"Hello" setikeyvan's Profile

Greetings

LEARNING BY EXPLORING

I consider myself a world citizen with a deep attachment to my country of origin -- Switzerland -- and a true appreciation for California - especially its beaches and the SoCal-easy going spirit.

My life's passion is to see, hear, smell and touch the world. I am all about engaging in immersive travel experiences and integrating myself with the locals, temporarily, to get a better understanding of their culture. Never have I learned more and grown more intellectually and emotionally than when I've traveled. There is no better way to truly understand and retain historical facts and cultural traditions than to see, hear, smell and touch them for yourself.

If I could buy anything...I would buy world adventures because those memories, unlike anything material, will last me a lifetime and will bring me endless pleasure and conversations.

My motto

Gruyere, Switzerland

My motto is to talk to strangers. Growing up I was always told, "Don't speak to strangers," and if I ever have kids I'll tell them the same thing. However, when it comes to travel, I think the exact opposite. Every time I speak to strangers while traveling, my experience is improved immensely. So when it comes to travel, I say "Talk to strangers!"

Travel Photography

Pretty leaf on the cobble stones of Fribourg

The two things I enjoy most happen at the exact same time, multiple times a year, every year. Those two things are traveling and photography. When I am home and going about my day-to-day business, my camera and my TEVA rough sandals are packed away in a wooden chest. However, the moment I wear my TEVA sandals, my camera becomes my third, most used limb. Traveling inspires my photography and photography inspires my travels. When I travel my eyes are more open and aware of the world, and so I photograph things that in the end make me want to travel again -- It’s like a 360 degree process. I can’t have one without the other.

Rain

Red roof-tops from my homeland - Fribourg

Why is it that rain feels a bit gloomy in California, but feels lovely in Switzerland? Is it the architecture? Is it that rain compliments gothic architecture much more than 70's beach architecture? I think Europeans did a great job building hybrid cities – cities where both rainy and shiny weather compliment the environment. If you think about it...some of these old European cities look like they just grew from the ground up...like trees of stone.

Tea

I enjoy good tea

I love tea. Tea is a unifying pass time amongst cultures panning every continent. From Japan to Morocco to England! I love tea and look forward to having a cup every where I go!

Beautiful world

Lovely grassy knoll in the Swiss Alps

We really live in a beautiful world. And we should pay attention to the little things and the big things. I mean what about the Edelweiss. That's as much a landmark of Switzerland or Austria as the Matterhorn or Mozart’s house, but it doesn't get the same exposure. So when I travel...that's why I like to photograph the little things too.

Taking a nap

This is me. Sophie.

Taking a nap on a public bench is a wonderfully liberating experience. I've taken my best naps on park benches in various cities in Europe. I have yet to experience that in other parts of the world :-).

Cows

Swiss Cows Rule.

People...cats and dogs are the most popular animals. I'd like to add cows to that list. Cows are a staple of Switzerland and an icon in Spain and a spiritual figure in India. So come on! Also, without cows Swiss Chocolate would not exist and we know that would be detrimental to just about every woman on Earth.

Intro Updated Apr 10, 2009
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Personal Pages (1)

Written Mar 20, 2008

8 photos

Locarno, Ascona & Bellinzona

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (257)

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SINYOMAH Mar 5, 2013 at 3:00 AM

though a bit late happy birthday
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a2lopes Mar 2, 2013 at 9:35 AM

happy birthday Sophie
greetings from Lisbon
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SKMARH Mar 1, 2013 at 9:53 AM

Long Live Sophie Happily. Happy Geburtstag. upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...
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Waalewiener Mar 1, 2013 at 4:35 AM

happy birthday Sophie
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Parisforless Mar 9, 2012 at 12:31 PM

Sorry I've missed your birthday, but I was on holiday and I feel that it's never to late to wish you the best and many more to come!!!
Svetlana Bellon (parisforless)
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SKMARH Mar 6, 2012 at 10:48 AM

my belated birthday greetings
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Rosey-K Mar 6, 2012 at 5:04 AM

happy belated birthday to u...
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Waalewiener Mar 1, 2012 at 3:12 PM

Hi Sophie Happy Birthday to you from Lori & Hansi
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burakkemer Jan 2, 2012 at 12:29 PM

hi from istanbull :)
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iandsmith Jun 30, 2011 at 3:42 AM

What a shame, looks like we've lost you.