the earth ink

Finally! After years of anticipation, Louvre Abu Dhabi opened to the public on 11 November 2017 (and after considering the experience, I'm finally finishing my post about the event). In a country full of iconic architecture - like the world's tallest, Burj Khalifa, and the "leaning" Capital Gate Building - this may be considered the glittering crown. The impressive complex is the work of Jean Nouvel who used local geometric design patterns layered into a dome to create a "rain of light" below. The result is a venue of ever-changing light and shadows that provides relief from the desert sun for 55 structures, including 23 gallery buildings. This "village" is modelled after an Arabian medina and the thoughtful design invites guests to wander through the space. Built "into" the sea, Nouvel's use of water, light, and geometry grace the architectural landscape with a peaceful environment where visitors contemplate work...

This isn’t how it was supposed to be – my life, that is. I was meant to follow the example of generations before me: Grow up in my homogenous “safe” community, earn good grades in school, make friends, play outside, and graduate from high school. Then I would dash off to a reputable university to obtain a degree—and that coveted Mrs. degree with the man of my dreams. Then, I would settle down in my small safe hometown and push the refresh and repeat button for my own child. I am literally on the other side of the world from those initial 22 years of aspirations. When I graduated with only a degree in communication I started facing the raw disappointment that my life would not follow the plan handed down from most of my family and female role models. I still desire pieces of that carefully preconceived notion about life’s path. But, I can see that every sentence of my story is woven like a thread into a fantastically intricate tapestry of experiences. None of my moments are worth retu...

If I could wish upon a Michelin Star, I would wish to have Chef Henrik Yde-Anderson prepare another creative dish for me. Representing more than just Thai flavors with his signature twists, the Chef integrates his life experiences and stories into each creation - and his menu items are truly a 'creation.' He embraces his freedom to "mix and match," as he puts it, the inspirations and cuisines he explores different cultures and ingredients. I know the prerequisites to earn a Michelin Star are involved and set to the highest standards. However, to me, the beauty of a Michelin Chef rests in a distinct ability to pair and share the essence of ingredients by understanding how they dance and merge on the tongue. Chef Henrik's Tuna Tartare with Crispy Lotus reflected this to me with an impeccable mingling of flavors that started with a burst of sweet, quickly followed by the heart-warming and slightly savory taste of the tartare. His brilliance is artfully presented ...

Beyond the tour, the people posturing for perfect photography, and the nagging desire to constantly tug a shayla (headscarf) tight around my face, it remains impossible to miss the calm and worshipful atmosphere at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Like floating through a manic airport or hearing my footsteps in my empty high school gymnasium, this modern architectural wonder emboldens me to remember how small my individual physical frame is within the the vast gentle grandeur of the structure. The place compels me to humbly turning inward; recognizing how sacred the soul of my being remains as part of God's Creation. A place of Islamic worship, anyone is invited to visit this Mosque. People of all cultures, religions, and geographical locales use the space as a place for quiet reflection. Tours peruse the grounds several times each day while a guide introduces the group to the Mosque's history, design, and construction - along with a brief explanation about several of the pillars...

Caviar. A margin more intimidating than wine, but les s terrifying than figuring out what's behind f oie gras' buttery flavour (it's fattened duck or goose liver), I had indulged in caviar only once or twice before - completely ignorant of the fine art of tasting the delicacy. In fact, I only have a vague recollection that I didn't not like it. Upon invitation to Emirates Palace for a caviar masterclass, my immediate inclination was to relish the opportunity to learn something new. I popped over to the Palace for lunch under bluebird skies and dancing fountains; and descended to the ground floor where, just off the sea, is Sayad Restaurant. Sayad, meaning fisherman in Arabic, is, quite appropriately, a seafood restaurant and the perfect venue for a taste of caviar. Greeted with a bit of bubbly before I had even dropped the few stairs into the restaurant's aquamarine sanctuary, I immediately felt effervescent, like I was underwater with fish tanks flanking the ...

Brunch. The word is nearly synonymous with community. A brunch brings people together. It honors its guests with flavours and friendship. People gather around food to share and communicate - and some of life's most intimate moments are exchanged over a meal. In the United Arab Emirates hotels know how to do brunch well. It's a Friday brunch - Friday is the first day of the weekend in the Arabian Peninsula. Gathering together for a fine food frenzy is an award for reaching the end of the work week and a beautiful way to celebrate the weekend, among other things. Extravagant and artful culinary displays thoughtfully adorn every corner of chosen resort restaurants. Flavours and colours allure the eye as much as they tantalise the tastebuds and entice every patron's nose with fragrant and bold aromas. Sensational seafood, mounds of cheeses, grapes, nuts, endless roasts of lamb and fine cuts of Australian beef, turkey, chicken, shawarma, salads, fruits, breads, alongsid...

I never expected to witness a woman desperately throwing her hand into a fresh, mushy pile of gorilla poo. She unceremoniously grabbed into the brown sludge to balance herself while ascending a hill of leafy green foliage while attempting to keep up with a family of gorillas and make the most of our allotted one hour with them in their natural environment. As Bwindi Impenetrable National Park's name suggests, the tangled thicket of trees, bushes, and green ground coverings on the steep, damp, fertilised hills of the Forest remain impenetrable in places. Our merciful porters assisted our group of eight through the Forest—carrying our bags, holding our hands, and occasionally lifting members of our group across slippery spots, while AK-47 armed military and police guides tramped ahead and behind to guard us all against a highly unusual, but not impossible forest elephant encounter. Diverting off the main trail, our gorilla trekking guide bushwhacked the mass of vines and branches...

I normally do not post so many photos in a blog, but this story, this location, and this event seems particularly unusual. This happened several weeks ago on the Big Island of Hawaii. ----- He told me I was going to have a dinner that I might not be able to indulge in two weeks from that day. Already slightly blurred by an early morning drive from the Kohala Coast to Hilo—and picking up a dormant friendship after a year, I suspected a seasonal crustacean or rare crop of taro would be on the menu. Whatever was in store for me, I assumed it would be memorable. Though aware of a lava flow, the size of a 20-lane highway, baring down on the town of Pāhoa, it had not occurred to me that he would tour us on a potentially last visit to a potentially non-existent town. Only a few moments after turning off Highway 130 our conversations quickly changed—from catching up with each other to the tangible sights of a town nearing its end. Questions mounted audibly between us while many remaine...

© 2014 Andrea Rip | The Earth Ink Have you ever visited a place where you wander through streets and alleyways that block your view from your surrounds? Perhaps you're in the middle of Hong Kong and only see skyscrapers rather than the water or the dramatic hills surrounding the City—or maybe you have been hidden in the trees of Mount Rainier National Park and unable to see the majestic mountain towering above you. Rather than remembering the scope of your surrounds, we often focus on finding one little shop on an unnamed side street and forget that through the urban jungle or fir forest lies a magnificent mountain. Enjoying the details of a place has a great amount of value. We learn about communities and culture. We seek out nooks and crannies and get to observe what a place is made of. But sometimes, we need to get up above the streets and through the trees to gain perspective on where we are—both literally, in geographical place and figuratively, in a mental space. W...

I tell people that when I take enough photos, one is bound to turn out well.  In this case, several hummingbird photos turned out with spectacular clarity and color—but this one, with perfectly aligned fluttering wings, caught in midair (not balanced on a bright red feeder), caught my eye. These delicate creatures prove remarkably resilient and rarely rest while flying, fluttering, and occasionally fighting (or flirting) between the trees. Though I am no birder, I believe this is a female black-chinned hummingbird  spotted in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. © 2014 Andrea Rip | The Earth Ink. All Rights Reserved. For press enquiries: theearthink@gmail.com

I love this photo: two (presumably Arab Christian) boys found a place to play in an alcove of the stone Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. I like it because it is symmetrical. I like it because two modern jeans-clad boys are making use of a historical place with familiarity that it indicates they have not known anything different than living in Jerusalem's Old City walls. And, I like the picture because I project my hopes for Israel and Palestine to live, play, and share borders and historic land peacefully onto this image. In reality, the old city of Jerusalem is divided in to four distinct quarters where tourists cross through invisible boundaries, but locals rarely mingle. The Jaffa Gate is situated between the Armenian and Christian Quarters. The Jewish and Muslim Quarters balance out the remaining space between the city walls—less the site of Temple Mount that stands on its own right between the Jewish and Muslim quarters. Temple Mount continues to be a source of contention betw...

Drawn the Dale Chihuly's work on display (June-November 2014) at the Denver Botanic Gardens , my mom suggested that she would like to take my sister-in-law, nephews, and myself to the Gardens for a morning. I never know what to expect with Botanic Gardens. I have been to several where the flowers bloomed a month before I arrived—and all that amounted to the gardens were a couple pruned trees and grasses. Other gardens have impressed me and encourage me to return. The Denver Botanic Gardens fit soundly in the second category. Evenly sprinkled with art features and interesting foliage, a person could hardly take everything in during one trip. Strolling on the windy pathways, something interesting will undoubtably meet your eye. With a generous Modecai Children's Garden , kids are easily entertained looking for plants, learning about growing things, and playing in the babbling brook on the property. The Gardens play host to a number of activities and educational classes from ...

Brasil may be on the world scene as the site of World Cup Finals, but the country is, of course, more than futbol. My ten day trip started and ended in São Paulo, but sandwiched in the middle, I spent three nights in the marvelous little town of Parati in the State of Rio de Janeiro. A six hour bus ride from the City, this colorful colonial town lays right up against the Pacific Ocean in a bay. From an afternoon boat trip that romantically included a live guitar solo performance of Antonio Carlos Jobim's  Girl from Impanema  among other Brasilian music, I snapped this not particularly well-focused photo. But I love this scene for the context of Parati against the hills beyond. I stayed at the Misti Chill Pousada with two new friends that I made on the busride from São Paulo. They generously offered their friendship and company on the boat trip—as well as bicycling to a waterfall that we slid down and wandering through the beautiful and historic old town. The colonial town...

Though Brasil is surrounded by Spanish speaking countries in South America, it seems that some people are always surprised that Brasilians speak Portuguese. Though Spanish can go a long way toward reading Portuguese, speaking it is a little more difficult. Each morning when I left my hotel, I asked the desk attendant for a new phrase that I could use during that day to order food, ask a price, or get directions. It became a challenge game between myself and the hotel staff and a fantastic way to show respect toward and engage with the people of São Paulo. My experience in Brasil was vibrant and colorful. Women really do wear stilettos and look like fashionistas walking down Avenida Paulista. Fresh squeezed juice stands dot the street corners with beverages that rivaled my morning coffee! I waited for a friend of mine to introduce me to Metro Station, Sé. We got off the train and explored the Catedral Metropolitana de São Paulo's tall spires. We walked inside to see the gothic a...

It is August. Light is fleeting, but beautiful. Though light begins to touch the sky again on Antarctica's coastline, the sun has not risen yet - nor has it popped above the horizon in nearly four months. August is the coldest month in Antarctica. Nose hairs freeze and skin cracks due to the lack of humidity - though exposed skin is hard to find. Privileged to accompany professional photographer and director of Antarctica: A Year on Ice , Anthony Powell out on the sea ice, this photo was captured as light reflected off white pressure ridges in the Ross Sea near Scott Base. Fellow winterover, Joe, stood contemplating his own photo through a hole melted in a slab of ice that pushed up through the sea ice's tempermental frozen coastal crust. In this area, weddell seals will pop up during the summer and summertime contractors and scientists will have to sign up for tours to negotiate the ice formations. In late January, this area to the shoreline will become slushy and unpred...

Currently experiencing springtime in the Northern Hemisphere, this little birdy was a beautiful reminder of warmer weather that is trying to emerge between cold winter flurries and turbulent transitional storms. After the hibernation of winter, seeing life reappear on the trees and new critters hopping and flying outdoors leaves hikers refreshed and hopeful for summer. On this particularly warm Washington day, the leaves had not yet reappeared on the trees, but the birds were out in abundance near Lake Whatcom at Bloedel Donovan Park in Bellingham. Tree stumps showcased vibrant mosses and the smells of Washington's forests pervaded through my nostrils; more an earthy than musty aroma, the atmosphere smells alive, growing, and hopeful. I am no birder, but this looks like this might be a Vermilion Flycatcher in the crook of tree branches.

The Earth Ink is happy to announce that Andrea was one of the first prize winners of the AFAR | Eddie Bauer Live Your Adventure Photo Contest! Posting a photo from the hot and unexpected hike up Volc á n Cerro Negro to participate in the unusual adventure sport of volcano boarding, the picture gives perspective to the rocky new volcano and the length of the hike around the crater rim before the hikers fling themselves down the mountain on wooden boards. As one of nature's amusement rides, this mountain outside the small city of Le ó n, Nicaragua should not be missed. To see the Grand Prize winner and see the other winners, check out the AFAR announcement page . For a little more information, a recent post from The Earth Ink,  Volc á n Cerro Negro .

It took an extra month, but the 2013 Christmas card production is over for Andrea (and The Earth Ink). Here are some fun statistics about this year's distribution: 228 total cards were mailed. 20 cards were sent internationally to 12 countries. Cards were sent to 29  of the United States + Washington DC. Each card took about 6 minutes to hand make ( 22.8 hours total) which does not include design time. There are 152  cut out images in this year's card. Yikes! All but 1 card was sent out before the postage increase. The card was cut from one 11x17 sheet of recycled paper using sustainable inks. The card makes use of a verse from Philippians in the Bible about looking forward to achieve our life's goal (see below). The card measures 50 inches long - and still folds up to fit in a first class envelope. And now that the major Christmas card effort is complete, a design idea is already in the works for the 2014 card.  Not that I have already obtained a...

In 2010, The Earth Ink established a "signature" postcard design with 15 little window for photos. Returning from an around-the-world trip, this design first became a "change of address" postcard with new details printed on the back. A quote from Mother Jones provides some context for this card: "My address is like my shoes. It travels with me." The postcard showcases global destinations; featuring thumbnail photos from Antarctica, New Zealand, Singapore, Jordan, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States. This postcard design has been used several times over in different contexts.  The design is customizable with customer photos and available* in  qualities of 100+. For more information, or a quote, contact:  theearthink (at)  gmail (dot) com. *available in 2014 | made in the USA | sustainably printed

Made famous throughout modern history, Ngiam Tong Boon invented the Singapore Sling at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel in Singapore. The luxury hotel established in the late 1800's hardly seems the place for a bar where peanut shells can be tossed on the floor and paper fans gently turn above diners and imbibers, but the colonial style of the hotel and Long Bar indicate guests are walking into a similar era. The price of a Singapore Sling will set slingers back a bit, but can be considered admittance to a museum of sorts. Or visitors can peruse an actual on site Raffles Hotel Museum after sipping their sling. Patrons will wander through the open air hallways of the hotel and take in some of the history of the place where the Japanese invaded in 1942 while guests were still dancing and writers like Ernest Hemingway and James Michener have stayed. While in Singapore, the elegance and grandeur of one of the world's most notable hotels should not be passed by.