A few months ago HostelBookers put a call out for travel bloggers to post their favorite photos based on 7 different categories. After oohing and ahing over many other bloggers’ photos I decided that it was high time I take part in HostelBooker’s 7 Super Shots.
These photos might not be the best that I’ve taken from a technical standpoint, but they are all special to me, and a lot of the time that means more than framing or exposure ever could.
1. A photo that…takes my breath away
I’m sure most people chose a shot of stunning scenery for this one, but I had to go with this baby elephant. Before visiting this park outside of Ubud, Bali I’d never really cared for animals and I hated zoos. But once I saw these baby elephants it was game over. I think I stood there, breathless and mouth agape, for about 30 minutes just watching them play. This cuteness overload has now developed into a newfound respect for these creatures. And maybe a slight obsession.
2. A photo that…makes me laugh or smile
On the eastern coast of Korea, in the Gangwon province, there is a park that consists entirely of penis sculptures, statues, and the like. The whole experience was somewhat hilarious what with older Korean women slowly rubbing their hands up and down extremely large replicas of male genitalia. But my favorite part of the day was seeing this child casually laying down on an enormous penis staring off into the sea.
3. A photo that…makes me dream
I’m a huge cliche when it comes for my love of The Beatles, especially John Lennon. I find his message of peace, happiness, and an interconnected world to be incredibly inspirational. My only real must-see when I was in Prague was this wall that has over the years become a tribute to Lennon. Looking at the graffiti and the messages painted by fans and admirers from all around the world makes me dream that someday we will get a little bit closer to the world that Lennon imagined.
4. A photo that…makes me think
I’ve posted this photo before, back when I talked about my thoughts of Koren reunification after visiting the DMZ. This map in Dorasan Station shows rail routes through Asia and Europe that would only be possible with an open North Korea. Not only does this map make me think about the possibility of increased travel and trade, it also makes me think about the opportunities that would be available to the people of North Korea should the country one day ever give up its quest of being a tyrannical superpower.
5. A photo that…makes my mouth water
There’s not much I wouldn’t do to be able to get my hands on suppli at any given moment. Suppli, a Roman speciality, are fried balls of rice and pasta sauce with a cube of mozzarella in the middle. When cooked perfectly, the softly melted cheese oozes out into a string when you take a bite. These hot little treats are sold in many restaurants around the city, the best often coming from take away pizza joints.
My favorite suppli are from a place called, fittingly enough, I Suppli. This tiny takeaway pizza shop, located in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, has the best suppli I’ve ever tasted. And I’ve tried a lot. Because of it’s convenient location between my school and my apartment, I stopped there at least twice a week when I studied abroad. I took this photo the weekend I moved back to Rome after being away for four months. Reunited with my beloved suppli. I can’t believe it’s been over two years since I’ve had one.
6. A photo that…tells a story
Taken at the Dachau concentration camp located outside Munich, this photo tells the story of the millions of people who died in concentration camps at the hands of the Nazis. As a history major and someone who had studied extensively about the Holocaust I thought I’d be prepared for my visit to Dachau. I was wrong. As haunting as my visit was, this story should continue to be told as a lesson for generations to come.
7. A photo that…I am most proud of (aka my worthy of National Geographic shot)
I took this photo one afternoon in Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence. It was before I really had any interest in photography, and it was taken on my old point and shoot, but it’s the first photo I remember being really proud of having taken and I still am.
And as far as tagging goes, since most people have already done this, I tag whoever still hasn’t! If there’s anyone left.
Lovely Amanda! Hope you are well!
Thanks Janis!