Though not quite the city of The Wire fame, Baltimore has its rough edges and character that is expressed beautifully through its vibrant street art scene. In the few hours I had spare during my weekend trip to Baltimore, I got a very small but sweet taste of Baltimore’s street art scene. (I am clueless about the pieces, so if anyone knows the names of the artists, let me know).
I could lose myself just wandering through Tokyo’s streets: from the back alleys bursting with tiny bars and restaurants; below the noisy underpasses, and along the wide tree-lined boulevards.
When I lived in Tokyo I wandered for hours but I always had someplace to be at 8 p.m. Work. Now, I just wander, unanchored, and it makes me feel a little lost — but in the mental sense, never in the physical. I can wander through the streets that are imprinted on my muscle memory and never lose my way. I just follow my feet and they guide me through the city I know so deeply that their map seems to exist inside of me.
Shibuya Crossing
Nishi Azabu: Alley behind my house
Gaienmae
Azabu Juban
Roppongi Hills
Aoyama
Shinjuku Underpass
Shinjuku
Shinjuku Alley
Kabukicho
Traditionally you visit Mexico City for the Diego Rivera murals. I tried, but kept failing to find the Palacio Nacional open (it was fiestas patrias week). Instead I caught a few, more contemporary, artworks left over from Spring’s All City Canvas street art festival.
Mural by U.S. artist, El Mac. Photo by author.
Mural by German duo, Herakut. Photo by author.
Mural by Mexican artist, Saner.
Dissent, it seemed to me, is a cornerstone of life in Mexico City — and for good reason. Although the presidential elections are several months past, there remains much agitation.
#YoSoy132 Photo by author.
Zocalo. Photo by author.
“Peña doesn’t even know what a book is,” a reference to Peña Nieto’s struggle, when asked at a book fair, to name three books that influenced him. Photo by author.
Another cornerstone of life in Mexico City ….
Centro Historico. Photo by author.
Santa Muerte. Photo by author.
Vibrant colours (and music) everywhere is one of the many reasons I fell hard for this city.
Condesa. Photo by author.
Condesa. Photo by author.
From the moment I arrived until the moment I left fiestas patrias — for the dia de independencia — were in swing.
Zocalo. Photo by author.
Parque España 15 de septiembre. Photo by author.
Street vendor. Photo by author.
Karen Gardiner 