Architecture | Virtually Gina

Mitla Magic

June 9, 2019 by Gina Marie

The confluence of two conversations with women I admire led me on a solo half-day sojourn to Mitla, not with a tour group (as I have previously done during these past three weeks in Mexico), but on my own. The first conversation was by text message with a friend, M, whom I haven’t seen in almost three years. Her intuition and connection to spirit has always impressed me, so when she advised that I meditate at the ruins, I made […]

Categories: Architecture, Mannequins, Memoir, Mexico, Nikon, Oaxaca, Photography, Travel • Tags: Mexico, Mitlan, Oaxaca, Photography, Travel

Oaxaca, Day 16

June 2, 2019 by Gina Marie

The novelty of my trip wore off two days ago. Don’t get me wrong, this city is awesome and I’m happy to be here. Still, I miss certain comforts of home (but let me make it crystal clear that not ONCE has the NYC subway system been one of them). Too, there are things I have grown to appreciate about Oaxaca: the mountains, for example, or the guy who sells tamales from his bicycle and announces his presence by calling […]

Categories: Architecture, Gratitude, Mexico, Oaxaca, Photography, Travel, Urban • Tags: Architecture, iPhoneography, Mexico, Oaxaca, Travel

Day 8 in Oaxaca

May 25, 2019 by Gina Marie

I love it here in the southwestern Mexican state of Oaxaca. The capital, Oaxaca de Juárez, which I have dubbed “ODJ”, makes for the perfect balance between relaxed and urban, and between grounded and sublime. ODJ is an undeniably unique, colorful, and charming city. Inquiring about my travels, my sister recently asked, “So, is this the real Mexico, or are there lots of Americans there?” I answered, “Both.” And for the next four weeks, I am fortunate to be among them.

Categories: Architecture, Art, Color, Life, Light, Love, Mexico, Mural, Oaxaca, Photo Journal, Photography, Travel, Urban • Tags: Architecture, Gratitude, Journey, Journeys, Mexico, Mural, Murals, Oaxaca, Photo Journal, Photography, Travel, Urban

Mexico City, Mexico

January 22, 2019 by Gina Marie

One week in Mexico City and I learned one thing for sure: that is, I must go back. Fascinating architecture, colorful street art, kind people, and incredibly delicious food–what’s not to love? Here are a few of my favorite moments, captured via iPhone X. I do hope that you’ll enjoy them!

Categories: Architecture, Color, Mexico, Mexico City, Mural, Photo Journal, Photography, Travel, Urban • Tags: Architecture, Mexico, Mexico City, Photography, Travel, Urban

Spooky Photography

March 14, 2017 by Gina Marie

It’s official. Jeff and I will soon be New York transplants, as he recently took a job in Brooklyn. We began the apartment search last Sunday. On our drive to the first apartment viewing, we passed this curious-looking dwelling. I snapped a photo and upon returning home, noticed I captured but not one but two orbs in the photo, one at each window. Coincidence, flare effect, or evidence of spiritual activity? You decide.

Categories: Architecture, Ghosts, New York, New York City, NYC, Photography, Spooky, Superstition • Tags: Brooklyn, Ghosts, New York, Orbs, Photography, Spooky

A Stroll Through Downtown Portland, Maine

April 10, 2016 by Gina Marie

After several months of having lived in the extremely suburban Jersey Shore region, a visit to this hip urban New England city felt like a breath of fresh air for my soul. I loved the silhouette created by this couple against the backdrop of an urban scene in the bright afternoon sun. Passing a children’s boutique, I was poignantly reminded that my nephew Robbie would be turning six in a few weeks and I had no idea what to get him. I took delight in the surreal effects […]

Categories: America, Architecture, Flare, Food, Mannequins, Photo Essay, Photography, Portland, Shadow, Travel, Urban • Tags: America, Architecture, Photo Journal, Photography, Portland, Travel, Urban

Boston: A Love Note

November 17, 2015 by Gina Marie

The architecture was what struck me the most: miles of Back Bay brownstones, Victorians lining the Emerald Necklace park system that sprawled along Commonwealth Avenue into the heart of the city. Boston changed forms with the seasons: glistening in the wintertime with continuous nor’easters, pink with flowering trees in the springtime, green and quiet in the summer when students had gone home, bustling and colorful in autumn when they returned in September. I was one of them for a time. I had come to the city to […]

Categories: Architecture, Boston, Color, Journal, Life, Memoir, Photography, Prose/Poetry, Random, Thoughts for the Day, Travel, Trees, Writing • Tags: Boston

The Princeton 15

July 10, 2015 by Gina Marie

Is it possible to fall in love with a university campus? If so, then Princeton has won my heart. I hope my sweetie Jeff doesn’t get too jealous. I drove 45 minutes west from my new hometown on the Shore, and lo and behold, found myself on the campus of one of America’s most prestigious institutions of higher education. I brought my camera and preserved 99 images on my trusty Nikon, of which I’ve whittled down to the following 15 for your pure […]

Categories: Architecture, Bucolic, New Jersey, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Princeton, Sculpture, Travel, Urban • Tags: Architecture, Bucolic, New Jersey, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Princeton, Sculpture, Travel, Urban

Thirsty Thorsday

March 5, 2015 by Gina Marie

We interrupt the regularly scheduled broadcast of Chicago travel posts to give you an update on Winter Storm Thor currently transpiring in parts of the Midwest and Northeast United States. The following pictures were captured in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Now, time for some hot tea. Thanks for joining me on this Thirsty Thorsday!

Categories: America, Architecture, Life, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Trees, Urban, Winter • Tags: Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Winter, Winter Storm Thor