Photo of the day – Cathedral dome, Antigua, Guatemala

by Alex Robertson Textor on

Ponder today’s Photo of the Day, by BaboMike. What looks at first glance like some sort of space-age cushion is in fact the interior of a cathedral cupola dome in Antigua, Guatemala. That this stark simplicity depicts a cupola dome seems improbable at first glance; after a sustained gaze, however, the surprise fades. What else, one wonders, looks simultaneously like itself and like something utterly different?

Optical illusion isn’t really a common Photo of the Day theme. But why shouldn’t it be? Upload your favorite image of an optical illusion to the Gadling Group Pool on Flickr. If we like it, we might just choose it as a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day – Brazilian shopkeepers

by Alex Robertson Textor on

Two Brazilian shopkeepers are the subject of today’s Photo of the Day, snapped by Flickr user jrodmanjr. This image grabbed my eye for many reasons: the intensity with which the two men are engaged in conversation; the grandness of the building itself; the sidewalk’s black and white tiles; the interior neon ceiling light fixtures; the back door, ajar and luminous. This is an evocative scene, and it captures a piece of Brazil.

Perhaps you have an image on your hard drive of another riveting human interaction. Perhaps you’d like to share it with a wide audience. Perhaps you should upload said image to the Gadling Group pool on Flickr. Perhaps, finally, it will in turn get chosen as a future Photo of the Day.

To everyone uploading photos to the Gadling Group pool on Flickr: For the umpteenth time, please make sure that your images can be downloaded. If we cannot download your images, they will not be chosen as future Photos of the Day. I am talking to many of you, but especially to baby_mongster, whose photos I love and am never able to select.

Video of the Day: Motorcycle tricks & rickshaw crash

by Mike Barish on

Readers, we need your help. No information is listed with this video. Where do you think it’s from? What language are they speaking? Why did that rickshaw driver decide to crash into that fence? OK, that probably wasn’t a choice. Still, we have so many questions about this video and we’re hoping that you can help us fill in the gaps.

Any guesses as to the location or language? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Meanwhile, we have a feeling it’s going to take more than 15 minutes to get our next rickshaw insured.

Photo of the day – Broom lady in Thailand

by Meg Nesterov on


The nice lady in the photo above is selling brooms in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The photographer, Flickr user LadyExpat, explains that most broom sellers ride bikes, but this lady seemed to prefer to walk. Here in Istanbul, all manner of products are sold on the street, from carts and off the backs of men hawking fruit, corn, and brooms as well. I’ve yet to buy a broom on the street and wonder who would, but I love having the option. While international megastores are becoming more ubiquitous, it’s nice to see an old-fashioned sales method on the street.

What have you seen sold on the street? Upload your favorite travel pictures to the Gadling Flickr pool and we may use one for a Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day – Traveler vs tourist

by Meg Nesterov on

Ah, the good old tourist vs. traveler debate. Every travel blog has inevitably touched on this non-issue of which is more “authentic” or “real.” Can’t we all just get along? Whether you hit the road to check the big tourist attractions off your list or do as the locals do, you’re traveling and you’re not really local, so who cares which way is better? This photo from Mumbai by Flickr user Chris Hoare captures a small market heavy on the advertising from Indian TV channel Fox History & Traveller and the world’s favorite drink, Coca Cola. While a trip to India should definitely include a sampling of local foods and beverages, you could hardly be called a tourist for drinking the same soda the native population enjoys.

Have any travel photos to capture the traveler or tourist experience? Add them to the Gadling Flickr pool and we may use it for a future Photo of the Day.