Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Split Fun

Side-split dresses and skirts have been in since last summer. Unfortunately most of them are too daring to find a place in office where flashing too much legs will definitely raise some brows. This season I'm happy that I came across this Helmut Lang split side skirt that opens to reveal a slip. Here I paired it with a loose kimono sleeve top and a pair of converse for a weekend look, but I've also worn it to office with a crisp blouse and heels. The original price is a little steep for a jersey skirt, I understand. You may be able to find a good price as it's on sale in quite a few department stores (links at the end of the post).

I also love this kimono sleeve top from ASOS! It's so comfortable and versatile. I bet it looks even better on those less busty ladies!


Top: Monki Kimono Sleeve Plunge Neck Top (on sale in Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus
Skirt: Helmut Lang Terrene printed stretch-jersey skirt

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Express Sale on Sale

Hey, ladies! Just a quick note: Express is having extra sales on sale items. And guess what? I saw this dress that looks just like my recent DVF dress in this post! Well, I've never seen or tried this Express dress before. But with extra 30% off $29.99, maybe it's not a bad idea to give it a try... Happy shopping, ladies!

$79.90 $29.99 With an Additional 30% Off



Monday, April 20, 2015

Leather, Maxi and Red Lips

When a long overdue heatwave hit the winter plagued North East over the weekend, every girl pulled out her favorite sundress to celebrate. And I was absolutely in the mood for a floral print maxi dress! Cotton sundress still looks a little flimsy in April? Add layers! Feminine maxi sounds a little out this year? Revitalize it with a cool leather moto vest! When I was in mood for boho chic, no one could stop me. :)

To light up the face, I used a true red lipstick:  Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Best Red. This is the second drugstore lipstick I loved -- I know I'm a late comer to this market. It felt creamy and light on the lips, and stays fresh 3-4 hours without retouch. In terms of color, its neutral red is closest to NARS Jungle Red. If you want a classic true red at a fraction of designer lipstick price, give this one a try.   

Both the dress and the vest were bought last year, but I'm sure you are able to find similar items in the market.


Dress: Free People (similar, similar, also like this, this)
Leather Vest: Bagatelle (similar, similar, similar)
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote Mini in Hot Red
Lips:  Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Best Red
  

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Blue Feather Weight Trench

NYC has officially entered the trench coat season. To make things just a bit different, I bought this ultra light trench coat from Nordstrom recently. This long and lean coat flows and dances with every step I take; the baby blue color adds yet another touch of spring breeze. I'm in heaven!


Shirt: Equipment
Pants: Opening Ceremony
Trench coat: Trouvé Soft Trench Coat

Monday, April 13, 2015

Polished and Bohemian

Long vests were all over the SS 2015 runways. Although not as functional as other staples such as jackets, tailored long vests immediately create a streamlined silhouette and inject a touch of polish into almost any outfit. Skinny jeans, wide-leg pants, mini-skirts, dresses... Long vests go virtually with everything. Click here if you need some inspiration.

Here I paired this Topshop tailored long vest with a pair of straight-leg pants I bought in Guatemala to create a strong contrast between British peppiness and Latino free spirit. What do you think?


Vest: Topshop Sleeveless Ponte Jacket (available in TopshopNordstrom, also available in color rust and grey)
Pants: bought in Guatemala
Tee: Vince

For your curiosity, here is a close-up shot for the traditional woven pants every Guatemalan wears. Amazing colors and patterns!

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Sporty Lady

Sporty style continues strong this season, but you don't have to dress like a tomboy to embrace it. We office ladies always strike for the balance between being classy and sassy. That's exactly why I fell head-to-toe with this elegant DVF knit dress. Its body-con silhouette and high neckline are both office appropriate and feminine, yet nothing says "sporty" like those high contrast scuba inspired stripes. Step into a pair of fashion sneakers or booties, and you've got a perfect feminine outfit with a sporty spin.

BTW I've been thinking of posting this recent purchase from Saks for a while. Unfortunately we've been back to winter-ish temperature recently. Now the dress is sold out. Blame this brutal winter, please!
 

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg Josephine Contrast-Trimmed Body-Con Dress
Silk scarf: bought in Vienna, Austria
Polka dot stockings: bought at Taobao in China

Monday, March 30, 2015

My Big Fat Grey Goose

Can't imagine that I was still wearing my big fat Canada Goose Kensington down coat this past weekend! Aren't we approaching the Easter weekend? Everyone in the North East knows my frustration. This winter is way too long and way too cold. I want spring! I want flowers! I want fresh leaves!


Down coat: Canada Goose Kensington parka in Graphite (available in Barney's, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Amazon)
Tee: Ed Hardy
Leggings: Club Monaco

Monday, March 23, 2015

Embrace Athleisure

If you bought Lululemon stocks five years ago, you would have seen your investment being more than tripled so far. And this year Lulu had apparently left all the negative news behind and is now heading north all the way again. Despite complaints of its dropping quality year after year and my unwavering verdict of this "overrated sports brand that charges premium mostly on its brand image rather than anything tangible", I have to admit that Lulu had spearheaded in bringing in a new fashion trend that is in full blossom this year -- Athleisure.

The perfectly descriptive buzzword shows women's desire to live a comfortably confident life in style. And for that reason, I see this change of tide more permanent than transient. From designer yoga pants to layering cashmere sweaters, these gym-to-street pieces are functional and comfortable, and at the same time, stylish and curve hugging. And the good news is: now we have more brands to choose from beyond Lululemon.

I've got a few running pieces from Under Armour and Nike recently. I happily notice that they are now taking a page of Lulu's style book and offering more body hugging styles, all with their fast dry fabric designed for serious workout maniacs.

Take this springy Under Armour 1/2 Zip top for example: When I put it on in the fitting room, I just loved seeing myself from every angle. It was definitely body hugging, but in a comfortable and flattering way. The fabric used in UA's ColdGear line wicks sweat away quickly and keeps you dry and warm. I've been using it in my outdoor long runs and weekend hiking trips. No complaints. The only improvement I would suggest to UA is: add pockets please.


Jeans: James Jeans
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAC

Monday, March 9, 2015

Unique Glow

Finally we are out of winter! phew~ I know I'd been quiet for a while. Blame this brutal winter please. I'd never seen such a long and cold winter in New York, and I did not have the courage of stepping out of my cozy warm apartment to shoot pictures. But, I'm everything but a quitter! Now that the snow is melting on the ground, I'm finally motivated to take off my bulky Canada Goose and shoot new looks!

Back in my early summer trip to central Europe, I was impressed by the ultra light down coat my friend packed in her suitcase. It fits easily into its own little pouch, but keeps you warm when the temperature drops to ~40F. I scored one this season, and couldn't wait to put it on last weekend. :)

This Uniqlo down jacket also brought me into its enormous store in mid town, and I was shocked at the quality and price of this brand. Uniqlo did make a scene when it hit Manhattan a couple of years ago, but I took it just as yet another cheap brand and did not bother to walk into its store. Now I realized how wrong I had been all these years! A little money goes a long way here, and you get your money's worth!

Besides this ultra light down jacket, I also bought multiple HEATTECH long sleeve T-shirts in the store. Man! They kept me warm in this dreaded winter! Just like the quick dry material you pay big $$$ for in big sport brands, HEATTECH wicks your sweat away and keeps your body heat. You may stay dry and warm in those babies without worrying too much about your bleeding bank account.


Top: Uniqlo HEATTECH Crew Neck T-Shirt
Down coat: Uniqlo Ultra Light Hooded Down Jacket (sold out, new season)
Leather pants: Versace
Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini Perry Satchel in burgendy

Friday, February 13, 2015

The Power of Contrast Shower

码字的人最怕的就是写了一半弄丢了。这篇本来是上周开始写的,谁知道自己手贱把它点没了,顿时泄了气,丢下一周,今天决定重振旗鼓,从头写起。

话说健身届有很多口口相传的说法和做法,不见得都有严谨的科学道理,真要考据起来也是众说纷纭,但是有时候倒也不妨听一听试一试。Contrast shower (or power shower) 就是其中的一个,在力量训练人群中颇为流行。长跑的人则更倾向于冷水浴。对于经常跑步的人来说,究竟哪种更合适呢?我来说说自己的体验。

既然是个人体验,当然先要说说我自己的锻炼背景:前两年我以力量训练为主,很少跑步。去年一月中旬开始每周一次长跑,六周后参加纽约半马。这一年来因为脚伤虽然跑得有点断断续续的,倒是没有放弃过,力量训练仍然坚持,但是不再是主要内容。今年跑步感觉很好,遂参加NYRR,基本上从三月起每个月有1-2个长跑比赛。跑得不快,但是距离还可以,自娱自乐也跑过16英里的距离了。

在以力量训练为主的年头里,contrast shower是我每天锻炼后的必做功课。根据健身届的说法,热水能帮助血管舒张,促进代谢,把运动产生的废物尽快排出体外;冷水则收缩血管,减少局部炎症,减轻肌肉和关节的酸痛。冷水热水交替冲,则能得到两者的优势,帮助恢复的效果最好。具体实施上,水温都是以个人能忍受的最大极限为准,都是从热水浴开始,以冷水浴结束,热水冷水的时间比例有推荐3:1的,也有推荐2:1的,我基本上是2:1,冲3-4个循环。实际效果非常不错,的确能加速恢复。

现在跑步多了呢,我就先琢磨了一阵子冷水浴。

冷水浴的好处,史书上记载还真不少,据说古时候斯巴达的男人就推崇冷水浴。也有很多文章证明冷水浴强身健体,锻炼意志,增强抵抗力,增强精子活力和男人生育能力,等等。

我是温室里长大的现代人,也不用考虑精子活力问题,咱只关心怎么洗澡最能加速跑步后的身体恢复和防止伤病。

虽然说长跑是全身运动,说到底,主要运动部位还是四肢,尤其是下半身。所以跑步以后很多人会小腿 脚踝和脚丫发生充血现象,但是没有人会胸肌背肌充血。因为血液集中在下肢,上半身血压会降低,所以跑步停下来以后会有人因为低血压而感到头晕眼黑甚至因此晕倒。

长跑以后的各种放松基本上都是针对血液过于集中在下半身这个问题的(比如放松走走),针对局部酸痛的RICE四字真经更是直接,Ice直接冷缩血管,Compress和Elevate则帮助血液从患处往心脏流动,血液流走了,肿胀 炎症和痛感也就减轻了。

所以长跑推荐冷水浴是很自然的,即使没有勇气全身冷水浴,也要在跑步后用冷水泡腿脚,局部酸痛要冰敷,总之“冰冷”是件好事。

我进一步想:如果在跑步后做contrast shower呢?

用热水冲上身,帮助血管舒张和代谢废物,然后用冷水冲腿脚,帮助下半身血液回流和舒缓酸痛。仍然是热水开始,冷水结束,仍然是3-4个循环,但是将热水冷水时间调整到1:2甚至1:3。这样做会不会效果更好?

我试验了三周了,个人体验非常惊艳。

以前跑完一定要用冰块敷脚,痛得龇牙咧嘴,现在不需要了;以前刚跑完小腿肿得很难穿靴子,现在直接轻松拉上;最重要的是,这样洗澡以后真是神清气爽,全身没有哪个地方是酸的胀的不舒服的!在这之前,我不敢跑speed training,更不敢跟long run离得太近,一个是怕脚伤复发,一个是怕身体疲惫。现在可以一周跑3-4天,而且可以back-to-back speed training and long run (这个不推荐,一般建议这两个中间隔开几天,我也是时间安排不过来才这么跑的),腿脚都感觉很舒服。

虽然是我一个小白鼠的个人体验,如果你也跑步的话,不妨也试一试?

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Guatemala (5): Rich and Poor

一直很犹豫要不要写这篇,因为内容有点沉重,而且不是普通游客会关心的内容。想来想去,还是写吧,毕竟这是这个国家面临的沉重问题之一,也给了我很多思考。

前面说过了,Guatemala文盲率很高,又处在国际贩毒集团的活动路径之上,大面积的贫穷和猖獗的黑帮活动导致这个国家政治腐败治安混乱,据说犯罪率高居全球第三。随便走走,你会看到连普通的mall都有荷枪实弹的警卫守卫。这是我在某加油站看到的场景:也许是赶上了警卫集合,满眼都是枪,我坐在车里真tmd不敢下车,偷偷拍了五杆枪。

我们这次出游,是有某人儿时的朋友一路奉陪的。这些朋友都是正经念过大学甚至留学美国的,所以在当地都是很体面的人。加上当地物价地价人工都很低廉,他们过得都非常富有。普通的一对医生夫妇,就可以不光在首都的山上有独立屋,还可以在海边拥有别墅,跟副总统做邻居,每个住处都有2-3个小工,男的打扫和维护房子外围,女的负责做饭和打扫房子内部。这些房子都在private community里面,外围有配枪的警卫,出入需要严格的登记,所以community里面是非常安全美好的,绿树红花,碧海蓝天,只有主人陪同方能进入的country club里面有private beach,有infinity pool,觥筹交错歌舞升平,一点不比Hamptons差劲。搞得我都忍不住跟某人说:要不咱们也在这里买块地修个度假屋吧?

当然这只是说笑而已。

所有的美好都仅限于城墙之内。走出community,你看到的就是中国70年代小镇的发展水平,有些地方甚至更破败。

也许是因为信教的缘故,这些有钱的朋友是很有爱心的。比如一个牙医朋友会每个月开车到边远乡村去给穷人免费看牙。我们去的季节正赶上圣诞节,所以我们跟着这些朋友参加了当地的一个慈善活动,12月24号那天去贫民窟送食品衣物和玩具。这是当地教会发起的活动,由来已久,后来渐渐扩大到教会范围以外,很多家庭都大人小孩全家出动每年参加。

在去之前,他们反复给我做铺垫,告诉我那里的人多么多么穷,条件多么多么恶劣,情况也许会多么多么混乱,我要多么多么小心。我不在乎的说:我是中国人,发展中国家长大的,在美国也参加过Bronx的慈善活动,咱又不是没见过穷人!

去了以后才知道,这种水平的贫穷,真是我没有见过的。电视电影上见过,但是跟亲身经历还是完全不能比的,就跟听唱片跟看演唱会现场的差别一样大。

这个贫民窟位于垃圾场旁边。我们一行40多辆小皮卡和mini van,开到外围就进不去了,只能停下来,肩挑背扛把东西运进去。车一停下来就有群众虎视眈眈的围观,所以每辆车都有两个大汉负责守护,以防哄抢。

垃圾场
贫民窟的房子都是用这种板子随便搭起来的
我们把车停在外围,开始卸货
贫民窟的泥土小径根迷宫一样弯弯绕绕
我们把货物卸到一个棚子里,衣服归类放好,开始分装食物:每个人可以得到两个面包和两个tamale -- tamale是当地圣诞节的传统食物,跟粽子有点像,香蕉叶子里面裹着玉米面和肉。同时,大家在棚子外面拉起了绳子,控制人流,单队进单队出,以防哄抢,跟Black Friday的时候Coach门口控制进出一个样子。我一边不停的装面包,一边张望,发现绳子外面很快就排起了长队,主要是妇女和儿童。

棚子里忙着给物资归类和分装的人们
圣诞老人没有忘记的角落
一切准备就绪以后,就开始发物资了。

女人总是对衣服最有兴趣,无论年龄和贫富
孩子们一看到玩具就蜂拥而上
当我们的孩子天天玩手机玩iPad的时候,这些孩子会为了一个彩色的塑料球而欢呼雀跃兴奋不已
宝宝别哭,玩具会有的,tamale也会有的
领面包的小女孩,那空洞寂寞的眼神不是她这个年纪的孩子应该有的
虽然我很高兴自己能站在这里帮助这些需要帮助的人们,可是这样的赤贫让人触目惊心。更可怕的是,很多女人都在身后拖着七八个小孩。天,她连自己都养不活,居然生七八个小孩!这些孩子能够得到的关爱和资源少得可怜,如果没有夭折幸运的长大了,也不会有任何受教育的机会,长大了也逃不掉做苦力在贫困线苦苦挣扎的命运,可是他们会再生七八个小孩,再漠然的听任他们自生自灭。。。

我没有孩子,但是我看到听到我的同事们一起讨论怎样送他们的孩子进最好的私立学校,怎样学钢琴练体育,而地球的这个角落里,这些孩子就跟野草一样的自生自灭。当我轻轻拍拍一个小女孩的肩膀问她饿不饿的时候,她什么也没有说,就整个人扑到我的怀里紧紧地靠着我,闭着眼睛,让我轻轻的抚摸她的头和肩膀,像一只渴望抚摸的小猫小狗一样。她需要的不单单是食物,她需要人类的关爱。我便这样轻轻的抱着她抚摸她,心里有说不出的酸痛。

后来我跟那些朋友们谈起这些,忍不住问他们:你们既然做善事,为什么不做得更彻底一些呢?比如,你们为什么不办免费的学校呢?这些孩子需要教育啊,只有教育才能打破贫穷的魔咒啊!

他们默然不语。

我又说:你们为什么不教育那些人避孕呢?假如女人生一两个孩子,还有可能做part time挣钱养家,生了七个八个可不就只能在家里呆着了吗?孩子这么多,怎么能得到足够的爱护呢?

他们默然不语。

某人告诉我:你别费劲了,这是个天主教国家,虽然受过教育的人自己都有birth control,但是不愿意公开谈论这个话题,而教育呢,受过教育的这些人骨子里是看不起穷人的,因为穷人不去教堂。

这下轮到我默然不语了。不管某人的解释是不是事实,这些受过教育的有钱人表面上出钱出力帮助穷人,可是却从来不愿意为根本上解决贫困提供长久之计。我忍不住阴暗地想:他们每年这些善行,也许只是为了自己心安罢了,只是为了证明自己是个好人罢了。穷人,那就任他们穷去吧!可是,他们忘记了:贫穷滋生罪恶,正因为贫穷的罪恶,他们这些富人只能生活在武装守卫的金丝笼里,不敢随便行走,而这个美丽的国家,也因为社会的动荡,不能像Costa Rica那样成为旅游大国。

回头想想中国,虽然计划生育的实施过程中有不人道的案例,但是它从根本上改变了一代人的生育观念,让我们知道优生比多生更重要;虽然希望工程被暴露出许多腐败劣迹,但是多多少少还是有些钱被用来支援乡村教育,给底层的小孩子提供了打翻身仗的机会。一个社会,如果没有upward mobility,就不能鼓励年轻人靠自我奋斗来改变人生,这样的社会是没有前途的。American dream,正是美国得以长期领先世界的前进动力。

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Let life be beautiful like summer flowers

啊,罪过!又有很久没有写博了!新年伊始,每天加班,说实话,最近心情也不是太好。

最近好多坏消息。

中国同学们大概都听说姚贝娜殁了,那么年轻鲜活的生命,说走就走了;

健身的朋友大概都听说Greg Plitt逝了,那么健美阳刚的身体,说没就没了;

然后。。。

谁谁谁的哥哥得癌症了;

谁谁谁的妈妈得癌症了;

谁谁谁的老婆抑郁症自杀了。。。


坏消息一个接一个。唯一的安慰是,这些人都跟我是2度关联,我身边的朋友亲人都安好。即便如此,我也忍不住会想,如果我身边最亲爱的爸爸妈妈爱人朋友出了事。。。然后就不敢想下去。

生命如此短暂,平凡如我,即使不能"生如春花之烂漫,死如秋叶之静美",也要好好爱自己爱家人爱朋友,不要留下遗憾吧!妈妈总说:"你孤身在外要好好照顾自己,身体好心情好,健康快乐,就是最大的孝顺。我们不要你的钱,只要知道你过得好。"现在想来,果真如此。

放一张最朴素的无妆乱发眯眯眼大脸照(from the Guatemala trip),祝愿大家天天都阳光灿烂心情靓丽!

Monday, January 12, 2015

Guatemala (4): Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan 是旅游胜地,不光外国游客多,Guatemala本地人也爱去那里玩。这个湖很大,被连绵不断的小火山环抱,有很多有意思的小镇。这些小镇的湖水有的清澈见底,有的却漂浮着生活垃圾,静谧温柔的小镇是yoga假期的重要基地。

这个大湖魔力超群,很多人短期来这里游玩,玩着玩着就不乐意走了,长期在此定居。有个传说是这样的:殖民时期,有个西班牙士兵爱上了这里一个美丽的印第安姑娘,可是姑娘却连正眼都不看他。于是他去求一个女巫打造了一枚魔法戒指以让姑娘身不由己的爱上自己。结果他如愿以偿,两个人真的在一起啦!可是士兵的长官不喜欢自己的下属跟当地人谈恋爱,就把姑娘给杀了。杀完以后一看,夷?姑娘手上还有个戒指,很值钱的样子哦,就把它拿下来自己戴上了。士兵很伤心,却没有办法报仇。慢慢的,戒指的魔力生效了,长官居然对士兵产生了身不由己的爱恋,士兵就利用这个迷恋把他杀死了,把尸体和戒指一起沉入湖心。据说这就是这个大湖致命的吸引力的由来。

剧情够前卫吧?连同性恋都早早记载了。。。其实咱纽约也有魔法戒指,而且数目不少,制造它们的女巫叫Tiffany。。。哈哈!

午后坐在树下看水,或者在水边的楼阁喝杯啤酒,看小鸭子吃流一下钻进水里捉鱼,时间一眨眼就过去了。
当地的印第安女人会顶着商品到处游走贩卖,她们织的土布花花绿绿的好看极了!
无论夕阳斜照还是晨雾朦胧,大湖各种风情,无限浪漫

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Guatemala (3): Tikal

接着上篇说说Tikal。Guatemala曾经是玛雅文明的中心之一,在北部平原的热带雨林中,玛雅人曾经生活了一千多年,留下很多遗迹,Tikal就是世界文化遗产之一。

从Guatemala City到Tikal需要坐小飞机,确切地说,需要早上睡眼朦胧的爬起来,迎着朝霞,去坐早上6点的小飞机。困死!


下了飞机以后,在机场找到接车的导游,换乘小巴,又开了许久,高速渐渐变成土路,才进入park内部。路上经过一个大湖,风景甚美。


进了公园,找到了说英语的地导,就慢悠悠的走向森林深处了。

入园之处有一棵很大的ceiba树,很多人与之合影。ceiba在拉美很多地区被奉为神树,被认为根underworld相连,从玛雅文明开始直到今天,伐木的时候都不会砍ceiba tree。不过这棵树也不会年代过于久远就是了 -- Guatemala位于地震带,地表土壤很薄,底下都是坚硬的火山岩,植物的根系不能深入,所以大树长到100年的时候就已经根系暴露在地表了,再过100年就会因为头重脚轻根系支持不了枝叶的生长而轰然倒掉。


话说回来,人人都知道玛雅人聪明,上知天文下识地理,但是他们没有认识到植被对生态的重要意义。Tikal这一片原本就缺水,加上玛雅人长期伐木,好好一片热带雨林被砍光了,由此带来大旱和饥荒,玛雅人为了争夺粮食和水源而大打出手,最后不得不迁出Tikal。他们在这里住了1000年,鼎盛时期人口达到700万人。大概又过了1000年,森林早已恢复,原本白色石灰墙面的遗迹早已被植被掩埋覆盖,考古学家才发现了这里的古建筑群。

我们的导游是当地的印第安土著,身手敏捷,对森林里的植物动物都了如指掌,指给我们很多有趣的动物,可惜英语不很灵光,对古迹和古代的故事讲解不很到位,是这次出游最大的遗憾。

Tikal古建筑群的核心是the Grand Plaza,有两座大金字塔,Temple I 和 Temple II 东西相望,北面是 North Acropolis。

跟埃及金字塔一样,玛雅人的金字塔也是用来埋国王的。Temple I 和Temple II 都是公元700多年建的,据说Temple I用来埋某个国王,Temple II用来埋他老婆,但是很奇怪的是,考古学家并没有在Temple II里面找到遗骸,只找到了王后像。爬上Temple II 看对面的Temple I  是这样的:


North Acropolis是一个建筑群,也是用来埋国王的,里面有8个小金字塔和几个墓室。


虽然Temple I 名气大,关于Tikal的宣传照上也多为Temple I,真正高大的金字塔是Temple IV,形状差不多,但是有70米高,现在仍在发掘过程中。我们沿着后人搭建的木台阶,爬到了顶部。回首远眺,可以看到丛林中有三个金字塔冒出尖尖的屋顶,它们分别是Temple I,II 和 III。


玛雅人的金字塔,每面91级台阶,加上顶部,正合一年365天之数。这些台阶远看不起眼,走近了才发现都是大石块垒成的,又高又陡,爬起来并不轻松。这里放个渺小的我以做对比,旁边是个小规模的金字塔(忘了是哪个了)。大部分玛雅人比我还矮,能用这么大的石头建造出这样高大的金字塔,还真不是件容易的事呢!



Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Guatemala (2): Wild Life

Guatemala地貌复杂,生物种类非常丰富,其中很多都是濒危品种,是著名的biodiversity hotspot。

从Guatemala City往南开一两个小时,沿途经过广袤的甘蔗地和芭蕉香蕉园,就渐渐出了山地,最后到达海边Port San Jose。这里的沙滩是黑色的,跟火山上黑色的沙土地一个颜色,都是火山喷发的产物,水清沙幼。


在San Jose附近就有个生态保护区(ecological park),是看鸟和看海龟的去处。坐上小船,慢慢开出小镇,河面越来越开阔,两岸的热带雨林密密匝匝的如树屋一般,河面上不时能够看到捕鱼的小船,山清水秀,一片恬静祥和之气。


渐渐的,河心出现一片小沙洲,上面密密麻麻的全是鸟。争渡!争渡!惊起一滩鸥鹭!


小船继续前行,河边不时看到小鸟做伴。


经过入海口,正赶上海水倒灌,波涛排山倒海的迎面扑打过来,在阳光下气势逼人,可是河边一老一少两只鸟儿处变不惊,迎风而立,甚是有趣。


再往前走,就到了一片开阔平静的水域,是海龟产卵的地方。Guatemala原本有很多海龟的,它们把蛋生在沙滩上就走了,结果人们把蛋吃掉了,海龟现在就成了濒危动物。政府派人在沙滩上把海龟蛋收起来一起孵化,然后选个日子集体放生。我在视频上看见放生的场景,无数白色的小海龟小爪子巴拉巴拉的跑进海里,好玩儿得很,心向往之。本来我们到的日子正是放小海龟的日子,谁知道政府一个不小心,半夜里跑进来野狗,把小海龟都吃光了!所以我们只能把船停留在水上,静静的等待大海龟出来换气。海龟根鲸鱼一样是哺乳动物,在水下是不能呼吸的,所以隔一会儿就要出来冒个头。看海龟换气也跟看鲸鱼换气一样,就靠耐心二字。我们打开啤酒,一边小声说话一边等,居然陆陆续续看到好多海龟,但是我的镜头捕捉到的也就这么一位老先生。


后来去Tikal看玛雅遗址,丛林中也看到不少野生动物。比如这只红肚皮的小鸟,据说是toucan的亲戚(名字忘记了),而toucan是Guatemala的国鸟。


Tikal丛林中印象最深的是howler monkey,大概中文叫吼猴,真是声闻千里(导游说声音能传2英里),巨大的噪音源。好不容易找到真猴了,他们脾气真是不好,在树上跳来跳去,还扔小树枝砸我,好像很不高兴我们打搅了他们的生活。找不出清晰的照片来,可惜了。

倒是抓了两张spider monkey的照片,他们长手长脚长尾巴的,在树上很是灵活。