The cycling culture is unparalleled to any place I've visited both in the States and in Europe (although I'm going to Copenhagen in a few weeks and they're also supposed to have an extensive cycling network). The organization involved in their bike lanes and the ease with which people rode was intimidating and inspiring. I have also lost touch with the art of cycling and was definitely a noticeable tourist. A lot of the time people cycled with a person just sitting side saddle on the bike rack. Or there was the impressive parent/adult cycling with two children sitting in a front loading cargo basket and another child side saddle on the back bike rack. Now that is some serious cycling.
Amsterdam was nothing short of fantastic, beautiful, inspiring- pretty much all the positive words. It truly felt like all the people I met, or even just walked by, were happier than the rest of the world. It was simultaneously baffling and endearing and enchanting enough to make me want to move there for at least a few years. Despite Amsterdam's reputation for being a haven for drugs and prostitution, there was hardly anything distinctly noticeable or seedy. I even got lost for about an hour at night and even though I felt a tad unsafe, no one bothered me and I made it to the hostel unharmed.
The cycling culture is unparalleled to any place I've visited both in the States and in Europe (although I'm going to Copenhagen in a few weeks and they're also supposed to have an extensive cycling network). The organization involved in their bike lanes and the ease with which people rode was intimidating and inspiring. I have also lost touch with the art of cycling and was definitely a noticeable tourist. A lot of the time people cycled with a person just sitting side saddle on the bike rack. Or there was the impressive parent/adult cycling with two children sitting in a front loading cargo basket and another child side saddle on the back bike rack. Now that is some serious cycling.
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A few weeks back I posted pictures of my housemates Amelie and Jack. Douglas was excluded simply because his photo was taken on a roll of 35mm slide film and there was about a 2-3 week wait for it to be developed and scanned. Anywho, here he is appreciating a cup of tea and that lovely English sun! Your Broad Abroad,
Dacy Slide film has been returned to me, so here are the remaining pictures from my trip to Brussels and Bruges. It's quite a pleasure to see my photos in slide format as opposed to negatives.
I developed this roll of black and white film at University of Kent's Photography Society photo lab. Then I had the negatives scanned at Jessops. It's a shame I haven't used more black and white film. It's pretty special. I have two more rolls that have yet to be developed, but I'm eager to see.
With the exception of the last three, these were all taken in London. They're all from around my first few weeks in the UK way back in January and it's sort of bittersweet seeing these for the first time just as my trip is speeding to a palpable end. Brighton is an amazing city with a lot of diversity and great food Indian food (Curry Leaf Cafe). I happened to go during the first weekend of their month-long Brighton Festival and got to see an Australian circus troop, Circa, perform a show called Beyond. Unfortunately they don't allow photography, so no snaps of that. But the show was pretty spectacular- full of humor and strange creatures and magnificent displays of human strength, agility, and grace. One particularly great detail, and pleasure, was their careful attention to transitions from one act to the next.
It was mostly raining, but the city is beautiful even when you're cold and wet. The hostel was...mediocre. And a tad far from the center of the city, but it made for good walks. I bought some film at a teeny tiny camera shop (Clock Tower Cameras) that was packed tight with supplies and new/used cameras. They had Ilford black and white disposable cameras and I should have bought one. Kicking myself about that now. A few weekends ago, I got to check out some more seaside towns- Westgate on Sea, Margate, and Herne Bay. Vastly different from Southern California beaches, but equally as gorgeous. One of the many little joys of English beaches are the jaunty beach huts dotting the coast with splashes of vibrant color. The weather on the drive out with housemate Jack, his parents, and their ridiculously adorable dog Finley, was just a sunny delight. The drive took us through so much greenery- flat fields of various shades of green, vibrant yellow flower patches, and the inevitable endless sky of fluffy clouds that I will forever associate with English springtime. We indulged in a drink at a random pub, enjoyed fish and chips on the beach, and took in all the glorious sea and seaside tulips in Herne Bay. It was an extra treat to play with Finley the dog and snuggle his soft paws and ears. It made me miss my little nugget buddy, Kingsley. It was genuinely a fantastic day and such a pleasure to meet housemate Jack's fam bam. While in Germany, I went on a bit of wild goose chase for film. Finally found some and took a lot of pictures, but it turns out I bought slide film. Jessops is developing it, but it's going to be a few weeks since they had to send it away. Thus, I don't have many pictures of Brussels or Bruges just yet. It will be exciting to see how the slides turn out. But for now, here are a few: Your Broad Abroad,
Dacy I'm just realizing I have yet to post pictures from my trip to Portsmouth, Southsea, and Isle of Wight. These were quick trips as I was only tagging along with housemate Jack, who was attending/presenting at a conference in Portsmouth. I spent the day wandering the city and walked a good 15 miles at least! There was a wild wind during both days of my visit which added an element of excitement.
Just a few more pictures of my time visiting family in Hannover. Hannover was a nice big/little city. It was no Berlin, but it was also a pretty great hub. Got to go to a Frühlingsfest (spring festival/fair) and a really beautiful expansive garden with a bunch of fountains. Your Broad Abroad,
Dacy Got the chance to see my sister, brother-in-law, and niece in Hannover, Germany a few weeks ago. It was a surreal treat seeing them in another country after about 3 months of being away from any family. It was especially nice to know someone from a foreign country (my brother-in-law is originally from Hannover, but has been living in the US for a few years) who could drive! No public transport or miscommunication for this broad! Spent some quality time with my niece- late night movie sessions, parks, and good food. It was easy peasy good times with my family in Hannover.
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DacyLimFrom Long Beach, CA to Canterbury, England and back. Archives
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