Never Cannes Say Goodbye The Fashion Jet Set Story & Photography by John-Paul Pietrus The French Riviera has always retained a sweet spot in the lore of glamour and sophistication, and the City of Cannes has always been the epitome of global chic. Since 1946, the city has hosted the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and the Cannes Yachting Festival. No matter what time of year it is, people never can say goodbye to the French Riviera. Set sail with fashion photographer John-Paul Pietrus, as he recalls the mise en scene of his luxurious photo shoot on the iconic Promenade de la Croisette. It was my first time in Cannes, which is amazing, glamorous and beautiful. It’s everything you think the French Riviera should be. The French Riviera reminds me of a James Bond movie. It has that sort of super 70’s chic feel, with beautiful weather and beautiful light. Our team stayed very close to the waterfront, at the InterContinental Carlton hotel, where they have all the big social parties for the Cannes Film Festival. We had a model confirmed for the shoot, but she had a problem with her visa. As a replacement, we contacted a Paris based modeling agency, and chose the gorgeous Alimata Fofana, who I love. I knew it would be more expected to see a white, blonde or brunette, woman in a French Riviera shoot. For the story, our fashion stylist, Loic Masi, wanted to dress the model in all red, white and blue. Since we were by the...
Katikies Santorini Vacation with the Greek Gods by Mackenzie Lowry Greece is the home for Aristotle, Hercules, and all things pita. This incredible country has been called “a piece of heaven”, and “the most magical place on Earth.” With white structures spilling down hillsides towards the crystal sea, it can be argued that the views from the cliffs of Greece are some of the most breathtaking in the world. Katikies Hotel in Santorini provides an unparalleled experience of this splendor. From the spectacular views to the friendly service, Katikies Santorini is one of the best rated hotels in the area. As soon as they hop off the hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle, guests at Katikies Santorini are given wine and fruit as a warm Greek welcome. After being whisked into one of the sleek, simple whitewashed suites, guests are free to sit back, relax, and let their cares fade away. Katikies Santorini offers a car rental service, 24-hour assistance, maid service twice a day, laundry services, currency exchange, and massages to all guests. The staff strives to ensure that you do not have to lift a finger while being on Mount Olympus. At the Kirini pool bar and restaurant, guests enjoy the luxury of an aegean meal without having to leave the glistening waterside. A wide array of cuisine and libations can be served directly to travelers in their poolside lounge chairs. During the famous Santorini sunset, Katikies Santorini hosts a ceremonial wine tasting along the backdrop of a slowly fading sky. At Katikies Santorini , guests can fully immerse themselves in the endless beauty and pleasures of Greece, while floating blissfully in a...
Across the Universe Spiritual Medium James Van Praagh Interview by Lauri Lyons The veteran spiritual medium and clairvoyant, James Van Praagh, gives us the low down on the afterlife. What is your interpretation of the soul and how does it relate to our bodies? James Van Praagh: A soul is separate from the human traits that we take on. The soul is the life, the part of us that will be around until the end of time. It’s our makeup, the essence of ourselves. The human part of us, this human shell, really is just that. It takes on the types of traits such as criticism and judgment, abandonment, commitment issues, things like that. Its experiences move it forward to grow. The spirit is the soul’s animation, like the breath of life. What inspired you to start traveling to do spiritual work? I used to bring groups of people to spiritual places. The very first trip I went on was to Brazil. I wanted to bring a group of thirty people down there. Then I went to Sedona in Arizona. That’s how I first started. Then my book started selling internationally and the publishers sent me to do workshops in different countries. I went to Brazil, Japan, Australia, and Germany. I really get out there to do my work and teach people. I’m first and foremost a teacher. People know me from all over the world, so it gives them a chance to see me. Do you think nations and borders are real? No. In the reality of everything, we are all one. We...
Expose: Mercy Ships A Nurse’s Journey of Healing Interview by Mackenzie Lowry Mercy Ships is a global charity organization that runs a fleet of hospital ships to bring healthcare to developing nations all across the world. The organization has helped over two million individuals in need since it’s founding in 1978. Today, Mercy Ships’ biggest aid is Africa Mercy, a 153 x 23.7 meter ship with over 400 crew members taking care of patients in Africa. Nurse, Jaclyn Blievernicht One of those crew members was Jaclyn Blievernicht. The 26 year old nurse is a hard working Wisconsin native, who followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a nurse. She was inspired to take a leap of faith to use her learned skills to help people who really needed it, by spending six months working on a medical ship in Africa. Jaclyn was away from everything and everyone she had ever known. Before Mercy Ships, you went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic? Jaclyn Blievernicht: That was January 2014, with a different organization and it was a week long surgical mission trip. There were two surgeons that went with us, an OBGYN and a general surgeon. We arrived and screened the patients (previously selected for surgery) the day after we got there. We did four days of long surgery – boom, boom, boom. I speak Spanish fluently. I had been to Mexico prior, not with a mission trip but with a school trip. In the Dominican Republic patients are different, healthcare is different, everything is different, except that you are both humans, you have the same general needs. It was really...
Argentina – It’s Complicated Passion, Pendejos, and Politics Story & Photos by Elena Levon “It’s complicated”, that would be my online relationship status with Buenos Aires. This colorful city is full of lovers, one-of-a-kind artists and a couple of pendejos. I got to experience them all. Yes, when you actually live in a city for a month or more, you will be forced outside of your box, and your rose-colored glasses will be stripped off. To really live and breathe a city, a traveler needs to actually rent his own place and walk into that old coffee shop around the corner, where the waitress will already know his or her “usual”. I chose to live in the oldest part of Buenos Aires, San Telmo. I rented my French apartment from Casa San Telmo, they are incredible and have a place for all possible budgets. Even when a close friend visited me for a few days, he said “Wow, you’re not a traveler anymore. You really are a resident here. It feels like you lived here for a long time”. You could see my Argentinian flag proudly waving at you from the second floor of my stunning colonial building. The apartment didn’t cost me an arm and a leg either. If Antiques shops had heaven, it would be San Telmo. This neighborhood is a time machine, the architecture is simply breathtaking and the graffiti is boldly unique. I have a love/hate relationship with Buenos Aires. Life here is different. It’s not easy. It’s chaotic and sticky. It fills you with all kinds of tastes, sounds and feelings. You can not simply love or hate it, if you do, you haven’t really lived...
