I Only Got Eyes For Eis “Wem keatsn es? To whom do you belong?” My favorite ice cream in Austria sits behind an unassuming window located in a village of 3,000 people. You ring the bell and the friendly face of a young restaurant server greets you before taking your order. You walk out holding a cone that contains a smooth,… Read More
Some Summits Summed While I no longer travel around the United States for math competitions, I still love using arithmetic to depict my adventures. This brief post is meant to provide outdoor inspiration, and to spread awareness of random hikes and lifts from around the world. “Top of Europe” (3,454 m) Top of Vancouver, Canada… Read More
Musings Over An Unanticipated Thanksgiving In Europe My life was suddenly a new level of nightmare for claustrophobics—it was hard to tell at first, but it became clear the British bus had in fact driven into a train, parked, and said train was moving into the ocean. Thankfully I didn’t feel claustrophobic, and instead felt enlightened, especially when the sunlight of the French… Read More
Hungry Pigeons Showcasing Seven European Cities The second most important aspect of my childhood travels (after ice cream) was feeding pigeons. Some called them flying rats, my sister and I saw them as our friends. Perhaps the following montage can begin to convey the loaves of bread that were sacrificed in the name of this hobby. 1. Madrid, Spain 2.… Read More
Actual Places Then vs. Escadaria Selaron Now When the tiles of Rio de Janeiro‘s most beautiful staircase are as enchanting as the destinations themselves. Spain, 2004 Italy, 2008 Belgium, 2010 Florida, Forever Some Relevant Fun Facts Antoni Gaudí- this modernist architect hated sharp edges and corners. The Bridge of Sighs- this iconic landmark was named… Read More
TBT: Glimpse Of The Swiss Alps Excerpt taken from 2 East + 2 West, 2011. 6.2.11 Thursday I woke, super excited to see the crisp clear mountain faces. I jumped out of bed, threw open the curtains and… got blinded by white nothingness. Loads of fog. After that let down, the first thing I had to do was finish my… Read More
TBT: On the Rhine—Bacharach Excerpt taken from Europe 2010: Germany + Neighbors, Italy #3 After nearly 2 hours [on the train from Frankfurt] I stepped out into the greetings of a sign that read Bacharach. I still don’t know how to pronounce it. We dragged our luggage on the bumby roads and made our way to Pension… Read More
TBT: Candid Rambles and Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain Excerpt taken from Spain and Portugal, 2004. 8 eight Ramblas Street and the Harbor My family was walking down a street called ramblas Street. On the street people were selling baby animals for instance a baby chick for one €uro! My mom wanted a chick. But before that, we had seen… Read More
TBT: Poorly Spelled Accounts of Venice and Florence, Italy Excerpt from Italy! A True Book, 2003. 6 Venice the city that’s almost floued! In Venes Venes has one hundred an eighty Ilends. It has hundreds of piges. There a lot of gondloes. Gondlouse are a kind of boat. if you lived in Venes when you open the door water may come in and a boat… Read More