Au Maroc

I find it kind of amazing that over the past couple years, the top two travel destinations by my friends are India and Morocco, and both are on my agenda for the next year. In fact, I've created a semester long project where I'll be looking closely at Morocco from a communications and travel/tourism/hospitality perspective. It's a place in the world that I've always been fascinated by, but never been. So I'm trying to take advantage of that fact as I move forward with my research, and before I head down for my first visit for a couple weeks in early March. I welcome you to share any Moroccan inspirations, ideas, impressions and recommendations below! In the meantime too, please enjoy the Moroccan images by the talented Margaret Vest.

Click here for more of Margaret's images on flickr, and here to see her responses to Boarding Pass!

Uniting Designers in Disaster

I'm taking a break from Boarding Pass today, but I wanted to put up a quick post about the ICSID's [International Council of Societies of Industrial Design] call for design solutions in the face of the disaster in Haiti. The ICSID's mission "thrives to provide an international platform for the design community to be heard as a powerful voice." The search is on for design-led solutions that can help Haiti in this devastating time, looking for hope in regrowth. Click HERE for more information, and you can find their Facebook discussion page here. {via core77}

Outsider Art : Paris

Hands down one of the things I miss most about living in Baltimore is the American Visionary Art Museum. It's my favorite museum in the world for the mere fact that it's anything but your typical museum, full of outsider art with amazing stories. Lucky for me, I've found two places in Paris to help fill my AVAM void. At the base of Sacre Coeur lies the French, more subtle version, of AVAM - Halle Saint Pierre. Then in the 10th, not far from Canal Saint Martin, one can find the charming little Galerie Impaire [translation: "the odd gallery"]. The gallery - an extension of Oakland, CA based Creative Growth - exhibits the artwork of artists with disabilities, self-taught artists and contemporary artists from around the world. Regularly new shows go up in Paris, with a celebratory opening "vernissage." The newest show, Projects, opens tonight!

Galerie Impaire
47 rue de Lancry, Paris 75010
mercredi - samedi : 11h-19h | dimanche : 12h-17h

Destination: Belleville

When people come to visit Paris, they generally have a standard list of things they want to do. A trip to the Belleville neighborhood is generally not one of those things. But perhaps it should be for those very reasons. Recently one of my professors lent me Soundwalk: Belleville, an "interesting" (and very French feeling) DVD she had purchased about the neighborhood she calls home. While the video was nothing I expected, it did do a good job of showing a bit of the everyday in this unique and very real Parisian neighborhood. It also was the perfect excuse to get me out of the house and explore for myself.
I've always had a thing for for street art. So after instantly falling in love with this neighborhood by the mere fact that after rounding the corner from the metro and finding my first Bubble Tea in Paris, and then seeing an incredible alley of graffiti, I was sold. While I love Paris for its architectural beauty and clean streets, I also like to find a little grit and grime from time to time. Ironically, walking down this alley to find a bunch of "stuff" mosaic-ed on the facade of a shop, I also knew why I liked this neighborhood a lot - it reminded me of Baltimore.
Part of the fun of exploring Belleville is not having a set destination in mind, but rather weaving the streets as you wander to the next eye-catching landmark. Sometimes you have to look closer to find the charms. Before I knew it, I was finding these "eye balls" all over. (See flickr set for more!)
And if you ever don't know where to go next, just head to Parc Belleville. There's wonderful people watching and great views of Paris.
Click here for more images.

Boarding Pass - Monna McDiarmid

Every edition of Boarding Pass leaves me feeling inspired and wanting to look at travel in new ways. Today I'm so pleased to have Monna McDiarmid who is very much making me wish I lived in an apartment that was larger than 10m2 so I could host my very own "travel trip photo party" with friends. Such a great - and easy - way share your latest travels, and be inspired by others as to where to go next. Plenty more inspiration below, so read on (and click here for more images). Thanks, Monna!

{Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand}

last trip taken:
Chiang Mai, Thailand. Although we’ve been in Bangkok for five months, my work is pretty intense so the Christmas vacation offered the perfect opportunity to see more of Thailand and to reconnect with three dear friends from university. Highlights included a visit to Elephant Nature Park and shopping for Celadon pottery and silver jewelry made by the Hill Tribes.

{Ellie in the mist}

next (big) trip on deck:
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hoi An, Vietnam in April, 2010. We are totally excited about Vietnam. As we have just a week for Easter we’ll fly into HCMC and then travel north as far as Hoi An, a city renowned for its tailors.

{Boarding the Ferry}

one place you would go back to again and again:
Over the seven years I lived in Mexico, I visited San Miguel de Allende at least once a year. This small colonial town is the perfect destination if you love sun, lazy afternoons and Mexican folk art. The food is incredible… we would always say, “Never a bad meal in SM de A.” Other cities that fall into the “again and again” category are Barcelona, New York City, Paris and Budapest.

{Paris Us}

place you'd most likely recommend a friend go visit:
My first instinct, when answering this question was to say, “It would depend on the friend,” but my partner saved me by saying, “Monna, I think you are taking the idea of ‘friend’ too literally. What’s a great place to travel?” I can’t imagine a better recommendation than a trip to Florence with a day trip to Sienna and a couple of days on the Cinque Terre. (I would suggest that you sleep in the town of Vernazza.) My blogging friend Mara from “The Mother of All Trips” says that, “the light in Italy has substance and flavor. You could eat it with a spoon.”

{on the beach in Cadaques}

preferred method of transportation:
Train. Absolutely. I love the ease, efficiency and affordability of European train travel. My partner and I traveled through Central Europe for two weeks last Christmas, moving by train from Budapest to Vienna to Krakow to Warsaw. While I wrote in my journal, he took brilliant photographs out the window. It was such a great way to travel.

{On the train from Vienna to Krakow}

place you've never been but are dying to go:
Scotland. My father’s people are from Scotland and although I am a seventh generation Canadian, I’m still curious about our homeland. We would also love to visit Japan, Scandinavia and New Zealand.

{two chairs (perfect)}

place you'd never go back:
Prague or Warsaw. It’s a toss-up. When I lived in Colombia (which is beautiful), I found that the local bus stations were almost invariably located beside slaughterhouses. I don’t miss that.
most memorable trip in 2 sentences or less:
Can your hear Doris Day singing, “I love Paris in the springtime… I love Paris in the fall”? When we first traveled to Paris five years ago, I fell immediately and deeply in love with the City of Light; I always feel like my best possible self in Paris.

{frisbee on the champ de mars}

how do you prepare for a trip?
I am a researcher by nature; I search the web, read fiction and non-fiction (including guide books – I recommend the Rick Steves’ book for Europe) and watch films set in the city we’re visiting. Generating a list of things to see and do is the easy part; I want to know about local customs and the food. It’s absolutely okay to look like a tourist (really – who do people think they are kidding?) but a basic understanding of cultural norms helps me behave in a way that is not offensive to the people for whom that place is home. I also try to learn a few basic phrases and numbers in that language. This has been more challenging in Asia.

{Koh Samed Boat Girl}

how do you record your travels when you're traveling?
Sadly, I have a terrible memory so I compensate by writing obsessively in my journal while traveling. Several times a day, I’ll record the mundane details of where we stayed and what we ate and how much it cost. Whenever I have a moment, I jot down the funny things that we hear and see and the poignant moments that made my eyes well up with tears. I take a ridiculous number of photographs, especially of our meals.

{Singapore}{Barca Game, Jan 2008}

what is your favorite thing to photograph in a new place?

People going about their daily lives are my favourite subjects. The stuff that we consider boring in our own lives – walking in a park, sitting in a plaza or shopping for our groceries – these rituals tell me a great deal about the new culture. I am an observer and these moments are often exquisite for me.

{Breakfast at the Hotel Relais Bosquet, near Rue Cler, is served by a delightful man named Leo. I had a croissant with raspberry jam and a cup of cafe au lait. I declare it to be the most perfect breakfast of my life. }

on an average, how many pictures to you take on a trip?
Ooooooh… hundreds. We were just in Chiang Mai for six days and five nights; I took 800 shots. (Is that a lot?) When I moved to digital, I began taking multiples of the same shot. When we return home, I view my photographs on our iMac, choose the best shots and delete the rest. I am becoming ruthless in my ability to trash the mediocre shots. Traveling with my partner, who is a talented photographer, has improved my photography.

{Canola Field, Saskatchewan}

{Tuscan panoramic}

what's in your "designer travel kit" ?
Even if I’m just going to school, I always carry my moleskin journal, a few of my favourite (cheap but wonderful) Bic pens, and a tiny Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5 in my purse, a spacious army-green satchel from Muji. When traveling, I always use my Canon PowerShot S5 IS; sometimes I take my Polaroid One600 camera as well. In terms of a bag, I believe that “less is more” so I normally use a small MEC backpack or my Muji bag.

{Ice cream girl, Calella}

what do you do after a trip? how long after a trip does this happen?
After a trip, I immediately go through my journal and make a list of lovely bloggable moments and possible posts. Next, I download my digital shots to iPhoto, delete the rejects, and edit some of the goodies. While some people oppose the use of Poladroid software, I absolutely love the effect. It’s important to be aware that many photographers cannot afford the soaring price of Polaroid film and that the film is difficult to find in some parts of the world. I don’t feel a need to choose between Polaroid and Poladroid. Then, just as I’ve done since December of 2006, I blog my stories.

Close friends introduced us to the idea of a “travel trip photo party” which we’ve hosted in Barcelona and Bangkok. Friends are invited to compile travel shots from a recent vacation on a computer, flash drive, Flickr or Facebook for an evening of photo/story-sharing at our home. Using an LCD projector to project the slideshows on a big white wall is a great way to make the experience more cinematic.

Finally, I’ve been looking at some photo books made on Blurb and that will be my next project.

{dragon fruit abundance}

favorite souvenir/thing to bring back?
Jewelry, ceramic bowls and scarves. If the city we’re visiting has better bookstores than the city we live in (as is often the case), I buy books. We’ve also begun to buy art when we travel.

{Tuscany sheets}

links:

• Monna McD Blog
• Slow Blogs
• 14 Lenses (group photography blog)
• on flickr
• on twitter
  

Click here for past editions of BOARDING PASS!

Cypriot Insights

When it comes to travel, my biggest secret is to go where you know people. Not only does it often provide you with the always appreciated free housing, but better yet, your local experts will give you a special insight into the people and place you're visiting. That being said, below you will find a few of the lessons and things I picked up while in Cyprus over the holidays.

1. Cypriots have to park as close as possible to the entrance, and when they do park, they take up at least two spaces. [see above]

2. Never flush toilet paper down the toilet, the plumbing can't handle it. That's what the bathroom bins are for. (Talk about an insider tip!)

3. Cypriots wax everything (even their arms!). According to my friend, Cypriots are hairier than most, but regardless, they sure take their beauty seriously. I have to admit, it may be thanks to a little help, but look at any Cypriot, they have awesome eyebrows! (And I did too by the time I left).

4. Petroyla. Ok, technically Petroyla is an export from Greece, but every Cypriot will know who you're talking about. Every night on Star network Petroyla gives her sexy weather report. (Yes, this is for real). Apparently the evening I was "introduced" to her (photographed above) she was wearing far more clothing than usual, but never fear, I found a slew of youtube videos so you can see for yourself. Also, just for your information she ends each weather report by saying in Greek "I have finished," but the actual essence of the translation is "I have cum."

5. Cypriots are always late. (I was on vacation, this had to be pointed out to me).

6. Speaking of being late, typically Cypriots going out for the evening don't even think about leaving the house until at least 1 or 1:30am! On New Year's Eve we didn't make it out to the local Greek tavern until after 2am and the music (performed by my friend Marios and his father) hadn't even started yet! And although not technically a rule, it seemed this particular evening 4+" heels were practically a prerequisite to get in. Ouch.

7. Family comes first. I was only in Cyprus for 2 weeks, but I experienced at least 4 big family dinners and witnessed so many other moments of togetherness. It really is like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

8. Cypriots are the most hospitable people on Earth, or close at least. Not only did I feel like I was staying in a resort, but I was regularly fed, chauffeured around, and treated like a Queen. Christiana, George, Constantinos (and the rest of the extended family), I can't thank you enough for an amazing visit!!!

Visions of Paris (from my iphone)

My favorite market every Sunday along Blvd Richard Lenoir (m: Bastille).
A favorite resto/bar: Drole D'entroit Pour Une Rencontre [a funny place for a meeting].
My favorite wallpaper in a bathroom in Paris at DEPUR (same place pictured above).
Gingerbread man seduces model in Galleries Lafayette holiday window display.
Penis-shaped baguettes every Sunday on Rue St-Croix de la Bretonnerie in the Marais can only make you laugh.
Space Invaders are all around Paris - and the world for that matter. Can you spot any?

Boarding Pass - Kate Pocrass

Kate Pocrass is the creative mind behind Mundane Journeys, a project she started several years ago that sought to take a closer - mundane - look at San Francisco, the city she calls home. Her accompanying book Mundane Journeys: a field guide to color was one of the things I discovered that has helped me re-evaluate how I travel and to savor the small, unlikely things of any city. She even still gives bus tours from time to time! (Way cooler than any of those [stereo]typical tour companies). So given Kate's great ideas and creative talent, I was dying to get some insight into how she travels when she steps beyond SF. I was thrilled when she agreed to participate in Boarding Pass, so enjoy her responses below! Thanks, Kate!
last trip taken:
Montreal, Canada

next trip on deck:
New York, NY

one place you would go back to again and again:
Hanoi, Vietnam. Just to sit and read in various cafes. Like this back alley oasis.
place you'd most likely recommend a friend go visit:
Eating your way through Shanghai & the surrounding area. Zhou Zhuang’s hairy lake crab & freshly harvested local rice. The place was a dive & the food looked like it was going to hurt me, but I still remember that meal years later. There is an abundance of the elusive mangosteen & glazed strawberries on a stick. And my most memorable culinary experience, I like to call “roof-pig.” One minute it’s on the roof next to the mops, the next minute it is on my plate.
preferred method of transportation:
Depends where I am. On foot is my favorite way to explore a city. Train is my favorite way to get from place to place, especially with a group of women dressed in purple with read hats . I use to love airplanes but now they are just a necessity. The exception to this is a layover in the Icheon Seoul Airport. If you happen to land there on a weekend, you can marvel at all the newlywed s dressed alike to embark on their honeymoon.

place you've never been but dying to go:
Egypt & the White Desert

place you'd never go back:
If I had to pick someplace, I think it would be Dubai. It just was not my style. That being said, even the worst trip has its highlights. I don’t think there is anywhere I wouldn’t go twice. Each time you go somewhere, you bring new vision and new associations with you.

most memorable trip in 2 sentences or less:
My first trip to Shengzhou, China. The highlight would be getting a head massage at a local shop where 15 young locals with bleached, teased manes and pompadours descend on you with Q-tips & blowdryers.

how do you prepare for a trip?
I like to do a little research but too much can kill the spontaneity of the journey. When I have a list of things I want to explore, I organize them by neighborhood for ease once I arrive. Reading short stories about a place before going is always great. Before I went to Turkey, I read an account of someone going to a Turkish barber. I was so enthralled that I forced my travel companion to get a shave once we were there. It ended up being a great way to have tea with some locals & conversation we would not have had otherwise.

how do you record your travels when you're traveling?
I usually photograph things to record my travels. Sometimes I will jot notes down as well, but I don’t keep an ordinary journal. I find that if I am too busy reflecting while I am there, I miss out on seeing things in front of me. I like to record in the same manner I do in my own city.

what is your favorite thing to photograph in a new place?
I like photographing color stories that inspire me for use in future projects or mundane oddities: like benches on a slant in Baltimore. Or the day of the week carpet in the elevator to my hotel. Or strange window displays.

on an average, how many pictures to you take on a trip?
Depends on the length of the trip & where I am. Maybe 15 per day. I only bring my camera out when things really strike me. I don’t like viewing the entire trip through a lens. I do the editing in my head before snapping the photograph.

what's in your "designer travel kit" ?
I use different cameras for various trips. Sometimes compact is more important to me than image quality. In the past I’ve used an old film SLR but recently switched over to a Nikon D90 which is bulky, but proving to be my new trusty travel companion.

At the risk of sounding like one more person singing the praises of Moleskine, is there really anything better? Simple, compact, void of personality, chock-full of function. I like the 3 pack of un-ruled, pressboard covered sketchbooks. And their City Notebook’s tracing paper post-its are perfection. Drawing over the map route you want to take without ruining the map is a little bit of genius.

what do you do after a trip?
Nothing, really. I get film developed, I upload photos to my computer. I file them under date & place. Occasionally I will send friends a link to the photos if they ask for them. Most of all, I simply tell stories.

{click to enlarge Oakland map}

how long after a trip does this happen?
The first month after I return.

favorite souvenir/thing to bring back?
I like collecting foreign toiletries, like toothpaste. I also like to bring tea , coffee or condiments to share with friends upon returning. Like the best coffee I have ever tasted, from this unassuming, converted photo-mat in a strip mall parking lot in Homer, Alaska.

FIELD GUIDE TO COLOR

link
www.mundanejourneys.com

Click HERE for more featured designers on Boarding Pass!