Madrid Archives - Sivan Askayo Blog

Travel

A Guy meets a Girl with a Camera

August 4, 2012

A major part of my traveling is connecting with local photographers and shoot with them in their local playground.

There is no better way (for me) to discover a new place, but through photography. It is even better when I do it with a local photographer; Someone who knows the best locations to shoot, the right hours for a sunrise or a sunset, the most photogenic areas of the city, the secret and hidden places and how to avoid the touristic traps. And when someone is visiting New York, I’m always happy to show him around, taking him to all my favorite places.

This collection of images is from different locations in the world. Some of the photographers I met randomly and stayed in touch, with some I know I will shoot again in the near future. With some, it was just a one-timer. Some serve as mentors, some serve as colleagues or friends. But they are all serve as a great talent with tons of inspiration.

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Travel

Rooftops Obsession

July 29, 2012

When I travel to a new place, there are few things I make sure to look for and find (The rest I leave for serendipity): An area where I can find great graffiti and street Art, an area where I can find people hanging their laundry outdoors and the best view of the city.

There is nothing like walking all day in the streets of a new place and then (usually at the end of the day just before sunset) climbing up a mountain, a hill, a tall tower, a bridge, the 43rd floor (in case of Manhattan) the 6th floor (in case of Montmartre in Paris) or anything that helps you see the city in a whole new different perspective. When you are up, overlooking the city, you no longer hear the traffic in the streets (you just see the cars), you don’t see the people in eye level and you don’t smell the street vendor’s food, the smoke or anything else.

It is a sort of serenity. a state of mind. (and an important addition for a Travel Portfolio)

Here are some rooftops locations from Madrid, Barcelona, Bologna, Rome, Florence, Buenos Aires, Lisbon, Paris and Manhattan. If you have more recommendations, please send me a message.

Few days after I wrote this post, I was chosen by Easy Jet Holidays as one of their Bloggers of the month as they chose to feature this post on their website. Check it out and some other great inspiring bloggers.

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Window or Aisle?

Royal Madrid

May 18, 2010

Drinking 3 cappuccinos a day with a lot of esfoma, taking the subway to Gran Via, Sol, Banco de Espana. Visiting Museo del Prado, having lunch at Parque de el Retiro, and finding your name carved on a bench. Discovering the joy of Room-mate hotels, going to the green-lime bathrooms at Caixa Forum. Eating fresh Tapas at Plaza de San Miguel market and going back there the next day. Book store at Calle del Pez. Meeting old friends at the rooftop of Circulo de Bellas Artes and watching the sun goes down. Dia Supermarket, Fresh Manchego cheese and red wine. Green Olives, Black Olives, Sea Food as an afternoon snack. Long lines at Palacio Real, Long walk to Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Spotting my NY building apartment in an old photo in one of the exhibits, Talking the stairs to the amazing roof-top. Walking in La Latina neighborhood on Sunday when everything is closed, besides the Rastro Flea Market. Delicious Hot Chocolate and churros at the mythical Chocolateria San Gines, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, Plaza de Cibeles. Following the steps of Don Quijote in Barrio de las Letras. Sweet Sangria in the local Tapas Bar. Templo de Debod during Sunset. Late lunch in Cafe Gijon, Subways stops such as Bilbao, Goya or Rios Rosas, which always made me laugh. Doing all the above without knowing a word in Spanish but Gracias…Priceless!