random day-after-europe thoughts.

it is a truly bizarre feeling to be running one morning in victoria park, london and the next morning running in keller, texas. slightly depressing.  but thanks to jet lag, being up at 4:45 let me see a beautiful sunrise on my run.

i heart traveling with my sisters.

i am once again struck at the width of texas streets, the number of SUV's, air conditioning, and the glorious taste of american diet coke.

the world is full of really, really, REALLY interesting people.

i never would have pegged berlin as a city where people tan nude in the central park.

there is something refreshingly simplistic about living with the things you can only carry in your backpack. after you get over the feeling of vulnerability, it's quite a nice way to go.  good prep for the appalachian trail.

i am struggling with the lack of physical movement. for almost 6 weeks it was new places and new cities every few days with different things to do and see.  and i was never inside for longer than a museum visit, a stop at the grocery store or café, or to sleep.  time to apply that to my current living situation.

feet are amazing.  they can take us incredible places.  and chacos on those feet?  even better.

i am truly grateful i had the chance to experience more of this glorious earth in which we live. traveling can foster adaptability, passion, independence, curiosity, learning, spontaneity, and an appreciation for different cultures (just to name a few). it reminds me that i am not only capable of living these qualities, but i am happiest when i do. the trick is to apply these traits into the everyday and to let them seep so deep into you that they become who you are no matter where you are.  

"adventure is a path.  real adventure-- self-determined, self-motivated, often risky-- forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world.  the world the way it is, not the way you imagine it.  your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness.  in this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind-- and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both.  this will change you." -mark jenkins

so there you have it.  the sun has officially set on european summer 2013.

luckily there are always more adventures to be had.  care to join?

deutschland, danmark, norge

truthfully, each of these countries deserve their own post, but here's the abbreviated version in photographical bullet points.

deutschland:

frauenkirche, dresden.  (dark brick, before WWII.  light brick, built post WWII bombing)

swiss saxon national park.  8 hours of hiking bliss.

annaberg buchholz.  felt like mulan paying homage to the ancestors.

leipzig, thomaskirche.  part of the bach pilgrimage.

berlin, brandenberger tor.

spandau, berlin

potsdam, germany

danmark:  wish i could have spent more time here.  the danes truly are some of the friendliest people i've ever encountered. 

crossing baltic sea to copenhagen

copenhagen (heart all the cyclists!)

copenhagen

hirtshals (north sea)

coastline

perhaps the most perfectly coiffed horses in denmark.

best sunset ever.

lighthouse in hirtshals

norge: o.m.norway.  must go back. for a long, long time.   

way up to preikestolen (pulpit rock)

pulpit rock. 

the fjord.

elevated view of the rock.

the north sea.

1st cousins once removed.  

monafossen

fjord cruise

fjord cruise.

old town stavanger.

Česká republika.

the old town, castle district, and jewish quarter in prague could be the most architecturally beautiful places i've ever ever been to.  vienna and paris are pretty fantastic... but daaaaa-yum. so is prague.  absolutely loved it. i spent hours just wandering around the little cobblestone streets, which was perfect because heaven knows i couldn't talk to anyone.  by the time i left, i think i managed one correct good morning and thank you.  czech is ridiculous!

since i did a lot of writing in the last post, i'll spare you words and include more pictures.  and just so you know, i became obsessed with the clocks around the city, so there are loads of pictures of different clocks. consider it a study.

after 3 days in prague, i spent another 1.5 down in cesky krumlov-- also an architectural delight.  plus, the surrounding southern bohemian hills proved an excellent escape from the tour bus crowds.

charles bridge.

our lady before tyn

astronomical clock

old town hall

couldn't help it.  his pose was just too good.

old-new synagogue

names of czechs killed during the holocaust.

jewish cemetery

st. nicholas cathedral

cute little door.

clock(s)

clock

clock

wenceslas square

cesy krumlov.  even the man-hole covers are delightful.

wanna buy a sundial?

part of the castle.

view of the country from klet, highest peak in southern bohemia.

the vltava running through town.

walking to the bus station at 4:30am. not a bad parting gift.