A Wandering Sole

Spring Yearnings for Europe

// April 3rd, 2013 // 10 Comments » // Italy, Spain, Turkey

It’s no secret- I love Africa travel. But being here in East Africa for the past four months has me itching to see interesting architecture again. On occasion, I see nice hospitality interiors from chain restaurants… and that’s about it. Here in Kenya and Rwanda, I don’t get excited about architecture in the cities.

A few weeks ago, As We Travel posted a view of Florence’s Duomo on their Facebook page. Suddenly, I was itching… okay like practically dying, to be back in Italy and spending countless hours wandering old streets and imagining what life was like during Michelangelo’s time. I tasted gelato on my tongue and felt the crisp spring air on my face. I even recalled the old Romanian woman I shared a hostel room with in Florence, and despite her eating tuna out of a can (the smell of tuna makes me gag) while sitting in her little white nightgown, I remember how much I admired her passion. She saved for several years for a one-week trip to Florence, and spent countless hours in the art museums day after day. Then a mosquito bit me, and I was brought back to my Nairobi reality. As Spring settles upon us, I wanted to mention some of my favorite places in Europe. While I haven’t traveled extensively in Europe, I have discovered some pretty special spots in my limited travels there (and yes, I  use the word discover as in, I discovered for myself… I realize these are quite well known!). I think the idea of place has become so important to me… a hyper-awareness of my surroundings. Place and space are a huge part of why I travel.

Hagia Sophia

1. Hagia Sophia: Once a church, then a mosque, now a museum. However I would just call it: absolutely stunning. (more…)

Montage Monday: Photo Essay of Venice Architecture

// April 2nd, 2012 // 9 Comments » // Italy, Photo of the Week

Perhaps my favorite photo from Venice

In 2010, when I embarked on my trip around the world, my first stop was Venice. (more…)

Montage Monday: Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican

// February 7th, 2011 // 6 Comments » // Italy, Photo of the Week

St. Peter's Square full of people listening to the Pope (and I'm sitting where the red dot is!)

This week’s Montage Monday is not just one photo. It’s a series of photos from the Vatican where, by happenstance, I heard the pope speak! (more…)

Montage Monday: A Cloudy Day on the Amalfi Coast (Italy)

// January 24th, 2011 // 13 Comments » // Italy, Photo of the Week

I’m not sure if it’s cloudy or foggy. I asked Google for clarification but still not sure what you call these clouds hovering around mountains. But… I guess that’s really not all that important. What is important is how gorgeous the Amalfi Coast is in Italy. I took a bus and got off at different cities along the way. The road is so narrow that when going through towns, we literally had to back up hundreds of yards so other buses could pass. There are buildings around curves that have scrape marks all over them where buses have rubbed up on them. Happy to say I got to see this beautiful coastline without having to drive it!

Montage Monday: Color Overload in Burano, Italy

// September 13th, 2010 // 7 Comments » // Italy, Photo of the Week

Walking around the quiet island of Burano, I came across this house, and it made me laugh. One, because I don’t wear black clothing very often, and two, because Burano is so colorful that I guess the locals wear black to combat getting color overload. I came across multiple houses that had mostly black clothing out to dry.

Other Posts on Burano:
Burano: Land of Color and Lace
Montage Monday: Burano

Picture This: San Gimignano

// August 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Italy

I have posted pictures from my visit to the Tuscan village of San Gimignano. Though I’ve heard this town can be overrun with tourists in the summer, I was lucky enough to visit during off-season and it was beautiful!

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