Welcome to my first blog entry ever!

Considering the diverse photographic themes I have been involved in (portraits, conceptual, special events, weddings, fitness), I felt it I would start off with a travel theme to reflect my more recent photographic excursions. For many, MANY years I have read and treasured many photography blogs (as I "archive" on my Twitter feed) and always wondered what I could possibly contribute to this amazingly universe-large annals of online blogs. It soon dawned on me recently with the immense library of travel imagery I have accumulated that it would be fitting to start with an incredibly beautiful part of the Mediterranean I always saw in travel advertisements years and years ago but never dreamed I would actually wind-up there one day:

Santorini, Greece.

And considering how Greece has been so affected economically lately, I felt it also necessary to state that MANY Greeks WANT Americans (heck, the whole world!) to come to their friendly and beautiful country. Upon seeing I am an American on Greek soil, Greeks urged me to announce to my fellow American travelers to get themselves over there! Despite the demonstrations heavily propagated with fear-inducing exaggeration on our TV evening news (mostly occurring within Athens), the country wants everyone to know tourists will be safe! I truly felt secure exploring Greece and welcomed by the restaurants and shops I stepped into.

The Greeks are absolutely delightful and friendly hosts.

Yes, this is me!

The Parthenon, the Acropolis of Athens

After my wonderful trip to the isle of Santorini, I managed to do a rather brief and expeditious tour of Athens. Time seem to only allow me not to see most of Athens but only the legendary, iconic Acropolis with the Parthenon and Erechtheion.

I felt a bit saddened to see the colossal, majestic Parthenon behind the modern-day obstruction of scaffolding in order to bring the ancient structure to an reinforced state. Yet I could not deny the awe of being before this ancient structure I had long seen in print and movies.

The Erechtheion

Athens

Many colorful, vibrant businesses in Athens are truly alive with friendly merchants and lively Greek music. And during these hard financial times for many of these businesses, I hope they do manage to navigate through the rough economic waters to emerge in a calmer, more successful environment. The Greeks are proud people, and they do encourage many travelers to stop into their country to bask and revel for a time. I surely look forward to returning to Greece in the near future!