Carlsbad Art and Culture

The sound of Jeff’s leather sandals slapping against the asphalt still echoes loud as I walk the local streets of Carlsbad reminiscing of all day wanders by foot along foreign streets, through dense forest and along breathtaking beaches. While buses sped alongside, trains chugged in the distance and planes roared overhead, Jeff “The Dude” and I chose the ‘ol heal toe to explore first hand what Australia and China is all about.

With a camera firmly in hand, I attempted to keep up with Jeff’s long strides and Native American heritage. Early days found us shoulder to shoulder led by the horizon, but it was soon apparent that fatigue sets in for Jeff only when the sun goes down. He charged forward with the strength of a Clydesdale and the determination of a hound as I lingered behind documenting the journey.

The rubber of our soles first touched down in Western Australia where 108 degree temperatures heated the roads and warmed the sand which we began our travels upon. Long beaches around islands guided us over dunes and through rolling waves. Exploration was always the plan when we set out on foot. A map was rarely observed because the correct direction was always forward. When the sun sank low, we turned around and headed back.

Jeff and I went our own ways for a handful of weeks where without a doubt Jeff continued his wandering ways, as I did too, but something lacked without his presence. Maybe it was the lack of a figure in my photos or maybe I missed the long stretches of silence broken by a joke, or a line from a cult classic comedy followed by miles of contagious laughter. Either way, I looked forward to Sydney where the heal toe express would reunite.

Our adventure picked up right where is left off at. Our individual flights landed at the same time and, as if our journey together by land could not wait a second longer, we stumbled upon each in the airport. After a high five, our adventure picked up where it left off… on the road.

Like Australia, we spent the majority of our time in China walking, though the conditions and environment was different. The air dense with pollution punched my lungs and the cobblestone under my legs and worn Vans pierced my feet. The weather was cold and dry, but our adventure continued through palaces, temples and Chinese markets.

The sites explored first hand and the people met face to face is something you don’t find from the seat of a tour bus. We visited all the tourist sites, but on the way, experienced the underbelly of the community. We shook hands with the busboy while tasting the food of the dining experience and we witnessed the numerous out-takes of an award winning picture.

Led by Jeff’s nearly inhuman ability to walk for miles without rest or water, I followed behind, snapping pictures and wheezing. Like a Clydesdale, Jeff, with an overly packed backpack often hung across his shoulders, carried on. With my camera in hand and warm with a recent onslaught of captured observations, I always managed to catch up just in time for the next joke.

Check back tomorrow for “Artistic Observations: China”!