Another “non-working” wedding shot with a Canon 7D and 50mm lens… This time a Fall union in Washington State on the beautiful San Juan Islands. The ceremony of close friends Jon and Monique took place outdoors in Roche Harbor over the Memorial Day Weekend complete with hiking, boating, yacht parties, an annual Memorial Day Ceremony, and local debauchery with the townies. Blessed with FANTASTIC sunshine in normally dreary northwestern weather, a picture perfect wedding… All the best to you Jon and Mo!
*This posting is especially large because it is meant to be a public gallery for the couple and guests to download individual photos for personal use. Just click the photo for single photo view or right-click to download*
Euro Trip Day 1-5
Day 1- Monday/Milan
Well after safely arriving in Malpensa Airport after a 17+ hour trip and running on no sleep for the last 40 hours, we where swiftly being chauffeured through the streets of Milan. The city is composed of a number of “rings” staring with the Centrale, home to the Duamo, one of the oldest churches in Europe. Cobble stone streets and one-way thoroughfares make up a maze of Italian navigation, and Cecilia quickly navigates us through. Coincidentally Monday is Pasquetta or Easter and a holiday for all Italians. The streets are empty…completely…almost no visible sign of life in what was expected to be a bustling metropolis. We arrive at her home to be greeted by a welcoming smile, her partner in crime and our old South American friend, Luis, also know as Lucho, Macumba, Macumbeiro, or Sexman. Interestingly they too are an inter-racial couple “Made in Brazil” since 2005, a product of Arraial D’Ajuda and the powers that be in that apex of cosmic energy. We arrive at the main gate to their apartment complex, a huge double door into a facade of ground level storefronts and countless windows above. Who knew to get through the doors, you have to open its own door, and we walk through into a court yard to another door. This one puts us in front of a set of stairs and being so old, the building does not have an elevator. So up we go, Isa with her nimble 35 pounds of clothes, and me and my 50 pound payload up four flights of a narrow staircase with a cutback for each flight. Refreshing. Finally at the threshold of their abode, we cant walk in because the doorway is too narrow. So we unload our bags and squeeze them through. Their place is a nice, tight, and efficient example of European living. A three room flat consisting of living space, kitchen, and bathroom. Photos adorn the walls, bookshelves everywhere. Everything has its place.
Now what. We are tired, stinky, and our heads are in a daze from the long travel. Lets eat! Cecilia whips up a nice home made pasta dish, Pasta a la Pissoli(Peas), while Macumba brews up some espresso, I think I had three.
As we catch up on old times, dispense gifts, and explore the abode, Isa and I take turns in the shower. She goes first and by the time I get out, shes passed out on the couch, travel book in hand. Another friend shows up, Beatrice, fellow capoeirista and Italiana who comes over to study some music for the upcoming batizado. I look into some travel plans hoping to make it to the end of the day, my attempt at skipping the jet-lag and hitting the ground running on this vacation and low and behold, its dinner time. Beatrice returns with Manualla, another friend from the past and dinner ensues. A gourmet feast of left-overs. Something to the tune of Leek Gratin, Creamed Potato with Prosciutto, Artichoke Quiche with something other than eggs, Lasagna, and Fennel Salad. Can’t forget the Italian beer. After dinner and a short goodbye, we are off to bed and put a close to day one, and what a day it was.
Day 2- Tues/Milan 2
We visit the Duomo in Centrale, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in Europe. Followed by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an iron and glass shopping arcade (Isa says I am plagiarizing here).
We grab a bite to eat at Luini’s, a local favorite and major tourist attraction to the likes of Pink’s Hotdogs in LA. They serve panserotti’s, or mini calzones eaten by hand. We also visit the statue of Leonardo Da Vinci, and the Casa d’Uomini, or House of Men.
In the evening we meet Luis and Cecelia for capoeira class, a short walk away from their home. There Prof. Pedro is finishing up his second class and about to start his third. His son Leon is there, all grown up since the last time I have seen him. We meet a few new people in class, hopefully we will remember their names for our return trip.
Day 3- Weds/Milan-Marseille
In the early morning we pack up and head out to Marseille to visit Isa’s high school friend Liz. Luis and Ce see us off, accompanying us on the bus and metro before we part ways. Quick goodbyes and we proceed to Stazione Centrale where we buy tickets to Nice with a stop in Ventimiglia, the last stop before the French-Italian. Once we get to Nice we buy tickets to Marseille for a 3 hour leg, totaling at 7.5 hours.
Once we hit Marseille at the St. Charles train station, we go to McDonalds… to meet Liz. Jumping on to the metro we head towards Liz’s neighborhood Notre Dame du Mont. She lives in a two-bedroom flat on the 5th floor sans-elevator, not unlike the one in Milan. After catching up and a quick tour, we head out to dinner at Mesopotamea, a very nice restaurant owned by a very gracious host…
Day 4- Thurs/Marseille
We sleep in and wake up to noises of the bustling neighborhood, full of grocery stands in the street, diners in outdoor cafes, and the aromas of fresh baked goods coming from the storefronts. We walk down along the harbor and find ourselves in Vallon Des Auffes, a small quaint neighborhood with its own little harbor with small sail and motorboats, and an ocean-water swimming pool. After that we continue our walk, this time towards home to meet Liz for a Patis before dinner. I couldn’t handle it. Tasted like a cross between childhood cough syrup and Jagermeister..
Day 5- Friday/Marseille
We woke up early today to catch the morning light at the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, a Roman-Byzantine basilica on a hilltop overlooking the harbor. Too bad the yesterdays sun was replaced with clouds and drizzle. It had great views of the entire city which looked quite large from so high up.
Inside the church was quite impressive as well.
Strolling in the French rain, we then headed cross town to Le Panier, an old Greek neighborhood/marketplace with small winding streets and colorful doorways.
After having a quick espresso and glace du pera, we headed back to Notre Dame du Mont for lunch at a local spot Liz recommended, Boudiou.
We ran into the Centre de la Vieille Charite, an old charity house used to house the poor. Now it is occupied with a few museums and a school of sorts.
Delicious tarts and salads filled our stomachs, as we contemplated what was next on the schedule…
