wednesday's whimsy : ethiopia
it has been weighing heavy on my heart to blog about my travels to
Ethiopia for quite some time now. i just could never find the 'right' words.
it was an experience that changed me.
an experience that was filled with every type of emotion imaginable,,,
and then some.
with my upcoming documentary travels to Kenya, it is hard
not to go back to the time i was last in Africa.
in May of 2010, i traveled to Ethiopia to document the union of mother and daughter, Aiya, through adoption. that story is personal & not for me to share, however if you want to read more & learn more about the power of adoption, check out
ADOPT MORE!
i have written
a few posts about Ethiopia as i was trying to 'process' it all. then recently, i realized that this is one of those experiences that i may
never fully process,
but will ALWAYS be an evolution within my heart.
...and i'm quite okay with that.
& today,
finally, on this first day of spring
wednesday whimsy, i am ready to share my story.
i have decided to keep it more simple, let my pictures do the talking with just a few words & titles...
as you will quickly understand,
there is much to see.
much to process.
much to feel.
much to love.
after almost 28 hours of travel, we arrived in Addis Ababba, meaning 'New Flower'... this was my room. 
"i saw what i saw & i can't forget it." ~sarah groves
' work '
"something on the road, touched my very soul." ~sarah groves
' traffic '
i call this one ' the giving tree '.
there was something magical about this tree. definitely one of my favorite images.
a few precious faces from the first orphanage we visited
monkeys instead of squirrels, red dirt, 'work' & people along the way
love
one thing you get used to quickly is that animals are everywhere...
& apparently up for posing for the camera, too
in my journal i wrote,
"as i write this, the sun has started shining, yet a few rain drops are dropping...
& i feel more ALIVE than i have in a very long time."
' sunset watching '
Lake Awassa,
also known as 'Love Lake'
' Ethiopian street dogs '
he roams the streets selling 'hippo things'.
his name is Desta, meaning 'happiness'.
' Ethiopian sunset '
sweeeeeeeeeet mama & baby monkeys!!!
huts, fishing & the boat that took us to see the hippos
yes, He is!
hippo 'hunting'
do you see the hippo?!
just chilling
there is just something about this image that is forever embedded in my heart
this may be one of my TOP favorite images from the entire trip.
when we pulled up to their mud hut, there was a storm coming & everyone was hustling to get things ready before it came.
yet, somehow there is an underlying calmness to this moment that i love so much.
texture, earth, turtles & clotheslines
' sweet faces along the way '
what scaffolding looks like in Ethiopia,,, along with other sights on the road.
' downtown '
my favorite photo of the beautyFULL Aiya
rain & oncoming traffic
' dinner time '
near the end of our trip, we got to experience the colorful traditional dancing of Ethiopia. love!
' when the power is out '
' light blue 54459 '
"your pain has changed me
your dream inspires
your face a memory
your hope a fire
your courage asks me what I'm afraid of
(what I am made of)
and what I know of
LOVE"
~sarah groves
the last photo i took before we left...
& a quote from my Ethiopian journal ...
...which appropriately leads me to another favorite image from Ethopia which i call
' endless '
... because the truth is that no matter where the path may take you,
the experience & love you feel are endless.
thank you Ethiopia. or even better, Amesege'nallo' Ethiopia!
you will forever have a piece of my heart.
thank you ADOPT MORE for the honor to document Aiya's adoption & the unforgettable experience in Ethiopia.
if you would like to purchase a print,
click the "ethiopia 2010" section in our fine art prints gallery by clicking here!
with great love & gratitude,
ksen
ciao andiamo : italy 2012
this past October i had the pleasure to do some documentary travels
again for the awesome
Ciao Andiamo, which i gave a little taste from in
this recent post.
below is the FULL story of our 14 day journey throughout one of my
most favorite places in the entire world,,,
Italy! with our primary focus on the Tuscany & Umbria regions.
to check out more images from our recent travels or purchase a print,
click the "italy 2012" section in our FINE ART PRINTS GALLERY!
lets begin!
after being picked up at the airport in Rome by the one & only Max, Ciao Andiamo's local partner in Italy,
Jonathan, Max & i began our drive down to the Amalfi Coast. Jon & i were famished so Max made a quick stop at...
McDonalds. yes, McDonalds. but in Italy, this of course wasn't your ordinary Mickey D's.
first thing i noticed was cute little blue car in the parking lot. instead of a cheeseburger or a big Mac, we filled up on some cappuccinos & these DELICIOUS chocolate filled croissants.
as i said, this wasn't your typical McDonalds... & at that point, i really didn't care where it came from!
after all, I WAS BACK IN ITALY = EVERYTHING TASTES AMAZING.
back on the road & our next stop was in the town of Gragnano outside of Napoli,
where we met and visited with the family of a friend of Max's, Peppe.
we were immediately welcomed & treated to these tasty chocolate liquor shots.
Peppe also introduced us to some homemade pasta's & specialty drinks at a local store
and onward we went towards the one-of-a-kind Amalfi Coast
where the textures we came across were just as beautiful as the landscapes...
a little one & one time with God & the sky
we finally reached the Amalfi Coast...
there is just something about the clouds & colors in the sky there that is like no where else i have ever been.
i am pretty much obsessed with everything about Italy... down to the tiniest details :
to the way the nightlight accents the plants :
...and of course the textures of a sun-setting sky :
after a long day of travels, dinner at Fiorenzo's restaurant (where Ciao also holds cooking classes) in Conca dei Marmi
was juuuuuust what the doctor ordered
we stayed at Fiorenzo’s apartment that evening & were awoken to this glorious view & light
ahhh, Amalfi Coast, i seriously {HEART} you.
before getting on the road again, these chairs seemed to invite us to sit awhile & enjoy the view.
oh & maybe a cappuccino, or two!
which way should we go? our feet will let us know.
we also said our good-byes to the awesome chef Florenzo
saw some sweetness along the way...
L O V E
stopped along the mountains... anyone up for hang-gliding?
or a nice little hike?
we finally made it to the region of Basilicata! first stop was Pietra Pertosa where we toured at Casa Grotta di vico Solitario
& saw what it was like for someone living in one of the rock homes as late as mid-20th century!
this was one of my favorite details from the rock home.
then there was the absolutely amazing Matera by night
and dinner that night at La Bottega... those dried red peppers were to DIE for!!!
oh yeah, & that homemade blueberry tart wasn't too bad either.
...and the daylight greeted us so well
we walked around to view more of the city...
something to read or a fresh picked olive or two? you choose.
we visited a number of different towns on this travel day, including a posh town where Italians summer called Gallipoli
& had a little spiritual time at Santa Maria di Leuca ...all the way at the tip of Italy, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet
the three amigos! Max, Jonathan & i
with the beautiful coastline of Otrarno behind us.
loved people watching
had dinner at Il Rifiugio della Buona Stella & settled that night in a town called Lecce
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
the next day we got on the road & made a little pit stop to see & smell some pretty olive trees
& say hello to a few local pups
we also got a great view of Ostuni; a gorgeous white walled town.
on the road again
next stop Alberobello, Valle d’Itria...
where all the 'Trulli' or 'white homes with conical-shaped roofs are'
absolutely loved the feeling in this town.
my feet. on Trulli ground.
we saw lots of homes, textures & colors...in true Italian style of course.
and i even came across some more love-locks!!!
for as many times as i have been to Italy, i am endlessly in awe of the life, the design, of it all.
"The butterfly does not count years but moments of his short time here."
& a little 'tree house' along the way!
then we settled in at Masseria, where an amazing story of family reunion for Joseph & Irene happened.
there was family, there was laughter, there was a feast!
before parting ways the next morning, we took Joseph & Irene to visit Torrito and the street his father lived on!
(to read the full story of Joseph & Irene, click here)
& then drove to the radiant city called Trani...
where i happened to accidentally leave behind my iPhone in one of their local cafes -- epic FAIL! 
although i did love the city very much.
glorious.
driving through Abruzzo we spotted a rainbow... nice way to end a long drive.
the next day we picked up our amazing group at Stazione Tiburtina in Rome to begin our guided excursion!
first stop, Orvieto!
we toured town...
love everything about this image!
you know, just a typical sleeping cat
which way to Rome?! oh, that way!
next stop was a winery tour & tasting at Decugnano dei Barberi in Umbria
...with grapevines galore!
oh & just a 'few' barrels of wine
yes, i'm sorry to say but it was as delicious as it looks!
that evening we settled into Spello with a dinner fit for a king & queen at 'Drinking Wine' in Spello
we started the morning off right...
or in true Italian style, i should say.
& this is what i had to deal with EVERY day!!!
a little morning visit to Spoleto
this gentleman & his dog pretty much stole my heart
i learned what it meant to be "brave"...
we had a late lunch & visit at Castello di Sismano near Todi with the amazing Marchesa Ginevra,
whose family has owned the castle for centuries!
Ginevra's ancestors include a couple of patron saints, as well as the seller of the ship that would eventually become the famous Mayflower.
can we say INCREDIBLE?!
pictured below, from left to right is Vera (Max's mother-in-law), Cristiana (Max's wife), Max, Marchesa Ginevra & Jonathan!
love, love, love!
the absolutely amazing Max, Cristiana & their son Freddy.
L O V E!
Freddy is really cool
the family! the artwork in the middle is from their house. it reads, "Life is made of big dreams and small reality"
and our absolutely incredible couples, Nikki & Phil and Randy & Brenda.
we had so much fun with them!
there is something about fashion magazines written in Italian that i love so much.
just a little pit stop along the way...
pink clouds? why, yes please!
the next day we toured Cortona in the morning...
does this place look familiar to you?!!
...it may if you are an Under the Tuscan Sun lover as i am!!!
next, we were off to Assisi to visit one of the most magnificent churches in all of Italy...
the Basilica di San Francesco.
after a great day, we ended the night at an amazing authentic cooking class experience at Malvarina!
of course i noticed all their fun details, too.
fresh produce! yum. let the cooking begin!
"Grandma's Kitchen"
{HEART}
"to create the order, you must first create the mess ..."
to say it was an incredible experience is an understatement.
mmmmmmmmm....
homemade bread
& homemade dessert!
the next day, our bellies were still SO full...
but that didn't stop us from a winery visit and tasting at the Scacciadiavoli estate in Montefalco!
i super{HEART} this 'cucina' or 'kitchen' sign & wall!
i don't know what it is, but when i took this photo, i felt as if it had a story all in its own.
let the wine tasting begin!
we then visited a local sheep farm...
where we saw some sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
& also experienced artisanal pecorino-making!
they produce the area's only hand-made pecorino cheese -- no machines whatsoever!
we drove through the iconic rolling hills of Tuscany...
insert -----> BIG SIGH here
the infamous trees of Tuscany
& a little winery visit, estate tour & tasting in Montalcino
on the last day, we dropped the group back in Rome & got a little sweet pick-me-up
and as if the trip couldn't end any better, after almost 8 days, my phone made it's way back to me!!!
there are good people in this world.
& a BIG thanks again to Max-Gyver who made it all happen!
my last dinner in Italy (for now )
with Jonathan & his friend Brian in Rome at a neat modern restaurant, Settimbrini Cafe'...
where they had many books & quotes on the walls,
including this one :
"It takes courage,
it takes a calm,
it takes patience,
it takes love,
the planet
not more
than a simple blue ball." ~E.S.
not a bad note to end the trip on, i'd say.
for now, i bid you a "CIAO"!
until next time....
to check out Ciao Andiamo's blog post from our travels, click here!
for more information to join one of their future Tuscany & Umbria excursions and see current available dates,
check out their excursions page by clicking HERE!
to check out more Italy images or purchase a print,
click the "italy 2012" section in our fine art prints gallery by clicking here!
con amore,
ksen
wednesday's whimsy : yuleidy
H A P P Y WEDNESDAY!
so it was just about a
YEAR ago that i announced that i am bringing back my
wednesday's whimsy...
& then i M A J O R L Y dropped the ball.
with all that 2012 brought, i had HIGH expectations & of course, piled my plate a little too full.
well,,, this time it's FOR REAL folks!
wednesday whimsy's are BACK!!! & in full effect. starting today. every Wednesday. to start it off right, i am
super excited to share my journal entry from something that is
SO near & dear to my heart.
something special that Mark & i got to experience on our
honeymoon as husband & wife!
without further ado,,,
my journal entry from September 18, 2012 :
one of the first things Mark & i decided to do as an
engaged couple was sponsor two children through
Compassion - Yuleidy, from the Dominican Republic & Akhil, from India. for the cost of basically one less dinner outing a month, $38, your sponsorship provides a
W O R L D of difference to a child in need... & let's not even touch on the
immense amount of gratitude you feel knowing you are helping.
one of the major bonuses in picking Punta Cana as a honeymoon destination was that we would have the possibility to meet our nine year old sponsor child, Yuleidy ( pronounced Ju-lady)...
& today, September 18, 2012, with the BIGGEST smile in my heart, i can say it OFFICIALLY HAPPENED!
a few things i will
never forget:
-the way she hugged me, eyes closed & wouldn't let go... right when we first met.
-the GORGEOUS scrapbook she created for Mark & i to share more about herself & family.
-how she went from being a tad shy to an acrobatic swimmer in the pool.
-her determination.
-that S M I L E ... which never left her face until the moment that the translator told her they had to head back home.
-when she sang her two favorite songs for us... one being about how she will always hold her hands up high, even on the darkest of days
-the way she nibbled at her food, but licked her ice cream bowl dry.
-her endless, perfectly curled, lashes
-how she played with my hair in the water
-teaching her to dive & swim "like a mermaid"
-watching her & Mark play "catch me if you can"
-that her favorite subject is math
-how she could have swam in the pool allllll day regardless of being up at 4:00am (in order to travel to visit with us by 10am)
-that she has two dogs... both of which have no names
-her laughter... it will FOREVER ring in my heart
-how she inspired me to paint her a picture,,, not just take her picture
-seeing her hold Mark's hand
-holding her hand
-feeling her hug so tight & kiss me when we had to say good-bye 
the list, as I am sure you know, goes on & on. in the middle of a Punta Cana 'paradise', Yuleidy's visit has been the highlight BY FAR. there are no words. we have already decided to plan a visit to her home (hopefully next year!) & the need to plan a visit to India to also meet our other sponsor child, Akhil.
Lorena, the wonderful translator, kept saying how Yuleidy visiting with us was
'such a blessing'
& how 'she will NEVER forget this day'...
neither will we.
Yuleidy, big smile & round beautiful curious eyes, has blessed our hearts more than she will ever know. as you can see, she pretty much stole our hearts immediately.
Mark with Yuleidy & the amazing crew that brought her to us!
such a sweet.heart
love everything about this
she inspired me in a way i didn't know was possible
{HEART}
the ever-so beautiful Yuleidy
last photo before they left. until next time!!! we love you!
as their car pulled away from us waving like crazy & blowing kisses,
the back of the minivan in big bold letters said,
DIOS ES BUENO --
Spanish for
'GOD IS GOOD'.
Mark & i just looked at each other speechless, in awe of the day & most definitely
couldn't agree more.
