photospread: seattle, washington

I am convinced that Seattle has it all—beaches, mountains, forests, art, culture, coffee, tech—the list could go on.

This past spring break some of my best friends and I packed ourselves into a five seat sedan and drove up the west coast to visit this unforgettably vibrant city. I haven’t been to Seattle since I was about two (and that barely even counts), so my memories of this modern metropolis were spotty at best. I had the preconceived notion that this was “just another city of skyrises.” Needless to say, I was terribly wrong.

From laughing conversations over coffee to meeting the owner of the Queen Anne bookshop, I fell in love with Seattle and its ability to emphasize the simplicity of everyday things done well. A latte to kickstart your day? Done, topped to milk foam perfection. An appreciation for food and flowers in full bloom? Spend your morning at Pike Place Market. There is something to do or try for just about everyone.

And for me, Seattle was a much-needed break from the stress of Berkeley. I will definitely be back.

photospread: southern vietnam

The sound of paddles slicing through the green waters of the Mekong Delta. The sticky heat of the canopied jungle on my skin. The cool, refreshing taste of young coconut water. The summer song of the cicadas. The sweet scent of incense at Vĩnh Tràng Chùa, a Buddhist place of worship…

There is no other experience quite like a journey to Vietnam, a country in southeastern Asia. In June 2018 (half a year ago?! crazy.) I had the wonderful opportunity to visit southern Vietnam. I spent about a week in its capital, Ho Chi Minh City, immersing myself in local culture and history, valuable lessons that can’t be taught in a traditional classroom.

The raw beauty of Vietnam lies within its gorgeous landscapes, shaped by the destruction of war and the modern resilience in its aftermath. My newfound appreciation for the strength of Vietnam’s beautiful landscape and people manifests itself in this series of photographs, all shot on my iPhone. What I fail to describe adequately with words, I hope to make up for with my photos.

Hẹn gặp lại, Việt Nam.

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