Urban | Virtually Gina

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

Oaxaca City, México

May 20, 2019 by Gina Marie

In my last post, I mentioned how much I adored México and that I would return. This wasn’t just a pipe dream! My desire manifested and thus, 4 months later, I find myself in the Southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, whose capital (where I am stationed for the next month) is called Oaxaca de Juarez, a.k.a. Oaxaca City. Below are a few images I have captured so far.

Categories: Art, Healing, Mexico, Moon, Oaxaca, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Travel, Urban • Tags: Art, Mexico, Oaxaca, Photography, Travel

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

Lessons Learned from a Year in New York

April 21, 2018 by Gina Marie

I’ve always loved cities. I love the hustle and bustle, the cool architecture, the colorful street art. When my husband and I made the decision to move from suburban Monmouth County, New Jersey, to the crown jewel of all American cities last year, it seemed like a dream come true. From the very beginning, I knew that there would be sacrifices. Steep housing costs and cramped living quarters were just the beginning. In preparation, I got rid of as much […]

Categories: America, Humor, Memoir, New York, New York City, Personal, Recovery, Urban • Tags: Humor, Memoir, New York, New York City

Just Be Here With Me: People-Watching in NYC

November 23, 2017 by Gina Marie

I see you walking, talking, looking at your phone not wanting to be alone. You’re never alone: so many places, spaces, people to see. We’re in NYC. Let’s take a selfie.

Categories: America, Brooklyn, New York, New York City, Nikon, NYC, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Travel, Urban • Tags: Brooklyn, Candid, Manhattan, Mickey Mouse, New York, New York City, Photography, Urban

Exploring Brooklyn

July 5, 2017 by Gina Marie

Not all who wander are lost. I’ve lived in Brooklyn a full two months, and I’ve finally started to explore the city. My first month in this area consisted of mainly unpacking, figuring out all the minute details of life in this new region (selling my car, getting familiar with the subway, finding my way around, job-hunting), and also recovering from a summer cold that hit me hard. I found a few yoga studios that I like, although I haven’t started teaching since I’ve been here. It may be […]

Categories: America, Art, Brooklyn, Mural, New York, New York City, Nikon, Photo Journal, Photography, Urban • Tags: Brooklyn, Bushwick, Green Point, Murals, New York, New York City, Photography, Urban

Falling Towards New York

April 7, 2017 by Gina Marie

“Gravity is an interaction. The Earth pulls on you, you pull on the Earth. You fall to the Earth, the Earth falls to you.” (Found at: http://srjcstaff.santarosa.edu/~lwillia2/p10/p10ch4.pdf) For 16 years, since my darling BFF Katy and I first visited New York together in August 2001 as a post-college-graduation-treat, I have fallen towards New York. According to the above logic, she must have been falling towards me, too. From time to time, while living in Boston in my early 20’s, I […]

Categories: America, Art, Earth, Friendship, Mural, New York, New York City, Photo Essay, Photo Journal, Photography, Travel, Urban • Tags: Architecture, Art, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Murals, New York, New York City, Travel

Hello, Brooklyn . . . Hello, B.I.G.

January 15, 2017 by Gina Marie

On a wintry afternoon, Ilona and I took New Jersey transit on a slow (under the snowy conditions) train trek into New York. It was so cold that I wore my pajamas underneath my clothes, plus several hoodies and my black puffer jacket with the goofy faux fur hood. The city was magical under a blanket of fallen snow. “Biggie Smalls is from here,” I observed as we trudged through the snowy sidewalks of Brooklyn. “I saw him in concert the year before […]

Categories: America, Biggie Smalls, New York, New York City, Notorious B.I.G., NYC, Photo Journal, Travel, Urban, Winter • Tags: Biggie Smalls, Brooklyn, iPhoneography, Manhattan, New York, New York City, Notorious B.I.G., Travel, Urban