Aesthetics of Everywhere

Quick Bio:

You’re reading the blog of Crystal Bae, a writer, blogger, and photographer living in DC. I’m a graduate of the George Washington University with a B.A. in English and a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Topics that are always at top of mind for me are urban planning, mass transit systems, languages, photography, modernist literature, and web design.

Travel:

I’m an urban explorer. Megacities fascinate me, though I also love natural landscapes, hiking, and the outdoors. I consider myself a geo-nerd, and I’ll rarely turn down a chance to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site or national park. While studying at university, my friend and I hosted a specialty music show on our campus radio station called Wanderlust, which was our way of traveling the world through song. That kind of curiosity into how people live all over the world does not go away. It’s also the reason I love to study languages – the more widely you can communicate, the more you understand about the world around you.

Of the cities I’ve been to thus far, my favorites are Montreal, Seoul, Cairo, Paris, Chicago, Rabat, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Richmond. Those are the ones I’d go back to in a heartbeat – and all for different reasons.

In summer 2010, I went to Morocco to conduct geographic research on the Amazigh (Berber) languages, and then took a solo trip to Southeast Asia to visit friends and family. I started in the Philippines and journeyed to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. I met amazing people all the while, many of whom welcomed me into their lives and into their homes without hesitation. Travel is about breaking down barriers and making those connections that give you living proof that the world can get along.

Home:

Washington, DC is my home.

I’ve never yet lived outside this area. There are days when I’m enamored with each beat underneath these sidewalks, and love even the way we hate summers here (swampy and humid) and hate winters here (skin-cracking freeze). There are days when all I want to do is leave DC’s buttoned-up posturing, overwhelmed by what feels like dominating insincerity. And then there are most days, where being around good friends and good music is enough to make me want to stay forever.

I’d love your thoughts on any matter related to the blog, travel, writing, or anything else that doesn’t readily fall under those categories. Here’s how to get in touch.

Contact:

// crysbae [at] gmail [dot] com

// crysb

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