I may love Madrid, but Berlin … man, it comes in a close second. Seriously. It may have been really cold … and windy … and rainy in Berlin, but after escaping Borris‘, I was hit smack in the face with all of its awesomeness. First, it was Hostel Aloha. It didn’t even bother meContinue reading “Berlin – the other love”
Category Archives: Travel
I’ll always remember my first time … Couch Surfing
Up until Berlin, I was a couch surfing virgin. Yup. Never had I slept on anyone’s couch via the very cool CouchSurfing. I had planned on surfing during my travels, not just to save a little cash, but because I have heard nothing but raves about the experiences people have had … the insight intoContinue reading “I’ll always remember my first time … Couch Surfing”
A BRIEF intermission: Month Three … I blame my blog and Twitter
Today is Monday, June 7. Today marks the completion of Month Three of my travels. It’s been a wild and crazy ride so far. I have journeyed to: London; Dublin and Galway, Ireland; Madrid; Valdelavilla, Spain; back to Madrid; Monfrague, Spain; Budapest; Brasov and Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Krakow; Prague; Berlin; Amsterdam; back to Madrid; Merida, Spain;Continue reading “A BRIEF intermission: Month Three … I blame my blog and Twitter”
That One Time in Prague
Prague. One of the most colorful and stunning cities I have ever encountered. This visit to Prague marked my second time in the city. The first time was eight years ago when my frame of mind was, well, crap (see “‘Twas the night before London“). It is the only city I have been back toContinue reading “That One Time in Prague”
Surviving Auschwitz
I didn’t want to go to Auschwitz. In fact, I had been dreading the trip to the concentration camp since I knew I was going to be in Europe. Maybe “didn’t want to go” is not accurate. I wanted to go … but knew it would be an experience that would be achingly painful. AsContinue reading “Surviving Auschwitz”
Being Jewish in the Krakow Jewish District
On my second full day in Krakow, I decided to do my walkabout. I knew there were places I wanted to go — mostly the locations on the map marked with a Jewish star, also known as the Jewish District. I know Poland is seeped with a terrible history as it relates to Jews (andContinue reading “Being Jewish in the Krakow Jewish District”
A Polish funeral and Krakow
When someone questioned me as to why Poland, my answer back was “why not?” When I first decided to go to Krakow, it was because of the city’s close proximity to Auschwitz, as someone who identifies myself as Jewish it was a place I felt necessary to visit. I had heard mixed reviews about Poland.Continue reading “A Polish funeral and Krakow”
Romanian sunsets, Hungarian mornings and Polish afternoons
I stood outside at 22h 40 (I know, very European of me), backpack strapped tight to me, messenger bag slung across my front and purse on my arm. Whew. It was time to depart Cluj and head to Krakow. Via bus. Back to Budapest. When Arpad first told me I had to take a busContinue reading “Romanian sunsets, Hungarian mornings and Polish afternoons”
“GLEE” in Cluj-Napoca
“GLEE” was one of my favorite shows in America before I left to travel. Since I had began my journey in March, I had not watched a bit of American television.
But, in that kitchen, watching Sue Sylvester bash Will Schuster’s curls, it took me back to such a happy spot … sitting on my butter yellow couch in Atlanta, cats curled up at my side, nice glass of red to sip on.
Ginny and I sat, heads planted on the kitchen table, watching the episode, trying to drown out the chatter coming from the reception room, and allowing ourselves to be taken back to America.
An American in Cluj
Ginny sat, blonde hair pulled back, on a bed in the adjacent room, examining her belongings.
“Hello,” I said, exercising my voice for the first time pretty much the entire day.
And, that was it. Ginny, a former Peace Corps volunteer, and I were instant friends. Originally from South Carolina, Ginny was in Transylvania doing research. She’s a historian studying at Oxford, so for the few days she was in Cluj, she spent some of her time meeting other historians and researching in the library.
The rest of the time, we spent together, exploring Cluj, eating and drinking.
D Travels 'Round 