Eastern Europe 2009

This year I travelled for a month from Kyiv in Ukraine all the way to Istanbul, Turkey by myself.

It was possibly the most amazing experience of my life, and was an enormous source of inspiration for me.

I wanted to share a few of my favourite photo's from the trip that highlight my journey...

Kyiv, Ukraine.
This is part of the entrance to the Soviet History Museum in Kyiv. Of all the places I visited, Kyiv was the most influenced by the power which blanketed the region from Moscow. I have to say that I love the architecture which was produced in this time (purely on a VISUAL and FUNCTIONAL level!!!) The sharp cutting lines and greyness of the concrete forming the star really imposed a sense of power on the viewer as you walked through the tunnel into the museum.

Odessa, Ukraine.

Eastern Europe is full of quirky things like this. The caravan had been turned into a ticket office for a circus which was in an abandoned park overlooking the port. There was a bizarre atmosphere here as there was nobody around even though there was plenty to do - right in the centre of the town!

Chisinau, Moldova.

Moldova is the second poorest country in Europe, has 2 break-away self-declared states within its borders that no other country on the planet officially recognises and has the deepest pot holes I have ever seen!

I took this photo in the capital, Chisinau. I love the contrast between the shiny, well kept car and the crumbling building. I think there is a real mood in this image that jumps out at you and tells a story.

More to follow soon.......

FOR THE LOVE OF NAFF!

"Welcome aboard this FLYBOWN flight! Please listen carefully to the following announcements, even if you are a frequent flyer..."

So here it is! My very first blog!

I wanted to create something in this little nugget of cyberspace to really call my own! And what better way to do it than a naff-faux-1970's international airline!?

I thought I should take this opportunity to tell you some of the things that get my kerosene flowing! (n.b.... this list is not exhaustive!)

-Naff-1970's airlines (The real ones!)

-Constructivist Poster Art

-Europe

-The art of retailing

-Provocative advertising

-The Eurovision Song Contest

-Independent films

-The Cyrillic Alphabet

-Innovative/exciting print media

-VM

-Anything quirky

.....Plus lots of other things that will probably crop up and cause a bit of turbulence along the way!

So, lets all fasten our seat-belts, put our tray-tables in their upright position and prepare for take off - its going to be one hell of a ride!!

Ich Liebe Berlin

This is my first trip to Berlin, back in 2009 with my old housemate. I fell in love with the place straight away...

This is a cute little shop in Mitte called The Early Bird Hype that showcases all-new brands to Berlin from local and international designers and artists. The shop is really low-density so you can appreciate each product individually. The staff were great too...

 Token tourist photo of the Berlin TV Tower...

This is a baby wear shop also in Mitte just around the corner from The Early Bird Hype... I LOVE how the ultra-clinical and minimal store design echoes the functional product offer yet is contrasted on the exterior by a very grungy street looking shop front with graffiti and dirty walls - very cool!

I took this photo through the window of a shop that was unfortunately closed. I was interested in the flooring of the store which had been covered in rolls of pre-production orange juice cartons.

İstanbul

When Michael Palin visited Istanbul in his 'New Europe' series, he says that you have a true sense of arrival in one of the worlds truly great cities. He's bang on.

The Turkish capital is, as you would expect given its history, a real melting pot of cultures, sounds, sights and smells. Packed to bursting point with people from all walks of life living together in this baking hot crossroads between the mystical East and modern West.

The minarets and domes of the Blue Mosque are the epitome of Istanbul. The imposing holy site rises up from the top of a hill - the call to prayer strikes you in a way that instantly calms your mood - its all very impressive!

Like I said, East meets West - the yellow cab's remind you of a scene in New York, yet Turkey's vibrant, Eastern flag spices up the picture. The Turks love their flag - it flies literally EVERYWHERE!

Journey's end... After a month on the continent, it was finally time to head for home - and what better place of departure than this fabulous city. Istanbul left it's mark on me - I'm desperate to return!

София/Рила, Република България

Welcome to Sofia! One of my favorite ports of call along my Eastern European adventure, the Bulgarian capital is brash, grand and exciting...

Uncomfortable plastic seats (the sleeper cars had sold out!) made it a LONG night on this train from Bucharest...

Welcome to Sofia - Communist style! I actually witnessed a horrific accident in this station involving an elderly woman,  however she was treated by one of the station staff and was very thankful for my help (without speaking any English). The main ticket hall here is incredibly imposing - I love the raised motif that runs the entire width of the building - right up my street!

I took a day trip to the Rila Monastery which turned out to be one of the most tranquil places I have EVER been at home or away...

 The monastery sits high up in he mountains and is shielded from the wind by its high walls...

This beetle was the liveliest creature in the entire complex! He was scurrying around all over the place... and he was HUGE!!

Its an Apple, and it's BIG!

The Big Apple. It's big. Like, REALLY big.I have to admit, most of the big touristy attractions like the Empire State and Statue of Liberty were a little underwhelming in my opinion (EG Miss Liberty is NOT as big as she is in the 'movies'), but the atmosphere of the place is like nowhere else on earth. 10/10...

 Standard Tourist Photo...

 The place where the big gay movement started...

 This picture could only have been taken in NY. It was on the door of the fire escape on the roof of my hostel. The hostel that prides itself for being on Broadway. That the corner of Broadway and 101st Street. Its NOT Broadway guys, it's MILES AWAY!!!

Windy!? Thats not even the word for it!!

1, 2, 7, 3, Down the...

Obviously my visit across the pond had been so popular they had decided to honor it before I even arrived!...