Irene North – Page 42

Many come for the gambling. We came for the history.

On 2018-06-26

Part of the Macau skyline.

The most densely populated area in the world also wagers more dollars in a single year than all of Las Vegas. Casinos are everywhere. It is the pre-eminent gambling capital of the world. We came for the history.

Until 1999, Macau was a Portuguese colony. Portuguese traders began settling in Macau in the 1550s. It eventually became a colony before it was transferred back to China on 20 December 1999.

Most people who come here visit to try their hand with lady luck. We came for the scenery.

A lively and diverse affair

By Irene

On 2018-06-21

In Stories

The entrance to the Temple Street Market.

The Temple Street Market in Kowloon is a few subway stops away from our hotel, but it is not a place where I would normally go. It is one of the busiest flea markets around.

A place for quiet and thoughtful contemplation

By Irene

On 2018-06-20

In Stories

A candid shot of a dad walking with his daughter in Kowloon Park, Hong Kong. She kept trying to dance away from him, so he had to take her hand and play along.

One of the most profound things I have ever heard has no words. It is the father holding his daughter’s hand while walking through Kowloon Park. It is the elderly husband and wife walking arm-in-arm along the promenade. It is the friend pushing his friend in wheelchair. It is the mother and father playing a silly, made up game with their child on the MTR. It is the man who gives the homeless man four takeaway packages outside the 7-Eleven. It is the mother holding her son’s hand to help him up the stairs to Big Buddha. It is the sound of love and it is there if you take the time to look..

A short update with many photos

By Irene

On 2018-06-16

In Stories

Paul just chilling out in the Sky100 observation deck in Hong Kong.

Still recovering from the humidity the day before, Paul and I decided to start the day off with a trip to Sky100 at the International Commerce Centre.

In about 60 seconds, the elevator took us up 100 floors, 393 meters above sea level, to the 360-degree indoor observation deck. The building stands 1,588 feet, or 484 meters, tall. From here, you can see the famous skyline of Victoria Harbour.

Of primates, towers, and Blade Runner

By Irene

On 2018-06-15

In Stories

A foggy, overcast day in Hong Kong.

I hate the projects. They are where we place the poor so we don’t have to look at them. They are a symbol of how easy it is for us to ignore some of the most vulnerable in our society.

There is always something to see from the air and the ground

By Irene

On 2018-06-14

In Ramblings

Somewhere over the Rocky Mountains. I was on a plane. I didn’t have a map or a compass.

The airport in Denver was quiet except for the sound of a ticking clock. Once I concentrated on the sound, I realized it was not a clock at all. It was the sound of the moving walkway near our gate and it was not “ticking” as consistent at a moving second hand.

2018 Book List Part 1

By Irene

On 2018-06-03

In Watching & Reading

Every year, I purchase a pile of books to read. I haven’t bought as many this year because my piles have become too high. Typically, my list is made in December, but I’ve read quite a bit this year and I have another large stack on my desk that I expect I will have finished reading by December. This is a list of what I have been reading during the first half of 2018.

I went to volunteer, but I found time to take a lot of photos

By Irene

On 2018-06-02

In Nebraska, Photos

Could you and ten of your friends pull this 39,000 pound plane 15 feet in less than six seconds? You’d have to in order to be the winning team “Beauty and the Beasts.”

911 Communications Director Ray Richards called me to ask if Paul and I would volunteer to help out during the Pulling for a Purpose event at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport. I didn’t know what to expect so, as usual, I brought my camera bag with me.

2018 Longform reading list Part 1

By Irene

On 2018-06-02

In Watching & Reading

Longform readings showcase some of the best writing on the internet. They typically contain illustrations, photography, interactives, and an engaging story.

My longform readings are usually listed at the end of my book reading list. After reevaluating the amount of time I spend online and determining how I would like to spend my free time, I have found myself reading and writing more. With that extra time, the longform reading list great and I decided to split it from the book reading list. These are the stories I have read in the first six months of the year. Part two will be uploaded in December.

The little lady who brought me joy

By Irene

On 2018-05-18

In Stories

On December 16, 2017, Sarah sat and posed for me. This was the result.

I walked into the zoo well before it was open to cover a story for the Star-Herald. When I was done, I decided to walk around and take some pictures before the zoo opened for the day. I strolled past Cyrano, a Lynx rufus at the zoo, and hung out there for a while. I always enjoy paying him a visit even if he sleeps the entire time I’m there. That’s what cats do.

Eventually, I made my way past the bison, zebras, Eurasian Lynx and tigers and walked into the indoor enclosure for the chimpanzees. It was a cool morning and I wasn’t sure if Scooter and Sarah would be outside that day. Sarah was in the right indoor enclosure. She was sitting down and as soon as she saw me, she got up and started to walk toward me.