Human

Yogi, volunteer, photographer, writer.

[anniecardosoo]

It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop.

If your heart is honest and has good intentions, you can achieve anything you wish. But be careful what you wish for, as it might come true.

[anniecardosoo]

Glaciers.

How magical it is to be here. To witness a summer between Ice and Fire.

The more I read, see, feel, smell and talk about glaciers, the more I get in love with them. The more I realize how small we are, and how big the world is. The more I understand how important nature is, and how we are at a threshold. Humans can't keep acting as if nature was just a disposable product, nature is life! And we must respect it, honor it, live in harmony with it.

Let's go and talk to the flowers! The trees, the glaciers, the volcanoes, the birds.... they have the answers we are all searching for.

Hope you're having a great summer!

[anniecardosoo]

Clarion Island - Revillagigedo Archipelago, Pacific Ocean, Mexico.

Rainbows and dolphins give us an extra warm welcome to this remote place. This island is part of the biggest Natural protected area in the Ocean in Northern America. To get there it takes almost 2 days by boat. But the magic is unreal.

There is a military base in the island. Other than them and some marine biologists who are doing some research around the island, no one is allowed to set foot on there. It is so pristine, so raw, so real... birds, sharks, unbelievable views, the volcano in the heart of the island...

This photo was taken by a fellow crew member, from left to right: myself, "MantaRay" and Mario S. I was feeling like one of the luckiest crew members on board... touristic boats can't go there every week, they would maybe go once per year.

Captain Beto is such a wise man, he knows the ocean like few captains know it. He knew we were gonna be safe, and how fun it'll be, "all hands on deck" lines tucked in, anchor´s up, and Clarion here we go!"

I still get goosebumps from those memories.

[anniecardosoo]

Guanajuato, Mexico, January 2025

My dad used to work at Kodak, so I grew up with a camera in my hand, photography has been so close to me and I can't express how grateful I am for this.

I know the company doesn't exist anymore, that's why I get so excited every time I see a Kodak announcement, logo, bag, camera, anywhere I am.

Melancholy at its best. Hence the Sepia filter.

Don't forget to take a deep breath!

[anniecardosoo]

Sintra - Portugal - March 2023

I was actually taking a photo just to test my lens with the flower, and then the bee decided to get in the shot, probably to get some pollen, but I am mostly certain bee just wanted a photo to be taken of this moment.

It was so cute, unexpected, like everything that I saw in that town, from the most minimal creature, like this bee, to the huge castles... that town still has my heart.

I wish I could share with you the amazing smell from the forest, the breeze filled up with fresh air, the stunning views everywhere you look around.

For now, this photo will have to be a little memory from those days.

Have a good one!

[anniecardosoo]

Lisbon - Portugal - March 2024

I am so grateful I got to experience this town. It reminded me of one of the towns you can see in the tv show "Game of Thrones". The architecture, the people, the church bells, the streets... there is something really magical around here.

I was celebrating my 30rd birthdate, I ate a lot of local meals, including the famous "Pasteis de Nata", it was a little treat I let myself enjoy.

I walked up and down stairs multiple times, I finded little streets, full of colors, full of life, so energetic, so vibrant, so musical.

Local people are very polite, easy going, educated, patient.

The sunsets were mesmerizing, the city transformed completely, between the sun and the moon times.

The "old town" area is full of historical buildings, the tuk tuk guides are very informative, the yellow wagons will take you all around the city.

The view from my Airbnb was spectacular, I use to enjoy a cup of wine, while writing int my journal how my days where around the area, my physical body was exhausted, but my mind was happy and my soul was refreshed.

Let yourself immerse in the magic Lisbon has to share with you. And let me know how it goes!

Yeeehaa!

[anniecardosoo]

Howth Cliffs - Ireland - September 2023

There are many paths you can take around here, some of them are very short, some are quite challenging, but all of them include stunning views.

Be ready to go up and down, walk in smooth paths and maybe jump around some rocks. Sometimes you get to see people swimming into the ocean, while you are shivering due to the cold wind. For the swimmers the clothes seemed to be optional.

The waves are crashing beneath the cliffs, birds are singing their songs, bees are playing around flowers. Nature at its best.

A raincoat is a must, there can be small breezes here and there.

Ireland has beautiful castles, beautiful music, a lot of night activities, specially in the heart of big cities like Dublin.

But this little island has a raw nature that captivated me, the temperature at the end of summer was right on the point for us to enjoy a long peaceful walk.

This cliffs are about 40 min by train from Dublin´s downtown. The town is called Howth, hence "Howth Cliffs", and its very easy to locate the beginning of the hiking trails, with clear maps where you can make a plan for how long or what distance you wish to explore.

Snacks, water, sunglasses and maybe a hat (watch out with the wind!) are a must.

Enjoy!

[anniecardosoo]

Skógafoss - Skógá River - Iceland - May 2023

The pure memory of the sounds of this place... Visualize how strong the water is flowing, up river its coming straight from the glaciers, its cold, fluid, it never stops. Once it reaches the end of the hill, it goes straight to the next level, quite some meters down. In between some cloud movements you can get to see a rainbow smiling at you. There are some local birds around, there is so much movement, so much energy.

This place was a friendly reminder of how beautiful our planet is, how strong and impressive it is, as long as it stays as it must be: RAW, clean, protected from human harms.

I would like to invite you to make something very very special: next time you find yourself immersed in a complicated situation, take a deep breath, close your eyes, remember the smell of a forest, remember the sounds from a waterfall, remember all the birds sounds you can think of. Take another deep breath, find the calm nature has to offer you. And make sure to keep this calmness within you.

When I have the opportunity to go to nature, I remind myself why I do what I do, why I travel, why am I here... It gives me a life purpose.

What does nature mean to you? What feelings does it arises in you? Can you keep those feelings in your daily life? Give it a try, and let me know how it goes!

B R E A T H ! ! !

[anniecardosoo]

L O V E - Oslo, Norway, September 23, 2023.

You can't just find it anywhere. We must flow, let go perfectionism, live with compassion, with empathy, with patience.

It is so easy to say it! But not quite easy to live with it, on it, through it.

Seeing old couples, sharing cute moments makes me realize that it is possible, out there, somewhere. But as a traveller I can't just stop my life and settle for someone.

Is it that the universe has a different call for me? Is it that Im here to live a solo path? So far the best experiences I´ve had had been with myself. Im still on an inner journey for self appreciation, but the first steps have been given.

What if my life challenge is to live a fulfilled life, with myself? To prove me how self love can take you anywhere you want to go, to become who ever you want to become? To alchemize my life in any path I truly want?

Without any hesitations I can keep finding myself, with myself. Slowly but surely Im learning to give me all the love, time and empathy I´ve given others. Because I can, and so I am.

I would like to invite you to do the same. What could be the worst thing to come out of these? That you get to know yourself a bit more? It aint that bad :)

Yay! Thanks for reading!

[anniecardosoo]

Colours! San Jose del Cabo - Baja California Sur - Mexico. 2022

In Mexico we L O V E colors! You can tell by the variety in our traditional meals, in our downtown areas, like the flags in these photo.

In some little towns this flags have a specific meaning, usually its a representation of a local tradition, but in the area where I took this one (San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur) they have them just because of how pretty they look, and how emblematic they are to the whole country.

I lived in this town for few years, and up to today I think of it as the most beautiful town I´ve ever lived on.

If you have the chance to check it out, please make sure you can be there on a Thursday night, that when the real magic happens. The streets are for pedestrians only. There is wine and tequila tasting in multiple art galleries, there are local artist on the streets displaying and selling their art, some times there are fire shows, some other times there is live "batucada" (music made with drums and only drums). The bars offer special promos, most of them have live music, or next to the kiosk you can try Mexican meals like churros, tamales, esquites (remember to bring your own containers!). The night clubs are next level, most of them have bonfires and exotic drinks... should I keep on going?

Plus the Ocean life... in this same town you can either go surfing, scuba diving, flyboarding... or just a romantic picnic at sunset time.

A must go, for real adventure seekers.

If you go, please let me know! Im always happy to give advice for specific purposes.

[anniecardosoo]

Lisboa, Portugal, March 2024.

Fado music. have you heard about it?

Before my first (and only) trip to Portugal, I had heard it, but didn't paid much attention to it.

It happened to be born in the heart of the city, the area where I stayed. At night, the musicians play on the streets, the local people just gather together, get a drink and enjoy the music. It was so calm, so chill, so entertaining. to just be there, surrounded by young and slightly older. With one thing in common, the pure need to enjoy the evening.

The warmth of the people is almost tangible there.

You can just sit and enjoy the show. As I did.

There are so many ways to explore a place, but only few ways to immerse yourself in the culture, and music is one of the most welcoming scenes to do so. Choose wisely!

Annie.

[anniecardosoo]

Sintra - Portugal, March 2024.

If you find yourself wondering why some people change while traveling, if you have ever been curious about the word "magic", if you have been feeling like you need something to change, but not sure what, or how, or why... Go to Sintra. It's quite hard to describe this town. It was an energy like very few ones. It's located quite close to Lisbon, you could go and spend one day, but the more time you spend there, the better.

There are two castles up in the hills that you can go and visit, even in one day. I choose to walk up the hill following some trails (easy to follow, with only couple challenging spots). The hike itself was stunning. It begins in the heart of the city, the panorama changes from little houses, to older bigger ones, to nature. Then you have to walk through some old moldy walls, that have a an opening where the trail goes through. It was the first time I felt I was walking through a portal. I saw some climbers in steep locations, there are multiple paths there for them.

Water and little snacks are a must. Comfy shoes and clothes... and a rain jacket, because you never know. Headphones, the castles get crowded even in low season, and Im sure you would rather listen to your favorite artists, instead of the noisy tourist around you. You can also take one of the local "tuk tuk" for couple euros, but the real magic begins in the hike.

Once you reach the castles you understand why they built them so high up. The views all the way to the ocean are mesmerizing. Kings and Queens did knew it was a very special, worthy place. Inside the castles you can see the furniture they use to be surrounded by. Their rooms, some of their personal belongings, the decoration, and so on.

Like I said, you can go and do this in one day. But taking a couple days to actually read, listen, explore and understand the history behind would be better.

After the castle hunt you can head back to town, enjoy some "Pasteis de Nata" the local dessert, or a whole meal, with wine of course. And at that moment you will understand why people change when they travel, why we talk about "magic" and you will be so grateful for taking the opportunity to have gone to Sintra.

Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!