ANGELA B. PAN

I got home from Taiwan the night before Thanksgiving. After 10 days in Taipei, I had mixed feelings about coming home. I was there visiting family, but when I wasn’t with them, I was free to roam the city alone with my camera. I don’t think I’ve ever felt such freedom in a foreign country and I really got to appreciate all the things that make Taipei such a great city.

I’ve visited many times when I was younger. I want to say at least once a year while I was in elementary school. As I got older, the visits became less frequent and the last time I was there was 2014. However walking through some of the same streets during this visit, I was still able to remember some of the places I used to shop or eat at. It brought back so many wonderful memories but also made me want to create new ones. I know in my heart that this will not be the last time I visit.

This image was taken just a few blocks from our hotel. I’m in a big group chat with a bunch of my girlfriends and one of them asked me for a picture of me in Taiwan. After a few days of being there, I realized I hadn’t taken any with myself in it, so when I walked passed this mirror, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for the self-portrait. I love how you can only see my camera, but also gives the context of where I am.

My camera settings for this image are F9 at 1/160th sec and ISO 250 with my Sony A7II and 35mm lens.

Andrew and I were watching Anthony Bourdain’s Layover: Taipei edition the other night. It was so fun to watch because it brought back great memories from my trip last year. Memories of food and places I’d visited. At one point, Anthony brought up Maokong gondola rides. As soon as it came up, Andrew asked if I had any pictures from there. YES I do! So this is to prove to Andrew that I rode up the mountain side.

Who’s excited for Halloween? I have big plans for the weekend involving a Frankenstein puppy dressed up as a bear as we go trick-or-treating with my nephews. My nephews are 11 and 9 now. Do you think they’re too old to have their aunt and uncle go with them? The best part of halloween is after they’re done trick-or-treating, I get to raid all their candy and keep the chocolates for myself 🙂

I’m also meeting up with some local Arcanum friends and shooting the Arlington Cemetery. Love the cemetery at this time of the year. The trees are beautiful and thought it would be fitting considering the holiday.

Here are three things that I was grateful this week:

1. Home for all the fall leaves to be changing. Love this time of year 🙂
2. Loving this year’s Dynamic DC calendar. They’re almost sold out!
3. This makes me laugh.

I know Ive said it before but I’ll say it again that it feels good to be home. The past week I spent a lot of time editing photos and just resting. I’m pretty sure I slept more this past week than I have this past month.

Here are 3 things I was grateful for:

1. My bed- although I don’t remember this ever happening before 
2. Catching up with my Arcanum cohort and welcoming a new apprentice!
3. Spending time working on my Taiwan photos like this one- a typical scene of Taipei streets.

Have a great weekend <3

Most nights you could find me at the night market. It’s so much fun to walk in these streets and just look at all the food stands. They’re always pretty packed though. Not only are there tons of people but motorcycles are constantly zipping by right next to you. You’re constantly looking over your shoulder to make sure one isn’t about to run you over before you take your next step. But the food is delicious! They’re called “little eats” and my favorite thing to get were these buns with meat and veggies inside with soup. Oh the soup would be sooo good and HOT!

So this has got to be one of the most terrifying but super awesome things I’ve ever witnessed/photographed. All these birds started flying all at once, in no real direction but up. My ornithophobia definitely kicked in but I survived.

Speaking of flying, I’m probably in the air right now as you’re reading this. My family and I booked a super last minute trip to Taiwan to visit family. Don’t worry, I was able to schedule some posts to keep you busy while I’m gone. But I’ll also try my best to keep you updated on Instagram and Snapchat (username: abpanphoto), so make sure you’re following me on those social media sites as well 🙂