QUARTER 4 2024 PHOTO RECAP
WE SPEAK IN COLORS DIGITAL JOURNAL
Storytelling and photography for the culturally curious
With the fourth quarter of 2024 coming to a close, here are 12 photos to walk you through this past October, November, and December.
1. One of the highlights of Somerset County is its access to superb outdoors recreation.
And one of my favorite places to take advantage of this is in Laurel Hill State Park via the iconic Pumphouse Trail.
2. View from Downtown Pittsburgh across the Monongahela River to the edge Station Square.
3. There’s some spectacular views, architecture, and history to discover in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, especially if you’re interested in the booming jazz scene (and adjacent ecosystem) of the 1930’s-50’s.
Hotel Terrace Hall is one of the spots in this network of businesses I would’ve loved to have gotten to experience in its heyday.
4. A view from Schenley Oval, one of my go-to spots when in Pittsburgh.
The massive urban green space tucked in the back part of Oakland is a true treasure of the city.
5. Italy has the caffè, Japan the kissaten, and America the diner.
When on the move, either traveling or just out and about for the day, these spaces are invaluable when you need a place to reset and scheme.
They’re also great for getting a feel of the community.
Eat’n Park is a family restaurant/diner chain born in Pittsburgh with locations mainly in Southwestern PA. Growing up with one only a few minutes away, it’s near and dear.
6. Also minutes from my parents’ home is Somerset Lake, a home base of sorts.
Over the years, it’s been a trusty place to go for a walk or to just sit and have a think.
7. The classic late-November winter arrival in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
8. Penn Mac is a Pittsburgh institution.
This Italian and Mediterranean gourmet foods shop sits in the heart of the Strip District, a lively riverside neighborhood filled with food-focused mom-and-pop shops.
As you explore the Strip, you'll come across bakeries, markets, cafes, and diners representing a wide range of cuisines, including Italian, Asian, European, Middle Eastern, and Latin American.
9. Belle Isle, an iconic 982-acre island, rests in the Detroit River right off the city’s east side.
The beloved landmark features sprawling park spaces, a beautiful conservatory, several beach areas, and excellent views of Detroit and across to Canada.
10. Astronomical amounts of money have gone into revitalizing Downtown Detroit, transforming it from what many once called a ghost town into a shiny destination.
But the Leland Hotel (now converted apartments) stands as a gritty icon of the city skyline.
Venture inside its revolving glass doors, up the lobby stairs, and through the eerie foyer, and you’ll find Leland City Club, a dark, industrial electronic club that feels ripped straight from a dystopian film.
A historic landmark in Detroit’s music history.
11. Detroit Metro is home to the largest population of people of Arab descent in the US, and one of the most significant in the world, alongside regions in Brazil, Argentina, Canada, and France.
This cultural presence is particularly evident in Hamtramck and Dearborn, two areas I found myself repeatedly drawn back to.
Although I’ll need more time to fully grasp the dynamics and origins of this influence, it was a surreal blast from the past to hear Arabic spoken as the default language in many of the area’s cafes, bakeries, and markets.
The experiences of my five years in Abu Dhabi—particularly my visits to Lebanon and Palestine, and the daily interactions with people from across the Middle East—are forever engrained in my psyche.
12. Along with cafes and parks, libraries are some of the best places to quickly connect with a new city.
The Detroit Public Library’s Main Branch is no exception.
With its striking architecture both inside and out, particularly the stunning, high-ceilings of the music rooms on the third floor, the library was the perfect spot to rest, get some work done, and roam.
That’s a wrap on 2024 from the We Speak in Colors world.
Thank you for the support as my photography/writing/music universe evolves.
Have a good Christmas and New Year’s, and talk to you in 2025,
-Andy / We Speak in Colors