beersandbeans.com » Featured Posts 2

Portraits of Wwoofers in Tuscany, Italy – Part 1 of 3

Bethany — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:35:29 +0000

So I know we’ve had a few posts up here about wwoofing and the amazing experience we had on the vineyard. One of the best things about our time on the farm was all the great friends that we made. I think we really got lucky because we all had such a good time with one another – we laughed ALL day long. It was one of the most relaxing times I have had in a really long time and in the end when everyone parted ways there were a lot of tears. I really feel like I made great friends in the two weeks we were there and that even though I only knew everyone for a short time – I feel like we could easily all meet up again at another corner of the world and pick up just where we left off. It was kismet the way everyone came together. I know not everyone was as lucky as we were and I won’t lie, although I can’t wait to wwoof again, I am nervous to because I simply can’t imagine that it could be that good again.

I took portraits of most of the people on the farm and it happened a bit by accident. It all started with Todd & Benita. Todd and Benita were a really cool couple from California and immediately we got along great with them. In fact, I remember the day Todd and I bonded while plucking grapes – it was such a relief to see that we were totally on the same page about so many things on the farm! Then Benita mentioned to me that they needed photos for a Brazilian magazine that was doing a story on them because she was 7 months pregnant and wwoofing (yes she is that bad ass)! She asked if I would take some photos of them and I was psyched! The portrait session started in the vineyard and as the days went on it grew to include other wwoofers as well.

The story gets even stranger because although Todd & Benita live in California they did not grow up there. In fact, Benita is German & Brazilian and Todd spent his childhood in Sub-Saharan Africa because his parents were international teachers. Now the interesting part is that I took a group photo of all the wwoofers one day and I put it on the BeersandBeans Facebook page. Imagine my surprise when one day I got an email from Lorna at The Roamantics telling me she saw two of her friends in the photo. Her friends were none other than Todd & Benita! Since then Lorna and I have been chatting online and are becoming quick friends. If you haven’t checked out her website you definitely should – it’s awesome! You can also find her on twitter - @theroamantics

It goes to show you that it really is a small world. Even in the middle of a vineyard in Italy, you can meet someone that knows someone that you know (even if it only is online). The friendships and random connections you make on the road never cease to blow my mind!

So with that story in mind, I am starting off my portrait series with the photos I took of Todd & Benita for their magazine spread. Todd and Benita – if you guys are reading this – we miss you and can’t wait to see you again! Also, I should mention Todd & Benita make some really AWESOME videos and they made one of our time on the farm. If you want to watch it just click here. You can even see a cameo from Randy! You really should watch it, it’s only about 2 mins long and it gives a really great idea of what life was like on the farm – the awesome food, the endless wine, i could go on and on…..

Portraits of Wwoofers

This is part 1 of what will probably be a 3 part series. I hope you like them!

Benita eating grapes in the sun. Definitely one of my favorites from the farm! The light on the farm was always so radiant.

We felt it was necessary to show some grapes and the forbici’s we used to cut them day in and day out on the farm. We came up with this pose because it looked strange to have the forbici’s (scissors) anywhere near Benita’s baby belly!

Amazing light, a setting sun, rows and rows of vines and one of the cutest couples on earth.

I love this picture from the end of the day.

Todd came up with his own solution for the rain. I LOVED this wall of the farmhouse and how perfect his whole get up is next to it! I think this portrait is awesome and I smile every time I see it.

In the hills of Tuscany. Rows of olive trees and grape vines. I really miss this place, the people and the amazing views!

Another favorite of mine. They had no idea I took this picture until after when they saw the photos. These two were really made for each other.

If you want to read more about our time volunteering on an organic winery, visit these stories about wwoofing in Italy.

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

Photos of Iceland – A Visit to the Icebergs of Jokulsarlon.

Bethany — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:11:01 +0000

It’s no secret here at Beers&Beans that we love Iceland. So, in honor of the Nor’easter (a blistering snow storm that wreaks havoc on the Eastern seaboard) that is suppose to turn Massachusetts into a literal Iceland within hours, we decided to make a nice cup of chamomile tea, stoke the fire and lay out five of our favorite icy photographs from our summer trip to Iceland. I think the top one is my favorite – do you have one?

Enjoy!

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Across the Street from the Moulin Rouge, Paris – Somewhere In Time

Bethany — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:41:31 +0000

Somewhere in Time is a weekly photo from around the world. Enjoy!
Ok, I’m trying out a new gallery here. Please click on the bottom right hand corner and view the photo in full screen. It looks awesome!

I was standing in front of the Moulin Rouge when I took this photo in Paris. You can see from the people in the center there is always a large crowd here taking photos of the Moulin Rouge, trying to get their perfect shot. It’s tough in places like that to get a photo that is unique and still reminds you of a specific moment.

I had noticed the amazing lighting on the building across the street and the fantastic clouds rolling in. I realized the light would never hit the Moulin Rouge in the same way so I took some photos of this plain, non historic building across the street. I also knew HDR would really bring out the beauty of the clouds so I intentionally shot 3 photos at different exposures to make them come to life. I love this photo. It’s nowhere in particular but it really reminds me of Paris and standing in the crowd at this famous landmark. It also reminds me of the fantastic rainstorm we got caught in one day when we were having a picnic. I still remember the way the rain bounced off the cobblestones and the way everyone went running for cover. Everything is perfect in Paris – even the rain.

Click here to see more Somewhere In Time photos.

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How To Save Money And Ride The Paris Metro Like A Local.

Randy — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:30:48 +0000

Slipping from one place to the next on the Paris subway system known as the Metro or Metropolitan is an excellent way to explore the city on the cheap. And like many popular destinations, Paris offers a tourist card called Paris Visite Carte, but as we found out that may not be the most budget friendly way to ride the city’s rails.

When you arrive in Paris the easiest way to start using the city’s excellent Metro system is to buy the Paris Visite Carte from a ticket window or self-service machine; however, depending on your timing and length of stay, a cheaper option maybe to purchase a weekly or monthly pass called Passe Navigo Decouverte, which can only be bought through RATP/SNCF ticket windows at Metro and train stations. Keep in mind, though, that the weekly and monthly passes take effect at the beginning of each week or month, not from the date that you first use the pass, whereas the Paris Visite Carte is valid from the day of its first use. Both passes are valid for the RER (regional express trains), Metro and buses.

In an effort to help our readers better understand the price options for the Paris Metro, we have laid out the fare charts below. Aside from Disneyland and Versailles, all of Paris’ famous attractions are inside zones 1 and 2. For the Metropolitan zone map, click here.

Individual Tickets
1 ticket (t+)                                                                  € 1.70
Book of 10 t+ tickets                                   € 12.00
Single-use ticket purchased on board a bus    € 1.80

Paris Visite Carte
Zones    1 Day    2 Day       3 Day        5 Day
1-3       € 9.30    €15.20     €20.70       €29.90
1-6       € 19.60    € 29.90    €41.90       €51.20
*One perk to the Paris Visite Card is that the pass can be used for discounts for various attractions and sightseeing tours in the city, such as 20 to 40 percent admission discounts to Arc de Triomphe, the Opera house and the Pantheon.

Pass Navigo Decouverte
Zones   Week   Month
1 – 2   € 17.20   € 56.60
1 – 3   € 22.70   € 74.40
1 – 4   € 27.90   € 91.70
1 – 5   € 33.40   € 109.90
1 – 6   € 37.60   € 123.60
*There is an additional one-time €5 fee to obtain your Navigo pass. A passport size photo, which you can supply or purchase from a photo booth near the ticket window for €4 , is also required for your weekly or monthly pass; the photo can then be transferred to another Navigo pass.

Whatever pass you fancy, rest assured you will be treated to one of the most efficient transit systems in the world.

Note from Beth:

When we initially arrived in Paris we grabbed the visitor’s card for 3 days. It seemed like a great deal and we were only planning on staying three days in the city. Of course neither one of us had even been to the city before and had no idea how AWESOME Paris is. We extended our stay to over a week and therefore we were faced with buying another tourist pass for 4 days. We would’ve spent another €30 each. This is when we discovered the local, weekly pass was a much better deal. We bought the week pass and saved a bundle. Plus we got to feel all cool and Parisian-like by taking our passport photos in the subway system and using a real metro pass instead of the tiny tourist pass. Then we made a vow to put this info up on BeersandBeans so that if anyone else was headed to Paris they would know about this ahead of time. Like Randy said, they don’t sell the local pass at the train station where we first arrived so there was no way to know about it since we did very little research before arriving in Paris. But again, it only works well if you buy the pass at the beginning of the week. If you arrive on Saturday, you’re best off getting a pass for just one day and then buying the week pass on Sunday.

The metro was amazing! It was by far the best and most attractive subway system I have ever seen. All the tiles are shiny and clean (mostly) and even the ads are nice! The subway is so fast, there is hardly any time spent waiting around for a train. One thing I did note however is that it isn’t very handicap friendly. For the most part you have to take stairs up and down. For us this was not a problem but for anyone that has a hard time walking or has a stroller it could be tough. Only a few of the stops are handicap accessible. Really though, the subway is great and very easy to navigate. I loved it!

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Iceland Culture|The Icelandic Horse

Bethany — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:35:02 +0000

One of Iceland’s claim to fame is the Icelandic horse. This horse was bred in Iceland and is native to the country. It does exists outside of Iceland but I hadn’t seen one until we visited this September. When we rented a car for a day, we were able to drive through the Icelandic countryside and to my happy surprise, there were a lot of Icelandic horses grazing in pastures. They are slightly smaller than the typical horse but they look really hardy. They have long beautiful manes, a coat of thick hair and their bodies seem wider than usual. The Icelandic horse is a beautiful and hypnotic creature. I could have spent hours hanging out with them. I got out to feed a few some grass and they were all really friendly and curious. I’m not sure how many horses could survive the harsh, Icelandic winter but these horses were obviously built for it. If you have the time and the money (I had time but not enough money), you can go on a horseback ride in different areas of Iceland. I’m sure it would be beyond beautiful and hopefully they next time I make it back, I’ll have some extra cash on hand. It is one of the top things to do in Iceland and I’ve been told it can’t be missed.

There is something really special about them so I took quite a few photos of the stunning Icelandic Horse. I hope you like them.

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Marmot Limelight 2 Tent Gear Review

Bethany — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:58:20 +0000

This review is the second in Beers and Beans ongoing video series: 90 Second Gear Reviews. With Randy’s recent nomination as one of the hottest guys in travel, we’ve added nearly a minute of shirtless gear review goodness to this installment! We filmed this video in the summer when we were camping in California. After spending months camping with this tent in Europe we love the Marmot Limelight 2 even more and highly recommend it!

As Randy says in this dry humor video – “You can really breathe right in here.” Plus, Chachy (the cutest dog in the world) makes his acting debut!

Did you miss Randy’s first shirtless gear review?

You can view it here – Eagle Creek Pack It Koala Toiletry Kit Review, or better yet subscribe to our RSS feed today so you don’t miss the next one!

The Good:

An economic, light weight two person multi-season tent with a vestibule.

Marmot includes a gear loft and footprint, usually sold separately buy other brands (REI and North Face I’m looking at you).

Sets up in minutes and weighs 5 pounds.

The rainfly can be used with the footprint to create a minimalist shelter.

A catenary cut floor with taped seams lifted off the ground keeps the water out.

The Bad:

A small rip in the nylon floor after only a few camping trips. User error or durability issue? Only time will tell.

The Ugly:

The duct tape patch where a rodent chewed through the nylon to get to our dog’s food.

You can check out these links for other travel gear reviews including our ExOfficio Underwear reviews for the ExOfficio Newsletter.

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Have You Been To Knob Lick? Johnny Knoxville & Bam Margera share their favorite travel destinations with BeersandBeans!

Randy — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:12:50 +0000

Bam Margera and Johnny Knoxville at the X-Games.

In July, Beers and Beans caught up with Bam Margera and Johnny Knoxville in Los Angeles following an ESPN press conference Knoxville was part of for Mat Hoffman’s “The Birth of Big Air,” which he co-produced. As Margera, his wife, Missy, and Knoxville hung out at a back booth, we spoke briefly to the Jackass stars about their favorite places to travel in the world.

Citing a thriving music scene, including the band HIM, as well as some fantastic skate spots, Margera said his favorite place to visit is Helsinki, Finland.

Waterfall in Iceland

Additionally, the pro skateboarder said he also enjoys traveling around Iceland and through its capital city, Reykjavik. “Iceland is awesome! It feels like you’re on the moon,” said Margera, adding that the country’s varied terrain, including its waterfalls and empty stretches of black volcanic rocks, makes the island a great place to visit.

Crazy Icelandic Landscape

Knoxville’s choices on the other hand were a little closer to home. In fact, one of his favorite destinations–Austin, Texas– is about 1,200 miles from his home in Los Angeles. Having already downed several pints before we spoke to him, Knoxville confidently declared, “My third favorite place is Knob Lick, Kentucky.” As for Knoxville’s first, well I didn’t catch that one, but the next time you see him feel free to ask him yourself.

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If you want more information or want to inquire about having your wedding photographed by Nariko’s Nest please contact me at Beth@NarikosNest.com. BeersandBeans readers get 20% and all destination weddings book at 50% off regular rates!! To see more photos please visit NarikosNest.com.

Published – Yah!

Bethany — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:16:51 +0000

I opened my email this morning to find a nice surprise – one of my photos was published on Whygo.com! Yah!

Those of you familiar with Bootsnall already know what Whygo is all about but those that don’t – it is a Bootsnall site that produces awesome travel guides for destinations around the world. It’s a go to place where you can get travel tips/advice and ideas about where to take your next trip. If you are serious about traveling then you need to join Bootsnall.com. It has by far the best travel information. The forums are phenomenal and beat out Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree any day of the week.

They also feature a daily photo on their Whygo site to inspire your wanderlust. I submitted this photo and it was published today which is very exciting!

Here are the screen shots and below is the original image which you might recognize from my Somewhere In Time photo post a week or so ago.

Thanks WhyGo!

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I love to share. Thanks!

Somewhere In Time – A Young Boy Weeps at Day of the Dead – Oaxaca, Mx

Bethany — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:23:28 +0000

Somewhere In Time is a weekly post featuring a photo from around the world. Enjoy!

A young boy wipes away tears at the grave of a loved one on Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mx while the rest of the women in his family watch over him. I wasn’t able to find out who they were mourning but it was clear in their faces that this person was very well loved. I had the unfortunate feeling that this might have been the grave of the boy’s mother. This scene caught my eye because the boy was very emotional but he was flanked by the love of the other women in his family who watched over him in the background.

Click to see the rest of the Somewhere In Time photos.

*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I love to share. Thanks!

Inside Oaxaca’s Hidden Market – A visit to the 20 de Noviembre Market

Bethany — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:51:41 +0000

Like other bustling cities in Mexico, Oaxaca has several excellent markets.

We ended up in Hostel Del Mercado which was located right next to the 20 de Noviembre Market which conviently, as you might guess, is located on 20 Noviembre street.

The market is inside a very large building that doesn’t really look too different from any other building on the outside. There are a lot of street vendors all around the outside of it selling pretty much everything you could possibly need from batteries to fried crickets.

With all the street activity we actually walked right by the 20 de Noviembre market a couple times before we even discovered it.

Once inside it is a very different experience from any of the vendors on the street.

It is like stepping into another world. Smoke rises from food stalls and wafts through the market enticing the senses. The smell of baked bread and grilled meat smacks you straight in the face as you walk through the door.

It almost seems endless as you wander aimlessly through the stalls which lead seamlessly from one item to the next. Meat leads to bread which leads to flowers which leads to clothing, chocolate and everything else you can possibly imagine in between just waiting to be discovered. With Day of the Dead approaching, the smell of incense and flowers encased every crevice in the old building.

The market, which seemed to be a large local hangout, was absolutely incredible and became a staple of our trip when we wanted cheap food, trinkets or hot chocolate. I would love to go back to Oaxaca just to spend more time photographing the market. It was that beautiful.

There is also another market which was I saw in the 1,000 Things To Do Before You Die book right before we left San Diego – the Abastos Market. We walked several city blocks to get to this market because it was described as “magical” by the author. With all the beautiful sites in Oaxaca worth talking about I figured this market must be amazing since it was the only listing for the entire city. It was not.

It was congested, busy and loud. While it was without a doubt much larger than the Noviembre market it was also gross. It was so dirty that you felt that need to wash your hands immediately. Everything was covered in grime, dust and grease. I would only return if there was something I absolutely needed and could not find anywhere else. They had everything – from garden hoses to goats – but it lacked the charm of typical markets that you would expect in Mexico. In fact, I will most likely not look anything up in that book again due to the horrid inaccuracy of that listing. Other people we met agreed that it was disappointing, dirty and disgusting.

With the easy location and in-your-face charm the 20 de Noviembre market is by far the winner and a must see on any visit to Oaxaca.

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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!