Photo Essay: Exploring the world on your day off

As an audio mixer for reality television, I’m very blessed to have a job that sometimes requires me to travel. And not just travel, but to places I would’ve never thought to go to on my own. Luckily, these trips aren’t just a weekend jaunt. I am usually there for a couple of months.

I made a promise to myself that in all the places I get sent for work, I try to devote one day off to wandering the area and taking photos. These photos days are an important way for me to remember to slow down, realize where I am, and absorb all the amazing things around me.  I’m so fortunate to be able to travel the world and so lucky to have my camera in hand to be able to capture it.

Here are some of my favorite memories from my photo days around the world.

-Danna Feintuch

The village Vunivutu, Fiji

In Fiji, on one of may last days off, I wanted to explore a nearby village, Vunivutu. Everyone else had plans but I really wanted to see their village. I was a little shy but got the guts up to ride a bike down the dirt road with my camera on my shoulder. The minute I rolled up, a woman smiled at me and welcomed me. She did not speak English and I only knew a little of the local language. She yelled something over to her son, who quickly ran off to another house. He came back with a man who greeted me kindly, in English. He offered to show me around the village. It was great to have a local guide and translator. I got to see their church, their homes, a cookout they were preparing and lastly he took me into the school classrooms. The children shyly smiled and were happy to have me take their photos. It was an amazing day! When I returned home to the States, I printed out my photos and sent an album back to the village.

Little girl and her camera in Palau

On my photo day in Palau, I was wandering a village at the top of a hill. The people were amazingly welcome there; offering us food and drinks as we passed by. At one house, a little girl was at the door but when she saw us approach she quickly ran inside. I thought she was frightened by us but moments later she came back to show us her toy camera. It was adorable how happy she was to show us that she had a camera too.

To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa

One of the many beautiful earthly wonders I experienced was in Western Samoa, the To Sua Ocean Trench. The trench is a cavernous hole in the earth, a natural swimming area with a 30 meter ladder installed for visitors. It was so amazing to swim in the crystal clear waters in this echoing creation. Just on the other side of the trench is the ocean and a small tunnel cave connects the two bodies of water. Adventurous people can dive down and swim through. I was not one of those brave souls.

Pig on the beach! Samoa

An interesting site in Samoa was the juxtaposition of seeing pigs walking on the beaches. On my many drives to work I would see them but never had my camera handy. On this photo day, a couple friends and I visited “Return to Paradise Beach”. While sitting in a trees’ shade and enjoying the oceans’ sounds, I shut my eyes and after several minutes I opened to see this pig right in front of me. It was a moment that made me giggle because she was so quiet I never even heard her approaching.

Tai Chi in Fuxing Park, Shanghai

Visiting China was one of the biggest cultural eye openers for me. Trying to communicate, explore and find my way was an adventurous challenge. Early Sunday morning in Shanghai I went to experience the Tai Chi in Fuxing Park . There were hundreds of people practicing in different groups and while wondering I spotted these two teenage boys sleeping on the bench. In any culture you can imagine their late Saturday night celebrations. When this older man walked by with a judging glance, it made the perfect moment to capture.

Lion in Zimbabwe

After a couple months working in Eastern Africa, I traveled on my own to explore the southern part of the continent. On a tour in Zimbabwe, I got the opportunity to see lions up close and personal. I asked the guide if I could take a closer photo of this teenage lion. I figured this moment was an opportunity of a lifetime and I really wanted to capture the true beauty of this creature. The guide was there in case anything happened but it was still intense as the thought of the lion getting startled by my shutter passed through my mind. (Yes, I shoot film.) I clicked anyway and got an amazing shot.

Santa Teresa in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

As a lover of all art, especially street art, visiting the town of Santa Teresa in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil was a wonder world. Graffiti is all over and a majority of it are real, creative works of art. It was like strolling through a large outdoor museum. There were so many colors and modern-styled designs that contrasted to the historic style buildings which all worked together in an eye-catching harmony.

Sunset Mount Vesuvius, Naples Italy

Sometimes on my travels, a day off and time to explore isn’t exactly scheduled in.  In this case, our show traveled to Italy. It was my first time in Europe. On our last day of a very full week, we were due to head to the airport at 7am to catch our flight home. I decided to wake up at 6am to take some photos and with my pleasant surprise awoke to a beautiful sunrise over Mount Vesuvius. It was a great beginning to a solo stroll around the cobblestone streets of Naples.

New York, NY

And then sometimes, I just need to remember to look at the place I call home with the same kind of wonder.  Good Ol’ New York, New York.

Photo Credit: Danna Feintuch.     To see more: dannavision.com Do you have a photo essay from your travels?  Email your ideas to: photos@iworkinrealitytv.com