SYDNEY SIDE UP December 6, 2008

                  
What isn’t there to love about Sydney?
I love big cities.  Sydney has the skyscrapers, the art scene, the modern transport system.  But its people aren’t obsessed with moneymaking or shopping the way I’ve seen in other urban centers.  In fact, stores close at 5 pm, allowing staff to happily go off for a drink or a jog [...]

NONSENSE IN THE GARDEN November 24, 2008

So, we were eating arugula and a virtuous vegetarian pasta and sipping dalandan juice in a pretty garden.  But we sounded like we were on our third pitcher of frozen margaritas in some sleazy bar — shrieking while other diners looked at us askance.
“Oh my god, he was hoping for a threesome!” “What the f…?”  “Then she really is [...]

WHERE’S THE BEACH? November 17, 2008

Spur of the moment, I decided to escape to the beach for the weekend. One I’d read about but had never actually seen.  
Took a bus to the pier.  A rickety older one, the kind with baby roaches that creep out from under the plastic seatcovers when passengers are asleep.
                         
Then rode the slow boat – a sloshy, allegedly one [...]

PURPLE SUNSET August 14, 2008

I shot this purple sunset the other day …
               
Totally apt imagery since the island is starting to take on a darker cast.
Homesickness is rearing its head.  The drinking is starting to escalate.  Illicit love affairs are mushrooming all over camp. 
The prayer group didn’t meet for the first time last Sunday.  It’s a sign.
I’ve been walking down the beaches at [...]

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND … July 31, 2008

I’m suffering from major island withdrawal. Woke up at 5 am wondering which dumptruck I was supposed to ride. Only to realize … I’m back in QC and have to flag a cab to the office. Sigh.
Funny how intense location work can bring everyone closer. I’d often have dinner with the Kalboys, our cammen and assistants, something [...]

POSTCARD FROM ISLAND X July 28, 2008

This poncho has become my favorite accessory.
It’s like wearing billboard tarp.  I never get wet inside.  Sometimes I protect a boom microphone under it or our packed food.  Which is great because we’re stuck a couple of hours every day in the middle of nowhere without shelter from the rain.                                     
                             
On this island, there’s garbage to be cleaned, [...]

GIRL IN A DUMPTRUCK July 24, 2008

               
Here’s a shot of me on my favorite mode of transportation these days: the dump truck.  In keeping with my new official designation: beach cleaner. 
I filled sacks of endless beach garbage today.  Worked in the rain without cover for four straight hours.  Was in and out of waist deep water carrying loads of things.  Ate with my unwashed hands from [...]

NIGHTS ON WHITE BEACH May 12, 2008

            
                                    
                                     
                        
fire dancers, sand and light sculptures, paper lanterns swaying in the breeze, chori burgers and wood fire burned pizzas washed down with margaritas and mojitos … 
a couple of tipsy sisters at the end of every white beach night …

BORACAY BABES May 10, 2008

Always had this fantasy of walking the stretch of White Beach in short shorts and a bikini top. 

Well, yesterday, I did!  Along with Naya, home from Toronto.              

We’re living on the quiet end of Boracay’s beach, in a resort with a wide expanse of empty white sand in front of it.  We’ve been walking aimlessly, eating amazing meals, taking [...]

SNAPSHOTS OF MY MOM May 3, 2008

                      
The Delhi airport doesn’t have a smoking lounge.  My mother was shocked to discover this after we’d finally completed their tedious check-in process.  She could have suffered in silence.  But being her, she charmed the military men standing guard at the airport into letting her back out again … through all the security checks … just so she could have [...]