I picked up a camera at 16 years old and knew that I loved making images immediately. I began by commandeering my parents’ old film camera while saving up my pay from coaching kids basketball to buy my first DSLR. I used to spend my lunch hour during school in the darkroom and I blew through my allowance buying more film negatives. Some time in 2008, my interest in film photography turned into a love of media generally. In 2009, I got a summer job at a small magazine in town and soon after I returned to college later that fall, I started Just-in-Time.
The world of blogging has changed a lot since when I first began this blog. Photography has evolved with the affordability of cameras and significant quality improvements in mobile photography. Similarly, people are traveling more and information about far away places are more accessible than ever. The layout of this blog has been updated no less than three times. A year of backpacking through Europe from 2010-2011 and stacking up my country count has turned into month-long stays on far-off islands and returning to places I love over and over again.
When I started the blog, I had one goal: blog once a week. I didn’t even really know what I would share every week and I certainly didn’t know who I was writing it for. Now, through this blog, I am lucky to be able to immerse myself in unique destinations and indulge in memorable experiences.
This is just a long way to say, it’s been 5 years, I’m still here and I’m excited for 5 more years of images, destinations, and memories. The image above was taken at One World Observatory. I finally had the opportunity to check out the view from the top on my birthday, as a surprise from Alex. The view was hazy that day but I have no doubt I'll be back again soon. There is nothing more incredible than seeing New York City, at your feet.
We had missed our flight out of JFK due to an unbelievably painful traffic jam which is why we ended up on the red-eye into San Juan. I was disappointed about the flight but as long as we got there, I was happy. We had booked this trip only 1 week ago, after tossing around the idea to get out of town for my 25th birthday and Googling which destinations were even a remote possibility for a 3-day weekend. The trick was, in addition to only having 3 days, I also had to maintain my regular work hours before we left town. Jamaica was discussed and then quickly eliminated after we saw the unfriendly flight times. Then we saw JetBlue Getaway package to San Juan Puerto Rico and it offered sun, amenable flight times, and the perfect amount of things to do for a long weekend.
Our ocean-view room at the Marriott was perfect. I fell asleep to the sound of the ocean at night and woke up to the sound of the ocean each morning. We could people-watch and sun-bath from our private balcony. After being deprived of vitamin D throughout the cold East-coast winter, and then putting up with NYC’s overcast humidity for all of June, the strong rays of the Puerto Rican sun gave me some much needed color. Between sitting on the beach and lounging by the pool, Alex and I could have passed the entire weekend without ever leaving the resort.
When we finally did pry ourselves away from the sandy beaches of Condado and Isle Verde, we drove into Old San Juan to soak up the color and culture. For first timers in San Juan, rent yourself a car, the island is easy to navigate on your own (we did it with only a rough map from the hotel) and there is cheap parking ($1.50/hour) in Old San Juan. I love the Caribbean for its air, dampened with the smell of the ocean, and for its colorful facades. I have often seen photographs of the vibrant doors and windows of Old San Juan, but to see it in person for myself, I wondered if my images could ever do the island justice.
When we found out about the rainforest not more than 1.5 hr from our hotel in San Juan, Alex and I were determined to grab ourselves away from the beach for a swim in the waterfalls. The drive to El Yunque National Forest was fairly short and clear, even with only a very rough map that we found at the car rental desk. We spent the better half of the day in the rain forest, doing a few hikes and taking dips in the waterfall. When the crowds at La Mina resembled something like dumpling soup, we ditched the popular falls for the much quieter swimming holes upstream.
Back in Old San Juan. When you try to get to know a city, the best way is by foot. We walked around Old San Juan all day, duck into alleyways and find yourself coming out onto a new street, just as colorful as the last one. For $60, Alex picked up a hat for himself from Olé (105 Fortaleza Street; 787-724-2445), which sells hand-fitted customized Panama hats. Alex picked out one in cream, which the proprietor helped fit to his head exactly and top it off with a simple black ribbon. Right next door to Ole is Cafe El Punto. Having spent the better half of the day walking under the beating sun - even with the shade provided by Alex’s newly acquired accessory - we ducked in for shade and refreshments. Their best dishes are the stuffed avocado, and for something traditional, try the stuffed mofongo. The food will leave your tummies filled and your palate satisfied. Hey - I've just had my first taste of Puerto Rican cuisine.
On the drive back to the Amtrak station, my Uber driver admitted that she has been in Philly her whole life and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Philadelphia met Alex and I with moody weather, perhaps as a hint that I should spend some time in their Museum district before eagerly wandering the streets. We spent half the day at the Eastern State Penitentiary, which is now officially my favorite place to photograph in Philly. The torn-down worn out building is a playground of light chasers, even on a cloudy day. Between Chinatown and Philly’s pristine and quaint Historic District, Alex and I spent the rest of the day wandering around the city and dodging the rain. When the weather cleared, we continued our trek to the Rocky Statue and the steps leading up to the Museum of Art.
Once in a while, Alex and I disagree on a city. Philly happens to be one of these places. I enjoyed the quaintness of small Philadelphia, its quiet waterfront seemed like a much needed change from my usual bustling and smoggy Manhattan. I think Alex prefers the grittiness of a city like New York to my yearning for the laidback vibe of Philly. Before we left for the train station, I took one last stroll on the Ben Franklin Bridge. I had intended to run across the bridge in the morning but the rain kept me confined to the hotel gym. Now, with the sun beaming above me, I could make out downtown Philly faintly in the haze.
