Click, click, click… walking sticks
The rhythm of the path and breath
Lost yet found in thought
Image by Joyce Meyer along the Camino de Santiago between Roncesvalles and Zuburi, Spain.
Fleeting Moments…
The history and legacy of the Mayan people also appear to be fleeting as tourism and beaches are the key to survival. It is well worth the time to tour the historic sites of Tulum and Chichen Itza with a knowledgeable guide to learn more about their interesting past. The history of the Mayan people is kept alive through archeological sites such as these.
Click on image for a larger viewing window.
The run-down streets portray struggle, while the earth can feel the pulse of a proud ancestry.
HDR image of a neighborhood street in Playa del Carmen, Mexico blended with an image of a costumed Mayan gentleman taken at the Chichen Itza archeological site. Blended image layer transformed to appear to be part of the earth. Click on image for a larger viewing window.
~ The Beatles
The couple captured in this image appear so passionate for one another and oblivious to the world around them. Photo was taken in Salamanca, Spain with a little point and shoot camera. Nothing fancy. Blended in Photoshop CS5 with prairie grasses captured against the summer sun.
Yep… all you need is love.
Life can be harsh for the disabled begging on the church steps of the Cathedral de San Gervasio in Valladolid, Mexico. This is the real deal and not a scam as the locals also give money to these individuals according to Mark Moxon’s Travel Writing.
In turn, life can be harsh for the working class protecting their modest stucco homes and belongings with broken glass ledges in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
By the grace of God…
Kind eyes that have seen sorrow, joy and struggle with skin wrinkled by time and the sun. Wisdom, courage , a long heritage of civilization unique to the rest of the world.
Escape…
In the deepest, darkest days of Minnesota winter, I feel the need to escape. It is often not practical to escape in the physical sense, but an escape inside the mind is possible anytime.
When you think about it, the sky is the limit whether reading a compelling novel, historical account of days gone by or fulfilling love of travel with reading and exploring travel blogs. Mix it together and winter isn’t so bad.
Below are some links to explore:
University of Minnesota Alumni Reading List
We Made it Through Winter Memoir of Mr. O’Meara’s 9th year – 1906 – in the timber-logging town of Cloquet, Minnesota.
Best Travel Blogs and Websites
Fashion and history buff? Try FashionBackwards for a unique , quirky and historical take on fashion trends.
Read about the Deadly Children’s Blizzard of 1887-1888
Does yoga sound appealing? Try Yoga For Beginners at DoYogaWith Me.com
Netflix has some interesting documentaries involving cultures around the world, thought-provoking topics and history. I especially enjoyed Living On One Dollar a Day, an inspiring film of life in Guatemala.
Cuba has been in the news lately with a lifting of travel restrictions and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, also on Netflix, shows us life inside of Cuba, as well as delicious food choices.
Combine an interesting program with the treadmill or exercise bike and you have a double delightful day.
Yes… the sky is the limit. Now, excuse me while I dream of faraway lands and exotic places.
Where does the time go? A few of my favorite images from 2014:
https://animoto.com/play/QZmn9rbzC8AgRQHz406WHg
All images by Joyce Meyer (O.K., the spider web is Randy’s, but other than that…)
In May we did some photography in the small, NE South Dakota town of South Shore and stumbled upon Meyer’s Rec…a small town bar on a typical Friday night. Looks like my kind of “down to earth” establishment and we were fortunate to find some friendly models to brighten up the exterior. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to investigate the interior or get to know our new friends.
I am intrigued by “off the beaten path” types of places with their interesting characters and have often wondered if this could lead to a photographic project with written commentary and/or poetry. Hmmm…?
I think my crystal ball shows a motorcycle ride to Meyer’s Rec to check out the inside. The name is kind of catchy, too, don’t you think?
(Click on image for a larger view)
RJMeyerArts 
