Source: flickr.com via Marisa Allegra on Pinterest

I recently joined Pinterest and am finding the experience addictive. Have you tried it? It's so fun, and useful. And in an effort to streamline my life online, I'm going to experiment with posting pics for Vivaca via my pins. If it works well, I'll be happy and will have a better shot of keeping the content here on Vivaca fresh with greater frequency. Let me know how you do like or don't like it.

I'm also going to make this more of a photo-a-day blog and likely drop invitations to photogs to comment, as so few take advantage of the request. Less work for me, and you're still able to enjoy great images from around the world and leave your own comments or connect with the photographer directly via links to their work on Flickr.

Location: Paris, France | Photographer: Docinho | Source: Flickr, Docinho

Happy Bastille Day!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Holy Chic - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Holy Chic

What a lovely Paris portrait. Everyone should get to Paris at some point in their lives and have one taken. And ideally, with La Tour Eiffel featured somewhere in the frame.

Too bad the U.S. State Department's recent travel alert for Europe will likely deter a number of Yanks from venturing across the pond for photo opps like this one. The question is, how significant a number of travelers are we talking about? And this despite the fact that the alert "is not a travel warning, which would advise Americans from traveling to Europe."

Didn't George Bush say that terrorists wouldn't change our way of life? Or something to that effect? Surely, that was the biggest lie of all. And for all the promise of change, nothing seems to have changed on this point under President Barack Obama, as this latest travel alert from the State Department has been issued on his watch, and not that of his wildly unpopular predecessor.

*Sigh*

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - jaryn lim - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of jaryn lim

Wow. Now that's what I call a giant cocktail party! That's what the French call it, too. Though, the apéro géant is getting hammered, of late. Pun obviously intended.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - voilafoto - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of voilafoto

One day, this is going to be me. And I know I'll be beaming from ear to ear, too!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - gram ma - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of gram ma

In surfing around for favorite new photos to add to my virtual travel journal (this here blog you're noshin' on), I happened upon this glitzy, gilded view of Paris. As an additional treat, I also discovered the photographer's travel blog. That is one of the joys of Flickr - you can travel the world and meet new people, all from the comfort of ... wherever, whenever!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Fidel Hart - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Fidel Hart

I'm not dead yet, and neither is this photo blog! Though it has been flat-lining for quite some time now, it seems. I don't know what it is, but it's been a beast to keep up with. Every time I make time to update and maintain, something else ends up consuming said time (and energy). Oh how I hate that. I need my virtual vacations. And so do you!

Praise the lord, my springtime in Paris is coming closer by the day. And it can't come a day too soon! I am looking forward to collecting new memories and dreams of the city through the lens, before jetting off to explore the French Riviera on film; well, you know. That new-fangled digital kind. Praise the lord for that, too. There's no way I could afford both to travel and to develop all my photos without the innovation of digital photography.

And speaking of Paris and photographs, how gorgeous is this Technicolor beauty?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - hadlo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of hadlo

Gorgeous! I've always wondered what other stunning structures Monsieur Eiffel designed. I love the striking similarities in steel that this bridge shares with its grand Parisian cousin, La Tour Eiffel.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Anne_Seb_Yoann - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Cantal, France ★
Photo courtesy of Anne_Seb_Yoann

This ethereal image is not unlike the essence of my weekend. A total blur. A fleeting memory. Gone too soon. But thoroughly enjoyed.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - said&done - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of said&done

I wonder when I'll finally get around to scaling the tower. It would be nice to see it from a different, off-the-ground angle, like this one. Pretty. But pretty high, I assume. And open-air. Which I'm not sure will help or heighten my fear of heights! Guess there's only one way to find out.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - cliff.chung - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of cliff.chung

Like the Eiffel Tower as pictured in this wonderful photograph, my trip to Paris is just coming into view. Planning is half the fun of travel, and I enjoy it nearly as much as the actual trips themselves. Is that strange? I don't know about you, but I'm never nearly so happy as when I'm mapping out my next escape.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - -hadlo- - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of -hadlo-

My god. Where has the time gone? I have really been neglecting this blog. As well as my workouts. But the latter is none of your concern. Lucky you! Here's to getting back on track. The focus for now being Paris, as that will be the site of my next international escapade. And nothing is more inspiring when planning a trip of one's own than thumbing through the memories of fellow travelers. Take this dreamy interpretation of the Parisian cityscape. Old and new at the same time. I love it!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Americo Duarte Santos - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Americo Duarte Santos

Now that the election is over and the blue team won, what better place to celebrate than in Paris, at night ...

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Pasqualito - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Pasqualito

I was late today with my post, so I've selected two perfect pics from the same photographer. And of Paris, of course. The Eiffel shot matches my mood today; it was dark and stormy here. Which was great. Because boy do we need the rain. The other image is also characteristic of my mood, as we approach the end - praise the lord - of the 2008 U.S. presidential election cycle. It's been a long road, these last 8 years. And I'm ready - along with most everyone else - for an end. I can see clearly to the end of the path, and feel the bright light of dawn warm my face. The new day is upon us, and I can finally exhale this big breath I've been holding now since forever. I want to breath again. To let go and be happy and scream and jump up and down for joy and look forward to the future with hope rather than fear. Yadda, yadda, yadda, GOBAMA!!!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Roger Madsen - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Roger Madsen

I love reflection travel photos like this in windows or water. What a wonderful way to enjoy the moment and cherish the memory back home.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - kalel koven - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of kalel koven

Another lovely look at Paris' magnificent main attraction. The view from below in all its golden glory. Great trio of perspectives.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Giorgio go for the jo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Giorgio go for the jo

I think these two images are just fantastic. On top, the Eiffel Tower looks dark and surreal. Like something out of Batman. The bottom photo is just so cool. It's layout is perfect. You feel the imposing size of the tower, arching overhead, by focusing on the small, dark figures below. Two of whom are ideally centered in front of the blue rays of light, beaming out somewhere in the beyond, like so much late-night sunshine. Love it.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographers - miguel.iturbe and GTREA - if they are so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of miguel.iturbe

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of GTREA

Day five: Alas, I'm under the weather. So for the next few days I'll just be posting photos without commentary. That shouldn't stop you from commenting though!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Roberto Lodeiro Muller - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Roberto Lodeiro Muller

Day three: Alas, I'm under the weather. So for the next few days I'll just be posting photos without commentary. That shouldn't stop you from commenting though!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - biscuitwheels - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of biscuitwheels

A tour, in five photos, of the Eiffel Tower. No words today. Only awe.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographers - Davide Plg, Ré Vidal, tworedboots, and the.ben.watts - if they are so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: [top photo] Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Davide Plg

Location: [second photo from top] Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Ré Vidal

Location: [third photo from top] Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of tworedboots

Location: [fourth photo from top] Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of tworedboots

Location: [bottom photo] Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of the.ben.watts