"15 images introduced on CNN" (by Julie Mayfeng)

India, Jodhpur, Blue house ⓒ Julie Mayfeng I love going out early for photos. The morning light is always invigorating. On this morning, I headed over to the blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. As I was walking through an alley, I noticed the light falling onto the azure wall, and a woman painting the door welcoming Diwali festival. It was a scene I had dreamed about. Jodhpur is well known as the "Sun City" and "Blue City." This photo shows why.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:16:03 +0000

India, Jodhpur, Blue house ⓒ Julie Mayfeng I love going out early for photos. The morning light is always invigorating. On this morning, I headed over to the blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. As I was walking through an alley, I noticed the light falling onto the azure wall, and a woman painting the door welcoming Diwali festival. It was a scene I had dreamed about. Jodhpur is well known as the "Sun City" and "Blue City." This photo shows why.
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India, Mumbai, Gateway of India ⓒ Julie Mayfeng The Gateway of India itself is a major tourist destination. It is a colonial architectural heritage constructed during the British colonial rule. The air was clear and cold and the sunlight was spreading from the Arabian Sea. At that instant, someone suddenly hit the metal guard rail with a ringing crash, and pigeons were frightened and took flight. Thanks to the anonymous hitter I was able to capture this magnificent moment.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:19:05 +0000

India, Mumbai, Gateway of India ⓒ Julie Mayfeng The Gateway of India itself is a major tourist destination. It is a colonial architectural heritage constructed during the British colonial rule. The air was clear and cold and the sunlight was spreading from the Arabian Sea. At that instant, someone suddenly hit the metal guard rail with a ringing crash, and pigeons were frightened and took flight. Thanks to the anonymous hitter I was able to capture this magnificent moment.
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Sri Lanka, Nanu Oya, Travel by train ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Traveling by train through the Hill Country of Sri Lanka is truly a great experience. After putting my backpack down on the ground, I was waiting for my train to Ella at Nanu Oya Railway Station. Wandering around the opposite platform, I saw a train pull into the station. I couldn’t take my eyes off an ebony-eyed girl in particular.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:22:07 +0000

Sri Lanka, Nanu Oya, Travel by train ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Traveling by train through the Hill Country of Sri Lanka is truly a great experience. After putting my backpack down on the ground, I was waiting for my train to Ella at Nanu Oya Railway Station. Wandering around the opposite platform, I saw a train pull into the station. I couldn’t take my eyes off an ebony-eyed girl in particular.
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Israel, Jerusalem, Arabian bakery ⓒ Julie Mayfeng The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters, Jewish Quarter, Muslim Quarter, Armenian Quarter and Christian Quarter. On the first day of Jerusalem travel, I wandered around these four quarters. Old narrow alleys were filled with small food shops. This bakery is what stopped me.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:24:08 +0000

Israel, Jerusalem, Arabian bakery ⓒ Julie Mayfeng The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters, Jewish Quarter, Muslim Quarter, Armenian Quarter and Christian Quarter. On the first day of Jerusalem travel, I wandered around these four quarters. Old narrow alleys were filled with small food shops. This bakery is what stopped me.
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Burma (Myanmar), Mandalay, Monks' luncheon ⓒ Julie Mayfeng I can always learn new truths when traveling through Burma. One day I dropped by a place that was producing Buddha images and I found Buddhist monks eating meat and chicken. Some of the workers had offered it to them. Yes, it’s true. Buddhist, they are not all vegetarians. There are many Buddhists who eat meat in southern Buddhist countries.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:26:26 +0000

Burma (Myanmar), Mandalay, Monks' luncheon ⓒ Julie Mayfeng I can always learn new truths when traveling through Burma. One day I dropped by a place that was producing Buddha images and I found Buddhist monks eating meat and chicken. Some of the workers had offered it to them. Yes, it’s true. Buddhist, they are not all vegetarians. There are many Buddhists who eat meat in southern Buddhist countries.
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India, Agra, Taj Mahal ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Even though the Taj Mahal was magnificent, it was too hot to step barefoot on the marble floor. I languished in the noonday heat and had to take a rest under the shade of a mosque just next to the Taj Mahal. Just then, some people walked in front me, and almost as a reflex action, I captured that moment. This picture is also one of my favorites out of all of my work.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:28:11 +0000

India, Agra, Taj Mahal ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Even though the Taj Mahal was magnificent, it was too hot to step barefoot on the marble floor. I languished in the noonday heat and had to take a rest under the shade of a mosque just next to the Taj Mahal. Just then, some people walked in front me, and almost as a reflex action, I captured that moment. This picture is also one of my favorites out of all of my work.
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India, Kolkata, Monsoon ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Rain makes everything so dramatic. Even though it's uncomfortable to take photographs in bad weather, it gives us a good opportunity to capture the different moments. During the monsoon season, weather is extremely hard to predict. At the time, I was eating lunch at a street café. Suddenly it started to shower. I borrowed an umbrella from a stranger and ran out into the street. Although I was wet through and through, I was able to capture this fantastic monsoon scene.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:29:52 +0000

India, Kolkata, Monsoon ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Rain makes everything so dramatic. Even though it's uncomfortable to take photographs in bad weather, it gives us a good opportunity to capture the different moments. During the monsoon season, weather is extremely hard to predict. At the time, I was eating lunch at a street café. Suddenly it started to shower. I borrowed an umbrella from a stranger and ran out into the street. Although I was wet through and through, I was able to capture this fantastic monsoon scene.
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India, Delhi, School rickshaw ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Due to jet lag, I woke up very early in the morning, so I went out for a walk. I met many school kids going to school on this vehicle. This was their school bus. It looked small but I found it could take up to 20 kids in the carriage.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:31:56 +0000

India, Delhi, School rickshaw ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Due to jet lag, I woke up very early in the morning, so I went out for a walk. I met many school kids going to school on this vehicle. This was their school bus. It looked small but I found it could take up to 20 kids in the carriage.
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India, Shimla, Indian Coffee House ⓒ Julie Mayfeng It had been raining when I arrived in Shimla. Shimla is located in the northwest Himalayas at an average altitude of 2,205 meters. My clothes and backpack got all wet even though I wore a raincoat. My hotel was cold and damp. I needed something warm so I dived into the Indian Coffee House. I waited until this man sat by the window to take this.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:33:33 +0000

India, Shimla, Indian Coffee House ⓒ Julie Mayfeng It had been raining when I arrived in Shimla. Shimla is located in the northwest Himalayas at an average altitude of 2,205 meters. My clothes and backpack got all wet even though I wore a raincoat. My hotel was cold and damp. I needed something warm so I dived into the Indian Coffee House. I waited until this man sat by the window to take this.
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Sri Lanka, Weligama, Stilt-fishermen ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Weligama is famous for its old tradition of stilt-fishing. I arrived at the town just one day before a full moon. They don’t fish when the moon is full, and if I had arrived just a day later, I would not have gotten this photo. Anyway, it was getting darker and darker, and I hurried to shore. Wow! Many fishermen were balancing on a thin plank. I entered the ocean to shoot, but the waves were rough. I moved to another shore and was able to take this picture.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:35:12 +0000

Sri Lanka, Weligama, Stilt-fishermen ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Weligama is famous for its old tradition of stilt-fishing. I arrived at the town just one day before a full moon. They don’t fish when the moon is full, and if I had arrived just a day later, I would not have gotten this photo. Anyway, it was getting darker and darker, and I hurried to shore. Wow! Many fishermen were balancing on a thin plank. I entered the ocean to shoot, but the waves were rough. I moved to another shore and was able to take this picture.
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Israel, Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre ⓒ Julie Mayfeng The site is venerated as Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and is said also to contain the place where Jesus was buried (the sepulchre). One day I got up early and went to shoot this ceremony at the Coptic Chapel. The priest was blessing the bread and wine. For reference, Copts are Egyptians whose ancestors embraced Christianity in the first centuries after Christ.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:38:04 +0000

Israel, Jerusalem, Church of the Holy Sepulchre ⓒ Julie Mayfeng The site is venerated as Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, and is said also to contain the place where Jesus was buried (the sepulchre). One day I got up early and went to shoot this ceremony at the Coptic Chapel. The priest was blessing the bread and wine. For reference, Copts are Egyptians whose ancestors embraced Christianity in the first centuries after Christ.
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India, Amritsar, Sikh man taking holy bath (Ishnan) ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Early in the morning, I arrived in Amritsar and came directly here, to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib). It is the spiritual center for the Sikh religion. Many Sikh pilgrims were taking a holy bath in these sacred waters, known as the Sarovar.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:48:16 +0000

India, Amritsar, Sikh man taking holy bath (Ishnan) ⓒ Julie Mayfeng Early in the morning, I arrived in Amritsar and came directly here, to the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib). It is the spiritual center for the Sikh religion. Many Sikh pilgrims were taking a holy bath in these sacred waters, known as the Sarovar.
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Nepal, Pokhara, Lake Phewa ⓒ Julie Mayfeng I rented a bike and rode around Pokhara. When I returned to where I started in the morning, it was getting darker and darker. After sunset, Phewa Lake became more calm and serene.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:41:53 +0000

Nepal, Pokhara, Lake Phewa ⓒ Julie Mayfeng I rented a bike and rode around Pokhara. When I returned to where I started in the morning, it was getting darker and darker. After sunset, Phewa Lake became more calm and serene.
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India, Agra, Walking on sunset ⓒ Julie Mayfeng When traveling, my favorite time of day is the golden hour, the first and last hours of the sunset. I cannot contain my excitement when this time is near. Taking my fill of that generous flood of light, I wander and roam almost as though I'd risk my life for a single photograph of that hour. Because if I miss it I will have to wait at least another 24 hours.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:44:01 +0000

India, Agra, Walking on sunset ⓒ Julie Mayfeng When traveling, my favorite time of day is the golden hour, the first and last hours of the sunset. I cannot contain my excitement when this time is near. Taking my fill of that generous flood of light, I wander and roam almost as though I'd risk my life for a single photograph of that hour. Because if I miss it I will have to wait at least another 24 hours.
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Israel, Jerusalem, On the Mount of Olives ⓒ Julie Mayfeng It was May, but it was a very hot and arid day. I didn't think it would be too difficult to scale this mountain -- a mere 826 meters high -- but I started the hike only to feel out of breath the entire walk up. I made it to the peak and looked down at the Old City of Jerusalem, enjoying the cool breeze. I was able to meet many Jewish pilgrims, and to capture this one.

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:45:59 +0000

Israel, Jerusalem, On the Mount of Olives ⓒ Julie Mayfeng It was May, but it was a very hot and arid day. I didn't think it would be too difficult to scale this mountain -- a mere 826 meters high -- but I started the hike only to feel out of breath the entire walk up. I made it to the peak and looked down at the Old City of Jerusalem, enjoying the cool breeze. I was able to meet many Jewish pilgrims, and to capture this one.
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