45 years ago my parents left their home with their life’s savings and three young daughters clutched in their hands, fear in their bellies. At a time when there was no internet, much less reliable fiber optics and plane travel was a luxurious expense, this wasn’t “see you soon” it was goodbye.
Tagged: photography, rural, South Korea, travel, travel photography
A green swath of 400 square miles splits the peninsula in half.
This land has been burned, pillaged, occupied and degraded from the Japanese invasions from 1592 to 1598 to the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945.
This land was divided in half at the 38th parallel after World War II.
Backed by the Soviet Union and China the North pushed their way south starting a three year war that subjected the land to widespread devastation destroying cities, forests and families.
Not peace, but an armistice, settled the conflict. The demilitarized zone was created as each side agreed to move their troops back 2,200 yards from the front line, creating a buffer zone 2.5 miles wide. A buffer zone of heavily armed soldiers. A buffer zone that reminds us peace is still not here. A buffer zone keeping loved ones out of reach.
Tagged: Asia, DMZ, Korea, South Korea, travel, travel photography
Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbukgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon Dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace gained importance during the reign of the 9th king of Joseon when he used it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Japanese invasion of Korea. Restoration work began in 1623 during the reign of King Injo.
Tagged: Asia, Changdeokgung Palace, Korea, Seoul, South Korea, travel, travel photography, vacation
Korean Folk Village was created to preserve and present the national culture to local and international tourists alike. Based on the Joseon Dynasty period real houses have been relocated from different parts of the country and reconstructed to re-enact the daily living of over a century ago. 
Tagged: Asia, Korea, Seoul, South Korea, travel, travel photography
Ihwa-dong, one of Seoul’s oldest neighborhoods, was once a place of renown. Aristocrats would come visit to take in the splendid scenery. After the Korean War the village became home to squatting refugees, building homes wherever they could and in the late 1950s a National Housing Complex was built. Many of the residents worked in the nearby garment and textile industries but as other neighborhoods prospered in the 80’s and 90’s with high-rise apartment towers, residents started moving away draining the neighborhood’s vitality. Ihwa-dong became a decaying suburb designated for demolition, home to mostly poor families and the elderly.
A city outgrowing its borders. Building up, in between, squeezing more into filled spaces. Layer upon layer of old, new, tradition, modern, luxury, practical, wire upon wire, brick upon brick.
Tagged: Asia, family vacation, Korea, Seoul, South Korea, street photography, travel, travel photography
Second season of soccer. Spring season of first grade.
“Go to the ball, Oliver. Go for the goal!”
Not sure if he has a knack for soccer, a budding interest or like, or just a strong competitive drive.
Perhaps he is simply motivated by the pride of seeing me cheer him on from the sidelines.
Tagged: documentary photography, family photography, photography, soccer, sports
Originally focused on just girls, Take Our Daughters To Work Day was created in New York City in 1992 by the Ms. Foundation for Women with support from foundation founder Gloria Steinem, in response to research finding that young women’s loss of self-esteem was one of the reasons they were not doing well in schools and were making poor life choices. In 2003 the program was expanded to include boys although many companies that celebrated the day included boys from the beginning. Over the years the program has expanded to go beyond the average practice of “shadowing” an adult to exposing girls and boys to the value of education, helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life and providing them an opportunity to share how they envision the future.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the Take Our Sons and Daughters To Work Day theme was Service Force, Agents of Positive Change.
A multi-year campaign built by the Earth Day Network is to End Plastic Pollution. For Earth Day, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park hosted an afternoon of walks, talks and games to teach us how plastics impact our environment.
Our Everyday 