Egyptian sunsets

I've spent the last six months living in Cairo. It's been a packed adventure filled with new experiences, touching and sometimes difficult encounters and many emotions. This will be the first of a few posts devoted to my time in Egypt and this one highlights the orange skies at sunset, thick with smog. These photos have been taken from Al-Azhar Park and Garbage City.

Until we meet again, Egypt

This was my first trip to Cairo in the spring of 2013 and I plan to come again for a longer period of time next year. I've visited the Sinai before but never Cairo. The warmth of the air hits you as soon as you exit the plane in addition to the faint smell of burning garbage in the distance. The immense traffic, dented cars and buses puffing out black smoke, huge crowds shopping in markets (late at night), mosques upon mosques, animal carcass hanging outside meat shops, buildings caked in dust and dirt, and striking political graffiti were some of my very first observations made the night I arrived. See you in a few months, Egypt.

Holiday lights in Glasgow

I've really enjoyed visiting the delightful Christmas markets while living in the UK. I've seen the markets in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow and always feel a child-like sense of enchantment while walking around, eating goodies and looking at locally-made trinkets. The Christmas lights are another splendid feature, especially in Glasgow, where they create a canopy over small sections of the downtown area. 

Istanbul

Istanbul is a fantastic fusion of west meets east. We enjoyed wandering around the old streets, sipping Turkish coffee from elaborate wee cups, bargaining at the Grand Bazaar, and experiencing the Turkish bath which I must confess was a rather strange experience. Photos were taken at Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar and on the Bosphorus.

Highlights from a Scottish spring

My parents came to visit Scotland and we had an epic adventure driving around the country. There was lots of eating, laughter and of course I took advantage of the brilliant scenes by taking photos. Here is a small selection from St Conan's Kirk, the Isle of Mull, Staffa, Glencoe, Arisaig, the Isle of Skye and Aberdeenshire.

Morning glory

I woke up at 5am on this particular morning to finish a paper. It's always hard waking up so early but the wintry view from my window as the sun rose was worth it.

Studying with a view

We often sit outside, hot drinks in hand, and read. These are our surroundings and they are about 15 seconds from our flat. How fortunate we are: huge trees, winding pathways, cute forest creatures, a park and river below.

Orange petals

Autumn waves on the North Sea

The beach in Aberdeen provides a fantastic location for picture-taking. In one direction the beach makes its way south toward the city, and in the other direction the beach travels north for miles, hugging the dunes and golf courses, with nothing really in sight. There are very few people on the beach and at times, one can find they are completely alone listening to the crashing waves and watching the moonrise (and it rises early these days!) An added bonus -- seeing dolphins in the distance or seals bobbing nearby inquisitively staring.

Scotland's Dunnottar Castle

I've very recently moved from Oxford, England up to Aberdeen in Scotland. I look forward to developing my photography more fully in this landscape, or at least my landscape photography. The weather patterns change so quickly living on the coast of the North Sea and there are moments when the sea and sky transport you to a Caribbean beach, although the rugged landscape and nearby castle ruins remind you that you are in Scotland.

A day in Cambridge

While based in England I had the opportunity to see many sights, including Cambridge which definitely reminded me of Oxford with its punting, perfectly kept English gardens and inspiring colleges. There seemed to be even more tiny cobblestone streets with shops and boutiques and I had a hard time deciding whether I preferred Oxford or Cambridge.

Marco Island and Key West

I've been to Florida probably more times than I would like to admit. My parents have enjoyed escaping the cold Canadian winter to take a short break in Southwest Florida. They always visit the beach of Marco Island which is clean, huge and not particularly crowded. Key West is a relatively short boat ride away and provides a livelier and quirkier escape.