Since my two weeks of educational vacation in Rome were of such great personal gain, two years later it was time to go back on the language horse. After many hours in front of the computer screen talking in rudimentary Turkish to a learning program, I decided to give Izmir a shot.
Nestled between palm trees and lamp posts: Izmir proudly presents the Saat Kulesi – its major tourist attraction. This Way to the Whole Story ->
I am not a dark tourist, the world is a somber place. I realize that almost every country I’ve visited lately has had to endure terror and bloodshed related to civil war.
Visiting a country and learning about its history can lead you to quite dark places.
What does this fact say about me? And what does it say about the world we’re living in?
How did I become a Citizen of the World? Why do I have these itchy feet? Where does this greed for exploring come from? Why this fascination with foreign customs’n’cultures? Was there a specific moment? Or did I get injected this yearning for travel in homeopathic doses?
For the first time on Croatian beaches.
I’ve put together five anecdotes about my earliest – and most impressive – travel memories that might explain a thing or two.
It’s really amazing what my brain remembers, how these trips sank in and anchored in my mind and soul.
My passion for travelling and my interest in learning yet another language took me to Rio de Janeiro, the legendary metropolis on the Atlantic coast of Brazil.
This is what Bildungsurlaub stands for: Getting inspired by seeing things from a new perspective! Here at Rio’s Jardim Botanico, a beautiful, serene oasis not far from the beach of Ipanema. There is not only an eclectic mix of untamed nature growing next to manicured lawns and flowerbeds, decorated with old, weathered statues and fountains. There is also an exhibition of modern art taking place. My favorite piece is an installation by Gustavo Prado called “Caminho Inverso”/”Reversed Path”. It consists of about thirty mirrors facing the top of the palm tree alley which shows you the plants from many, many….different perspectives! This Way to the Whole Story ->
I always thought if I had the chance to choose on judgment day, I might rather go to hell than to heaven. I’m suffering from acrophobia so a place as high as heaven might scare me to…well, at least it cannot scare me to death anymore. Then, I’m afraid that way up high over the clouds it will be always a little nippy. And I like it hot.
I’m definitely a solo traveller – taking the whole alone travel to an even higher level.
But after recent events, I’m not so sure anymore. After I was riding with the devil, I’m afraid I’m not fit for the highway to hell.
Pickled fruits and herbs from the Mediterranean cuisine are fantastic: Tasty, pretty, and with my recipes so easy to make! It’s also a great gift to your family’n’friends and a creative way to store the Mediterranean Sun in your pantry.
Oil infused with Herbes de Provence, lemon peel, and garlic. Close your eyes and find yourself in a lavender field at the Plateau de Valensole.
Especially during travel-restricted times, it’s a great way of bringing the flavors of summer into your kitchen cabinets.
I’m often asked how it is to travel by myself. If I’m not scared. If I don’t get lonely. If I’m not afraid that the sky may fall on my head tomorrow.
No, Sri Lanka looks nothing like this. Definitely not. (Photo: Sondrekv, Påske, detail, cropped to 2:3, CC0 1.0)
The answer has always been no, and meeting Sri Lanka’s only ski instructor was clearly another proof that travelling solo is a great chance to come across people who open up to you in the blink of an eye.
Hardly anyone I know has ever heard of the Elgiz Museum of Contemporary Art, so I really think it’s the best-hidden gem in Istanbul.
Coming to this grand city on the Bosporus river, obviously, everybody is standing in line to see the antique masterpieces at Hagia Sophia and the Topkapı Palace. Or – if they venture away from Sultanahmet – the very ‘French’ Dolmabahçe.
Homage to Masters of Sculpture, against the backdrop of Istanbul’s financial center view, Photo: Kayhan Kaygusuz
But hardly anyone comes to Istanbul to see the young, fresh, and daring Turkish contemporary art.
I love to learn foreign languages and travelling is my passion. Therefore, I joined a couple of courses abroad. For two weeks, I was learning Italian in Rome – and I’m telling you here how that went.
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