PARIS: day twenty three

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Upon arriving back in Paris from Venice, it was a stark contrast to the slow pace and quiet lifestyle of two weeks spent prior. Paris with its busy roads, peak hour subways, blaring sirens and people begging. But the picturesque Paris is also there, hidden amongst the boulangeries on every corner, selling freshly baked goods and the numerous cafes where people pause to have a coffee or two or three. The antiquity of the city is present in every glance, centuries of history noticeable in the architecture but often overlooked in a city with so much to show. Beautiful churches and museums blend into one another as frequent as they are, whilst kids casually kick a soccer ball against a three hundred year old wall, which once defended the city. The river Seine, picturesque and a perfect backdrop to the romantic city of the movies. Near the major attractions the tourists are many but the sights to see are worth the crowd. Though many a monument I envisaged standing in open space, untouched and free. Yet in reality with cars and the roads surrounding, it’s a clear juxtaposition to a time long past. That there lies the soul of Paris, old and new coexisting, readapted and repurposed. 

VENICE: day twenty

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Two weeks in Venice felt both too long and too short. The city itself was a contrast in so many ways, narrow streets only allowing the width of one person opening to large piazzas and open squares, the main streets alive and bustling with tourists whilst other areas quiet, silent and still, and the overlay of the walking streets by another grid of canals, only experienced by water. The city itself is amazing, with so much history and culture engrained in every brick, and when you consider the mammoth task of practically building a landform up from scratch, it really is such a mind blowing feat. Because without human intervention, the lagoon that is Venice would no longer be. But the main sights to see and experiencing the city could be consumed in a couple of days, so in a way I overextended my stay. But what I lost in time, I gained through the irreplaceable experience of studying in another country. Because study akin to work, makes you take a step back and settle down, you begin to walk routes every day, and the absolute maze of lanes and streets, crisscrossing and dead ends begins to make a little bit of sense. A sense of familiarity arises as you pick up common phrases, and frequent the same cafes, know where to get the cheapest drinks and revisit your favourite restaurants. And that is the essence of travelling for me, not the tourist attractions of amazing landmarks but immersing yourself in a culture, so unique and different from home.

LONDON: day three

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Perhaps it’s the English speaking nature of London but upon arriving and exploring it felt familiar and comfortable, not too different from home. London for me was composed of snippets of cobbled roads, overcast weather, busy bustling streets where everyone had somewhere to be or go, English accents and classical buildings on every corner juxtaposed against the glassy facades of new modern high risers. Minus one encounter with thieves on my last morning, the two and a half days spent in London were an interesting and eye opening experience. Interesting because it’s another country, half way across the world which is so different yet so similar. I was easily able to navigate and communicate and perhaps this was the best place to begin my Europe trip, a gentle easing into the world of solo travel. Eye opening because of the individual nature, I honestly didn’t know what to expect and how I would deal but so far it has been good. The freedom of going where you wish with no demands or other expectations, deciding your path and dictating with only one person in mind. The serene and peaceful nature, quiet, being consumed within one’s thoughts and being one’s own company. For any person with self-doubts and a negative disposition, I feel as if it would eat away at you but for me it was merely just a peace of mind, to ponder and really let my thoughts play out. Reassuring to find that I was not scared in the slightest despite wandering dark streets at night in an unknown country, and maturity, enough to plan my days, and make my way around without any difficulty, and make friends with strangers. London’s been good, onwards to Paris we go!

Twenty three.

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As always the nine months disappeared without a word, and I’m left to sift through the memories one by one to recall where they went. Savouring my last few months of the university life as I know it, before I truly will have no more excuses to entertain the title of “child”. Because, at some point in the past year, the term “adult” grew comfortable, familiar but also became one of pride and respect, earnt and not given. Confidence grew in the nooks and crannies, watered through learning experiences; teaching and mentoring first years, successfully navigating through the precarious process of pay negotiation, and achieving the best result personally and academically for design studio. Twenty three years, living, breathing, inhabiting this small little corner of the world, regretting not a moment or choice because I like who I am, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and I know I have so much further to go. 

hello again.

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I miss writing, the ease with which my thoughts translate to a sentence, balancing on the tip of my tongue to be molded and sculpted til it sounds just right read aloud. It's a simple act which I've always gained enjoyment from but somewhere in the year and a half I've not written a post, my words were buried instead in spoken conversations, scraps of paper and captions. But even now, just forming these sentences, feels so right and re-reading old posts remind me of why I do so. 

 So where have I been? Nowhere particularly, but life has gone on. I've changed yet I haven't. I've grown yet I feel the same. And I am not quite sure whether I'm ready for the next big step but it approaches nevertheless and I must face it. But that's a worry for another day. Right now, I'm content, I'm happy and post two weeks I'll be happier yet. 

 But honestly, "procrastination at its best", if I wasn't running away from the 33 pages of notes and more to come, I probably wouldn't have written this. Wait fourteen days, then I think its due time I showed this dusty spot some tlc. 

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