1/10/24

The time is 6:05pm, and I’m just west of Uluṟu, three hours into the trip. Who would’ve thought that after flying for three hours we’d still be in Australia? It really puts into perspective just how vast this country is.
I’ve just finished watching Tenet. What a fantastic film—I love the concept of the inversion of time. Trust Christopher Nolan to create a film that exists in both the past and present, a theme that seems to run through much of his work.
I decided to listen to Mezzanine by Massive Attack while I journal. The atmospheric sound feels right as I reflect on where I’m heading and what lies ahead on this journey.

Rome

For those who know me, street culture holds a special place in my heart.

It feels like an honest representation of the people.

Rome has been nothing short of fascinating, every corner is a blend of beauty, history, and energy that’s impossible to ignore.

The city’s pulse, with its mix of tourists and locals, businesspeople and street performers creates this fusion of life.

It’s an experience I’m grateful to witness.

I look forward to exploring more, and my hope is to capture portraits of the amazing people we meet along the way.

The second days forecast was rain and thunderstorms, which allowed me to lean into my favourite style of photography—dark and moody.

The overcast skies and wet streets created the perfect backdrop for capturing raw, unfiltered expressions on the faces of the locals.

As I wandered through the city, I stumbled across a canvas with words from a local artist (See below).

I believe the translation reads:

‘I carry in my heart those who said enough!

Who decided that their last breath would put an end to a corrupt existence,

And toasted for the final round…

I carry in my heart those who finished first,

Who, through suffering or protest,

Wrote their last words in rhyme,

Greet those who lower their eyes and remain!’

These words struck me as a reflection of the revolutionary spirit that lingers here, and it made me think:

Street photography, especially in its rawest form, carries an anarchist spirit.

It stands against the sanitized, curated narratives often presented by mainstream media or government.

It captures reality in its most authentic and unpolished form reflecting the diversity, struggles, and beauty of everyday life that often go unnoticed or intentionally obscured.

Exploration today.

We visited the Vatican with a guide who was fiercely passionate about its history.

Her insight and enthusiasm made the experience so much richer than I had expected any apprehension I had before visiting quickly faded.

Seeing Michelangelo’s paintings in the Sistine Chapel in person was breathtaking, a true moment of awe.

Afterward, we wandered through the streets of Rome, where I focused on capturing stories through my lens. Recently, I’ve been inspired by @blind.eyez to experiment with cinephotography—a style that makes each frame and subject feel like a scene from a film.

Rome has been the perfect backdrop for this approach.

Every corner feels like a cinematic moment waiting to be captured, and I’ve loved playing with the idea of making each shot tell a story beyond the frame

Tocco da Casauria, Abruzzo

My time in Tocco da Casauria, Abruzzo, was nothing short of amazing.

I felt so welcomed by the families there, and it was great to see the roots of where my partner’s family grew up.

The hospitality of the Italians is unmatched, and I’ve learned so much about the principles of family.

Berlin

I absolutely loved my time here—the culture, the history, the energy of the city. After our time in Italy, I had a few flare-ups from the indulgent eating and drinking.

Fortunately, I found a fantastic TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) doctor named Lynda Wieloch (If you’re in Berlin and need a TCM doctor, I highly recommend her).

After more than a dozen needles, I could feel my body returning to homeostasis.

With my health and mood feeling much better, I was ready to explore Berlin properly.

The next day, we had a walking tour booked through Walkative, led by Peter, an American who had moved to Berlin.

Our walk took us through “Museum Island,” where we learned about the city’s history—from its early days as swamp land to the kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany, divided East and West Germany, and into the present day.

*Walking through Berlin, led by history and stories yet to be fully grasped. Every step reveals a new layer of the city, a new truth about its past and present.*

*Light and shadow. Walking through the spaces where history echoes in every step. This city doesn’t let you forget.*

It gave me a real sense of how layered and rich Berlin’s history is.

It reminded me a lot of Rome—just thinking about how many years ago the Romans walked these same lands, and now here, Berlin has its own deep story.

One of the most powerful takeaways was about the Nazi book burnings that took place on May 10, 1933. At Bebelplatz, there’s a plaque with a haunting quote: “This was only a prelude, where they burn books, in the end, they will also burn people.” It was written by Heinrich Heine in 1820, over a century before the tragedy.

Next to it, an artist has created a poignant underground installation of empty bookshelves, representing the 20,000 books that were burned.

Exploring the history of Europe has made me reflective.

I’ve always identified as someone who stands for the people, for socialism—or whatever label one might put on it.

But as history shows us, these left-wing ideologies often sound great in theory, yet seem to falter in practice.

Are we as a species doomed to repeat history, forever pushing these ideals without learning from the mistakes of the past?

Lately, I’ve been grappling with these questions.

What am I really doing to make a difference?

Have I become too comfortable in my capitalist surroundings, with my well-paid job, only advocating for change within the safety of my own comfort zone? These thoughts linger as I reflect on my own role in a system I wish to challenge…

More reflections.

*Symbols of the past still guide us forward. In Berlin, the lights are never just about traffic.*

Of course, no trip to Berlin is complete without a visit to the East Side Gallery, where beautiful murals stretch along the remnants of the Berlin Wall, capturing the spirit of freedom and hope.

*Facing the crossroads of history and modernity. Berlin’s streets whisper tales of both progress and memory.*

Next stop, Amsterdam!

Amsterdam

Our time here was focused on indulging in the simple pleasures. We didn’t delve into history this time, instead opting for a more laid-back experience, seeking out some lovely cafés and exploring the city by bike. The coffees were amazing, and the city streets were full of life.

During our stay, Amsterdam was hosting several events, including the Amsterdam Dance Event and the Amsterdam Marathon. It was a lively time, and we ended up making so many new friends, whether it was at pubs or at raves. The people here are so welcoming, I never had a bad experience.

Being in Amsterdam really brought me into the present moment. While my time in Berlin was filled with deep introspection—thinking about history and the ways political ideologies seem sound in theory but often fail in practice—Amsterdam felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders. The simple pleasure of riding a bike through beautiful streets, walking along the canals, and even the curious experience of the Red Light District was refreshing. Topping it off with a rave during ADE was pure catharsis. Meeting new people, dancing, and simply letting go—this was exactly the break I needed.

As for photography, I focused more on experimenting with my shutter speed. With so many moving cars and bikes flying down the tight, picturesque alleys, I wanted to capture that motion in my shots. I’m happy with how they turned out—what do you think?

*A quiet afternoon in Amsterdam, where time slows down just enough to savor the moment.*

Edinburugh

Edinburgh’s timeless architecture stands tall beneath stormy skies, telling stories of the past with every stone. There’s something about this city that feels like stepping back in time, where history breathes through every street corner

As soon as you arrive in Edinburgh, you’re enveloped by gothic architecture and a palpable sense of history.

Walking through the city, it’s as though you can feel the echoes of the past, especially in the narrow ‘closes’ where life once played out in all its gritty reality.

In centuries past, these alleys were notorious, not just for their charm but for their rawness, with human waste tossed from above. It’s no wonder Edinburgh earned a reputation as a slum and a breeding ground for plagues.

A curious and slightly grim fact: due to the sheer volume of waste, a ‘Nastiness Pact’ was established, restricting disposal times to twice daily—before 7 AM and after 10 PM. And before tossing, residents were required to shout ‘gardez l’eau!’ (French for ‘mind the water’) as a warning to anyone below. Imagine dodging that on your morning walk!

My time here wasn’t just about history, though.

I took the opportunity to capture some shots at the Johnny Walker Experience, where each photo of the whisky almost conveys that smoky, peaty richness unique to Scotland.

And with so many buses making their way through the cobbled streets, I couldn’t resist some slow-shutter shots, capturing the blur of movement as they passed by, adding a modern, bustling layer to the city’s timeless character.

Next stop is Manchester!

Manchester

A lovely city with a nightscape that had echoes of Melbourne, stirring a brief moment of homesickness that faded as quickly as it came.

Welcomed by friends who know the city like the back of their hand, we explored hidden gems and found the best Guinness around.

The mix of the city's industrial history, vibrant nightlife, and the warm hospitality made every corner feel alive.

During our visit, there happened to be an event called WOMEX, a global music expo that lit up the city in the evenings.

We were lucky enough to catch an Afro band playing at Ramona, their infectious energy drawing in a crowd and turning the night into an impromptu celebration.

Danielle got lucky and managed to pick up tickets to an EPL game to watch Man City play Southampton.

It was an incredible experience to feel the energy of the fans and witness the game in person—an unforgettable highlight of our time in Manchester.

We also visited the Science Museum, which was a fascinating dive into the city's rich industrial history.

Manchester, known as the first industrial city, was once nicknamed 'Cottonopolis' for its specialization in cotton production during the Industrial Revolution.

It was impressive to learn how this heritage shaped the city and its significance in global history.

Bristol

*Stepping into a tunnel that seems to spiral between worlds, illuminated by warm glows that guide the journey ahead. Wake the Tiger is more than just an experience; it's a leap into the imagination.*

Oh my...

As soon as we stepped off the bus and I looked around, I thought—Melbourne? Maybe it was the lingering homesickness from seeing similarities in Manchester, but there was something instantly familiar about this place.

It was hard to pinpoint at first, but I reckon it was the vibe of the people, the street art, the live music scene, and the hustle and bustle.

On our first day, we were recommended to check out The Gallimaufry, where we caught an incredible live music gig by @familybusiness.

The energy was fantastic, especially when the night transitioned into an open mic session.

It set the tone for what Bristol had to offer—authentic, vibrant, and full of surprises.

Catching the rhythm, surrounded by colors and sound that pulse with life. Moments like these remind you that music isn't just heard, it's felt.

We were lucky enough to meet friends who showed us around, indulging in food and drinks that added to the city's rich experience.

But the highlight of the trip was the walking Banksy tour. For those who don't know, Banksy was born in Bristol, so we got to see some of his earliest works first hand.

Coming from Australia,

we didn’t know the full story behind Banksy. We’d only admired his revolutionary, authoritarian-defying art from afar.

But as the tour unfolded, we learned that he wasn’t the only influential artist to emerge from Bristol

. The city had seen many talented artists, some arguably better than Banksy, but only his work was preserved by the council with protective Perspex, while others’ pieces were removed.

This sparked tension—why was Banksy’s work ‘art’ while others' were erased?

There was also the infamous feud with London graffiti artist King Robbo.

In 2009, Banksy painted over one of Robbo’s early murals at Regent’s Canal, igniting a ‘Graffiti War’ between the two, marked by a series of retaliatory works.

When King Robbo passed away on July 31, 2014, Banksy paid tribute by restoring Robbo’s original piece and posting “ROBBO WRH WD PFB – RIP” on his website.

We also visited a place called Wake the Tiger, an immersive, self-guided walk that felt like part escape room, part interactive art exhibit.

The theme centered around a portal to another dimension, with space slime seeping through the rift, altering our current world.

Activities included solving puzzles, trapping lightning in a bottle, and decoding an anarchist society's code to send messages for help to beings from another realm. The display and art were amazing, and we found ourselves lost in the experience for hours. I highly recommend visiting this if you’re in Bristol!

Bristol’s history runs deep, and it’s beautiful.

I loved every minute of my time here and can’t wait to return.

A fun fact: In 2011, Bristol locals launched the ‘No Tesco in Stokes Croft’ campaign, highlighting the independent spirit of the community.

On Gloucester Road, chain stores were absent, preserving the unique character of the area.

Peaceful protests erupted into chaos when, on April 21, 160 riot police descended following reports that residents of ‘Telepathic Heights,’ a local squat, were allegedly preparing molotov cocktails to target the new store.

The result was anarchy—an event known as The Stokes Croft Riots.

If you’re curious, I highly recommend reading more on ‘The Stokes Croft Riots’ and ‘Graffiti Wars.’”