Beijing You Make Me Love You More

Call it lucky or modesty aside, much deserved, that my job brought me to Beijing for the second time for another special occasion. We were to hang out with Japanese designer Mihara Yasuhiro. He is, by the way, the coolest. He is Japan, kinks and all. Mighty proud of his county and it shows in his designs. 

While waiting for the frenzy, I had an afternoon to myself. It was the last of China's winter and it was so beautiful that I headed out with one destination in mind  - 798 Art Space, former industrial zone turned art and cultural center. This was the side of the city that turned me on quickly and made me love Beijing even more. The art scene is so alive and locals were enjoying it. Art for all. 

Inside were numerous galleries including the imposing UCCA (with a cool souvenir shop I must say!) and countless installation art. Remnants of its factory heydays were all over. The place was a combustion of art, urban and industrial design. Took me a good 4 hours to go around. I ended up in a quaint cafe (that felt like one from Lucerne) and rewarded my travails with good vino. One of the best afternoons I've ever had. And I was back to work more inspired.

Penguin Loves Ink

It's so fascinating how old publishing houses have swayed with the times. Penguins Books for instance is celebrating 75 years and instead of creating gold-leaf covers, they turn to some of the world's best tattoo artists and illustrators to create new covers for 6 of their well-loved books. So fresh it's so irresistible to pass up.

Now, I already have a paperback copy of Bridget Jones' Diary (which 30-something hasn't?) but I can't resist the new cover by Tara McPherson. Penguin Books is literally opening literature to a new audience.

More on the Penguin Ink series here. Penguinbooks75.com

Vs.

Beijing

(798 Art Space)

vs

Melbourne

(Johnston St. Fitzroy)

Both could be on the same street really. 

How Can I Forget About Boston

I never went to university where I needed to stay in a dorm but when I was in Boston, I kind of felt I was away for collage. Was Harvard really that imposing? Anyway, it felt good to be nostalgic. I can say that I had a good share of memorable moments then. Met some of my closets friends; learned the basics of Photoshop, film processing and developing. It was an awesome time.

Boston is not entirely university town. It does have a spectacular harbour, museums worth checking out like the Isabela Stewart Gardner, notable restaurants like Cragie on Maine, tons of food trucks and book stores. It's still blows my mind that some shops have been in business since the late 1800's! 

Another interesting fact is a lot of sneaker brands have headquarters here.

The vibe in the city is not outright friendly but does come across as warm. If I were to associate it with color, I'd pick rose and a grayish-blue. With a song, it would be Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk by Rufus Wainright (or any of his songs actually). 

Here's the side of Boston I saw last November. Mostly shot at night because I was working during the day (You can't have everything).

Manila I Keep Coming Back To You

Every chance I get, I come home. Hong Kong has their own bank holidays during the first week of April which coincided with the Holy Week observance in the Philippines. So I was booked.

For a predominantly Catholic country, the Philippines becomes a mecca as people flock back to their hometowns and contemplate on Jesus Christ's life and death. For some, they take it literally. Flagellations and all. For others, a simple prayer on Good Friday suffices. 

It has been a tradition for our family to go on a road trip on Good Friday or Black Saturday. It's the only time we get to see provincial towns and not be consumed by traffic. The goal was to visit at least 7 churches and end with a good meal.  This year, we took an easy route and went around Manila. So we went to  Don Bosco, Binondo, San Agustin, Mabini and Malate with a short stop in the only open tea house in China town.