In the UK

I've been in the UK 5 days now, and each one feels different from the last. Thursday was travel day - full of anticipation and excitement which quickly turned to feelings of stupidity and fear when I took myself to the absolute wrong train station at 1am. It was as if the very moment I felt I had everything under control, it all fell secretly apart underneath me.

Day 1 was more traveling - I found my way to London for a meeting that evening and sprinted back to the station to catch the last train of the night. Surprised to discover they stop running after midnight, very unlike my familiar NYC. 

Day 2 was active! We dug our way into the woods and to the sea - went seaweed and mushroom foraging. I learned loads about different types of plants and fungi, fascinating and beautifully mysterious. Two variations may look nearly identical, one delicious, the other deadly. We brought home a huge haul and feasted. 

Day 3 was lazy and somewhat sorrowful. I found myself stuck to the couch like I haven't been in ages. Watched movies and drank tea, convinced myself to wander outside for a short walk and explored the tiny town of Chartham. It's all so unknown to me here - almost like I'm being kept in a tiny pen, not violently, but quietly. Everything is green and covered in raindrops, the sky is moody and grey. It is England, after all, Avery tells me (my host for the week).

Day 4 - today, looked a lot like yesterday, but with less guilt and despair about all the "nothing-doing". I gave in to the luxury of true rest, a place I haven't spent time in quite a while. I taught myself to make a new kind of coffee, spoke with friends, watched more movies, sat outdoors, and drank beer. 
We had fish & chips for dinner, bought chocolate on the way home, and here I find myself again on the comfy couch.

Each day has started late - after 12pm at the earliest, sometimes with 1 or 2pm wake ups. My body and brain are still in NY, but I don't miss it yet. I'm giving up feeling badly for not "seeing enough" of this new land I've been transplanted to. Reminding myself that travel itself is tiring and it's time to simply be. 

And time to make pictures and write down words. 

All there is to do is relax. 

-L

 

Ashford International Station

Canterbury & Chartham

Seaweed & Mushroom Foraging

Exploring Chartham

Re-Creating

I love my life in New York and how quickly things move for me now, but over the past weeks and months I've realized how little time I'm carving out just to make pictures.
I love making images for the sake of enjoying it, for my own wellbeing, and sometimes for no reason at all!
Vacation is grand, and I'm remembering again (while doing my best to ignore the brain-muck of "these pictures aren't any good" and "no one will care about this") how lovely it is just to be with my camera. 
I've created a few images I actually like. Whether or not they're important is simply...not important. It's good just to be creating. 
Happy New Year!

Twenty Two - Show & Tell

Tania!

I am so so late! I know we scheduled to post two weeks ago and things have just been insanely busy and I've been traveling and just ahhh! So many things. I apologize.

I loved your post, especially the images of the stormy landscapes. There's just something about an overcast sky. For all you lovely readers, here's Tania's most recent post!


And now. For some images of my own. I'm feeling really scatterbrained about what photos I've even made recently, but here goes!


All of these shots were taken from the roof of my apartment building. I love being up there while the sun sets, especially if I can be alone. Sometimes I stretch and do yoga, other times I read a book and unwind with a beer. It's incredible to have found such a peaceful space in a city known for its chaos and restlessness.

I thought you'd appreciate the quiet space : ] 

Much Love!! Lyd