Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Santa Lucía Hill an oasis within Santiago


Stumbling around Santiago, we had seen it all and were just about to head back to the hotel for some spa time. We passed by an intriguing mansion that looked like something out of a Latin version of Savannah from 150 years ago. Santa Lucia is a peaceful refuge from Santiago.

Hamarikyu Gardens in Tokyo

 A classic teahouse in the center of Hamarikyu Gardens - my favorite park in Tokyo

Parque Metropolitano de Santiago on a misty day

This is a funicular that whisks you away to a hill above the clouds 

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

A Belgian street scene

Around any corner - great depth on this image. 

Meiji Jingu in Tokyo

Here is a massive Torii, or gate, that serves as an opening to the Shinto shrine and park of Meiji Jingu. This is a peaceful park just steps away from the street cat walk of Harajuku.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Shibuya Crossing

Busiest Crossing in the world - Shibuya, Japan 

Some great Soba and Tempura in Tokyo - Yabu Soba

 One of my favorite Japanese meals 

 Entry to Yabu Soba 

 Udon

Kristin enjoying

The heart of Tokyo - Tokyo Imperial Palace


Tokyo is like an octopus. It has many hearts. At its heart of hearts though is the Imperial Palace, covering a massive expanse of open space and shaded paths on perhaps the most valuable land in the world. During the peak of the Japanese boom in the 1980's, the Imperial Palace grounds were valued higher than all of the real estate in California, combined. That was a bubble, but still, fucking crazy.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Nakagin Capsule Tower


The old school new school. The future stillborn in the past. Much of Tokyo has this sort of retro futurism that is cool and disarming. One of the icons that represent this aesthete is the classic Nakagin Capsule Tower, which you can Airbnb now. I will definitely stay there next time I am in Japan. I always pass by it and wonder what the hell is inside. It is very very curious looking.

Akihabra in Tokyo - the digital jungle

A bored maid 

Street Art Amsterdam

I like this pink guy - great pop

Delirium Cafe in Brussels

 Lost of these places are worth skipping, one is definitely not - Delirium Cafe is one of the best spots for beer

Saturday, August 8, 2015

A Street Llama in Santiago, Chile

 This guy was just hanging out apparently

Of course as soon as I took the picture, an errant Chilean hopped out to collect, so we made the most of it

The old Delta 747 - second floor business class


It seems like a distant memory now, but working for Delta was pretty cool. As an employee, I would just look for open seats to interesting places, call Kristin from work, and say something like, "The business class seats upstairs are open on the 747 to Tokyo later today, you want to go to Japan?"

Of course everything has a cost and sometimes it is not a number. Traveling completely freely with Delta for about two years will always be something I look back at fondly, no matter how many companies I build or places I go. I took about eight weeks of vacation in a year there, and nobody really gave a shit. That is pretty cool. I got paid great to do pretty cool work that was not hard; that is pretty awesome. But in the end I could do my daily job in about 40 minutes and its impact on the grand scheme was dubious at best. Everything has a cost, time above all else. Don't settle. Even if it comes with free business class flights anywhere in the world.

Kristin enjoying a trip to Japan in the old business class seats upstairs on the 747

Paris at night - golden and quiet


Kristin was sick and sleeping. We had just arrived in Paris. I slipped out with my tripod and sort of just communed with this great city. One of my favorite travel past times is to go out in the middle of the night with my camera and just kind of jog around and catch the city sleeping.

Look Up Tokyo! Shinjuku, Tokyo at Night

Color floors action - The night is Shinjuku Kabukichō

What are these people looking at?


Ginza the heart


Octopi have a few hearts. Japan is like this. It has many hearts of shopping. Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesandō, even Akihabra for the electronos. Ginza is the heart of hearts for Japan shopping though - I give it the crown. Its wide boulevard is always a great walk. And its location is perfect.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Nassau, Bahamas

 A classic Nassau scene 

Tsukiji fish market of Tokyo


The freshest sushi I have ever eaten in my life was in the Rock Islands of Micronesia. A local fisherman pulled the fish out of the sea, and we were eating sashimi within the hour. It was all very simple and perfect. Supply is all about the vertical. It all starts somewhere. I was there.

Catches come from all over the pacific, from countries like Palau that have GDPs the size of Series D balance sheets. The fish are flown to Tokyo for the world's top fish market. Basically, Tsukiji is to fish what Wall Street is to money and finance (or was). Money passes through the markets. Fish passes through Tsukiji.

The place is part circus part aquatic slaughterhouse, with all manner of peculiar vehicles, people, critters, smells, and sights. 

Friday, July 17, 2015

Chasing the devil's wine in Chile


We went down to Chile to explore some wineries and switch seasons. Chile is a sly mix of South America with a twist of Europe. Dash of the devil.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Pizza on the beach



I have, in my life, eaten a lot of meals. Good meals. And There has been sandwiches, lots of sandwiches. There has been glory. I have eaten a 7 course meal at the highest restaurant in the world over the sands of Dubai. I have dined on the finest of Bologna atop the city state of San Marino. The Peninsula in Hong Kong. Ceviche at La Mar in Peru. Bistecca alla Fiorentina. The freshest tuna in the world right off the beach in The Rock Islands of Micronesia. I could go on like this like an asshole for hours. Hell, I kind of did.

But sometimes, you just can't beat some pizza, any beach, and the sunset. We put the world on hold. The life you lead becomes a whisper. The crash of the ocean a distant beat. Even Domino's will do.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Belgian Rooftops


On any square in the world and at any point in your life, do not forget to look up. There is so much more than what is at eye level. What is what in front of you is the biggest distraction for what could be next. 

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Sunset in Colonia, Uruguay

An old town at the edge of nowhere. Colonia, Uruguay. Just at dusk, we ambled around a deserted square made pink by the sun's gorgeous retreat.  

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Smoke and Temples Japan


Old Edo still lurks in corners of crowded Tokyo

Honor the Past - Tokyo

A woman rests in old Tokyo 

Nassau Conch Salesmen

conch nassau

This guy, battered by the sun on the tourist-rich banks of mega-cruise central Nassau, hawks his wares. Plucked from the sea, the man sells sea stars and conchs and what appears to be a basket of fruits. Keep on keeping on Nassau conch salesman.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Zurich Accordion Player

Caught this guy playing a haunting rhythm in a nook in Zurich

Zurich - just passed dusk

 The waterfront in Zurich, lit up like gold at night

Great place to rent a tuxedo - Menguin


Menguin is an online tuxedo rental company that saves penguins in Patagonia and rents out the coolest tuxedos with 24/7 customer service. They also make it super easy - takes about 5-10 minutes to rent and get fitted online, way easier than going to a store. 

They offer a ton of stuff and if you need to rent a tux, then you should definitely check Menguin out.