This shot was taken in Dubrovnik, Croatia. I loved walking around this beautiful old walled town when I visited in 2006. Today has been spent wandering around Old Town Quebec and I must say it is just as beautiful. Ill be back home next week and will try to get back into my proper blogging then. Thanks to all for the comments left while Ive been away.
If you haven’t figured it out already, I have a number of real passions. The first two are quite obvious…I love photography and I love dogs. The other passion of mine, which actually led me into photography, is travelling. I am never happier than when I am travelling.
No matter where I am in the world, as long an I’m experiencing something new, I am in an almost perpetual state of bliss. I’ve found this to be true whether I am enjoying a coffee and croissant on a sidewalk in Prague; attempting to explain to the Indian man on the train why I don’t have a husband with me; or floating down the River Nile on a Felucca.
As I get older (and perhaps wiser) I’m really starting to enjoy the journey. Every day I strive to put the destination to the back of my mind and focus on the process. I think this video sums it up perfectly. Thanks to George for bringing it to my attention. We really do get our inspiration in the most unlikely of places. Louis Vuitton? Who would have thought it?
What is a journey?
I’m currently reading The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner for my book club. I’m still only about half way through it, but so far it has been an enlightening read. The author travels the world in order to determine what makes people happy in different countries. If you like books that make you think and really question what it is that makes us happy, I can definately recommend this book.
Interestingly, the National Happiness Index has recently been released. Denmark, with its democracy, social equality and peaceful atmosphere is apparently the happiest country. The US ranks 16th, Australia is 22nd, and Canada is coming in pretty high up the charts at 9th. Perhaps not surprisingly, some of the unhappiest countries come from Africa, the war torn Middle East and the former Soviet Union. In fact, I’m currently reading the chapter on Moldova in the Geography of Bliss and it certainly sounds like a grim place. I’ll admit I did need to consult Google on where to actually find Moldova on a map.
What do you think is the main contributor to what makes people happy? Is it wealth, relationships, creativity, culture, trust or any number of other things?
In late 2005 I received a call that I never expected. Intrepid Travel was calling to inform me that I had won the Intrepid Travel Annual Photography Competition. To say I was in a state of disbelief is an understatement. I had taken the winning photo, ‘Honesty Saloon’ with my point and shoot camera while on a trip to Eqypt earlier that year.
Winning this competition was a huge turning point in my photographic journey. It was then that I decided to buy an SLR and actually take a photography class to learn how to use it. Also, the prize for winning the competition was a two week Intrepid Travel holiday of my choice. I chose Central Europe and in April 2006 I spent one glorious month in such places as Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Budapest, Sarajevo and Dubrovnik. Brendan couldn’t get away from work at the time so I had the month on my own which was perfect. I met so many great people and experienced things I wouldn’t have if I had a travel companion.
Today’s photo was one of my favourites from the trip. It was taken on Charles Bridge in Prague and was the first time I realised how much I loved dogs in photography. I wish I had taken more dog photos that trip, but at the time I really thought I was headed down the path of travel photographer.