United States

New Orleans skyline by night, reflected off the Mississippi. New Orleans is an odd combination of Americana, Creole culture and jazz, and is perhaps the most unique city in the world. This is the modern downtown with its office towers and casinos.

See a map of where this photo was taken!

This shot towards Brooklyn is on the famous Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The bridge crosses the East River, connecting Manhattan with Brooklyn. It's a massive bridge and highly recommended for travelers who don't mind a little walk - you can always catch the subway or ferry back! This walkway is on an elevated platform above car lanes.

See a map of where this photo was taken!

I caught this look while coming down the escalators of Empire State Building. While the wait to get to the top takes forever - we were in line for two hours - the view is well worth it. You can also buy a fast-lane ticket to go past most of the lines in true American fashion. Julija was so fond of this shot she uses this as the title photo of her blog.

This colorful photo was taken shortly after sunset in southern Central Park in New York City. The Park is quite safe these days even after dark, and NYPD and Park Services officers patrol the park often. Entering the park from the crowded street is a soothing and incongruous experience after a long day of sightseeing and the hustle and bustle of the city.

The apartment buildings with their reflections off the pond provide a strong juxtaposition to the foliage in the foreground, which was lit by streetlights.

See a map of where this photo was taken!

The magnificent New York City skyline as seen from the piers of Brooklyn Heights. The twin light columns commemorate the location where the Twin Towers stood just a few years ago. The famous Brooklyn Bridge crosses the East River on the right.

The railing on the foreground has an excerpt from Walt Whitman's fitting poem "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" cut into it, underlining the "tall masts of Mannahatta". Mr Whitman uses the Lenni Lenape people's original name for Manhattan - which means "land of many hills." The hills are now man-made towers of metal.

See a map of where this photo was taken!

Waiting for the subway.

The unmistakable Time Square in New York City.

See a map of where this photo was taken!

Break-Out at Virginia Military Institute. This coming-of-age ceremony is how rats (freshmen) become cadets at VMI. This rat - like everybody else in the rat mass - has gone through months of mentally and physically challenging tests, and these are the last steps and crawls to becoming part of the VMI family. He is helped by his dyke (mentor) behind him, and other upperclassmen. Scaling this muddy hill is no easy feat, especially as its the culmination of a days-long continuous challenge.

See a map of where this photo was taken!

This is my alma mater, Virginia Military Institute. One of the rats (freshmen) messed up during parade - guess which one! - and the XO ensures the entire company learns the lesson.

VMI is the last bastion of truly rigorous mental and physical education of citizen-soldiers. The I draws its strength from such varied sources as Greek Stoicism, Confucian philosophy and Machiavelli's political theory, among others. I am personally greatly indebted to the formative VMI education, as it gives clarity and purpose in life unlike anything else.

See a map of where this photo was taken!

Taken on my walk on the bridges back and forth over East River, I saw these two construction workers with their colorful hard hats in the sveltering summer heat. I managed to get a shot through the fence, capturing the contrast between their hats and the drab surroundings.

Taken aboard the Port Imperial/Weehawken ferry on a clear summer afternoon, capturing a serene sailboat on the Hudson River, with Chelsea and Piers providing the backdrop.

This contrasty Tribeca detail view of art deco 60 Hudson Street Building landmark and a water tower is one of my favorite shots from this trip to NYC!