Year in Review: The Places I’ve Been

So, today’s my birthday. It’s also exactly one year from the day I first downloaded Instagram, an app that’s had a massive influence on my 2011. I spent the year documenting my life, which involved a new job, a new city, and traveling to places I’ve always dreamed of visiting. I’m feeling reflective. So indulge me, won’t you? Here’s the places I’ve been this year.

Atlanta. Where I started 2011. I lived there 10 years, longer than anywhere else. Home of Margaret Mitchell, the Braves, and Outkast.

I had the opportunity to travel to Seoul in February. It was really cold. Amazing people, amazing food. Massive karaoke.

This is Macau. It’s like Las Vegas, only Chinese, and with bigger casinos. Seriously, Macao sees four times the money flow through its casinos than all of Vegas. But it’s real charm is the architectural and cultural influence leftover from former colonial power Portugal.

Cebu, The Philippines. This image should give you the idea of what went down in Cebu, but it never quite sit well that just a few hundred feet from our gated resort was a very poor and underdeveloped community of Filipinos.

I was not prepared for how hard I would fall for Beijing. China’s capital, in some ways, reminded me of Washington D.C. — massive monuments, national museums, pillars of government. Mao’s influence prevails, so does choking pollution. But beyond the propaganda of Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden City lies complex, fascinating metropolis – a blend of ancient and modern, and a vibrant night life.

So yeah. I saw The Great Wall of China. It was pretty ‘effing great.

There’s no place like Brooklyn, and September looked mighty good on it.

I spent the last week of October in London, working mostly, but did manage a day to explore. It was not enough. Is it ever?

Work hard, play hard. Or just lay around and do absolutely nothing for a few days. That’s pretty much what went down in beautiful Koh Samui, Thailand. Can’t wait to get back there.

And of course my new home, Hong Kong, a city of 7.5 million people living seemingly on top of one another. A city with a skyline like nothing I’ve every seen, surrounded by breathtaking nature. Almost a year in and I’m wide-eyed everyday.

All images taken by me, on an iPhone4, with varying degrees of editing via apps – including Snapseed, Picfx, and Filterstorm.

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About Tyson

I'm Tyson, an editor and journalist living and working in Hong Kong. I'm happiest when listening to Spoon, running mountain trails, or just hanging out with my beautiful wife and amazing kids. I'm by no means a professional photographer, but I'm most definitely an Instagram addict. Sometimes I stash cool shit here.
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6 Responses to Year in Review: The Places I’ve Been

  1. DocPop says:

    Great pics, dude! It’s been a pleasure following you!

  2. Troy says:

    Fascinating. Great shots, and what a year! Enjoying keeping abreast of your adventures from my stationary orbit.

  3. Jen says:

    Great Pics Tyson, truly gorgeous framing.

  4. Joan says:

    Great shots! I can’t believe you went to the Philippines too, that’s my hometown! Keep it up, I look forward to seeing more!

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