1.30.2011

A Cultural Experience

I promised to share with you my inspirations & I just discovered a gem:
Pology
Not your average travel publication.

Neil Schwartz, the Editor and Founder says it best on Pology.com:
"In a time where representations of the world are fed to us through polarized lenses, traveling has become of supreme importance. Traveling can remind us that in any situation there are multiple and often conflicting truths. Traveling can humble us, and remind us of how little we know. Immersion in a new culture can force us to see a beauty in the world that all too easily gets lost in the routine of the mundane."
Schwartz has created an online publication fed by international submissions that open the viewer's eyes to cultures and people spanning the globe. Through beautiful photo essays and eloquent, rhythmic speech, the submissions on pology.com resonate within me and I feel as if I can visit these places I've longed to go without leaving my apartment. And he has pioneered the entire effort since 2005 with no money exchanged, just the goal of opening the readers' eyes to the humbling truth of total immersion.

Gone in the Morning: Newton Faulkner

1.23.2011

...And now it's 2011

Any time you live and work in a place, you get to know its rhythm and people quite well. Knowing this, I have come to the conclusion that Berkeley is really like no other place on earth. The civility, kindness and liberal nature of its inhabitants, most of which are educated at one of the top universities in the world, is astounding.

Their civility is evident in the way they hesitate thoughtfully at the line of trash cans in any eatery. The way they take the extra moment to ensure that the paper, plastic, compost, glass, etc. is properly sorted. They have an unspoken understanding of the impact of this small gesture.

Their kindness is in this beautiful box of apples left for hungry passersby with "take-away" bags nailed to the fence above for easy transport. A cardboard sign indicates the variety (Anders) and welcomes anyone tall enough to reach to help themselves to more.

It is hard to believe that I've lived for over a year now in Berkeley. That I've walked to my office in the picturesque little 1900's home each day for 18 months.
But I can feel a change. I am certain that this year 2011 will bring some changes: a move, a job, a less-cluttered existence. Brilliant.

City and Colour: The Girl