My Trip to Portugal

Portugal has always been on my bucket list to visit. It's a modern Western European country, yet, it doesn't get as much attention as say -- Spain, France or Italy. And that's what allured me. You don't really hear much on Portugal -- about the food, the people, or whats worth seeing. Only that the natives speak Portuguese and that it neighbors Spain. While tourist flock to other European destinations, I wanted to explore the most western Iberian country in Europe with my camera. And I absolutely can't deny that it's one of the most beautiful countries I've visited.

If you're looking for a less touristy vibe and more of a 'sit back and enjoy the sunset', Portugal is exactly that. You can easily enjoy the sights without worrying about huge crowds of tourist taking pictures on their iPads or waiting on long lines to visit a landmark. Portugal is very sunny, almost year round, especially in the southern regions like the Algarve. And most people speak English fluently, so don't worry if you didn't get to study some Portuguese on the plane (although its encouraged you learn some Portuguese phrases). What I love most is that there's nothing gimmicky here, just a rich history and a scenic countryside. It's a country that's both simple and chill, which is not a luxury you get when you travel to other places.

Built to Shift

It was my second day in Panama. Taking a break from touching up wedding photos for a client, I wandered out with my camera to see what I can catch. My original plan was to get just outside the city to get a nice skyline shot but was quoted something ridiculous for a cab ride. I ended up hanging out at a mall which had a good view of some of the surrounding skyscrapers. Across the street was the iconic F&F building, whose architecture allows it to spiral into the air. It’s truly a unique design that owns Panama City’s skyline.

Shot October 2015

No Church For The Wild

The story behind this image starts early on a Sunday morning in Latin America. As people collectively gather in a Church awaiting service, a young Afro-Carribian boy slowly follows in his ragged wardrobe and crumpled plastic cup. He thoroughly wanders down the church aisles, quietly asking attendants to spare some change – but most people awkwardly ignore him. As the boy nears the end of his tour, an usher notices the pan handler and escorts him towards the exit. With a smile the boy slowly starts exiting, hoping the attention brings forth a contributor. To his disappointment, not one person added anything to his crumpled plastic cup. The only thing he received on his way out were stares.

It was especially difficult to capture this moment since I had to be somewhat discrete. Upon entering the church, I was asked not to take photos - which I had originally plan to honor. However, witnessing everything transpose I couldn’t help taking out the camera from my bag and sneak a few shots.  In respect to the church, I won’t disclose it’s name and location.

Shot October 2015

16 Hours in Hong Kong

Hong Kong isn't a city I could just pass up. On my way to Singapore I had a really annoying layover. It was long enough to leave the airport but not long enough to really take in the city. However, with 16 hours to kill I had to do a little exploring. So, I said 'toodles' to Hong Kong International and purchased the next bus ticket into the city.

I'm not a videographer by any means, but I figured the amateur video I took is a good depiction of how active Hong Kong is as a metropolis. In a lot of ways the city is very similar to New York, but, you know, a lot less diverse. There was plenty of places to eat and shop. I spent most of my time wandering around this huge city, getting lost then finding my way back on track.

If you're ever in Hong Kong and want to venture out into the city before your next flight, here are some things you can try to do:

1. Visit the Bruce Lee Statue. I never got to do this. It was just bad timing since I arrived at night and left in the morning. Maybe next time around. But Bruce Lee kicks ass and anyone whose seen any kung fu movies, or MMA matches, should pay their respects.

2. Mentally keep a record of how many females you see versus males. I know this sounds a little fucked up but you have to admit it'll be a fun game to play. It's not like I was on the lookout when I was there but I did notice more dudes than dudettes. I'm not saying my observation is a true demographic of the Hong Kongnese populous, but it seemed that males lead the count 4:1. I didn't come to realize it until after the new country high -- it was just something that registered later on. But even though I wasn't in mainland China, I still felt the eeriness of being outnumbered by guys. Kind of like a club that doesn't have ladies night.

3. Get a custom made suit, if you have time. Suits in H.K. are very affordable. But it's not about the price, it's about the fit. I couldn't believe how often I was approached by older gentlemen on the street offering me a good deal on a made-to-fit suit. The act of getting your measurements done and choosing the fabric for a suit is pretty baller, but I couldn't wait the 2-3 days it took to make it.

4. Eat Street Meat. Now, to be clear, I'm not adventurous when it comes to food. And the few hours in Hong Kong didn't change that for me. But if I were someone who enjoys eating foreign food without caring what it was, then I was in the right place. There are street vendors at every corner and most of it's made on the spot. They really do have everything from dumpling, noodles, octopus and curry fish balls.

5. Pick up some kicks. If you heard rumors of there being a 'sneaker street' in Hong Kong with shops selling the latest, and sometimes rarest, footwear than those stories are true. The actual name of the street is called Fa Yuen and is located in Mong Kok, Kowloon. This is the place to go if you want fly kicks like Liu Kang.

Noisy Secrets

I had taken this shot in a bar in Porto Alegre, Brazil after traveling the city during the day and being too lazy to drop off my camera gear in my hotel room. It was winter, and during the 2014 World Cup, so the venue was packed with warmly dressed tourists, each exchanging volleys in a variety of languages and accents.

A few hours before this photo was taken, the bar was empty and quiet. George, a friend I was traveling with, had discovered this spot after sifting through a few places on Google Maps. The interior resembled a restaurant converted into a British pub, with tables and booths lining the walls. Behind the bar they had some tapioca chips and polvilho biscuits for sale, but nothing in the air to hint that any food was being cooked. Though In good taste, the owner displayed flags from different nations in observance of the World Cup, hung from the ceiling like fresh sheets on a clothesline. And above the flags, adding to the ambiance, were speakers playing Brazil’s top 40. The bar wasn’t anything special, but it was exactly what we needed after a day on our feet.

George and I settled in with our first round of beers, then a second. A few moments later, we found ourselves mingling with a friendly group of ladies from Porto Alegre. They were university students and good conversations kept us engaged. The phrase, “time is an illusion”, has never been more accurate for me in that moment, as the next thing I knew a few hours had passed and the bar was humming like a bee hive. 

Reassessing the scene in a different light, the bar's energy was also distracting. The music had been turned up several notches since we'd entered and people seemed to be talking over each other just to have a conversation. Could anyone actually hear whom they were speaking with?

I went outside to the bar’s patio to take a quick breather and the noise quickly dropped to a murmur. From outside, surveying the room through a window, I realized I was witnessing an interesting moment. With people trying to talk over one another, and the music amped up to the highest octave, people literally had to yell in someone’s face in order to chat with them. The noise inside made it impossible for any voice to carry, so screaming in a friend's ear looked no different than children sharing a secret. 

Then, instinct took over. I quickly pulled out my camera, adjusted the settings for the low light, and took the shot.

I rarely bring my camera to bars. The idea of mixing expensive equipment with alcohol never seemed wise. But as it turned out, interesting scenes can unfold anywhere, and I was glad I made an exception this time. It allowed me to capture one of my favorite travel shots. When I noticed the scene unfolding before my eyes, all I wanted to do was capture it.

Shot June 2014