I’m a big traveler. It was always something I wanted to do – yearning to head out on the open road, eat foods I never heard of, see things that no one else had seen – and then I lived in Mexico for four months with no agenda but to learn the language. It really spoiled me for adventure because now I want more more more. That is to say, I like to take trips. This year, we’ve been a bit short on time and so haven’t had the chance to take what seems to be our standard one-week trip somewhere.
I work for an organization headquartered in the dumpy little town of Dania Beach, Florida. Sandwiched between several towns of decidedly more fame and fortune (Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami), Dania is a sort of left-behind little guy. Still, to the photographer, there is much to see. I found on my photo walk (which was unfortunately dictated by work schedules) that foliage is a major draw. Also, the houses on this side of Federal Highway are far more interesting than the cookie-cutter, exquisite-lawn siblings on the beach side. No, you won’t be seeing any beach photos. Unfortunately our headquarters are about three miles from the beach. Not unwalkable, but hard to get in a good trip after 5 and before dark. I’ve been coming here for a couple years now and have only made it to the beach once, and then just to put my feet in the sand before heading home.
Aside from getting paid to do what I love (that is, take photographs and travel), one of the coolest parts of my 9-5 job is getting to go places and see things that very few people get to see. How many of y’all have been on a 1,000 foot coal-carrying ship? Thought so.