Memoirs
"...it seems the further I get from what I am familiar and comfortable with, the more alive I feel, the more I feel like myself."
C.P.
Guatemala 2009
Belize 2009
Mexico 2009
Italy 2008
Barbados 2008
Maui 2008
Sometimes you go on vacation just to relax and let go. In these cases you leave your journal home. But a picture is worth a thousand words... maybe more if it's taken in Maui
Czech Republic, 2008
"I watched the procession of Czech countryside pass through my windows. All the houses looked cottage-like with smoke rising from their often crumbling chimneys. Karlovy Vary contrasted the country feel with beautiful buildings lining each side of the river, brightly painted and ornately decorated. As they rose up the surrounding hills the houses turned into regal mansions that looked like they belonged in a storybook. Sometimes being here feels like some sort of fairytale and I am out of place in my sweater and jeans."
Netherlands, 2008
Paragraph.
Spain, 2007
Paragraph.
Costa Rica, 2007
"Our room opened onto a beautiful beach front balcony where we sat in hammocks and enjoyed our fresh pineapple. We could only see the refection of the moon on the waves as they rolled in, so we made our way closer to the water to explore. As we walked along the beach admiring the vast /ocean to one side and the beautiful homes on the other, we discovered bioluminescence (glowing algae) scattered throughout the sand and water. Even though I had become familiar with them in Hawaii, I had never seen it in such great quantities; it seemed magical."
France, 2006
"We sat by the river and ate our baguette. The sun was just setting and spilling orange light down the river which reflected up on the old buildings. There were plenty of people walking on the bridges and streets above us, but no one seemed to be trying to get any specific place, and if they were it was at a slow pace. It almost seemed as though the softer light of dusk had brought life to all but a complete stop."
Greece, 2006
"The night was warm and clear when we headed out to the small fishing port with Stratos, who catches the fish for the Salonikios Restaurant. As we paddled out and slowly trailed the long strand of hook laden fishing line behind us, I looked in toward the island. There were few lights and the moon and stars were enough to illuminate the coast with a soft glow. The reality of where I was and what I was doing hit me, I was rowing a small boat in the Greek isles, fishing by moonlight with a an old Greek fisherman who spoke no English. It was one on the most enchanted nights of my life."
Italy, 2006
"We hiked along the edge of the mountains through terraced vineyards and an earthy-citrus smell mixed with a ocean air from the sea below us. Each time we rounded a protruding corner, we caught a glimpse of the colorful fishing villages nested in the procession of inlets ahead. As we finally descended toward Vernazza the sound of live street music drifted into the hills, inviting us to join the festivities."
Austria, 2006
"We happened upon the annual Welt Milch Nacht in the Mirabell Gardens. Everyone was dressed in white and there were booths with a variety of delicious milk products. The main attraction however were the actors and actresses spread throughout the garden performing modern variations of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Later that night as we walked along the Salzach, bursts of light began to erupt down the river, we spent the rest of the stroll to the car enjoying fireworks over Salzburg."
Germany, 2006
"Due to our late arrival at Haus Heidi I was unprepared for the scene that greeted us this morning. Not only was our room decorated to with perfect Bavarian elements, giving it a cozy German cabin feel, but our room had a large breakfast nook/balcony encircled with windows. We were surrounded by trees and flowers, and in the not so far distance, the Alps shot up all around us."
England, 2006
"We spent the day exploring London. Seeing all the famous monuments you learn to recognize from youth, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, London Bridge and countless other beautiful things I had never heard about. After spending only a day and a half there, I can only imagine the things we didn't see."
Ireland, 2006
"We crossed a cobblestone bridge and found our hostel, a little stone cottage right next to the river. Our room had a window that looked out over the river, the bridge and the small shops lining the main street, it was surreal. The night got pretty cold and rainy, so we spent it in a lively pub nearby. There was live Irish music and dancing, the whole town was the perfect cliche."
Hawaii, 2005
"When I opened my eyes I could actually smell the ocean wafting in through my open window and hear the rhythmic beat of that mornings calm waves. After the long day of goodbyes, planes, luggage and lack of sleep, it finally sunk in, I now lived on the beach."
