You might be wondering why I finally started this blog.  It’s an idea that has been percolating in my brain for quite some time.  I wanted to be able to share my enthusiasm for the places I see and the things I experience with a wider audience.  I wanted to have a spot to post pictures and impressions for my friends, family and anyone else who might be interested.  And as I have a new trip just around the corner, I thought I had better get started.

I am excited to be heading off to Jordan and Turkey in the latter part of November.  I am joining The Giving Lens www.thegivinglens.com for a photography workshop in Jordan.  We will be working with The Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Co-operative for a couple of days and travelling to Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum.  This workshop is led by two professional photographers, Ken Kaminesky and Colby Brown.  I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be a part of this.

We also have a corporate sponsor, the Jordanian Tourism Board, who will be providing all transportation, guides and interpreters.  This is good as the time I’ve been able to devote to learning Arabic is slim – I can say my name and thank someone in a couple of different phrases.  I need to master “May I take your picture?” and be able to understand when they answer yes or no. I will be sticking close to the interpreters.

I will also be sticking close to the photographers.  I hope to learn a great deal from this experience and be able to get much more creative and have more control of my photos.  I think I have a good eye but I’ve been limited with just a point and shoot camera.  At the very least, I will stretch my brain.  Sooo much to absorb!

I plan to update this if I can from Jordan and Istanbul.  I also want to catch up all my recent trips as a resource for anyone interested in my travels and past itineraries.  So here it is.  Post one of many more to come. 🙂