Amsterdam - Prinsengracht Farmers Market

My wife and I took a trip to Amsterdam this fall.  We stayed at this great flat at Prinsengracht 79 that is on one of the outer canals just a 10 minute walk from the Danrak.  The flat was wonderful - spacious and comforatable and big enough for four people.  When we look out of the flat window, we overlooked the Noorderkerk Church & square.  On Saturday's they had a fantastic farmer's market with veggies and cheeses and baked goods.


Creamy dutch cheese


Delicious mushrooms



the warmest and moistest fresh baked breads and croissants



beautiful flowers of Noorderkerk


Noorderkerk - a protestant church and a center of artists during monday's Antique mart.


The pipe organ and angel in Noorderkerk


the view from Prinsengracht 79 of Noorderkerk


This man played the most beautiful songs for hours during the antique mart on Mondays.


Local musicians at Noorderkerk.

Dia de Los Muertos 2010

Día de los Muertos, also known as “the Day of the Dead” or “All Souls' Day” in Mexico, takes place on November 2nd to pay homage to the departed. Día de los Muertos celebrates life through music, dance, food, art, prayer, and family togetherness. Ofrendas (or offerings), as bread, candy, tequila, flowers, and pictures are placed upon candle-adorned altars as gifts to loved ones, while wood, clay, tin, and paper are transformed into skull masks and sculptures to exchange and display.

These are captures from the Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration held at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California. This was an awesome event attended by thousands of people. This event use to be held in downtown oceanside, but this venue holds much more appeal (and people). The costumes and makeup were awesome. What a great event. A wonderful mix of culture, religion, music, and vendors.

Music & Music Makers

David Sanborn at Anthology

Ever since I started working at Eli's Records in Phoenix, I was exposed to more variations of music that i could have known existed. My store manager started pulling music for me to expand my mind. David Sanborn was one of the vinyl albums that got pulled.

Ever since that time in 1983, David Sanborn has been my all time favorite Saxaphonist. I had the honor of grabbing one of his performances at Anthology in Little Italy, San Diego. This was the first time i was able to hear him live.

His performance exceeded my expectations.

I was able to capture this shot (although no cameras were allowed) through a reflection in the mirror of his trio. I wish i had my better camera because this shot could have been magic, but, considering the point and shoot pentax, i am very happy with this.

Thanks Anthology and Mr Sanborn!

Ah, you will notice that although this was a reflection, you can read Anthology . . . i took the liberty of flipping this shot horizontally.



This guitarist was part of a mariachi at the Tropicana hotel in San Jose del Cabo, BCS Mexico. The food was great and the room authentic looking - although i know they had just gone through a refurb.

This is the Chapel Choir of Worksop College. Led by the Asst Director of Music, Timothy Uglow, the Cappella del Pazzi was filled with beautiful music on 6 April 2010. As we walked through the garden, i was just in time to get the flyer for the upcoming performance. It was rich and beautiful. A wonderful treat.

Basilica di Santa Croce. Final resting place of Michelangelo. 

Most of the grunge band that practiced every Thursday night. The gal, don't remember her name, had a fantastic voice.

Beauty is in the eye of the camera

Abeyta's Travel Italy Travel Journal

Abeyta's Travel Journal - Italy

Lights Lights Lights

With a steady hand, i was able to hold the lens still enough to capture this ride as it twirled round and round.  The effect was amazing.  The yellows & golds were brilliant and topped off with dashes of red.



This was the wolf moon over the Oceanside pier in January of 2010 at dusk.  The moon was at the right angle to hover over the pier and I was able to capture the lights reflecting onto the morning waves.  This is the definition of the wolf moon.. 




These were candles set aglow in the majestic Milan Duomo.



I woke up early enough to catch the rising sun in Venezia, Italia and grab some beautiful photos. I didn't see it til later, but this one has the sun's light entering the lamp posts and it made it look like they had the fire from within.



This firelight danced upon the wicks of candles at the Tropicana restaurant in San Jose del Cabo, BCS Mexico. This candelabra seemed quite old as the melted wax of what seemed like thousands of candles created a most impressive piece of art.

Pisa, Italy . . . yes, the tower still leans

Ok, it probably leans much more than this . . . my aim was off. However, it was amazing how incredible this structure was . . . and to think it continues to sink lower every day. We did take the obligatory photos of us holding it up, however, with all the people around, it was sad to say, none of them came out as i had hoped . . . lucky you. The bapistry and duomo were quite incredible here - especially against the rich sky.

One of the striking things that struck me most about Pisa, however, was the immigrants. In Southern California we have the Mexicans, Filipinos, Cambodians, etc. However, In Pisa, Florence, Rome, they have the Africans. Something of a cultural variation but it hit me then that every country would have their immigrant.




This is the Pisa Duomo . . . a huge structure.  Grand.  Bold.








The inside San Michele in Borgo in Pisa Italy.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Michele_in_Borgo