The Great Salt Lake has a beauty I was never able to fully comprehend when I was younger. Returning there after my years away have opened me. The air, serenity, vastness. It's textures. It's quiet.
Showing posts with label sees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sees. Show all posts
Foux Da Fa Fa
The great advantage of living in Europe is the ease in which one can travel to cities and new countries. The first weekend in June I took the high speed train from Köln to Paris in just three hours and for only 30€ each way. I have never had a great desire to see Paris, but I thought it would be rather stupid to not jump on such an opportunity. I am happy I did and can say I will likely not ever make a point of going again unless I have weeks to spend there. I don't see how it could be a city that one would immediately fall in love with. It's crowded and expensive, and I believe all of it's natural charm is hidden. There is simply too much to see and all of it is big and grand. Sensory overload.
On the train I chatted with the German girl sitting next to me and we arranged to meet up the next day. I was grateful for her. She could speak French, which was beyond helpful, and it was quickly apparent that Paris is not a city to visit alone. I wish I had had a pedometer with me. We saw most of the major sites and did it all by foot.
My favorite time in the city was night. Once the sun goes down and many tourists are back in their hotels or in restaurants, a magic is cast over the city. I CouchSurfed while I was there and my host, a very friendly and open French man, lent me his bicycle (the way to get around). Friday evening he joined me on a very cool bike tour of the city. There were so many people on this ride that we dominated the streets, cars having to wait for us to go by. In the very blurry photo above you may be able to make out Champs d'Elysees which we were riding towards.
Saturday evening was spent picnicking on the Seine which was full of people and music. A bit of dancing was called for of course. My favorite bit was the Tango dancing. For whatever reason the group didn't have permission on that evening to play loud music, so all the dancers and observers were very quiet, straining to hear the music. The effect was magical. The energy between partners was heightened and the only sounds to be heard was breath and the movement of feet against the cobblestone.
There is nothing in all that I have learned, read, or seen of the Palace in Versailles that could have prepared me for the absolute, awe inspiring immensity of the place. Every photo I took still dwarfed the place. There are separate fees for the gardens and each of the Palaces. While discovering the architecture would have been nice, the weather was far too nice to spend the day indoors and the gardens deserve a minimum of 3-4 hours to wander, and that is if you just want to leisurely wander and not take breaks for ice cream or a picnic. I must say, though Paris certainly is a master at being beautiful, it was Versailles that absolutely won me over and make my trip well worth it.
[More photos found on Flickr]
E-Werk Cologne:::Concert
I got back from Köln last night, the sole purpose of the trip was to catch Marit Larsen in concert. A Norwegian musician that my roommate simply adores. The music is sweet. Sometimes too sweet. But it was fun nonetheless and nice to have an excuse to have a small adventure with Anne. Check out her site, she's rather popular in Germany right now. All the boys crush on her. All the girls want to be her.
We are the champions!
I have to give a HOLLA to my hometown. Yesterday our pro football (soccer) team took the MLS Cup over LA Galaxy. Did anyone ever believe that it would be them that won a national title before the Utah Jazz?
So, congrats Real Salt Lake. And thank you for giving my rockin' hometown a bit more street cred on this side of the pond. It needs it.
The approaching of the Weihnachtsmarkt
For me, the Christmas season just doesn't start until after Thanksgiving. But walking in the city today I just couldn't help but get excited at the preparation for the Christmas Markets. They open MONDAY!!! I am nothing less than thrilled.
Die Deutsche Einheit
Without so much as a mention from any one I know, and without any kind of celebration or ceremony (at least in Münster), today marked 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. I would have gone through the day completely oblivious had I not previously marked it in my calendar. My roommate was raised in East Germany and it will sometimes come up in conversations what it was like. It amazes me that the world was so just twenty years ago. I came across this while over at Quoteskine today:
"Many small people, in many small places, can do many small things that would change the face of the world."
And then there are a few images from my trip to Berlin in May:
Me at the East Side Gallery in Berlin, a 1.3 km stretch of the wall left standing.
The Reichstag, or Parliament Building in Berlin.
The Potsdamer Platz subway station. During the Cold War it was essentially a wasteland and has been built up since reunification. It's not only a major traffic thoroughfare, but is full of shopping, restraunts, and offices.
Perhaps the most beloved symbol from the DDR.
An apartment building which bordered the wall.
"Many small people, in many small places, can do many small things that would change the face of the world."And then there are a few images from my trip to Berlin in May:
Me at the East Side Gallery in Berlin, a 1.3 km stretch of the wall left standing. 
The Reichstag, or Parliament Building in Berlin.
The Potsdamer Platz subway station. During the Cold War it was essentially a wasteland and has been built up since reunification. It's not only a major traffic thoroughfare, but is full of shopping, restraunts, and offices.
Perhaps the most beloved symbol from the DDR.
An apartment building which bordered the wall.
If I could record a scent..
I would have done so here, so I could hold onto the feeling of that first in-breath forever. What does a thought smell like? What about hundreds, thousands, even millions of thoughts, collected over hundreds of years? There are few places I have visited in my travels that radiated such beauty as this one room. I entered and paused in awe, my heart and gut overcome by a rush of warmth. Tears came to my eyes. It is the old books I will remember Dublin by.
The first stop in the old book tour was Trinity College, Dublin. The photos above are of the Long Room which houses the library's oldest books, some over 400 years old. The college also has the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating from 807 A.D., in it's collection. The exhibition was mad, full of so many people, but it was lovely to have a glimpse at the old pages and to learn a bit about it's origins and how it was made.
My brother and I also accidentally came across the Marsh's Library, which is Ireland's first public library. It was smaller in scale, but that meant it was more quaint. We were able to get a closer look at the volumes they had. If you are in Dublin you really should stop by, it is located just behind St. Patrick's Cathedral. It really shouldn't be missed.
The last surprise stop came after walking through a garden at the Dublin castle. Standing next to the garden was the Chester Beatty Library. Honestly, we were hunting for a toilet and had no idea what was in store for us. I am so happy that we stopped. The current exhibit is Arts of the Book and features books from the Middle East, East Asia, and Europe. I encourage you to look through their photo gallery. The oldest book I saw on display was from 650 A.D. The fact that a book that old still exists surprises me.
I had no idea what was in store for me in Dublin. Some people may take the pub tour, or the Guiness factory, or stop in at the great churches, or even do a Ulysses walk. But if you want to see something truly incredible, it's in the books.
My brother and I also accidentally came across the Marsh's Library, which is Ireland's first public library. It was smaller in scale, but that meant it was more quaint. We were able to get a closer look at the volumes they had. If you are in Dublin you really should stop by, it is located just behind St. Patrick's Cathedral. It really shouldn't be missed.
The last surprise stop came after walking through a garden at the Dublin castle. Standing next to the garden was the Chester Beatty Library. Honestly, we were hunting for a toilet and had no idea what was in store for us. I am so happy that we stopped. The current exhibit is Arts of the Book and features books from the Middle East, East Asia, and Europe. I encourage you to look through their photo gallery. The oldest book I saw on display was from 650 A.D. The fact that a book that old still exists surprises me.
I had no idea what was in store for me in Dublin. Some people may take the pub tour, or the Guiness factory, or stop in at the great churches, or even do a Ulysses walk. But if you want to see something truly incredible, it's in the books.
THE reason I should always have my camera on hand
Two words:
Beer.
Bike.
Bier Bike.
I actually saw this first hand as I came home today. Rent this bike-mobile with 14 other friends, get served draft beer, and pedal your way through the city. Party on.
Photos: bierbike.de
Stop #3: Glasgow and the WORLDS
I loved the mix of industrial hard lines and the old building facades in the main train station. Aside from the Glasgow Green, where the Worlds were held, and our accommodation at the university student apartments, this was all I saw of the city of Glasgow. From what I have heard, I didn't miss much. But the train station was simply lovely.
Glasgow must be a city devoid of common sense. My memory fails me now, but signs of caution were posted everywhere reminding you of things that are generally a given, such as "no hot ashes" in the garbage bins.
This is just after Triumph Street played the morning qualifier and are marching off the field. My brother is the second back on the left and one of his best friends from Utah, Ross, who has been there since the beginning, is on the right. It was incredible to get to see them do this together. They have been through so much.
Me (far right) and my family, proudly toting our band t-shirts. My dad didn't make it, so his cardboard head cut-out counterpart stood in for him on this trip. Dad, I hope you aren't reading this, because there is a surprise coming your way and I may have just sort-of ruined it.Stop #2: Stirling
Stirling, the heart of the William Wallace legacy, a place of worship called the Church of the Holy Rude, and the Stirling pint, more than three times the size of an English pint of beer. I have been without words these last two weeks, so my vacation stories will be coming to you via imagery. See the [Flickr set] or for more here 
First Stop: Edinburgh
Edinburgh took my breath away with it's proud, rugged, aged beauty from the moment my bus rounded the corner into the city center. Serendipitously, pipes struck in and I had the distinct feeling I was arriving HOME. I felt all warm and fuzzy, was immediately attached and in love. My stay was barely a day, hardly enough time to get to know the city at all, and before I could leave I was already feeling pulled back. Check the [Flickr set] If you are curious, there are some more images after the jump.
The buildings seem to bleed with Scottish pride although, with the exception of this one scribbling on the wall, the link with England is hardly alluded too. 
My short peek into the grounds of the Hollyrood House, the royal residence for the Queen in Edinburgh. Truthfully, I was more interested in Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano and lovely hike for beautiful views of the city and outlying areas.
And really, can you blame me? I have been living in the flatlands for far too long and a gain of just a few meters elevation makes me swoon, darling. The moment I looked up as alighting the bus (alighting~you like that?)I was looking forward to this walk up the hill. 
The views and wild flowers were beautiful and I was thrilled as I climbed some of the rocks. Climbing. Rocks. Oh, how I have missed that. That's all I need for my birthday, people. To climb. Rocks. Nature. It doesn't take much.
At the bottom of Arthur's Seat, and directly across from Hollyrood House is the Scottish Parliament Building. It looks more like an upscale, green apartment complex than the seat of government, but there you have it. Google some more images of the place, it's rather interesting.
The rest of my time was spent wandering, rather aimlessly, through the cities streets and alleyways. A stop into The Writers Museum was lovely and this scribbled on the wall caught my eye: To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
Despite the smell of urine in some of these alleys, I couldn't help but romanticize them a great deal.
An exhibit of funny (and real) signs were on display in a plaza. The Barf B&B was, by far, a favorite.
Free hugs were offered in abundance on the street during the Fringe Fest. And yes, I got me some of that.
More photos will be posted, eventually, on my flickr account. But darlings, I am snap happy, and it will take me some time to get through it all.
a certain familiarity
We are all connected, though it may not always be apparently obvious. I am struck by this image this afternoon. It brings me a sort of comfort. We are never alone.
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