I know this is an odd post for doors, but let me explain. I've learned to appreciate the differences while traveling. Everything in the world is not set to US standards, so opening doors and window can be tricky. My photography instructor stated that he was fascinated in latches, so I me more aware of latches.

Now, down to business. You can see where I was - in a restroom in Budapest. I saw the pink door and thought, "How cute is that!". But my thought wasn't on getting a picture of the pink door, until I stepped inside and saw this differently shaped toilet. I dug out the camera and then had to get a pic of the door, too - loved the reflection of the toilet - it was really all about the toilet, right! Notice the handle and lock on the door and the buttons on the wall above the toilet for flushing.

Budapest:
Another interesting door. Europe is good about using metal work within windows, doors and door and walk ways - aesthetic and strong.

Yes, a purposeful grainy picture. Leica has a black and white filter that has a pin point feature. I was experimenting with the contrast and darkness and light. I cropped out the right side of the building, which made the pin point more apparent.

Budapest: doorway in the darkness

I've been absent from blogging, although with the feel of fall in the air today, I am ready to get back at it and finish my promised door project. Stay Tuned!

2015 - A Year of Doors

Doors are symbols of hope, passage, opportunity and the list goes on. 2015 really isn't the year of the doors, but I love attractive doors and love to take pictures of them. I have several doors that I promised to share from my last trip to Europe. So, a year of doors.
To get to doors one needs to wander and I love to wander. Let's start the year out on a path in front of the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest...

lady walking about

May 2015 bring you opportunity, hope and a bit of wandering.

Mac Travels

Budapest: Coffee on the Balcony

Coffee and Budapest. Two of my favorite things. 

Three of us traveled together, so decided to rent apartments in three of the four cities.  Oh, the things we learned .... We learned it was more roomy, although the apartment in Budapest was the only one with a balcony that had room for sitting, drying clothes (folding clothesline against wall) and enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. We learned that balcony doors don't always open like they do in the US and that is another picture and story. We learned that after going to Vienna (and pre-payed for our apartment) that we loved Budapest more and were able to return to this same apartment for another week. Yes, we basically paid for two apartments in different cities the same week, but we love Budapest. 

The two opera's in Vienna were amazing! 

Coffee on the balcony - lovely!

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Out and About in Budapest

I was doing homework all weekend and only left the apartment for breakfast and dinner - had leftovers for lunch.
 Today I roamed and got lost. Yes, really and truly lost! Luckily, kind Hungarians guided me back to Andrassy Ut. My bearing street and what a street! The buildings are beautiful; the problem is slowing down and looking at the detail. I love the doors, too. I will do a post on door later. Here is a new find
 today.

Dragon Proof in Finland

reima claims to be dragon...water proof and after finding out what reima stands for - glad it is dragon proof. Reima is a line of children's clothing.
Arrived in the airport near Helsinki, Finland and found this ad:

...and this adult was pleased to find 2 Starbucks in the same airport - one on each floor. After a coffee I felt dragon proof.

Spent a few hours in Helsinki searching for a lunch place and enjoying the downtown area. Cold - yes it was winter, wind blowing NW cold. I was wearing a wool casual jacket and was comfortable. Locals had on winter type coats and kiddos also had hats and gloves. It was refreshing and am pretty sure the local have other winter coats for the real winter ahead.

Then back to the airport via the bus and on to Budapest.

You Never Know Where You'll Find A Guinness Ad

Today met a friend for lunch at The Hub, Tacoma, WA. I am a creature of habit and drive the same route, park in the same area.... Today was different - on my way I saw several parking places a block below the restaurant, so pulled in and found a free parking lot. Surprising!!
The rain was flowing; I was prepared to dash, although when I got out of my vehicle and turned I spotted this mural on the side of Doyle's Public House. Whipped out my iPhone. I love Guinness and love Guinness ads. We still had lunch at The Hub, but now have a new spot to check out.

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Travel Plans

Travels plans don't always happen as planned. This year was suppose to be the year I returned to Europe, but life events and plans changed. Tell that to my calendar.

I use my google calendar and during a planning stage earlier this year, my sons and I had chosen the best weeks to travel to Europe in the fall. Naturally I entered them in my calendar. Then over the course of time and recovering from a car accident our plans were postponed.

This month a reminded popped up on my phone reminding me that European travel was right around the corner. I had been thinking of the disappointment of changed plans, but when the reminded popped I actually felt happy and pleased. I had planned and the though of the possibilities made me smile. I left it on my calendar and every day I would get a reminder and lived a bit lighter each day remembering my former trip.

2013 will ring in with the hope of new possibilities - travel to Europe is on my list!!

illy Coffee - Around a Corner in Budapest

We set a routine after a few days of walking on familiar streets. One day we took one block behind us as we hit the corner by our hotel and found this absolutely beautiful avenue. The pace was slower and lacking tourists - folks talking and enjoying their day. This became another favorite stop to sit and rest after a long day.

Key West, Florida

Attended a niece's wedding Friday and am now relaxing.

Exploring Buda as in Budapest

Sorry I have been absent. Quite excited to blog about Budapest again.
Budapest is divided by the Danube River hence Buda and Pest. Let's start out in Buda looking at Pest. I was experimenting by shooting/photographing in a restaurant seating area across the river at the Parliament building in Pest.

Snow in the Pacific Northwest

Snow Day today, which means there's no work due to the weather. I was tempted to stay inside and stay warm, but bundled up and ventured out for a walk with my Canon G-10. Here are two pictures I captured late morning.

Snow and Ice on a Lamp

Leaf in the Snow

Adobe Photoshop Elements 10

I finally broke down and purchased Adobe Photoshop Element 10. I have another program but couldn't save text on my pictures, so it became pretty worthless. Back to Photoshop=)
It will be a few days before I begin working with the new program cause it may have to slip under the Christmas Tree as a gift - from me. Is that bad!!
Very soon expect new posts and pictures again - ahhhh.

Budapest - 2 years after

Yes, it's been two years since I was in Budapest. Planning another trip and hopefully will get there again. Love looking at the travel books that I bought before my last trip because they make more sense now. I also realize how much I didn't get a change to do or see. Definitely worth a trip back.
Ah, I do love to dream, plan, and travel.

Puget Sound Sunset

I have a new photo editing program and am getting use to it, so let's see if I can post a picture. I didn't edit the picture at all just added Mac Travels. So, here goes... well I tried but can save the edited picture as a jpeg. Yes, I am a bit frustrated. Here's one without Mac Travels.

Train passing through as I was getting the last sliver of sun - sometimes we can't control the environment.

Sunset

I was out and about with my Canon G-10 last evening shooting the sunset. I will post a few later, once I get them downloaded and labled.

I was absent

Sorry, I got busy with my life and wasn't blogging - day job was keeping me busy and I recently got a new laptop, so have been getting it set up. I am back on track and will be posting more pictures...
I bought a new camera lens last Fall, so am adjusting as well=)