People in Puerto Vallarta

Its Leap Day, I just had to say that. When I was a little girl I asked for a globe of the world, which I received for Christmas or my birthday, I can't remember which. I loved looking at the globe, wondering about all the different places and what they were like. To this day, I still love looking at maps, with more knowledge of the people, countries, cultures and my mouth waters at the thought of traveling somewhere new.

When I travel and take pictures, most of my images are of landscapes and buildings, but rarely of people. I have discovered that some of my favorite images are of people and I have become kind of bored with one landscape after another. I am tired of being frustrated with people "getting in my picture". So, I decided to make a point of photographing people, as a way of capturing a sense of a place, in Puerto Vallarta.

Yes, sometimes I feel like it is a bit of an intrusion on people's private lives, but I remind myself it is not spying, it is out of appreciation and an attempt at understanding more than just buildings and scenery. It was a rewarding experience. I liked seeing people going about their daily lives and how it is different or the same as my own. I posted a collection of more than 90 photographs of people doing normal things in Puerto Vallarta on Flickr. If you would like to see all of them, including their captions explaining a little more about the image please visit my People in Puerto Vallarta set on Flickr. In these photographs I feel like it tells the tale of adventure of ordinary life - in Puerto Vallarta.

Here is a sample of some of those photos:

In addition to the many candid photographs, I also took some portraits as part of my 100 Strangers Project on Flickr. Here are some of my favorite portraits that I took in Mexico as part of that project. Please click on the link for each stranger to read the write up for each encounter.

Stranger #46

Stranger #51

Stranger #50

I'll leave you with one of my favorite photograph's from Mexico:

Stranger #52

An Afternoon in The Mission

Some cheesesteak discussions lead us to The Mission on this afternoon. I am very picky about Philly cheesesteaks and I usually only eat them when I am in Philly. We went to a real deal place that flies in the correct rolls from Philadelphia.

Cheesesteak with Whiz outside of Phat Philly: http://www.phat-philly.com/home/

Sunny day in San Francisco

Of course, The Mission is full of murals and bright colors. I stopped to notice and enjoy the shadows and later, the artful layering of flyers and paint.

Yes, I need to Let go.

 I was dropped off at the Castro Farmer's Market and on my walk home, accompanied by my fruits and vegetables, I noticed a leaf in a puddle. I can't tell you why I like it, because I am not sure myself.

Some observations:

1. Drinking water is good, it helps prevent pounding headaches.
2. Regular, vigorous cardiovascular exercise is good. It makes you feel better all day long.
3. I photographed a stranger today at the Farmer's Market. We discussed asking 100 strangers if you can take their photograph and then post it online. He hit the nail on the head with this observation, "You probably learn a lot about yourself." Yes, this is why I am doing it. For more on this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathleenyago/6262988404/in/photostream

Laid Off

Today, October 18th, is the two month anniversary of my last day of work. My boss called me today and told me that I was no longer on an Extended Leave of Absence from work, I had been laid off. As I have told others, I'm not too upset about being laid off. Actually, I am glad to cut the final tie to my job. Now I have nothing hanging over my head and the whole world of opportunity is in front of me.

Here are some images from a day in the fog and lunch with a friend in the Inner Sunset.

Foggy Inner Sunset, looking up at UCSF.

Very Purple, along Lincoln.

An empty chair on 7th.

Tea is served at Rose Tea: http://www.roseteasf.com/

Lunch at Rose Tea

A dog as tall as the bicycle.

Some street notes:

1. I added another stranger to my 100 Strangers Project. 
   

   

   Stranger #16/100: Lauren

   To learn more about Lauren: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathleenyago/6262955590/in/photostream
2. An accidental eavesdrop: "Lose weight? How am I supposed to lose weight when you keep giving me bananas?"
3. An unfortunate event:
   First man: "You better show some respect you f---ing white boy!"
   Second man: "Then you should have some respect for not parking in front of my driveway!"