Issue 4: City Series

CITY SERIES: ALIVE

For the love of where we’re from.

Budapest, Hungary By: Cera Soma Last spring while I was studying abroad in Prague, a friend and I decided last minute that we should go to Budapest. We discussed it on the tram from campus to the dorm on Friday and Saturday morning we were back on the tram headed to the bus station. We were only there for one full day but we made the most of it. Budapest and I got off to a rough start at first, the bus was delayed and I found actual bed bugs in the hostel, but as soon as we got to a clean Airbnb and went out and explored, I fell in love. We didn't really have a plan so we were free to do whatever we felt like. We walked around between Buda and Pest, road in the funicular, climbed St. Stephen’s Basilica, and of course went to the baths. The city radiated a calm energy and everything was picturesque and idealistic. It was a city that begged to be photographed and I’m glad I brought my camera for the journey. The trip was short and sweet and I am counting the days until I can go back. The energy I got from being in Budapest made me stop and look more closely at things around me. I paused more and found pleasing photo compositions in the places we went, like on the stairs, in the bath house and the building our apartment was. It really re-energized my spirit and made photography fun for me again. Shot on 35mm.

London, United KingdomBy: Emily Saavedra

the cold breeze hitting my cheeks, made my eyes all teary, because no other place had ever made me feel like i was home.

Toronto, Canada By: Hannah Kozak A city committed to diversity and kindness. I knew Toronto was a place I felt alive in when I realized how inclusive and welcoming its people were. Walking through an American street, it’s not uncommon to feel unsafe and as if something bad is going to happen. Toronto is a city with about 2.8 million people, but I do not feel like any of those 2.8 million people will hurt me. I cherish their warm embrace as I walk through the city alone, feeling powerful and unstoppable. The kind-faced people and their glittering eyes inspire me. Inspire me to be more thoughtful, more creative, more involved. One of my favorite spots is Kensington Market, a small neighborhood where they live off the idea of no matter where you’re from, you have a place to eat here.

Thank you, Toronto, for giving me a place to belong, even from 317 miles away.