Weekly Photo Challenge: Good Morning

Posted on October 7, 2013 by

Last week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge focused on a familiar phrase:  Good Morning! So, I said to myself, why don’t you spend Saturday of your weekend in Idaho at the Farmers Market?  So here I am at 10th & Grove saying, Good morning, Boise!

My favorite breakfast item came from two hard-working guys from The Creperie spreading delicate crepe batter on a hot griddle, filling it with anything from Nutella and strawberries (my choice) to asparagus and cheese, and then rolling the whole shebang in paper cones.  Portable. Tasty. Warm.  A treat on the street!

Fabulous French confections from the The Creperie

Fabulous French confections from the The Creperie

In the spirit of drinking local, I lined up for a cup of Bear Basin Roast from a cheerful, albeit chilly, vendor from Long Valley Coffee based in McCall. Mmmm.  Rich, full-bodied, and my first cup of coffee with the word bear in the title!

Serving Long Valley Coffee at the Boise Farmers Market

Serving Long Valley Coffee at the Boise Farmers Market

Finally, I spied this happy, tattooed guy talking on his cellphone.  When I asked if I could take a picture, he gave me a thumbs up.  And then said, Have a good morning.  He smiled.  I smiled.  And we bridged the generation gap if only for a few seconds.  Made my day with a good morning start!

Nothing like a great smile to start your day!

Nothing like a great smile to start your day!

P. S.  Want to see more pics of the Boise Farmers Market?  Come back for my next post.  There’s everything from gourd vendors to a balloon man and who knows what else!  You gotta get up on a Saturday and head to a farmers’ market near you.  I can almost guarantee a Good Morning.

For more information:

The Boise Farmers Market on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBoiseFarmersMarket

The Creperie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCreperieMobile

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Farmers Market, Restaurant, Travel, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Capture the Colour 2013

Posted on September 29, 2013 by

Travel, for us, has become more than a mere pastime — we now plan trips deliberately with the idea that we need to see as much of this world as we can while we can.  So, we’re connecting with worlds unknown not just through our own adventures but also through those of fellow bloggers — like Terri and James Vance of Gallivance, who nominated us for the Capture the Colour 2013 Photoblogging Challenge sponsored by Travel Supermarket.

If you’ve been following us this past week, you may be among those who looked each day at three photos and voting for your favorites to submit in each of the five color categories — blue, yellow, red, white, and green.  You have been awesome!  Thanks for your support and for comments and votes.

So here are our entries in the competition!

Blue

Nepali Schoolgirl

Nepali Schoolgirl

When we visited Bhabiskya Ujjwal Primary School in Kavre, Nepal, one child captured our hearts.  Her soulful eyes, rumpled blue uniform, and smudgy face reminded us of little girls everywhere who relish a day when school books are abandoned for a brief visit by grown-ups from America.  She followed us to the edge of the schoolyard where we took her picture standing near one of the older children.

Location: Kavre, Nepal

Yellow

Sunrise at Pawleys

Sunrise at Pawleys
Taken from the widow’s walk atop our beach rental rental in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, this photo reveals the warm yellow rays of morning sun against the silhouettes of other rooftops around us.  What a great way to start the day . . . facing the Atlantic!

Location: Pawleys Island, South Carolina

White

Terra Cotta Warriors Facing the Light of Day

Terra Cotta Warriors

In Xian, China, unearthed Terra Cotta Warriors stand tall in an enormous windowed structure resembling an airport hangar built around them.  When we visited, natural morning light streamed into the room, changing the stoic, stone gray figures to white sentinels ready for visitors in awe of this amazing archaeological find.

Location: Xian, China

Green

Greens for Goats

Greens for Goats

While boarding the bus in rural Nepal, I noticed something coming down the road. Hurriedly, I fumbled through my bag to grab my camera just in time to snap this lady and her strapped-on bundle of green leaves and sticks. And then she was gone — moving nimbly up the mountainside to her home.  It’s really quite common, our interpreter told us.  All the women here gather greenery for their goats.

Location: Near Dhulikhel, Nepal

Red

Welcome to Nepal

DSC03268

Upon our arrival in Nepal to build a mud and stone house for Habitat for Humanity International, we were greeted by ladies dressed in red bearing strings of marigolds to lay around our necks.  Surprisingly, they also brought a red, gloppy concoction which they scooped up and smudged onto our foreheads.  Namaste, they said.  And then we knew.  We weren’t family, of course, but we were as welcome as any Americans could be.

Location: Near Dhulikhel, Nepal

* * * * *

And now, according to the rules of the challenge, we get to nominate five other bloggers to enter Capture the Colour 2013.  Here are my nominees.

Tina at Travels and Trifles

Connie at Clicky Chick Creates

Jean at Jean’s Photography Blog

Laurie at Pride in Photos

Jessie at Behind the Willows

Thanks again to all who participated. We’ve enjoyed hearing from so many as we looked through our photos and relived favorite moments.

Rusha and Bert Sams

P. S.  To follow the conversation about Capture the Colour 2013, use the Twitter hashtag #CTC13.

Posted in Blogging Challenge, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — RED

Posted on September 26, 2013 by

It’s been a fun week looking through photos, posting three a day focused on a single color, and receiving notes and feedback from readers who took the time to help us decide.  And now, we’re down to the last color (red!) for the Capture the Colour 2013 Photo Challenge.  After being nominated by Terri and James Vance of Gallivance (Click here to see their entry.), we’ve been posting pics in the hopes that you, our readers, would narrow the field of photos to our top five.  And you have.

Just take a look at the pictures and select your favorite by posting a comment below or on Facebook.  We’re in the home stretch and will be making our final selections this weekend.

Here are three photographs for the red category.

Today’s Vote: RED

1. Welcome to Nepal

DSC03268

Upon our arrival in Nepal to build two mud and stone houses for Habitat for Humanity International, we were greeted by ladies dressed in red bearing strings of marigolds to lay around our necks.  Surprisingly, they also brought a red gloppy concoction which they scooped up and smudged onto our foreheads.  Namaste, they said.  And then we knew.  We weren’t family, of course, but we were as welcome as any Americans could be.

2. Simply Elegant Tapestry

IMG_5671

It was difficult to find something understated in the Hermitage (St. Petersburg, Russia), but this simple, yet exquisite, red tapestry was as classy a piece as any we saw.  Simply elegant.  Simply divine.

3. Dancers in Breaux Bridge

IMG_8975

Standing still next to a guy wearing a red Peace, Love & Cajuns shirt and a lady brushing by in a crimson swingy, swirling skirt was no easy task for a neophyte photographer.  In fact, just about everyone at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival (Breaux Bridge, Louisiana) was movin’ and groovin’  – unless they were busy racing mudbugs and “suckin’ dem heads!”

Please take a minute to vote in the Comments section below.

If you missed any of the previous entries, here are the links to those posts.  There’s still time to help us decide!

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — GREEN

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — WHITE

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — YELLOW

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — BLUE

Many thanks for your support and ideas!

Rusha and Bert Sams

Posted in Blogging Challenge, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — Green

Posted on September 25, 2013 by

Yesterday, we had an overwhelming response to our “help us decide” blogs!  Thanks! Many of you responded to our request to take a look at three posts offering three different photographs on the colors blue, yellow, and white.  You voted, and we’re hoping to finalize our entry this week to submit to the Capture the Colour 2014 Photo Challenge after being nominated by Terri and James Vance of Gallivance. (Click here for their entry.)

If you’ve missed any of the photographs, the links to the previous posts are at the bottom.  The photo challenge requires an entry for each of five colors: blue, yellow, white, green, and red.

Today’s photos are GREEN, and we again invite you to look at our pictures and vote for one by either commenting below or on Facebook.  Thanks so much for your participation.  And now, here are today’s photos for your review.

Today’s Vote: GREEN

1. Singapore Fish Spa

11.09 Singapore 125

At the Singapore Night Safari, visitors can view nocturnal animals, ride a tram through the zoo, or soak their feet in a green tank while fairly aggressive little fish nibble off dead skin! Oooh, it tickles, some exclaimed, but the paying customers weren’t the only ones giggling and pointing.  We were all turning green watching the catch of the day!

2. Greens for Goats

DSC02642

While boarding my bus in rural Nepal, I noticed something coming down the road.  Hurriedly, I fumbled through my bag to grab my camera just in time to snap this lady and her strapped-on bundle of leaves and sticks.  And then she was gone — moving nimbly up the mountainside to her home. It’s really quite common, the local interpreter told us.  All the women here gather greenery for their goats.

3. A November Walk at Catherine Palace

IMG_5874

With just a hint of fall turning green leaves ever so gently into gold, we followed other strolling visitors around the grounds of Catherine Palace in the town of Pushkin, Russia.

Remember, all you have to do to vote for your favorite GREEN photo is leave us a comment below.

And if you missed any of the other posts, we’d still love to have your feedback and opinions.

Help us decide: Capture the Colour — White: http://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2013/09/24/help-us-decide-capture-the-colour-2013-white/

Help us decide: Capture the Colour — Yellow: http://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2013/09/23/help-us-decide-capture-the-colour-2013-yellow/

Help us decide: Capture the Colour — Blue: http://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2013/09/22/help-us-decide-capture-the-colour-2013-blue/

We appreciate your vote!

Rusha and Bert Sams

Posted in Blogging Challenge, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — White

Posted on September 24, 2013 by

We extend our appreciation to all who have clicked onto our blogs this week and voted for pictures for the Capture the Colour 2013 Photo Challenge sponsored by TravelSupermarket.com. We’ve been nominated by Terri and James Vance of Gallivance whose entry is colorful and quite artistic, so check it out also. (To see their photo challenge, click here.)

Each day, we post three photos on one of the color themes required by the challenge:  blue, yellow, white, green and red.  At the end of the week, we’ll take your suggestions and select one of each color to submit.  Please vote by leaving a message in the Comments section at the bottom of this post or on Facebook.  And thanks to all of you who have done so!

If you’ve missed the first two, here are links to those posts:

BLUE: http://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2013/09/22/help-us-decide-capture-the-colour-2013-blue/

YELLOW: http://ohtheplaceswesee.com/2013/09/23/help-us-decide-capture-the-colour-2013-yellow/

TODAY’S VOTE: WHITE

And here are today’s entries for the category WHITE.  (There are FOUR this time — we had a hard time deciding!)

1. Stonecutter in Nepal

DSC02632

When we joined a team from Knoxville to build stone and mud houses in Nepal for Habitat for Humanity International, we met several men busy at work planning the foundation, finding the right stones, digging the mud for the mortar, and cutting the cornerstones.  This stonecutter remained quietly aloof for about three days as he wasn’t sure what to make of us.  But as I “talked” to him using facial expressions and hand gestures, he warmed up to me and even allowed me to hand him suitable stones.  When he nodded that I could finally take his picture, I didn’t hesitate.  This photo, of a stonecutter dressed in white, remains one of my prize takeaways from the experience.

2. Southern Magnolia in Full Bloom

IMG_0359

Sometimes the best pictures can be found in your own backyard.  This creamy white magnolia blossom showing off its ever-increasing shades of brown as it reaches maturity just begged to be photographed.

3. Terra Cotta Warriors Facing the Light of Day

IMG_1613

In Xian, China, unearthed Terra Cotta Warriors are housed in an enormous windowed structure resembling an airport hangar. When we visited, natural morning light was just beginning to stream into the room, changing the stoic, stone gray figures to white sentinels ready for visitors in awe of this amazing archaeological find.

4. Reconstruction

IMG_1636

At the site of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is  an area called “the hospital” where shards are put together like an enormous 3-D puzzle.  As pieces form warriors or horses, the reconstructions (like this one standing in the white light) may be able to stand on their own, as if they are waiting for someone to find the final pieces to make them whole again.

P. S. Please leave us a comment below and vote for your favorite!  Check back tomorrow for our GREEN entries.  Thanks!

Rusha and Bert Sams

Posted in Blogging Challenge, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — Yellow

Posted on September 23, 2013 by

Many thanks to so many of you who left comments on Facebook or our blog as you voted for your favorite blue picture for our entry into the Capture the Colour 2013 Photo Challenge.  (If you would like to take a look at our blue photos and vote, click here.)

To fill you in on what we’re doing:

We were nominated for the Capture the Colour 2013 challenge sponsored by TravelSupermarket.com by Terri and James Vance of Gallivance.  (To see their entry, click here.)  Each day we will post three photos, one for each of the five colors required by the challenge (blue, yellow, green, red, and white) and ask that you vote for your favorite.  Then, at the end of the week, we’ll select the top five for submission.  Thanks, in advance, for reading and commenting. We appreciate you!

Here are our three entries for YELLOW today:

1. Sunflowers in the Cooler

Sunflowers in the Cooler

At Billy Heroman’s flower shop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, you can walk right into the cooler and select a bouquet to your liking.  We loved the fresh colors in this assemblage of yellow sunflowers, but before we said Wrap ‘em up, we snapped this picture of nature’s sunniest offerings for the day.

2. The Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa

At Boudhanath in Kathmandu, Nepal, the eyes of Buddha stare down at you from this ancient Stupa, one of the largest in the world and situated on what was once a major trade route between Nepal and Tibet.  This picture (taken from a second floor office of a medical practitioner who prescribed a concoction of herbs to relieve a fellow traveler’s sinus problems!!) features one of four sets of eyes facing north, south, east, and west on a golden yellow face.

3. Sunrise at Pawleys

Sunrise at Pawleys

Taken from the widow’s walk atop our beach rental in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, this photo reveals the warm yellow rays of morning sun against the silhouettes of other rooftops around us. What a great way to start a morning . . . facing the Atlantic!

Please vote for your favorite YELLOW picture by commenting or posting on Facebook.  Your vote is oh, so helpful!

Thanks,

Rusha and Bert Sams

P. S. To see yesterday’s BLUE entries, click here.

 

Posted in Blogging Challenge, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Help us decide: Capture the Colour 2013 — Blue

Posted on September 22, 2013 by

We first learned of the Capture the Colour 2013 photo blogging challenge when Terri and James Vance, the authors of Gallivance, entered the competition.  Their quality submission can be seen here, complete with five outstanding photographs.

The Capture the Colour challenge, sponsored by TravelSupermarket.com is pretty straightforward:

” . . . publish a blog post showcasing five of your favourite travel photographs which best capture the colour of our five categories: red, blue, green, yellow and white.”

Terri and James allowed readers a voice in deciding which five photos Gallivance would submit. Each day, Terri and James posted entries on their blog, and, each day, readers voted for their favorites.  At the end of the week, the Gallivance entry was ready for submission! (Click here to see.)

Now, Terri and James have graciously nominated us for the challenge.  So, taking a cue from Gallivance, we, too, are asking readers to help us select five entries for the Capture the Colour 2013 challenge. We’ll publish three pictures per color each day this week and ask you to select your favorite by posting a comment on our blog. At the end of the week, we’ll show you the choices for each color voted upon by our readers!

Today is our first request.  Here are our entries for the BLUE category:

1. Nepali Schoolgirl

Nepali Schoolgirl

When we visited Bhabiskya Ujjwal Primary School in Kavre, Nepal, one child captured our hearts. Her soulful eyes, rumpled blue uniform, and smudgy face reminded us of little girls everywhere who relish a day when schoolbooks are abandoned for a brief visit by grown-ups from America!

2. Otherworldly Earthship

Otherworldly Earthship

Approaching Taos, New Mexico, you may have noticed protrusions resembling moonrise formations in the otherwise very flat earth. Upon closer observation, however, you discover actual dwellings created by a company called Earthship.  These futuristic homes, we later discovered, are built from sustainable, recycled materials and decorated with glass bottles, old tires, and found objects.  All are interesting, but the contrast of this white model against the clear blue sky seemed rather otherworldly.

3.  Blue Sky over Idaho City

Blue Sky over Idaho City

As I headed to Idaho City, Idaho, from Boise one morning to meet with teachers, I was taken by this visual: a two-toned blue sky filled with cloud puffs over golden fields of grain.  Rusha, I said to myself, you’re not in Tennessee any more!

Please leave us a comment and/or vote for BLUE PHOTO number 1, 2, or 3.  And then check back each day this week to see our other colorful entries under consideration.  Thanks so much!

Rusha and Bert Sams

Posted in Blogging Challenge, Photography, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 34 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: From Lines to Patterns

Posted on September 21, 2013 by

For the Weekly Photo Challenge: From Lines to Patterns, the art and architecture of Amer Fort (also called Amber Fort) near Jaipur, India, have stood the test of time in terms of enduring design. Since completion in the 16th century, Amer Fort’s stately columns and outlined arches have formed visually stunning geometric designs.  And millions of tiny gemstones and mirrors reflect the light in the much-acclaimed Mirror Palace, notable for its lines, patterns, and intricate details.

Amer Fort is truly remarkable for its timeless beauty enhanced by lines and patterns.

DSC03648DSC03674DSC03677DSC03704To see more entries in this week’s challenge, click here.

Weekly Word Challenge: From Lines to Patterns

Posted in Architecture, Travel, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Summer Sun Award

Posted on September 21, 2013 by

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Some of the sunniest things that happen in the blogosphere is that you get to meet creative, interesting people.  Like Anne who writes Tales Along the Way.  Anne has been living in India for six months and now writes about her experiences. But look for a variety of posts on other topics, too, on her blog.  I’ve enjoyed reading her posts, especially since we visited Nepal and India only one year ago. Her greeting/closing of Namaste brings back so many fond memories.

Anne has nominated our blog for the Summer Sun Award, and to thank her, we’ll follow her lead by answering questions and nominating others.

You can visit Anne at http://talesalongtheway.com.

Award Rules:

1. Display the Summer Sun Award medallion and link back to the blog from the person who nominated you.

2. Answer the questions.

3. Nominate a further lucky eight recipients (one for each ray of sun).

Questions and My Answers:

1. Favorite song with summer in the title or lyrics: Summer in the City by The Lovin’ Spoonful

2. Favorite summer book: (of all my summer reads) The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy and (this summer) Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

3. Favorite summer film: (of all time) Jaws and (this summer) Mud

4. Favorite summer memory: Our son’s wedding on the beach at Pawleys Island, South Carolina

5. Favorite summer destination: China — Viking River Cruise from Beijing to Shanghai

6. Books included in my suitcase: (on my Kindle) The Light Between Oceans: A Novel by M. L. Stedman, And the Mountains Echoed: A Novel by Khaled Hosseini, and The Boys in the Boat: Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

7. Next likely destination: Idaho (for business and pleasure) and France (to see more than just Paris!)

8. What hottie would I want to share the summer with: My husband, of course!

Congratulations to my eight nominees:

1. Clicky Chick Creates: http://clickychickcreates.com/

2. TNLOVESLIBRARIES: http://tnloveslibraries.wordpress.com

3. Peripatetic Eric: http://peripateticeric.wordpress.com/

4. thebestdressup: http://thebestdressup.com/

5. The World Is a Book: http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/

6. Travels and Trifles: http://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/

7. Northwest Frame of Mind: http://nwframeofmind.com/

8. Gallivance: http://gallivance.net/

May the end of summer bring you great memories and a forward look to a beautiful fall!

Rusha and Bert Sams

 

 

 

 

Posted in Awards, Blogging Challenge, Travel, Viking River Cruise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Word a Week Challenge: Arch

Posted on September 19, 2013 by

This week’s A Word a Week Challenge brings up the word Arch which, in turn, brings to mind two buildings flanking the Taj Mahal that held us spellbound. These two red sandstone buildings, identical in structure, open to the Taj Mahal and allow glimpses of the iconic structure through the arched openings.  We found much to admire about the buildings themselves from the commanding height to the intricate designs on the floors and the arched walls.  An absolutely thrilling experience to see these prime examples of Mughal architecture!

Wide hallways, tall ceilings, and detailed walls in this example of Mughal architecture.

Wide hallways, tall ceilings, and detailed walls in this example of Mughal architecture.

A detail of an archway facing the Taj Mahal.

A detail of an archway facing the Taj Mahal reveals bas relief and inlaid decorations.

 

A unique view of one of the minarets at the Taj Mahal.

A unique view of one of the minarets at the Taj Mahal.

 

Framing the view of the Taj Mahal.

Framing the view of the Taj Mahal.

 

Posted in A Word a Week Challenge, Architecture | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments