Puerto Vallarta, Revisited

In the distance, a pod of whales dips in and out of the ocean, drawing excited yelps from my mouth. I pull out my phone just in time to catch the last of their swim before they disappear beneath the surface. I feel light in this moment, buoyed by the laughter of my friends, the sounds of Afrobeats and R&B mingling with the waves, and the cool sea air whipping past my face.

A Love Letter from Guadalajara

If I were to write a series of letters from the places I’ve been, Mexico would feature prominently; especially my visit in February.

December in New York: A Photo Story

Packing jackets and thinking of how to layer clothing does not excite me; but what does excite me is visiting New York. So, even when the opportunity to visit came with the promise of icy weather, I couldn’t bring myself to say no.

Reflections from Mt. Shasta

I have not always appreciated the outdoors. As a child, outside seemed daunting. It was the place of cuts, scrapes, and bug bites–or sometimes all three. No thank you. 

48hrs in Guatapé

After a few days in Medellín, we check out of the Welcomm Spa and stuff our belongings into a 13-seater van for the 2-hour drive to Guatapé. Here, surrounded by mountains and glittering man-made lakes, we settle into a relaxed itinerary that doesn’t take us much further than the grounds of our Airbnb.

Medellín: A Photo Journey

Seven years ago, I visited Colombia for the first time, inspired by a conversation with a diplomat on a flight to Panamá. Cartagena welcomed me then, with color-soaked cobblestone streets, sun-warmed beaches, and the bouncy rhythm of Cumbia and Vallenato. This past August, I returned to Colombia, trading sea breeze for crisp mountain air in Medellín.

Along the Pacific Coast Highway II

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, we glide past rolling green hills in Marin County, trading San Francisco’s skyline for miles of open road, sea breeze, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

An Afternoon in San Francisco I

We walk out of the underground lot and into a perfect afternoon–sunlight makes everything appear more vivid, saturated with color: the grassy field is greener, the sky’s blue more striking.