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How Wrong I Was

When we arrived in Naples my first impressions were of physical deterioration, vandalism, and filth. When thrown suddenly into the chaos and traffic just outside the airport the contrast with Montreal felt like too much! A visceral body blow.

Looking back now I can see how wrong I was.

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Posted in Italy, Europe, Travel
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Catania Market

The Catania food markets continue a tradition dating back at least as far as Roman times, but also picking up on all the cultures that have traveled through Sicily since.

Posted in Travel, Europe, Food
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Eastern Sicily

The eastern side of Sicily seems pretty laid back compared to Naples. People are friendly but not as outgoing; the culture seems a bit more drawn in. Driving is easy, not the blood sport it is in Naples (or Palermo).

Posted in Italy, Architecture, Europe, Photography, Travel
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Naples, First Impressions

Naples’ fall from grace as once the largest and most prestigious city in Italy contributes to the irony of its present state. Centuries of economic struggles in southern Italy have forced Neapolitans to master the art of survival through an informal economy of street vendors, artisans, and small family businesses.

Posted in Italy, Architecture, Europe, Travel
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The Sacred Mountains: Aramaic Villages and Ancient Pilgrimages

The third in a series introducing my new photo book “Return to Damascus: A Personal Journey.” This post exploring Syria’s Christian heritage and linguistic treasures in the Qalamoun Mountains.

From Damascus, the Qalamoun Mountains rise like ancient guardians along the Lebanese border, harboring some of the most unusual Christian cultural and religious treasures in the Middle East.

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Posted in Middle East, Travel
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Return to Damascus is my new book of photographs, available for order, that preserves fleeting impressions and the spirit of a place through the lens. Accompanied by brief reflections and memories, the photographs offer a tribute to the place and its people, focusing on enduring character and the subtle interplay of light, architecture, and tradition. Return to Damascus is a quiet celebration of observation and memory, inviting viewers to participate.

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How Many Roads? is a book of photographs by Jonathan Sa'adah, available for order, offering an unglossy but deeply human view of the period from 1968 to 1975 in richly detailed, observant images that have poignant resonance with the present. Ninety-one sepia photographs reproduced with an introduction by Teju Cole, essays by Beth Adams, Hoyt Alverson, and Steven Tozer, and a preface by the photographer.
If you'd like more information, please have a look at this page.
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