a day without trains

a day without trains, absolute bliss. after a long sleep most of the day was spent walking. on the phone to Zi I ventured into the city, catching each other up on what’s been on our minds. I’ve missed him a lot, and can’t wait to spend time with him over summer. he’s finished exams now, and I’m hoping this means some time for rest is on his horizon.

I spent the evening drawing and cooking dinner. Fieke arrived at 9:30, and we ate together: pesto pasta with halloumi, just like old times. I’d missed her and we’d only been apart for three weeks. we drank tea and listened to music enjoyed the warmth of the lounge before venturing upstairs.

happy to be back in the Netherlands. I really like this country, and hope that my future involves coming back at some point. <<

Vienna to Amsterdam

big train day. Pia dropped me at the station at 10:30. we hugged goodbye and I’ve been on my way to Fieke’s place since. one train and tram until I’m there. spent time journaling and trying to sleep, thinking about where I’ve been and the uncertainty of where I’m going. excited to be back in a home I know. <<

Vienna

a big day. left the house early for the train into the city, visiting the Leopold Gallery. one of the best art spots I’ve come across this trip. enjoyed seeing Klimt’s ‘death and life’ up close, though the highlight of the museum was seeing such a vast collection of work by Egon Schiele. his paintings will be on my mind for a while. admiring his visions and curious depictions of the human form makes me want to make art again. a wonderful way to spend the morning.

Pia met me outside the gallery, and we wandered the city for a while, stopping for snacks on a bench by the votive church in the city centre. we spent our afternoon in the Belvedere Palace - more art, including additional pieces from Schiele and Klimt. ‘the kiss’ was a pleasant surprise - surpassing expectations in opposition to the way the Mona Lisa sort of lets you down.

as the sun went down we made our way to Prater, where Pia convinced me to join her on one of those terrifying thrill rides that sends you eighty metres high for a view of the city before dropping you so fast you feel as though your heart might leap out of your body. we enjoyed a hearty schnitzel and salad for dinner before heading home, where we laughed and chatted over chocolate and Austrian beer until late.

I’ve been lucky to have found such a caring friend in Pia, and I really hope we stay in touch. so little time to spend with such a precious person and what seems to be a beautiful city. I’ve promised myself I’ll return someday. <<

Würzburg to Vienna

tired today. Jan and I were up laughing til late. it’s pretty funny that we got to a point at which seeing each other and spending time felt normal, as though we don’t live a world apart and have an inevitable handful of years between our paths crossing again. he really is the best of the best, and I count myself so lucky to have spent this time with him.

the train was crowded. I listened to music and started reading the book Bipasha bought me when I left. by 5pm I arrived at the station, where I was greeted by Paula who commuted with me back to her place in the outskirts of the city. Pia had prepared a delicious meal for us. we drank wine and shared Norwegian chocolate, laughing lots and updated each other on what had happened since we’d last seen each other in Milan.

once more I’m in the company of friends I might never have met were it not for sheer luck. they’ve invited me into their home, and will spend time showing me around the city tomorrow. I’ll visit some galleries and see the town Nash has been talking about for years. unsure what I did to deserve all of this. trying to treasure it all. <<

Copenhagen to Würzburg

early morning train to Hamburg, then on towards Würzburg, arriving at Jan’s by 5:30ish. big train day. journalled in the morning, dozed in the afternoon. 

Jan took me out to the vegan place with the bossy waiter we’d been joking about (the waiter hadn’t let us eat there last time). the food was delicious. we’ve just spent the past six hours laughing and chatting over tea and Norwegian chocolate at the kitchen table. this evening was hardly planned - super spontaneous - and I just feel very lucky to be here. it’s been a lovely night. <<

Mette and Netto

most of my final day in Copenhagen has been spent with Mette, a friend mum and dad made during their time backpacking around Europe in 1992. very generously Mette showed me around the city, telling me about her life and how she came to grow so fond of my parents three decades ago during a trip to Greece.

we stopped for a chai in Christiana. when I asked if Mette if she wanted to facetime my parents, she became emotional at the thought, having not seen them in real time for so long. I thought of how I would feel had I met the child of Eliu or Jan without having spoken to them in forever, and I empathised.

in the afternoon Mette returned home to watch the soccer. I spent this time to visit galleries - one contemporary and another more traditional.

the highlight of the contemporary gallery.

‘memory’, just haunting.

Picasso.

Danish scenes.

Van Gough.

Monet.

I spent the evening with Mette and her family. we looked at photo albums of her time with my parents. it was a really special evening, and gives me hope for the friendships I share with those I love living so far from me. Mette met my parents on a boat in Greece. she was telling me just how easily they might never have spoken. a scary and remarkable thought.

Netto run to buy snacks for the train ride tomorrow. time to pack my bag - an early start. <<

the little mermaid

it’s cold here, and though I packed for winter I feel as though I didn’t anticipate just how cold November can be in Scandinavia. I walked out to the little mermaid today - a statue my parents told me about years ago - calling Blake as I ventured through the cold. wandered my way through some pretty gardens. the sun set before 4pm today, so I spent some time planning the next few days. an evening walk through the city (equipped with extra layers, having learned from the chill last night). snowflakes falling gently. freezing and beautiful all at once.

gallery day tomorrow. missing Isaiah tonight. excited to be with him and our family over Christmas. <<