Roots

June 12, 2016 by Torrie Hazelwood in Travel, Norway

I've been thinking a lot about the concept of "home" recently so much so that I decided to launch a new photo/interview project for myself to explore how others conceptualize home. My curiosities around how people think about home largely stem from leading a bit of a nomadic life and yet finding myself feeling "at home" on many occasions. One of my earliest memories of this was in Norway. For those of you who know me this will come as no surprise. I am part Norwegian and have been brought up to be fiercely proud of this. My childhood home is smattered with bits of Norway - rosemaling (Norwegian folk art), hand crafted wooden goblets, fine cheese slicers, little trolls and elf creature figurines from folklore and mini viking ships. Norway felt like home even before I arrived for the first time years ago - I was familiar with food, language and customs - plus I have family there who make me feel so comfortable and welcome.

This May I traveled back to Norway with my family to see the May 17 celebrations in Oslo (Norwegian Constitution Day) - a day in which, among other things, Norwegians dress in their traditional bunad and eat copious amounts of ice cream - and to spend some quality time with family and the fjords. From bike rides to trail running to kayaking in the fjords, my love for the outdoors is undoubtedly rooted in my Norwegian blood. I draw my energy and inspiration from being outside and find that the steep cliffs shooting into the waters of the fjords and the subtle appreciation for outdoor life in Norway sits well with my soul and makes me feel, simply put, at home.

Chimney Corners Around the World, Part 1

November 24, 2015 by Torrie Hazelwood in China, Travel

I've known Katie since we met in 2003 at Chimney Corners Camp for Girls. Our cabins shared an overnight site and we've been friends ever since. Now, we are in China together - Katie teaching English for a year and hosting me as I pass through Guangzhou. Hugging a Chimney friend is one of the best feelings no matter what, but seeing a familiar face waiting at the airport for you, and having them be a camp friend, is one of the simplest things that makes me so incredibly happy.

*Katie overlooking the Pearl River at sunset, Guangzhou, China*

Haba, Haba, this Place is GORGEous

November 22, 2015 by Torrie Hazelwood in China, Travel

Aside from staying in Dukezong Old Town, I was able to explore some of the natural beauty Shangri-La county had to offer, including Tiger Leaping Gorge and the White Water Terraces. While I lost one of my lens caps to the gorge and was nearly duped into paying for incense a man shoved into my hands at the Terraces, I couldn't help but hang my head out the window as I rode through the mountains and marvel. Every now and then I'd glimpse a snow capped mountain (though none of them seemed to be THE snow capped mountain) behind those that were covered in trees while there were others that appeared bare, revealing gray and red stone. Nestled in the valleys were small towns and terraced fields. In one of these vallyes I tried, for the first time, the red rice grown in the area. (It tasted just like white rice, but the red made me eat it with an enthusiasm that had waned after a few weeks of eating rice so often).

*Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-La, China*

Haba Mountain, Haba, Shangri-La, China — *Haba Mountain, Haba, Shangri-La, China*

*White Water Terraces, Shangri-La, China*

*View from hostel in Haba, Shangri-La, China*

The Ancient Water Town of Xitang

November 04, 2015 by Torrie Hazelwood in China, Travel

If you can get past the women trying to sell half price tickets and telling you they can get you in the hidden side entrance, the two hour bus ride out of Shanghai will not disappoint. The old style houses lining the canal present a view of China a lot of tourists (Chinese and foreign alike) seek. Spotted in Xitang: a hosteling international hostel, a place where you can stick your feet in a fish bowl and have the fish eat off all the dead skin, and, true to form, selfie sticks for days.