Road Tripping the Rockies Alberta, Canada By Lee Litumbe Navigating social media can sometimes feel like navigating a labyrinth of facades where nothing is ever as it seems. Some people use it to escape into the lives of others, wishing they too could live the “fabulous” lives being projected; while others use it as a tool to connect and expose themselves to new people, places, opportunities, and experiences (I’d strongly suggest against the former it’s masochistic and the quickest way to feel inferior about your own life). Case in point, last summer whilst casually pinning away on Pinterest wishing I could be exploring a foreign city instead of moping around feeling sorry for myself in my bedroom (relationship woes thank God that’s over!), I came across the most stunning photo of Lake Louise. There wasn’t anything particularly exciting about the photo either – no exotic wildlife, no major cultural difference from my own, no adrenaline inducing activities. Just two small red canoes floating on the clearest blue lake at the base of some insanely impressive mountains. Much to my own surprise, that was enough to spark my interest. Who knew I’d ever want to take a trip with the sole purpose of being out in nature? Certainly not me. I’d originally intended to venture to Lake Louise solo, but I decided to reach out to my childhood friend Brenda (who lives in Edmonton), hoping we could reconnect and make it a bonding experience. To be completely honest though, the introvert in me was weary. Would we still get along? Would we have anything to...
A Taste of Estonia Sweet Red Onion Jam Story & Photos by Marija Sponza The first time I had onion jam I didn’t like it. Truth, there is a lot of different kinds and this one, that I didn’t like, was runny with totally inappropriate spice mixture, not too sweet. My next accounter with this jam was completely different. In a medieval Olde Hansa restaurant in Tallinn (I know, uber touristic, but I just couldn’t live here and not visit it) along with the appetizer came sweet red onion jam. Not sure anymore, but I think I could taste a hint of thyme, or some other herb. The main thing was that the jam was sticky, leaving the taste of molasses on my tongue. Later we had it with the main prepared with deer meat, and some bear sausages, and both times it was a winner. As we went home, we were thinking that the food at the restaurant was not so special, but we could always come back for a bucket of that jam. Funny thing is, you can buy this jam in a souvenir shop adjacent to the restaurant, a small clay kindofajar for the price of 15 €. And seems like a best seller!!! Some might think that it’s too much for a small jar of onion jam, which actually may be truth, especially when you see how fast, cheap and easy you can make this at home. But, this version I’m giving you today is only a good enough copy, still not as good as the original. This jam goes best with roasted meats, especially game, as a burger condiment, and with cheeses, which is my favorite way to...
Afropunk Takes Over The Black Cultural Shift Interview by Lauri Lyons If you haven’t noticed, there is a cultural shift taking place in America, and across the globe. The shift is loud, colorful, disruptive, and at times entertaining. Afropunk, the international music festival and community, is part of the alternative cultural shift taking over New York, Paris, and Atlanta. Afropunk’s Jocelyn Cooper takes a moment to share its masterplan. How did you first learn about Afropunk? Jocelyn Cooper: I first learned about Afropunk with a conversation I was having with artist Danny Simmons, and he was talking about the Afropunk film, and an Afropunk event. I was working at the time for L.A. Reid’s publishing company. One of the writers signed to the publishing company was Beyonce. Afropunk certainly was not, in my mind from the name, sort of my world. Then I met Matthew Morgan and he started talking about Afropunk and all of the bands that were on the Afropunk.com platform. He told me there were 350 bands that were fronted by people of color and I was like, “There is no way there are 350 Black bands in America!” and he said, Yes there are and they’re on my site!”. Jocelyn Cooper & Matthew Morgan Then we met again and we were talking about the cultural shift and that conversation changed my life, because in my history I’ve been involved in major cultural shifts in Black music. I signed D’angelo many years ago, when I started my publishing company and that was the shift into neo-soul. When I was at Universal, I signed Cash Money Records...
Julian Lennon’s Horizons Exploring East Africa’s Horizons Interview by Lauri Lyons Julian Lennon is charting new artistic territories with his touring photography exhibition Horizons. Most noted as a musician and the first son of the Beatles member John Lennon, Julian has found his true voice as a photographer and philanthropist, while exploring the world and his life’s purpose. I recently sat down with Julian to talk about his first visit to Africa, and the Horizons exhibition. One thing that immediately stands out with Julian is his candor about discussing his motivations and perspectives about life. He has no rock star affectations or celebrity attitude. He is simply an artist delving into the possibilities of where his creativity may lead him. While visiting Kenya and Ethiopia for a charity initiative, Lennon began photographing the remote landscapes and residents he encountered along the way. The landscapes capture the vast plateaus, valleys, and sunsets that create the allure of a majestic East African kingdom. The images are aesthetically beautiful and possess a meditative quality. Was this your first trip to Africa? Julian Lennon: Yes. I met Scott Harrison who is the founder of Charity Water . They’ve been digging wells in the middle of nowhere to provide clean drinking water for years. I traveled with one of their groups for the trip. It was a bit rough and tumble, but not compared to the lives of the people who are living there. I was fortunate enough to have a meeting with Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, and they were discussing the Millennium Project. We mentioned we were going to Ethiopia and he said they had some people on the ground that would gladly show us around and...
The Feast of a Lifetime Chef Lidia Bastianich Interview by Lauri Lyons Lidia Bastianich is renowned as one of television’s most popular chefs, a restaurateur, and cookbook author. Today, she reflects on her journey, passion for food, and the expansion of her empire. At this time, some of the world’s most pressing issues surround war, displacement, immigration, and identity. Were you a World War II border child? Lidia Bastianich: I was born in Allied controlled Pola. At the end of World War II the victorious wartime Allied powers, negotiated the details of peace treaties and borders with Italy, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Finland. The Paris Treaty was signed on February 10, 1947. I was born a few days later. The area was under Allied supervision until June of 1947, when the treaty was ratified. Editor’s Note: The Paris Treaty required Italy to cede most of Istria, including the province of Pola (where Lidia was born) to Yugoslavia. The area later became governed by the communists. Now more than ever borders are such a discussion and problem because people are kind of left in nowhere land, like the Jerusalem incident. If you were born in Jerusalem you are not Israeli or Palestinian, so what are you? Border people go through a lot. They are unidentified, and feel unsure for the rest of their lives, and ask “Where was I born? Who am I?” I know I’m Italian, but it’s such a predicament after wars, and it’s still going on today. I feel for all of these people around the world with the border situations and what they’re going through with their...
Slim Aarons: A Curated Life The Story Behind the Glamour Interview by Lauri Lyons Iconic photographer Slim Aarons was famous for documenting the quintessential good life all around the world. Now his daughter and former photo assistant, Mary Aarons, is revealing her father’s techniques for creating the perfect shot, as well as a good life of her own. A Sophisticated Snooze: Slim Aarons in Greece. Where was your father, Slim Aarons, originally from? Mary Aarons: He was born in New York City. Did he serve in the military before becoming a professional photographer? Yes, he was in the Army during World War II. He was a part of the press corps. He started out in the darkroom and then worked his way up to being a photographer. Was the war his first opportunity to travel outside of the U.S.? I’m sure it was. I don’t think anyone really traveled outside of the U.S. at that point. Where was he stationed? North Africa (what would be considered Tunisia and Algeria now) and Rome. Rome was really his favorite spot. At one point he also went to London and Paris, and then all throughout Europe. His letters remind me very much of that film The English Patient.The soldiers were in some beautiful places, but some pretty horrid things were going on around them. Did he ever talk to you about what it was like being a photographer during war time, and how did he develop his skills? He was working for Yank Magazine (the Army weekly). It was his first magazine and he was working with a group of guys and some...
Jaipur’s Mahouti India’s Elephant Community Interview by Lauri Lyons Deborah Harse is a New York based photographer, director and marathon runner, who repeatedly answers the call of the wild. Today, she takes a break to reflect on her special passage to India. What brought you to Jaipur, India? Deborah Harse: At the beginning of 2012 I was without a project, and that is always uncomfortable. Winter had set in and that too, was uncomfortable. So I decided to escape the cold and head to India, for the fourth time. Before leaving I researched festivals and found that every year during the March full moon there was an elephant festival in Jaipur. It peaked my curiosity, so I packed my video camera thinking that I would get there a week before the festival and see what I could find. How did you meet and build relationships with the Mahouti? Initially I was a bit apprehensive, not knowing how the elephants were treated. Nevertheless, upon arrival in Jaipur I began to ask drivers, fruit sellers, and random people on the street about the situation with elephants. These inquiries lead me to a suburb where three elephants and their mahouts resided. The elephants were in a compound and the mahouts lived in homes nearby. The mahouts do not own the elephants, but are their caretakers and drivers. They were very friendly and agreed to let me come the following morning, to film them going about their workday at Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There tourists can ride elephants up the hill which leads to the top of the...
A Peace Treaty Fashion Without Borders Fashion designer Dana Arbib, shares her global perspectives on life and style. Interview by Lauri Lyons What inspired you to start A Peace Treaty? Dana Arbib: I studied graphic design at Parson’s. I was working in a lot of different fields of design. I was consulting at Sotheby’s, and freelancing at DKNY. I always liked sketching, and I realized that I love drawing patterns, it’s so much fun, it’s so easy, it’s so creative. What is your cultural background? I’m middle-eastern. My dad’s from Tripoli, Libya. He grew up in Tripoli, but he went to school in Italy because Libya was an Italian colony at that time. So he’s kind of a blend of Italian, and Arab, but Jewish. His generation is pretty much the last of the Libyan Jews. Once his generation passes away, it’s kind of gone. I’m from Israel. So we’re kind of like Arab Jews in a way, which is complicated. How has your culture influenced your design aesthetic? I grew up with a lot of scarves, a lot of caftans, that kind of style. I had seen that when the company started, there was a trend in the market for kofia scarves. I realized there was a gap in the market for mid-level price scarves. That’s when I said “Let’s do a scarf company”. I’m constantly researching textiles from all over the world. It’s kind of an obsession of mine. I have a huge database in my head of references from Africa, Asia, Scandinavia, Japan, from everywhere. I’m traveling constantly. My dad, for a living, has a humanitarian background. He does a lot of...
Eco Camp Patagonia Discover Chile’s Eco Chic by Mackenzie Lowry EcoCamp Patagonia offers all the fun of sleeping under the stars, without the hassle of bug spray overloads and triple lined sleeping bags. In these igloo-like geodesic domes, visitors to the Torres del Paine National Park can sleep under a view of the beautiful night sky after a long day’s adventures. Although protected from the natural elements at night, visitors are out exploring the world through guided treks and wildlife excursions each day. EcoCamp Patagonia strives to provide a fun, environmentally friendly trip for all visitors. Guests at EcoCamp can experience two story Suite Domes, or go for a community feeling by dining together, sharing communal areas, and overlapping adventures. There’s plenty to explore in the Torres del Paine National Park, from waterfalls to wildlife, to mountains and glaciers, and even ancient cave paintings. With the ever changing natural landscape, the sights of each day are more exciting than the days before. The staff and fellow visitors at EcoCamp all encourage passionate exploration. They offer adventure packages and activities like the wildlife photo adventures, 7-day treks, multi-sports adventures, and yoga. They also offer individual activities such as kayaking, skiing, horseback riding, and surfing. When home base is right smack in the middle of the wilderness, all the beauties and excitement nature has to offer are easily accessible. The EcoCamp models their nature respecting ways after the nomadic Kaweskar tribe that roamed the area during the 15th century. The wanderlust tribe traveled around building circular huts for shelter, wherever they camped. When the Kaweskar moved on they left no heavy footprints in the wilderness they enjoyed. The...
