All posts tagged: travelling

“A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are built for.”

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“A ship in harbor is safe — but that is not what ships are built for.” -John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic, 1928. This will be my inspiration for my new adventures in Donostia-San Sebastian. I have to keep reminding myself that without big risks, there will never be big rewards. I’ve taken on something that most people might decide not to do. I’ve jumped into a new life with no idea of what’s going to happen in the future. But I guess that’s half the fun of it.

| THE HILLS FILL MY HEART WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC |

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I love trains. I love the mumbling of a foreign language. I love the soothing motion of rocking back and forth on the tracks. I love passing landscapes of small towns and big cities that I may never ever see again except in that one. fleeting. moment. Its a feeling I can’t quite put into words, but somehow it engulfs me and puts a pressure in my chest as if I’m about to cry. But it’s happiness. It’s pure bliss of the moment. Traveling across Austria this afternoon I’d never felt a greater happiness even though I’m alone in this country. Time on the train has given me the opportunity to let my mind wander and allow me to really think about what I want out of traveling, life, the people I love and care about. It made me appreciate everything I have and look forward to everything to come in the future. As these thoughts passed through my mind, so did small glimpses of Austrian life. I saw children pulling sleds up hills, mothers …

| PASTA! PIZZA! LASAGNA! THE FOOD OF MY TRAVELS |

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I’ve decided it’s about time to write about my eating habits. As they’ve been non-consistent, but delicious — I really want to write about these tasty foods (and some not so great) that I’ve encountered while in Europe. FIRST! I want to say — Maine is the homeland of Seafood. DELICIOUS. Seafood. But somehow, London *yes, they were around before us chaps settled our lovely state and industry* is famous for their fish & chips. Maybe I should read into the history of this phenomena more, buuut, that’d just be too easy. I’ll let it baffle me. So, obviously the first time I make a visit to London-town in March of 2011 I wanted to try the famous fish & chips — but, the two day venture was too quick for my taste buds so I left the country without having tried the main dish. This time around I wouldn’t allow that to happen. As soon as I arrived in London to visit my lovely friend we made a list of must-do activities while I …

| MADRID, TE QUIERO |

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It had been 10 months since I had left the city. I wasn’t sad to go at the time either. I was actually rather happy to be done with it. I never thought I’d be so excited to be back in the city. To see the lights glittering in the night sky as I flew above gave me butterflies I couldn’t control. It was almost like coming home. I used Couch Surfing to find a place to stay in the city and so I could meet new people this time around. Create new memories with new friends. And that’s exactly what I did. It was amazing to walk down streets I knew. To be able to speak the language. To feel at home in a city I’d be away from for almost a year. It was all familiar to me, but I was happier, free. While I was visiting, Bruno, my CS host, and I discussed the meaning of freedom over dinner one evening. I don’t quite remember how it was brought it up, but …

| SOUL SEARCHING, CATCHING WAVES, SOAKING UP THE SUMMER SUN |

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I got an email the other day from hostelworld.com — the subject line read: “It’s been six months since your last trip.” I couldn’t believe it. Six months has already passed since I last booked my hostel in the Canary Islands? I stared at the email thinking about those three months of traveling before clicking the box to delete it. Man, does time fly. It’s now the very last day of July 2012. I just rolled in from the beach, searching for the slightest sign of ride-able waves. Trickles. The surf shop had students floating on the passing baby swells, but it was nothing I wanted to bring my board out into. I parked the truck, grabbed my towel and headed for the water. I needed a good dose of salt water. My mind had been swirling all day with thoughts of visas, moving in October, friends I’ll get to see again and friends I’m leaving in the States. I’ve come to realize a good dose of salt water will really help cure anything. I’ve …