Favorites, 2009 (Part 1, People)

While I think it might be a little late to revisit some of my favorite photos from 2009 (this is something traditionally reserved for the end of last year, right?), I figured, oh well, better late than never, especially since I'm getting ready for another trip soon (more details on that later). I’m not a professional photographer in the least bit, so you’ll have to forgive me if the photo quality isn’t always up to par; I picked my favorites based on the stories behind them, and not necessarily on the image quality or sense of color and depth.

Photographing people isn’t always as easy as you think. And, of course, there’s always the chance that the person you want to photograph is a little camera shy (not unlike myself). But isn’t it crazy how a single image of just one person can really capture an entire place or time, sometimes? That’s why I loved these photos so much, and I hope you might feel the same way about them, too.

In Amman, Jordan, we visited a local school, the Al-Hussein Society for the Rehabilitation of the Physically Challenged, to volunteer. I loved these two kids—they were so outgoing and inquisitive. (February 2009)

This is a photo of one of the guides who accompanied us during an overnight stay in the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan. He just looked so cozy (it was freezing) and I’ll always remember his super-considerate offerings of steaming-hot Turkish coffee and sweet tea. (February 2009)

In Heidelberg, Germany, this ebullient older man suddenly started clapping out of nowhere, both startling and amusing the throngs of tourists around him. (August 2009)

I just loved how this Israeli couple clung to each other as they left the synagogue at a kibbutz in the Galilee. (September 2009)

In Nazareth, Israel, we were treated to a performance by a talented local Nazarene dance troupe. (September 2009)

This father and daughter from Akko, Israel, were kind enough to let me photograph them as they sat out on their rooftop. (September 2009)

This photo, also taken in Akko, was a little unsettling: I don’t know if you can see it all that well, but the boy on the far right is playing with a mock rifle. (September 2009)

My friend and I encountered this little boy as we got lost trying to navigate our way through Akko. He was really interested in checking out our camera equipment. (September 2009)

At the Ghetto Fighters’ House Museum in Israel, we came across large groups of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recruits. I loved how the guy on the left decided to put on his best face for me. (September 2009)

Just another day at the pit stop for this IDF soldier (September 2009)

In Jerusalem, a father accompanied his son home from school. (September 2009)

A woman walking through the Old City of Jerusalem (September 2009)

Traditional dancers from Costa Rica—I loved how their skirts moved with every twirl. (November 2009)

I couldn’t take my eyes off of the chefs who made our fresh soba noodles at the Hoshinoya Kyoto restaurant. (December 2009)

A delighted sous chef from Tempura Matsu in Kyoto, Japan, displayed a soon-to-be-cooked-and-eaten fish for us. (December 2009)

This little boy was fascinated by the gigantic koi fish that lived in the ponds surrounding the beautifully serene Tenryu-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. (December 2009)

My one and only geisha spotting from Kyoto—but I can’t even be sure if she’s a real geisha or just a girl playing dress up. (December 2009)

One big tuna at the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo (December 2009)

At the DMZ in South Korea (December 2009)

(All photos © Deanna Ting)

April (Foods)

Okay, so I’ve started noticing a pattern. For work, whenever I can write about stuff that’s not a hotel review, tour review or a destination piece, I will almost always write about food:

From the Farm to My Fork: I wrote about my recent KCC Farmers’ Market experience, likening it to the annual Nathan’s Hot-Dog Eating Contest. (I'm showing off my first-ever barbecued abalone at left  // (c) Candice Lee Kraughto) 

Fave Five 2009 Travel Experiences, Part Two: I listed eating blowfish testicles in Kyoto, Japan, as one of my favorite experiences.

Overcoming My Own ‘Fear Factor’: I go into more detail about said blowfish “gentleman bits.”

Fave Five European Fast Foods: I adore fast food almost anywhere, but Europe has some especially tasty offerings.

Fave Five Vegas Buffets: One of my top reasons for going to Vegas at all, really.

Hawaii—Local Style: I wrote about all the places I ate at with my boyfriend and his relatives.

And today, I just turned in a piece called “Fave Five SoCal Ramen and Soba Spots.” Needless to say, I really like food—both consuming it and writing about it.

Looking back on my travels last year, there are so many great meals that I savored, from the best pasta ever (in Tel Aviv, no less) to the best $110 ever spent on a meal — an elaborate omakase (chef’s selection) dinner in Kyoto (where I ate those blowfish bits). Here’s a taste:

Dining at Hashem Restaurant in Amman, Jordan // (c) Deanna Ting

My friend Jennifer shows off the gigantic bacon pancake we shared in Amsterdam. // (c) Deanna Ting

Contemplating my choices at Febo in Amsterdam // (c) Deanna Ting

Currywurst in Cologne, Germany // (c) Deanna Ting

Pommes frites smothered in mayo, ketchup and fried onions, also in Cologne, Germany // (c) Deanna Ting

My individual, goblet-size portion of Chimay beer in Germany // (c) Deanna Ting

A half-eaten croissant from Strasbourg, France // (c) Deanna Ting

Falafel from Tiberias, Israel // (c) Deanna Ting

Cleaning up the mess that my melting gelato made in Tel Aviv // (c) Deanna Ting

The best pasta--ever. My friend Cindy, a fellow travel writer, also agrees. // (c) Deanna Ting

My favorite meal from Costa Rica // (c) Deanna Ting

Smoked chile butternut squash soup from the Anasazi restaurant in Santa Fe // (c) Deanna Ting

A breakfast meal of champions--chorizo and huevos motulenos from Cafe Pasqual's in Santa Fe // (c) Deanna Ting

Room service breakfast from The Peninsula Tokyo // (c) Deanna Ting

Handmade soba noodles from the restaurant at the Hoshinoya Kyoto // (c) Deanna Ting

Eagerly anticipating my breakfast of nabe (Japanese hot pot) at the Hoshinoya Kyoto // (c) Deanna Ting

Uni (sea urchin) -topped eggplant drizzled with ponzu sauce from Tempura Matsu in Kyoto, Japan // (c) Deanna Ting

Shirako (blowfish testicles; center), flanked by grilled fugu (blowfish) on the sides, also from Tempura Matsu // (c) Deanna Ting

Room service tea from the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-so // (c) Deanna Ting

Ramen with savory pork cheeks in Tokyo // (c) Deanna Ting

Afternoon tea at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi--note the kobe beef sliders and churros // (c) Deanna Ting