The Hope Outdoor Gallery Project - Austin Texas

April 13, 2014 in Travel

On the west side of downtown Austin, nestled in the Castle Hill neighborhood lies an abandoned lot that I never knew existed until our trip down for SXSW this year. Locals have called it the Castle Hill Graffiti Park, or the Austin Graffiti Park, but it's official name is the The Hope Outdoor Gallery Project. And unlike your typical city park, it's a rough and hectic series of abandoned walls that serve as a 3 story canvas and playground for graf-artists from all over the world.

Africa or Bust 2013 - Part 8: Our Wave Goodbye

August 15, 2013 in Travel

Our final morning in the Mara, our final morning in Kenya, and what would be the longest travel day(s) of my life.

The morning began with the tent zipper being opened by our butler bringing us tea and biscuits for our morning wake up call, this had become a ritual for us. But this was our last day, and I didn't want to get out of bed. I didn't want to leave the Mara and I knew that once I was up and going the day would be a whirlwind, and it would be 40+ hours before I'd get decent sleep again.

Africa or Bust 2013 - Part 7: Day 3 in the Mara

August 07, 2013 in Travel

I've fallen behind with my posts on this trip, I was hoping my schedule wouldn't be this crazy when I returned from Africa. But you know what they say about idle minds.....

Our day began just before sunrise as we all met up at "the meeting" spot before loading into our Land Rovers. It was a crisp cool morning and todays hunt was for the elusive leopard and a big male lion. As exited out of the back gate of camp we didn't have to go further then a couple of hundred yards to see our favorite pride of cats.

Africa or Bust 2013 - Part 6: More From The Mara

July 29, 2013 in Travel

My morning began at 5:30am in a tent, in the Masai Mara, in Africa. I laid there in bed for a few minutes soaking in my surroundings and listening to the pre-dawn ambience of insects and animals that make up this part of the world. Those few minutes might have been some of the most tranquil minutes of my life.

Africa or Bust 2013 - Part 5: We Arrive At The Mara

July 25, 2013 in Travel

Our morning began before sun up, and this was going to be the trend for the rest of our visit to Kenya. But this morning I was wide awake and ready to roll because in a few short hours we were going to be in the Masai Mara, the mouth of the Serengeti, what many say is the number one national park in all of Africa. To say I was excited was an understatement!

Africa or Bust 2013 - Part 4: The Elephant Orphanage and Animal Sanctuary

July 22, 2013 in Travel

Okay, by this point we are 6 days into our travel and have reached the un-official "day off" before departing on our safari. So Olivia, Jort, Shelby, and I decide to take the day and roam around Nairobi checking out a few sights and a local bazaar. Nairobi is the only city in the world to have a protected wildlife reserve within the city that has a full array of rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, buffaloes, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and so on. A great majority of our day was going to be spent in and around the park.

Africa or Bust 2013 - Part 3: Nairobi and the Wedding

July 20, 2013 in Travel

By the time our flight landed in Nairobi and we got our visas and cleared customs it was night out, so there wasn't going to be much shooting going on. Our driver and good friend Mocha picked us up from the airport and took us back to the Jai residence, the same location the wedding would be at the following day. After a few hours of meeting everyone and Shelby catching up with everyone we headed to the rental apartment that we would call home for the next few days.

Africa or Bust 2013 - Part 2: The Souks And The Burj

July 17, 2013 in Travel

On our second day in Dubai, I awoke to the sound of super cars racing up and down the street outside our hotel. Believe it or not, in the land of wealth and excess, there are rare and exotic super cars are on every street corner. I rolled out of bed and walked over to the window and nearly forgot that his was our view:

Africa or Bust 2013 - Part 1: Our Arrival in Dubai

July 15, 2013 in Travel

So around the middle of last year, my platonic bosom buddy, Shelby, approached me about being her travel partner for a once in a life time trip to Africa for a wedding and safari. My first reaction was "hell yeah", but then I started thinking about what I could possible be getting into. There were all sorts of political uprisings happening across the continent, and when I found out the main destination would be Nairobi, Kenya, that didn't put any of those thoughts at ease. Let's face it, I'd only be a stones through away from Somali Pirates and what's left of the Taliban....or at least that's what I thought...
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