Endangered Maps

I'm truly fascinated by these maps of sorts. I don't speak Spanish, but I'm pretty sure they were created by Ogilvy for the World Wildlife Fund. They're really quite beautiful and make you stop in your tracks. {via notcot}

P.S. Speaking of maps, the Handmade Map Association just announced a contest. They are in the process of putting together a book for Princeton Architectural Press, so start drawing because there's a chance your map could be published (or win a print)! Get the full scoop here.

Portland Bound!

Ok, I'm a bit early for this post, but I need to start planning. I'm off to Portland, Oregon in a couple weeks for a wedding. Most of the weekend is already planned but I thought I'd ask you all if you have any recommendations for my trip (last time I visited I was in middle school!). Recently Joanna reminded me of a BT article: Portland, Oregon: Can a Place Be too Perfect?. And in Annamatic's edition of BOARDING PASS, I learned about design-travel site Super Future, and lucky for me they have a Portland Superguide! What are your top 5 for Portland?

{image by vintage roadside on flickr}

B-I-N-G-O

Anything from Knock-Knock makes me smile, but I'm especially loving these new BINGO cards. Perfect for travel, I do say!

Morning Commute

I wish my every morning started like this impromptu dance party in a Liverpool train station, but alas, it's for a T-Mobile commercial. Fun!

Paris: Trois

Part 3 of my Paris roundup went up on design*sponge yesterday featuring 5 more stellar French designers. Check it out here if you haven't already. . . And I'd love your feedback. I feel like the regional roundup column (see all features here) needs an overhaul, but I'm not exactly sure what/how. The goal is to bring attention to some of these other design communities. Help!

{ile de la cite sketch by maral sassouni}

Bolly Art

Last night I went to see Slumdog Millionaire for the second time (thank you City Paper reader appreciation day!). I must say, it was just as incredible as the first time around. It was also a good reminder that I've been meaning to post about this link to Limona Studio - a company where you can commission your own personalized hand-painted Bollywood style poster using your own photographs. What a wonderful way of reviving a traditional art with a modern spin. {thanks, Margaret!}

Airbed & Breakfast

First there was house-swapping (awesome if I had a place I could swap), then there was couch surfing (love the idea, and the price [free] is right, but makes me uneasy as a single, female traveler), but now I think I've found the happiest compromise of them all: Airbed & Breakfast - an international network of people who welcome you into their homes. For a small fee (call me crazy, but there's something that makes me feel safer in having to pay a little something to my host) you get to live like a local, with a local. So far the program reaches 680 cities in 71 countries around the world and is growing by the minute... Click here for the full scoop.

Boarding Pass: Eleanor Grosch

I'm so pleased to bring you the second installment of BOARDING PASS, with my latest featured designer: Eleanor Grosch of Push Me Pull You Designs. Besides being an awesome illustrator and designer (her fantastic animal prints have even made their way onto Keds shoes and Chronicle Books stationery), she is an avid traveler. She also was cool enough to travel to Cambodia and Thailand last year. So without further ado, the fun side of travel from Eleanor . . .
last trip taken:
A little of Paris, Dublin, Dubrovnik, and Rome summer 2008. It was a quickie, but I kind of like to bang things out like that. My brother and I are into taking 2-3 week trips apparently, since we've done nothing but that for the past few years.

next trip on deck:
Oaxaca to Belize and Guatemala in May. After that, my ultimate trip would be Papua New Guinea! It is probably the most fascinating place to me right now. It's so enticing since it's full of unique wildlife and cultures that have been catapulted from the stone age to modern times in the past 20 years or so. The mash up of living in the internet era and having TV and all of that, but also being from a culture that still has ancient tribal ways is a very unusual experience - very particular to PNG it seems. I've heard that the people are very welcoming and nice, but there's also a lot of violence in the cities due to poverty, so it's a bit intimidating.one place you would go back to again and again:
My couch! I think I could go back to Cambodia again and again. I loved how it was full of friendly people who were excited about welcoming tourists to their beautiful country. It's great to be in a place where you feel welcome, and I really did there. Also, it's got a great culture - Cambodia's heartbreaking recent past left the country in shambles; now the people are getting back on their feet and their eagerness to recover is apparent. The people we met are very proud of their heritage. It's cool to see the legions of motorcyclists all wearing traditional Cambodian scarves while they drive seemingly straight into you - it takes a deep breath and a lot of bravery to cross the street there! You've gotta be sure of yourself.
place you'd most likely recommend a friend go visit:
Cambodia! Also, Dubrovnik was cool since you can go swimming in the deep sea right off the coast of the city. The waves are intese and it's really clear that you're in the wild sea swimming there.

place you'd never go back:
Thailand - at least Bangkok. I felt taken advantage of by every price gouging taxi driver, and the number of fake-o "travel agencies" is shameful. I really hated feeling like a stupid tourist there! It's tiring to have to second-guess people's intentions constantly.
preferred method of transportation:
Getting there: Airplane!
Being there: walking - I really feel that you get the feel of a place a lot faster by walking around. It takes a lot longer, but I think it's worth it.

place you've never been but dying to go:
See answer about Papua New Guineamost memorable trip:
Thailand - Cambodia last summer. It was incredible and the contrasts between the two places was amazing. 2nd: Trip to Macchu Pichu - it's breathtaking.
how do you prepare for a trip?
I'm a good packer - very light. I find that you can always pack lighter, though. I always regret bringing too many shirts. Once I brought 3 pairs of underwear on our trip to Peru - I regretted that too!how do you record your travels when you're traveling?
I blog!
what is your favorite thing to photograph in a new place?
My brother in front of weird stuff, especially if he's in a hat.
on an average, how many pictures to you take on a trip?
Eoin and I take about 200 pics of each other in front of stuff per day on a trip. Some of the pics are really funny! We get really into it. Once, after taking a shot or two, Eoin asked me "did we just travel thousands of miles just to have a good backdrop?" I think the answer was partially "yes!"
what's in your "designer travel kit" ?
I bring my little ASUS mini computer so I can blog and edit photos for posting. I also bring my Nikon D40 - it's a nice camera, but not so amazing and expensive that I'd be heartsick over losing it. I think it's good to strike a balance between quality and replaceability. It keeps you normal.what do you do after a trip? how long after a trip does this happen?
I usually think about what I've seen and what I kind of animal print I could make to capture something about the trip. For example, I drew a an Andean Condor after our trip to Peru - I had seen one that I thought was wild but, sadly, it was a wing-clipped bird in the care of a tourist-trap place.website: push me pull you design

blog

online shop

on flickr

Thanks, Eleanor!!!

Catch all of BOARDING PASS here.

Paris: part deux

I've been totally in a different world this week and completely forgot to post the second part of my Paris project that went up on design*sponge this week. Check out the full roundup with 5 more amazing French designers right HERE! They are seriously talented!!!

{eiffel tour project by martine camillieri}

Slideshow: Japan

This is Japan!

Right after I launched my new column, Boarding Pass, on Monday I came across this awesome video that Abbey posted. Eric Testroete created this incredible slideshow of all the photographs he took on his trip to Japan. What a creative way to remember a trip!

Lessons Learned from Inaugural Travels

I've almost recovered from yesterday (pictured above). It was one of those days where it felt like 5 days in one. I've loved catching up with friends, family and coworkers and hearing every one's experiences, no matter where and how they spent the day. I still can't believe I went down (and made it back) on a whim, so I though I'd share a few lessons learned:

• Follow your gut & don't be afraid of adventure - Everything I read dissuaded me from going, but deep down I knew I'd regret it if I didn't go. The spur of the moment decision meant I had no expectations, so I feared the worst, and ended up with the best.
• Last minute isn't always a bad thing - Sometime no plan at all is exactly what you need.
  
• Pack light and be self-contained - I seriously only brought a collapsible grocery bag with the rest of my layers of clothing and a toothbrush. It meant one less thing to coordinate, and I didn't have to go back to the apartment before getting on my train home (which was plenty an adventure within itself). The biggest plus may be it also makes getting through security a breeze. And, you always impress your friends when you pack light!
  
• It's better to overdress than underdress - When they warn you about freezing temperatures, it's not just for amusement's sake. It's much easier to take a layer off than to put a layer on. Hand warmers are the best invention ever, as are toastie toes! Whoever invented those must be a multi-millionaire after all these events. Also, note, standing directly on actual ground is much colder than standing on gravel or concrete - it just soaks up the cold.
• Move! - I find dancing the best way to stay warm when you're standing still for hours upon end (which hopefully I won't have to do again anytime soon). When you're so cold it's easy to forget, but just moving your feet can help a lot. You may also laugh at yourself, which is always good too. (Note: dancing in warm weather can be just as fun)
  
• Stay flexible - Luckily I have a bunch of friends in DC, and two of them were awesome enough to take me in under their wings with 3 hours of notice. I didn't have a train out of DC at all, so I realized the reality was that I could be stuck there until late last night or early this morning. I did this to myself, so had to acknowledge any possible consequences.
  
• Have awesome friends - Not only did my friends take me in, other friends passed along good information, and my coworker handed over her extra Marc tickets to me (a complete life saver!). It seriously pays to have friends.
  
• Make new friends - From the train ride down, to the characters on the metro to people standing it line, or people who offered to take my picture, I met the nicest people and had a fantastic experience thanks to them all. It was a complete joy bonding over this day.
  
• Be crazy - Sometimes there are good reasons to wake up at 5am. It makes a better story at the end of the day.
  
• Soak it all up - Listen to what the experts tell you, but also don't take it as a given. Everyone working security was very helpful, but even they didn't have all the answers. I took everything in that I'd been hearing in the weeks and days leading up to the event, and I made it out with flying colors.
• Stay calm - Getting mad doesn't help anything. Instead I bonded with my neighbors were were stuck in the same position as me. Laughter is always the best medicine.
• Just Try - My Marc ticket technically wasn't until 8pm, but as an avid Marc [$7 commuter] train rider, I knew that all tickets are generally accepted. Rather than freeze to death, I was able to get on a 4pm train and was in the comforts of my (warm!) home by 5pm.
• Thank your parents for making you tall - Consider bringing something to stand on, if you can't see over peoples heads. Also, realize for that reason it's harder to bring kids to this kind of thing (but one day they will probably find it in their heart to thank you).
• Don't expect to sit, but expect to walk - Maybe this will encourage Americans to get in shape (with their new president leading by example). I was seriously on my feet from 5:30 am to 4pm. I just wish I would have taken ibuprofen in the morning, because my lower back was quite sore and crotchety by the end.
  
• Bring snacks - Hungry people = mean people. Everyone is happier with food in them. Just know that Clif bars get super hard in the cold (and just about killed my jaw yesterday!).
• Stay Hydrated - Liquid is crucial to survival. However, I recommend compensating, but drinking a lot of water the day and night before. That way you can get most of it out of your system for the actual event. Bonus points for avoiding portapotties!
  
• Know who you're traveling with - Everyone has different travel styles. I loved hanging with my friends, but also loved being able to go off on my own and being on my own timetable. Balance is key. I was just thankful I wasn't responsible for an entire bus load of kids! Responsibility can be over rated.
• View things through your eyes + document your day- For the first time in a long time I was really pleased with how my pictures turned out. I documented my day from start to finish, the monumental and mundane. I looked for views that not everyone had, and juxtapositions I had not imagined. One of my highlights was when my friends lifted me so I towered over the crowd and could take this shot.
  
• Break the rules - No one would have have advised my last minute decision. But I will never forget it.
  

01.20.2009

Some of my favorite shots from today's adventures. Get the full story (and tons more pics) here.

A Day to Remember

Despite my best instincts, I couldn't help myself. Last night I hopped on a train to DC, just me and my 10 layers of clothes (and a toothbrush). I was convinced (with the help of my friends) that this is something I would regret missing. As the world watches today, I'm sure the view will be very different than the view above (shot by my mother last week when it was 15 degrees outside). Today we welcome a new day. . . Congratulations, President Obama!

Boarding Pass: Annamatic

I'm more than thrilled to introduce you to my brand new weekly column, BOARDING PASS, an insider look at designers and how they travel. I was honored when Annamatic (aka Anna Lee) enthusiastically agreed to be my first featured designer. I'm a huge fan of her blog have long admired her flickr albums and mini travel guides. I used her (very helpful!) mini guide in Bangkok last May, and now it's been fun seeing places I've visited, but through her eyes. Without further ado, here's Anna:

[self-portraits in angkor wat and bangkok]

last trip taken:
Saipan and Tinian, both part of the U.S. Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands [Chulu Beach pictured below]next trip on deck:

Maui, Hawaii

one place you would go back to again and again:
Laos

place you'd most likely recommend a friend go visit:
For foodies: Singapore
For design hounds: Bangkok
For the curious: Yap, part of the Federated States of Micronesia

preferred method of transportation:
Walking

place you've never been but dying to go:
Java, Indonesia, to see the Borobodur

most memorable trip:

The first time I really traveled by myself was a 6 day trip to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia. Traveling alone allowed me to take it slow and get to know people, and I was humbled by just how friendly and generous so many Cambodians were despite their difficult and tragic recent history.

[click here and here for the stories behind Anna's sketches in Cambodia ]

how do you prepare for a trip?
Usually I first consult a Lonely Planet and Wikipedia to get a basic understanding of history, geography and culture. Then I spend a few weeks Googling and lurking on blogs to find those cool and off-the-beaten-track things that printed travel books don't often mention. I definitely consult local food blogs to see where (down to the EXACT street stall location) the tasty stuff is. And one of my favorite things to do is search for my destination on Flickr to get some ideas from the wonderful photos that fellow photography-oriented travelers have taken.

• I have a terrible sense of direction! Getting lost is fun too, but I like to be extra prepared with some good maps... and a compass. Soo.... I don't like to carry around a big or conspicuous travel guide when I'm exploring so I usually download just the map from Lonely Planet's website.
• For design-oriented city maps, so I don't miss all the cool galleries or magazine shops....superfuture.
• I've found Travelfish to be pretty helpful too; their maps are pretty simple but point out all the important things. They focus on Southeast Asia.
• This Google map helps me get a sense of where all the accommodations are so I can choose one that is near all the places I want to explore: seeyourhotel.
  

[sketches from Cambodia]

how do you record your travels?

• Photographs
• Sketches. I wish I could do more of these but the travel schedule is usually too tight to allow for much sitting around.
• Notes & observations
• To remind myself of the details (the name of the dish, or the location of the temple, etc), I photograph street signs, menus, subway maps; and I keep all the receipts and ticket stubs.

favorite thing to photograph in a new place?

Food! Interesting typography & signs. Architecture, with a preference for old buildings. Maybe it's weird, but I prefer not to take photos of people. I worry about being intrusive, and invading people's privacy, so I'm kind of self-conscious about that. To remember people I met, sometimes I write down the conversations I had with them.

[food compilation, Singapore]

on an average, how many pictures to you take on a trip?
About a hundred photos a day

what's in your "designer travel kit" ?
Canon PowerShot G7: I like it's size, not too hefty and not too delicate. I considered upgrading to a DSLR for better quality imagery and manual control but there are two things I don't like about them for traveling: I think they are too heavy and conspicuous for carrying around in unfamiliar terrain, and I also think the size is off-putting for locals in a lot of places where digital cameras cost more than their per capita GDP. A big camera can sometimes come between people, and in the end it's more important for me to come away with wonderful memories rather than flashy National Geographic style pictures... Sometimes I take a few shots on a regular 35 mm film camera without aiming because I like to surprise myself by developing the odd roll of film at the end of the year and seeing what's on it.

I always have a Moleskine sketchbook with me, for sketches and observations. I tend to doodle or keep a diary when I travel alone; not so much if I'm traveling with my husband or parents. For better or for worse, creative endeavors tend to be solitary pursuits for me, so I don't usually feel compelled to draw or write so much when I'm with travel companions.

[objects from various travels]

what do you do after a trip?
I upload my favorite pics to Flickr and write descriptions for them. Each trip's photo set becomes a kind of diary / essay of the trip and it's highlights. I compile a mini travel guide blog post where I list places to stay, things to do and how to get around. Because I'm a bit of a chowhound, I also like to do a blog recap of all the food I had in a particular locale. I love following up the trip by reading novels or short stories that are set in the place I just visited; it really adds another dimension to the storyline when one has had first-hand knowledge of the geography! I read a mystery by Colin Cotterill after coming back from Laos, and re-read some Murakami after visiting Tokyo... One of my favorite souvenirs to bring back is a jar of the local condiment of choice. So I like to cook a meal every now and then to bring back memories of the flavors... From Singapore, I brought kaya spread, from Laos, I brought a jar of jaew (spicy red pepper and buffalo skin paste), from Tinian, I brought their super-spicy chili paste. And of course, I love shopping for crafting supplies when abroad. When I get back home, sometimes I like to make something using the fabric or paper or other odds and ends that I found there.

how long after a trip does this happen?
I usually post my photos to Flickr about 1 week after the trip. I have a really bad memory and am kind of paranoid that if I don't do that I'll forget everything! But the blog posts usually take longer, so sometimes that happens from 1 to 2 months after the trip.

more from annamatic:

website+portfolio

blog

on flickr

etsy shop (in 2009 all proceed's from Anna's etsy shop go to charity - she's also doing it without buying any new crafting supplies!)

Thanks a million, Anna!!!

Whistle Stop Tour: Baltimore

On Saturday my friends and I braved the freezing temperatures and long wait to see Obama on his last stop on his Whistle Stop Tour - just as Lincoln had done in 1861 - before he's sworn in as our 44th President on Tuesday in our nation's capital. It didn't take us long to feel like we all were part of history. Vendors wandered the crowd as we waited in line (all of the designs and products were truly fascinating) - Obama is doing his part to help the economy in his own way. Given the situation, the crowd was amazingly forgiving and content as we befriended our new neighbors. After 2+ hours in line, and then another couple waiting in the crowd at the War Memorial, we got amazingly close to the action, and some crowd dancing kept us warm. The lead up to Obama's introduction felt a bit like we were watching a reality tv show, with the announcer saying "I'm pleased to announce.... [not Barack Obama]." Sadly boos came out, because there was one man, and one man only that the public had come out to see. It was pure elation and joy after his introduction. All and all, a wonderful way to spend the day (and celebrate Michelle Obama's 45th birthday). Click here for my full album on flickr.

For all those headed to DC on Tuesday, I highly recommend picking up some hand-wamers and toastie toes - they're true lifesavers!

Inauguration Day

While the Washington Post has fully convinced me not to make my way down to DC for Tuesday's inauguration due to the logistical nightmare that the city faces with masses of people trying to make their way to the National Mall, I'm instead trying brace myself for the crowds in Baltimore as Obama and Biden stop by tomorrow as they make their way via train -in the spirit of Honest Abe - to DC. Temperatures are predicted well below freezing here, so I thought I'd share a few links you can enjoy from the comforts of your (warm) home.

• Postcards to Obama (pictured above)- a postcard project started by Baltimore artist Rebecca Nagle to send messages to the President Elect {via red prairie press}
• Can & Did: Graphics, Art, and Photography from the Obama Campaign - a show of top-notch design that has come out of this political season at Danzinger Projects in NYC {via The Daily Heller}
  
• The Official Inauguration site
• Obama and Unicorn Save the Market by Dan Lacey - um...wow {thanks, Ben}
  

*I'll update the list as people share links

P.S. Thanks to Lara for including Prêt à Voyager in her list of 6 travel blogs she would want to have access to if she was trapped on a desert island. From a person who makes a living as a travel writer, that means a lot! Check out her complete run down here.

Global Stats

I love that even after all this time away from home, my parents have found new ways to keep tabs on me. Today mom sent me this screen shot from my site meter showing today's visitors - which apparently she checks more than I do! - excited how my readership has grown globally. Pretty cool to see the breakdown. And on that note, this celebrates my 500th post! Thanks to all who check in and make my day everyday!!

P.S. FYI, you can subscribe to the blog at the bottom of the column on the right, above the site meter icon.

Objets Perdus (Lost Items)

Belgium: lost playing cardNorway: lost child's shoeSweden: lost beach towelIn researching for my roundup* I came across Objets Perdus, an intriguing new project by Martine Camillieri. Her fantastic work with everyday objects is expanded in a new form as she captures lost objects - in detail and in context - and virtually stores them in a photographic inventory for cross reference by object type and location found. Each item is given greater context as it is tracked with a GPS unit to provide coordinates to reference on a map. Throughout the project nothing is done with the object itself - it is left where it's found and not altered in any way - as its past and future remain unknowns. What do you think the story is behind the objects above?

More on the project here, and check out the full inventory here.

* stay tuned to the upcoming Paris roundups for Martine's feature! oh, how I love her work!

Rendez*vous en France

In keeping with yesterday's French theme, I thought it would be fun to post this new France rebrand that Annamatic sent over (stay tuned next week, I have a new column I'm launching and she's the star of the first edition). We're both fans of the version that was deemed "too risque" - check it out here, and be entertained by the comments, as I'm always amused when a logo can get a rise out of people . . . And if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, part one of my regional roundup: Paris went up on design*sponge yesterday. There's a little teaser below to get you to check it out. Getting to know the designers was so much fun for me, so I hope you enjoy!

Being French

I still laugh to this day about a comment that a coworker once made to me about being a French woman trapped in an American body. So needless to say, I'm totally loving Joanna's new year's resolution to dress like a French woman. In her quest to master French fashion she interviewed the wonderfully stylish Garance Doré (the female French Sartorialist, if you will). Get the full low down right here - it will be sure to make you smile (and feel a bit more French)! {image by/via Garance Doré}

note: I know posts have been light lately, but starting at 10am today you can see what's been keeping me extra busy over on design*sponge!

UPDATE: click here!

Hooray for Bollywood

In honor of Slumdog Millionaire's 4 Golden Globe wins (best drama, best director, best screenplay and best original score) and my best friend buying a ticket to India yesterday, I thought posting another image of India was only appropriate. . . And if you haven't seen the movie yet, it's really a must to see on the big screen!!!

Click here for more India related posts.

Happy Travels

When I was up in Philly last month I picked up a couple of these vintage travel inspired cards by Tori Higa, which I totally love. You can pick up your very own right here.

Speaking of travel, in case you missed it, the NYTimes list of the 44 Places to Visit in 2009 and 36 Hours: Reykjavik came out this weekend.

Patterns of Panama

One of the things I wish I would have had more time to explore while in Panama were the handicrafts. I quickly fell in love with the vibrant patterns of the molas and tightly woven baskets. All through childhood I grew up with 2 molas in our house, but now have a whole new appreciation for them. I loved hearing them described as "carvings in cloth." I spent forever in the best shop in town for molas (which also happened to be across the street from our El Panama hotel) looking through patterns (read more in this nice aricle they gave us). I didn't get any of the really intricate ones, but I knew I had to get a few to take home with me. I'd love to have a bed spread of molas one day, but for now, I bought of few in raw form and look forward to covering a chair in them.

Journey Journal

One of my favorite gifts I got for Christmas this year was this awesome "Journey Journal" that Grace gave me. It arrived just in time for me to take in on my holiday adventures (granted I had to get creative and continue the map to the inside cover to connect the string to Panama). The highly interactive journal (which by the way also comes in a European edition!), by Cracked Designs out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the perfect travel companion. I mean you can't help but laugh when you open it up - there's a questionnaire that asks the question, "do you like squirrels?" (it also asks for a picture of you and a picture of you with a mustache). Each day is broken down to make you look at your adventures in a more exciting manner than I did x, y and z (who did you meet and what were their secret identities?). It was also a fun excuse to have to draw everyday. My Christmas Eve entry is below - in case you didn't recognize my drawing, it was the day we visited the Panama Canal. . . You can pick up your own journal right here.

{top image via Cracked Designs}