City of Brotherly Love, Sisterly Love, Family. The birth of stars, woven stripes.
#Philly : I like cities for their spontaneity, the dynamic and unexpected nature of things. There’s a freedom in this. Almost an, “anything goes!” dogma. It’s like, “Welp, that just happened.” Thats one of things that make cities thrive in culture and inspiration. I used to go with my parents and sister, at a very young age, to an area called #QueenStreet (which is, not ironically, a street) in #Toronto. We would check out all the punk rockers, Mohawks, brightly colored spiked hair (and I mean, like, foot long spikes! It was awesome), the drag queens, cross dressers, and all the variations of our community, our patch work quilt. It was great. It exposed me to even more aspects of diversity, an acceptance of the various shades that we all come in. It was formative. In Philly, @ljade28, @nicnordtom and I astrolled the beat, soaked in the city’s vibe. We waltzed into the #Macys, kind of a quintessential big city pillar, and came across a #Christmas stage that was being disassembled. At it’s foot, a whole array of these large golden balls flanked the edge of the stage. Laura picked one up and pretty quickly one of the workers started motioning with his hands in, what we initially interpreted, as a signal to put them down...but no, he was flagging us to take them! These huge inflated golden ball balloons! So, we just grabbed as many as we could and took off into the city! These huge golden balls reflecting off of everything. It was kind of a sight to see, these three weirdos with gigantic gold balls, running, laughing, and streaming through the inner-city crowds. People craned their heads, “Welp, that just happened.” It was pretty authentic fun. It brought a lot smiles to people’s faces who were bracing themselves in the cold after a long work day. We returned to Nicole’s home where two beautiful little girls made gold snow men, gold forts, gold houses, and special gold ball games for the next few days. It was worth it...gold spheres tearing through the city. I wonder if that stage worker had any idea what fun he had gifted us... It was another good day...
#Philly : I just returned from the city. The air was cold and crisp. The fall colors were still in full swing. We did one of the things that I love most — walk. Just get lost in the city, stroll by the storefronts, grab some food on the way...maybe a few drinks as well. It was my first time in Philadelphia and it was good. The people were strong and treated me well. The city spoke to #America’s history in a way that connected me to the roots of my lineage. There is more to come from #TheCityOfBrotherlyLove , but truly, it felt like family — of all shapes, sizes, and diversity. . . Where in this world do you feel your family? Where are your roots? What connects you to your story? . . #phillyphilly#philly_igers#phillygram#visitphilly #myphillyphoto#wanderout#wanderers#worldwide_shot#worldadventures#travelbloggers#cleargram#lonelyplanet#passportlife#RyanMitchellLives
#Philly: By #RobertFrost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. ................. I often feel compelled to explore the less traveled. I’m not easily locked into convention. I’m a wandering soul. It bears fruit to live this way. It too is fertile ground for adversity. Sometimes I yearn for the normal existence, how comfortable it would be to walk side by side with those on the more well worn path. Alas, I hold the hand of my partner and walk forward. The future is unknown, but I’m open for the adventure. This path is not worn down yet, much is yet to be discovered. Let us walk... I’m sure we’ll many more good days... . . What path do you take? How do you balance convention with dynamism? Do you seek out the unknown? Or is the comfort of the known warm enough to envelope yourself in? There’s no right or wrong answer...there’s just you. Forward. . . #photographylover #photographylife#photographyworld#photographyaddict#picturesque#naturepic#naturepictures#naturalbeauty#adventurer#limitless#ryanmitchelllives
