Summary

The website content is a personal narrative about the author's memorable experiences and photographs taken at various locations starting with the letter 'A', ranging from airports and airplanes to natural scenes and cultural landmarks.

Abstract

The author reflects on the sentimentality evoked by photographs taken at locations with 'A' initials, including airports like Hongkong International Airport and Incheon Airport, where the hustle and anticipation of travel are palpable. The narrative also touches on the comfort and underlying fear associated with airplane journeys, and the beauty of autumn and its leaves, particularly in New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut. The author shares a personal connection to the Los Angeles County Arboretum, the artistic subway stations of Seoul, particularly Anguk Station, and the convenience of Addison Street in Chicago during winter. The essay concludes with a mention of the Avenue of Stars in Hongkong, modeled after Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and the impact of its renovation on tourism before the onset of the pandemic.

Opinions

The author has a fondness for the ambiance of airports, appreciating the break from routine they represent.
There is a sense of excitement mixed with fear about flying, yet the author finds comfort in the experience.
Autumn is a favored season for the author, with a particular fondness for the transition period between autumn and winter.
The author values the preservation of memories, as evidenced by keeping 17-year-old autumn leaves.
Art in public spaces, such as in Seoul's subway stations, is highly regarded by the author.
The convenience and warmth of the author's experiences on Addison Street in Chicago are highlighted.
The author laments the timing of the Avenue of Stars' renovation in Hongkong, which coincided with the pandemic's impact on tourism.

Photography/A-Z/Memories

Airport, Airplane, Autumn, Autumn Leaves, Arboretum, Anguk, Addison and Avenue Of The Stars

My A-list

The cactus at the Arboretum in Arcadia, California/ Photo by the Author

Letter A have blessed me with some photographs. Because of their memories, I’m a sentimental fool again.

So, here they are:

Airport

There is something about airport. The ambiance, the sound, the lights. It’s the reality that in a few more steps, in a few more minutes and a few more inhales and exhales, I am out of routine. Who wants monotony?

The one above is in Hong Kong International Airport. Flying with Cathay Pacific means a stopover in Hong Kong. Some connecting flights to Japan are outside the airport buildings. A shuttle service will facilitate the transfer. The downside of this is if the layover time is short, have to move fast. As in…run.

Incheon Airport, South Korea/ Photo taken by the Author

Someone had said – hearing the sound of the airport makes her heart flutter. So do I.

I heard that from a Korean vlogger. What a match with Incheon Airport .

Airplane

The one transporting me away from monotony.

The fear of what if is always there. But it will remain as a place where even in mere sitting and brushing elbows with strangers on both sides of the seat, I can sleep like a baby.

I was going home at that time. Even the sky couldn’t help but shed tears.

Autumn and Autumn Leaves

I’m torn between Autumn and Winter as my favorite season. I rather say, my favorite is the season between Autumn and Winter. The last stretch of Autumn.

My memorable one was the December 1st of many years ago. I was in La Guardia Airport in NYC waiting for my flight back home. The snow fell. I felt like the snow loved me so much. Won’t let me leave the city without seeing one.

Aged Autumn Leaves

My 17 year old autumn leaves. I picked them up from the fallen leaves in a park in Greenwich, Connecticut. And was able to keep them up to this day.

That was in November. Happy Birthday my Autumn Leaves.

Arboretum

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a 127-acre botanical garden and historical site in the city of Arcadia, California.

I was there many Octobers away. With all the plants and trees over there, I can’t remember even a single one of them. The only ones I can remember are the California sun, there was a guided tour and the best Black Bean Salad I have ever tasted in the cafe over there😀.

Anguk Station

What separates the subway stations of Seoul from the rest is Art.

Anguk station was my everyday station when I was there. It witnessed how early I hit the road and how I hurried to reach the hotel before midnight.

Nope, there’s no curfew or the hotel closed at midnight. Just my way of manifesting Cinderella.

Addison Street

The warmth of the house and the people I have stayed with in Chicago compensated the cold weather of February.

My first time in Chicago was on Addison Street. A very convenient place. A few steps away is the bus stop, a laundromat, a convenience store and McDonald’s. The Addison subway station, Walmart, KFC are nearby too.

Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars was patterned from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Honoring the celebrities of Hongkong. It is located along the promenade of Tsim Sha Tsui, Hongkong.

As it is open 24 hours, early risers flocked to the place. It was so crowded with tourists from the mainland.

I took the photo on 2015. From 2016 to 2019, it had undergone renovation. It seems the renovation did not do good for the tourism industry. After a year, the pandemic came and Hong Kong have just opened their doors.

Well, that’s it. My A-list.