reading Seneca Rocks

Wild and Wonderful

Appalachian Mountains
The Allegheny Mountains, shot from Spruce Knob.

There are a slew of West Virginia posts coming your way, but before this “series” gets underway, I thought I’d explain to you, dear reader, how this all came about. Continue reading Wild and Wonderful

Out for a stroll

I have so many pictures to post, from wild and wonderful West Virginia to pride in the streets of Santiago. But in the midst of those hundreds of photos, I randomly shot and had to share this gem: Two little old ladies strolling down Miguel Claro in Providencia. Little old ladies If you open your eyes and walk around a neighborhood, you´re sure to come across so many interesting things…

A Winter Wonderland

I can hardly contain myself these days, the recent winter weather making the Andes more dignified than ever. The beauty overwhelms me.

snowcapped andes

A decent rainfall finally came to Santiago, cleaned the smoggy skies and left us with a striking panoramic view, as even the coastal range is snowcapped.

snowcapped coastal mountains Continue reading A Winter Wonderland

Rosaries and ovaries

Alejen sus rosarios de nuestros ovarios.
Get your rosaries away from our ovaries. 

Valpo church

Ah the ever-convoluted topics of abortion and women´s rights. It´s been the subject of nearly all Chilean conversations these days as President Michelle Bachelet fights to make abortion legal in the case of rape, unviable pregnancies and if the mother´s life is in danger. Continue reading Rosaries and ovaries

Outside Perception

Lady Liberty
Cerro Bellavista, Valparaíso.

 

Throughout my travels, it´s always been interesting to hear/see others´ perceptions regarding my home country, the United States of America. I think in some ways, you don´t really know and understand where you´re from until you leave it, see it from a different point of view. Continue reading Outside Perception

Jahuelito

jahuelitos

Not too long ago, I accompanied my man to a little public school in Jahuelito, a rural town about two hours outside of Santiago. He went to volunteer his lawyer skills while I enjoyed taking photos. The kids put on a show in celebration of April 23’s International Book Day. They were absolutely fantastic. Reading is power.

Continue reading Jahuelito

Cuatro Años

Today marks four years of living in Chile.
Santiago sunset
The view that I’ve wanted for the past four years that I finally have!

Though I had spent five months prior in 2009, it wasn’t until my return to Chile on May 21, 2010 that I decided to take a risk and come make a life here. Nothing worked out as my 23-year-old mind had pictured at the time –imagine that!– but as I take a pause and look at where I am now, I realize it all worked out just as it was meant to be. Continue reading Cuatro Años

May you revel in life.

It disturbingly came to my attention the other day that life can be so unpleasant for some that they no longer care to be a part of it. Ok, so I´ve known that for a while now, but sometimes you get so caught up in enjoying life and forget that others are so troubled. This reality greatly saddens me, one I cannot comprehend.

May you be able to stop and appreciate the perpetual beauty this life presents on a daily basis.

cow

That magical golden hour right before the sun goes down.

That moment you look another creature in the eye and have a brief understanding.

Silence.

Peace.

May you revel in life.

Río Clarillo and Life of Pi

tree lizard

I took these pictures at a hike in Río Clarillo a while back, and I read Life of Pi a while back. Two unrelated things that I’m now relating.

“All living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel of the ability to adapt. Without it, no species would survive.”  Continue reading Río Clarillo and Life of Pi

Last night in El Norte Grande

norte grande sunset

Beautiful sunsets are one of my greatest pleasures. I feel like anytime the sky is pink, purple, orange and red, we all need to just stop what we’re doing and gawk. It’s happened to me before that upon mentioning “O wow! Look at the sky!”, the person looks, says “oh yeah, that’s pretty” and just carries on. This is not a response of which I would be capable. Continue reading Last night in El Norte Grande

Cuzco flora

I remember being a little girl and digging holes in the dirt for my mom to then place a flower in it before I pushed and patted the earth over petunias, impatiens, geraniums…memories I really treasure.

Flowers, and especially hydrangeas, remind me of my mother. They were my first subjects when I became interested in photography.

So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I really love flowers and have since the beginning.

flower and a bee  Continue reading Cuzco flora

Aguas Calientes

The only good things about this little town are its proximity to Machu Picchu and the views. And there are some gorgeous views.

Aguas Calientes

This is a tourist trap type town. You´re forced to go there before heading to Machu Picchu and everything from food to lodging is significantly more expensive than the rest of the Cuzco region. And getting there via Peru Rail? One of the most expensive train rides of my life! Continue reading Aguas Calientes