Dacy
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
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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.
I've written briefly about traveling alone- something I can get down with most of the time- letting myself relish in interior monologues no one will ever hear and doing exactly what I want when I want.
But sometimes traveling alone leaves me with a crippling emptiness. Kidding, kidding. Though there is an element of loneliness, of that 'I-just-need-to-talk-to-someone-I-know' feeling. My recent trip to Brussels, Belgium ended up being great fun and a lovely time, but definitely started with a dip into some sad sack feelings. The hostel, which was extremely nice, was also extremely empty the day I arrived. Rather than meeting people, I went to dinner alone, had a (really good) beer alone, wandered the beautiful, but somewhat seedy streets alone. To be quite honest (and redundant), it left me feeling...alone. I definitely had the thought that perhaps I should just go back to Canterbury, but I'm really glad I didn't. The hostel filled up the second day and I had good convo with good people. There's always room to meet people whether it's through the hostel, a walking tour, or at a bar/pub/club. I suppose the challenge of traveling alone is to get over traveling alone (big epiphany, I know). After having done the solo traveling, it is definitely something I think is worth doing. Yeah, it can be lonely, but overall it's a beautiful thing to be happy or find happiness alone. But the absolute best part of traveling alone? Coming home! The day of my return to Canterbury was quite possibly one of the best nights I've had with my housemates. Housemate Jack had food, cider, and hugs ready and waiting for me as soon I opened the front door. Housemate Amelie brought the laughs. It was a glorious return and pretty much exactly what I needed. I couldn't ask for better housemates/friends during my time abroad. Sigh, thinking about it brings a tear to my eye. Jk, I don't cry. But for real real, it was the best. With that said, I've just booked myself another solo trip, this time to Brighton. It should be good times. Planning on seeing some shows and going to some outdoor performances that are part of the Brighton Festival. I'm also hoping to catch some delicious Indian and Japanese food. Sushi, curry, ramen- gimme all the tasty eats. Till next time. Your Broad Abroad, Dacy 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.
It's been a busy few weeks, thus the lack of posts. I've been to Portsmouth, Southsea, and Isle of Wight (all in the UK) and to Hannover, Germany as well as Brussels and Bruges, Belgium. It's been a bit wild, especially with final essays and creative writing projects sprinkled in between. Speaking of which, I'll also plan on posting some of my favorite poems from the collection I worked on during my time here. Both classes were extremely beneficial and intellectually expansive for me. It was such a joy (even during the stressful parts) to have the opportunity to experience a different academic culture and environment. But before I start posting poems, I have pictures I need to catch up on! Film from Hannover and Brussels/Bruges have yet to be developed, but I have images from London, Portsmouth, and Southsea. Oh, even some from Canterbury because a friend from CSULB came to visit and we did a boat tour down the Great Stour. But I think today I shall only do a few photos, so as not to bombard you with a gazillion photos. Let's have a slow trickle rather than a flood of photos. So here are some from Jovanna's visit to Canterbury. More pictures are imminent.
Your Broad Abroad, Dacy This past weekend was solitary, indeed. Most all my housemates were either off visiting family or away on holiday. While it was a tad lonesome, it was also a pleasure to be stuck in my own head for an extended amount of time, to have the house to myself, to enjoy my own company. It really is rare for me to be alone, even in the UK when I'm already far away from everyone I know and love. It allowed me time to reflect, contemplate, be super silly in the privacy of an empty home- all the things a person needs to stay some sort of sane. I spent a day in London wandering around on my own. I walked a bunch and stumbled on random coffee shops. I made an appointment at tattoo shop. I went to a Japanese stationary store called MUJI because I really wanted to replace the ink cartridge for a pen, but they no longer stock them! I love pens and this one is a fave and it really is sad I can't replace the ink. I went to the Tate Modern and to Brixton Market. It was a really lovely solo day trip. I ate really good ramen and an eel roll. And now, just a few pictures because I still have another roll of film that needs to be used and developed. Lots of sun in these two. Your Broad Abroad,
Dacy Took a quick weekend trip to Liverpool to see The Tune-Yards. I really enjoyed Liverpool which was unexpected because quite a few people I spoke to prior to the trip asked, 'WHY Liverpool??" I thought the city was a great mix of culture, architecture, and general friendliness. Everyone I encountered was very nice and genuinely happy to talk. The accent was beautiful, albeit difficult to understand, at times. I also had some amazing Lebanese food.
The Tune-Yards show was in the beautiful Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. I wish I'd taken my 35mm camera because it was gorgeous. Instead, my iPhone photos will have to suffice. Hello Hello, I finished another roll of film that had some remaining pictures from my quick trip to Berlin. I'm also nearly done with spring term! There are, what, 3 weeks left? I've quite enjoyed my classes, but it's very different from CSULB. I'm taking half the classes I normally would, so two. Granted, they do feel like I have more to do in them, but there are fewer contact hours. There are fewer assignments, so much less actual work to do, but there is a lot of reading and it feels a lot more stressful when I'm writing a paper (so much depends on JUST two papers!). With that, I shall leave you with some more photos of Berlin and be off to read some more. Your Broad Abroad,
Dacy Perhaps one of my favorite things to do at (my UK) home is cinch my blinds and look out my window. Compared to my apartment in Long Beach, the view is quite nice. In Long Beach, from my bedroom window, I can see a little alley and into the neighbor's driveway and the outside of their home. Beyond that, more buildings, buildings, buildings. More cement, concrete, asphalt. In Canterbury, I look out my window every day. There's a little yard. And on each side the neighbor's yards. Both are a bit dilapidated, but they each have their own special charm. One of the fences separating the yards blew over during a night of gusty winds when we first moved in. It's been in a state of disrepair ever since, strewn across our lawn. Beyond the yard, is a small car park. Beyond that some small houses. Surrounding this, decorating this, are trees and bushes, grass. Above all that there is wide sky. On exceptional days, the clouds are out puffing along at the same steady pace as the wind. On gray days, the skies are still beautiful, only in a stark, minimal sort of way. Even with all this gorgeous landscape right outside my window, there's still something even more satisfying to see: the birds! Especially with Spring blooming, the birds are especially giddy. Flying in flocks or solo, the best is when a bird comes swooping from above my house and I get a quick glimpse of its belly. It's a surprise and a delight. Or there are the birds that like to peck and poke at the dirt in search of food. Or the birds that hop hop hop from one bare branch to the next until it flies off. There's also a local black and white cat that likes to pick its way through the long green grass. I've witnessed it intent on some prey, or slowly licking a paw, or nipping at some spare tendril of leaf. And now a crap iPhone picture of my home from the backyard (the fence has since been picked up). I know, it probably definitely seems strange to enjoy such a mundane thing as looking out a window. But I do enjoy it and it will certainly be one of the top things I miss when I leave. On that happy/sad note, I shall bid you adieu.
Your Broad Abroad, Dacy |
DacyLimFrom Long Beach, CA to Canterbury, England and back. Archives
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