Indianapolis Adventure

With a world still plagued with a virus itching to mutate, any opportunity to leave Chicago sends me in a state of bliss. That day came, as many do, with a spontaneous text from Brooke, words seemingly vibrating with excitement on my screen. Her brother-in-law is the master brewer at a space called “Metazoa” and they were happy to house us for a night to come explore the city.

On arrival, we were greeted by two small faces, bouncing with energy, the oldest contorting her face and bending herself into a pretzel as she stared into my camera lens. Brooke’s niece and nephew, Audrey and Jude, acted as the unofficial welcoming party, spoiling us with attention combined with random little hugs that loosened my ever-growing frustration towards humanity lol. The night began with burgers and whiskey and wonderful conversation, until we were off to the brewery!

Metazoa was a treat, first class tour behind the scenes, and the first non-staff members to try their new Prickly Pear Seltzer. Light and refreshing, not particularly my cup of tea (or beer) but their BEER…. oh my word. I had the DDH Hoppopotamus was and is one of my favorite IPAs to date. I wish I took home more cans…

The images below follow our adventures with the kids, road trip views, and everything in between :)

Happy day -

Sun rises to car lows

Buckle up bruddahs -

My sister is finally leaving the warm sunshine that is Oahu, to venture off into another chapter of her baking career. With all of the swift packing and sad goodbyes she’s endured, her final morning was decidedly spent watching the early morning sunrise - beachside. Luckily I joined. Dodging bouts of rain, I was astonished by the transformation of the hillside as purples and pinks danced and faded across clouds and tide pools. I could not take pictures fast enough, evident by the over 100 shots I snapped during this time span of less than 30 minutes. oof.

All seemed to be peaceful and well. However…

…on the way to a friend’s vegetable farm in Waimanalo we were struck from behind by a distracted truck driver while we were waiting to turn. Launched forward, my forehead connected with my camera’s shutter speed dial and ripped a 1-2inch gash - SPLOOSH. Everyone was alright otherwise, however our car was totaled and now under inspection for insurance. My head will make a full recovery after some stitches and Tylenol.

Attached below is the best of the magical Sandy Beach at 7am, followed by my Harry Potter-esque injury. Can’t stress enough how vital my seat belt was in this situation, so buckle up bruddahs.

Stay safe -

Shot on a Leica M9 / Leica 35mm Summicron

If you do not want to see my cut then scroll no farther!

Country Scenes - Japan

HAKONE

Calm, peaceful, with a touch of cats

One of the most wondrous places we stayed, layered with incredible scenery, was the beautiful country-side destination of Hakone. We took the hour and a half long voyage by train out of Tokyo to experience the Miyasaki-aesthetics of this beautiful city. From the initial pirate ship boat ride, to the ropeway cars, and the thick forest trails, having a taste of the quieter side of Japan was such a treat.

Hakone is seen as a city-goers getaway with multiple modes of transportation (cable car, ropeway, bus & train) to traverse the mountainous terrain and explore the various activities offered. Most famous being the Japanese volcanic bath houses or “onsen”. A naked number that had me a bit frazzled and uncomfortable, but an experience that I am glad I met with openness. Our voyage was focused on seeing and tasting the sights and food Hakone had to offer, as well as getting a little lost in the trails and pathways tunneling through the greenery. Shopping was always a constant, but the unique item offered here was plenty of “Manju” (a soft pastry with sweet bean paste inside). Every block we went you were sure to see manju salespeople offering free samples, or open windows showing their unique production methods. A treat not for all palates, but I thoroughly enjoyed ~

Our “Pirates of the Caribbean” transport arriving to dock

View from the ropeway

Hakone Ropeway Car

Stumbled upon the saddest (yet cutest) looking cat outside the first Hakone Ropeway Station

At our Airbnb, we were greeted by a white-haired, blue-eyed cat who begged for hours to come inside.

We nicknamed him/her “Snowball”

Down a trail towards a Japanese historical tomb site, some of the most enchanting scenes were here

Children’s hospital

Concrete slabs and equipment for the nearby train track

Closed down karaoke bar, converted to a mechanic and gas station…

…the arrow points to the station

Shot looking downhill near our Airbnb

Bath house “Onsen”

Back window of the train leaving Hakone. A look at the layering of landscape, hills and houses. The balance between nature and urbanized areas, both in Hakone and even Tokyo, is much smoother than I’ve seen anywhere else. The buildings and structures flow throughout the landscape without feeling overbearing or entitled. Surely intentional and designed thoughtfully with the work of some talented urban planners, but can go easily unnoticed. The sign of great design.

City Scenes - Japan

ASAKUSA

Organized, Lively, and Shop-ful

If anyone were to make the departure to Japan, I would highly recommend seeing Asakusa. I could have based the entire trip on this one neighborhood alone. The strip is full of restaurants and busy nightlife. There are blocks upon blocks of souvenir shops layered within a cascading range of specialized hole-in-the-wall stores selling things from handmade horsehair brushes to copper crafted pots and accessories. The famous Sensoji temple is nearby where you can purchase luck charms and set incense, or you can visit the acclaimed Ueno zoo in the neighboring Taito city, which currently houses PANDAS. Even with all of these activities, our neighborhood was very calm and quiet. Whether it be a product of this town specifically, or Japan’s respectful culture, I felt very comfortable in our Airbnb and would recommend to families especially. PS Make sure to check out “Don Quijote” while you are there, a multi-story souvenir shop selling everything from Pokemon toys and Pocky, to speakers and stationery. We went many times.

How could I not share this train advert, look at those pearly whites! - Train into Asakusa

Main street in Asakusa, early morning is quiet and open, night is busy and bustling.

Neighbor to our Airbnb

Small shop hidden in the many alleyways of Asakusa

Rising sun through the quiet streets

Shops were painted with contemporary versions of traditional Japanese block-printing

Sensoji Temple

Closed shop behind Sensoji Temple

The manhole covers in Japan are works of art. Some are even fully painted.

MITAKA

Beautifully charming

With the only goal in mind to check out the Studio Ghibli museum, we were amazed at how fun Mitaka turned out to be. Exiting the museum lead us through Ino Kashida Park. Beautifully lush, with a quiet dirt trail meandering throughout, I was able to capture some beautiful images of the reflecting sunset off the lake. Walking past swan boat rentals led us to some concrete stairs to an awesome strip of small unique shops. Two in particular that caught my attention was a sticker shop that sold pop culture influenced stickers in the MASSES including anime, Pokemon, internet memes, odd custom-art and much more.. Walls and walls of stickers covered this small interior with teeny-tiny shopping baskets to carry potential purchases. The second was more of a surprise. I found a vintage clothing store that sold western-style vintage clothing as you would find in any large city in the US. 80’s Nike sweatsuits and LA rapper tee’s was really cool to see so far from home. Past the strip opened back into the city, with bright signage, packed streets, and a large influx of restaurants and eateries.

Note: The Studio Ghibli Museum does not allow photo or video inside the building so the only images below are of the exterior.

Distance marker toward the museum

Studio Ghibli Museum Entrance

Windows

Ino Kashida Park entrance

Ino Kashida Park - Mitaka

Stairs out of the park into the shopping strip (Unfortunately no pictures of the strip itself)

Back into the city -

The busy walking path BECAME the bus route. Honk Honk!

The other destinations we visited were Ginza & Shibuya, but I did not document much of those neighborhoods during my time there.

Quick overview -

Ginza is a great place to shop. Two multi-building & multi-story stores you should check out are Tokyu Hands (a department store covering clothing, outdoor, home, jewelry etc.) and Itoya (the most incredible stationery store I have ever seen).

Shibuya felt like the “Time’s Square” of Tokyo, with crowded streets, louder and grungier atmosphere, as well as plenty of touristy shopping to fill your heart’s content. Not a big fan of that place except for a small restaurant called “Meat Man Bistro” that rivaled its amazing food only with its even better service and ambience. Extremely electric and lively atmosphere. 5 stars.

Peep-hole in Japan

Exploring Japan was such a stimulating photographic journey for me.

Seeing buildings, signage, and fashion so foreign and different to my daily sights in Chicago was immensely refreshing and exciting. Even after a week, I feel I’ve only scraped the surface. I cannot wait to go back, but in the meantime…

I have plenty of images to do the talking for me. Here is a selection of shots documenting the PEOPLE of Japan throughout my week-long trip. The images vary in city they were taken, including Asakusa, Mitaka, Ginza, and Hakone. Enjoy.

More to come, cheers -

Japan - a little note

We made it to Japan. My dad now believes this place to be the closest thing to a “Utopia” he’s ever seen. I would have to agree. If I had to sum up my experience of Japan in one word, it would be RESPECT.

Respect for shared spaces -

• You would be hard pressed to find a scrap of lingering trash anywhere.

• Generally, the Japanese mannerisms I noticed leaned closer to soft and submissive versus aggressive and domineering (like many large US cities)

• Subway rides are extremely quiet, no one disturbs the peace on the train

• Without fail, everyone ALWAYS stood on the left side of the escalator to allow others in a rush to pass on the right

• Everything is smaller. Cars, trucks, food portions, even our Air bnb seemed modest and space efficient.

Respect for graphic & interactive design

• Every piece of government sanctioned signage was simple, delicately arranged, and beautiful.

• Raised markers and carefully labeled pedestrian signs displayed where one should walk and bike respectively.

• Every bathroom I used had heated seats, a bidet (which I grew to appreciate), and a sink built on top of the toilet using the water to fill the tank.

Respect for customers-

• The service at every restaurant was beyond amazing, and no tips even if we tried.

(The food btw, as you may have heard was outstanding everywhere we went. Even the 7/11s!)

• There were multiple experiences with shop owners lending a hand even if we were not patrons.

• Whether it be a small sticker or large article of clothing, every single transaction was met with a smile, patience, and the item was carefully wrapped or taped before leaving.

• Exchanging business cards, is a beautiful affair met with two hands grasping the card, a shallow bow, and the IMMEDIATE tuck into the wallet or purse.

That is my two cents on my experience with Japan, I feel an overwhelming appreciation and respect for this country and the culture that surrounds it.

Cheers -

Love & War

On my daily photo route to Waikiki, I ended up running smack dab into the “Aloha Unity March”, a walk to protest the 1.4 billion dollar plans to construct a large scientific telescope on Mount Mauna Kea located on the Big Island.

The story is, after multiple constructs of observatory sites on the mountain, the Hawaiian people are now extremely frustrated at the lack of remorse shown by local government to simply give away culturally significant territory. This latest announced project, the “Thirty Meter” telescope, was the final straw.

The march ran straight through Waikiki (an estimated 10,000 participants so it made quite the stir) and ended at Kapi’olani Regional Park, just east of the strip. Everyone and their grandma seemed to be walking, even newborns held in their parents arms as they strode with pride down the bustling street. Hawaiian chants or army calls filled the busy block, instilling the severity of the march. Intense. There was still smiling and laughing, but the overall tone maintained a strong focus on the issue at hand. 

Here are some snaps of the march, including two women who were kind enough to give me the rundown of what was happening. Thank you both Dora & Vivian (one of Vivian’s friends even handed me a water because she probably noticed I was melting lol). If I hadn’t spoken to them, I wouldn’t have stuck around and definitely missed the march.

If you wanted to learn more about the dispute, here is an article by the NY Times I found helpful.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/07/22/us/hawaii-telescope-protest.amp.html

Dora - The first person who warned me about the march!

An upside-down Hawaiian flag references a protest or dispute

Vivian - Kia’i means “protector”

Beautifully adorned horses

Hawaiian chanting filled the block

Keiki = Kids

The way I’d love to march.

Police officer with a tribal sleeve

Warms rays away from cold days

I’m headed to Tokyo, Japan!

On my way, since I’m flying out from Oahu, I gave myself a week to enjoy the beautiful weather before heading out. Not a bad place to be, especially when Chicago is getting colder by the day.

As custom every time I visit, any chance I have is spent photographing the Waikiki strip. Always full of tourists and characters alike, it is the easiest place to photograph without being seen. Here are my captures for the week.

Mystical

“Sis don’t leave me hangin”

Hawaii Elton

Japan tourist swag. There are ALWAYS matching couples.

Back on the street, back on my feet...

These next couple weeks will be some busy-work and healing on my end, so why not fill it with some street shooting. This is the first time I’ve gone out to photograph candids since my arrival from California a few weeks ago. Rusty, yes, excited, of course! Here are a selection of individuals that caught my eye gallivanting through downtown this afternoon.

Thank you Chicago for back-to-back beautiful days this entire week. I know it won’t keep, so let’s enjoy them while they are here.

Cheers -

Young rockstar

Floofs & Scoots

Einsteinesque don’t you think.

Some tourists getting their bearings.

Dragons, dancers, unicyclists oh my!

The Honolulu Festival marked it’s 25th anniversary this weekend filled with an assortment of guests (many japanese) parading in dance, vintage hot rods, and samba dancing! 

Plus, have to note the ensemble of gradeschool japanese girls UNICYCLING in a whirlygig group. Many ending up walking their unbalanced contraptions down the street lol

And whats a parade without some shots of the crowd. Always able to find a character somewhere! 

And to end the evening, what better than a Nagaoka Firework display -off of Waikiki.

Happy day 🤙🏼

ED HARDY LIKES PUMPERNICKEL

Hawaii is a small place.

But I would have never guessed my paths would cross famous tattoo artist and icon, Ed Hardy.

Working at the Breadshop in Kaimuki with my sister on deck as the pastry chef, I found my days chatting with customers about the very carbs we sell. During an awkward confrontation with a customer who passive aggressively noted that she drove very far to purchase our bread only to be slightly frustrated we didn’t have the style she was looking for… what a shame. Ed Hardy pops his head in, “Do you guys have Pumpernickel?”

“Sorry, all sold out,” I say. Then gears turn, hamsters spin, and I quickly stop him before he runs!

Here’s a quick selfie with the man himself, as well as a pretty shot of the sis with cutest darn calamansi citrus you never heard of (I never at least).

Happy day.

Iolani Palace

The famous Iolani Palace. It’s beauty only mirrored by a dark past - filled with deception and disease onto the peaceful Hawaiian people. Worth a visit or at least a read online.

Spark Notes: Widowed Queen Kapiolani was overthrown by the American people and imprisoned in her own palace. The building was then dismantled and ill-cared for during it’s time as a legislative office. Only in recent years, the palace has finally been restored back to it’s original (and maybe even better) glory.

(Picture below is not of the palace but of a satellite building)

Made it to the island...

Its been too long. Quick update.

I’m currently staying with family in Oahu. The humidity has already been forgotten and today is the first day I finally got to venture into town. From a borrowed family bike, I quickly learned that not all of Honolulu is bike friendly, seems I have to get my bearings before riding out again. I also consistently forget to take out my camera. Its bad. So here is an iphone shot of the sunset. Wishing you warmer weather Chicago ~

ps there are beekeepers & peacocks in hawaii