Languages

Languages. The spoken word is something you cannot capture in a photo. It’s heard. It’s felt. While traveling I’ve been privileged to be around people who speak not one language, not two languages, but often three and four languages. I find it fascinating. I find it beautiful. I can honestly say I am envious.

I’m carrying with me mental pictures that cannot be experienced in photo format. My first night in Croatia I stayed with a family in Rijeka. At the breakfast table we sat drinking coffee and passing around homemade bread. The languages were also being passed like food… chatting in Croatian, English, Italian, and a little Deutsch.

One night I was in an outdoor beach café listening to a mix of music from all over the world… John Denver’s famous “West Virginia” to some Croatian love songs to the Beatles. At the table next to me was this adorable little girl dancing without a care in the world. I chatted with her mother who is from Milan, Italy. She is 26, on holiday for a week with her parents. Her daughter Julia turns 4 in September.  We talked about jobs, life, yoga, traveling, California, Italy, dancing, marriage, etc. The languages flowed with a combo of Italian, English, and Spanish -  and somehow we managed to understand each other. 

As I am working with the German language now, I find that I can find common phrases.  Super and Cool are my new favorite words.  They are the same in both languages.  haha  :-)  

My dream would be to know three languages.  I would love to speak Spanish and French.  Languages remind me of water.  They are fluid/liquid.  Words and phrases flowing together, bringing people together.  Languages are beautiful. The spoken word is something you cannot capture in a photo. It’s heard. It’s felt.

Mwendwa Muange

August 25th.
Today is my little guys birthday.
Mwendwa Muange turns 12!
He lives in Kenya.
He wants to grow up and be a pilot.
He has dreams and a desire to live.  
His name means "Beloved."
His mom has died of AIDS.
His dad is very sick with the virus.
Mwendwa was recently diagnosed with HIV.
He is one of the many children in Africa born with this fatal disease.

I am his adopted American mom.  My mind takes me back to meeting him in Kenya.
I gave him a soccer ball and an Ohio State Football shirt.  We played.  We talked.  We exchanged smiles.  He wore my sunglasses and I taught him the peace sign.  I didn't want to leave his home.  A house that sits far out off dirt roads in the Kenyan countryside.

Not a day goes by where I do not pray for this little guy.  I think of him often. He holds a special place in my heart.  Happy Birthday Mwendwa.  May God keep you safe my little man...

moving into my aparment

This weekend I moved into my apartment in Vienna.
It's cute.  It's quaint.  It's perfect for me.
I am living in the 7th District off one of the main shopping streets in the city.
I can walk to everything I need.  And walk is what I did.  
I walked to so many stores equipping my new place.  At one point I was walking down the crowded street on Saturday carrying huge green bags.  The bags where heavy and big.  Filled with bedding, towels, sheets, comforter, etc.  I was trying not to hit people with pillows.  The scene was rather funny.

I managed to unpack and settle in within 72 hours.  24 of those hours I could not do much since on Sunday everything is closed... literally - everything.  Even the grocery stores.  Take note, when in Austria, do not expect to run errands or get groceries on a Sunday.  It's not going to happen.  My plans changed and the Sunday was nice as I took a walk around the city.  I visited my favorite places and stopped at a park to read a book, soaking in the last days of summer.  As I walked around the city, I began to feel comfortable.  With my I-pod in, I strolled the streets being grateful for my beautiful surroundings.  I smiled.  :-)


Today I start a new job.  I'm going to have to walk, subway, bus, and walk again to get there!  Yeah... how I wish I still had my mini cooper.  Regardless, I am happy to be in Europe and working in Vienna for this season of my life.  It's an adventure... one I will never forget.

Baska Top 10

I love being by the water.  The ocean feels like home to me.

Recently in Baska, I stayed in a room with an amazing view.  Every morning I sat on the window seal, drank my Turkish coffee, and was grateful for where life had brought me.
If you want to relax, Baska is the spot on the map to visit.  It's a small sea village on the southern tip of the Krk island.  Life is slower here.  It is beautiful and peaceful.  Only 1 Internet cafe in the entire town... From my place a 20 minute walk, one-way.  Two phrases sum up this old city: "enjoying life" and "taking it easy".

Here are my top 10 things I think of when reflecting on Baska:

10 - Old winding cobble-stone streets.
9 - Unique architecture as every house is different.
8 - Good bbq's and good wine with friends. 
7 - Swimming in the Adriatic Sea, so warm.
6 - Beautiful ocean with white rocks instead of sand. 
5 - Stray cats... everywhere.  I wanted to take one!
4 - Yoga
3 - Hiking to nude beaches through a nude campground.  Oy Vey, Oy Vey.  Mental pictures I will never forget!!!
2 - Eating this amazing pastry called Bourke.
1 - Nude Beaches!!! :) :) :)

Thank you Ana, Eva, and Braunamier for a wonderful week filled with good company and good memories.

Croatia

Feeling inspired in Vienna as I reflect on Croatia.


I smile and laugh, yet again.
4 summers ago I was in Dubrovnik.
4 summers ago I went kayaking in Croatia.
4 summers ago I had the Worst sunburn of my entire life... and I grew up a lifeguard!
I was with my friend Christine.  It was the 2nd day of our trip and we looked like bloody lobsters but just on the front side of our bodies.  Comical!  The backside was white from sitting in the kayak. The front = bright red.
We looked like a walking freak show on our vacation.   I'm not kidding!

Fast-forward 4 years and I revisit Croatia.  9 days with my Croatian yoga friends Eva and Ana (roommates from my yoga training).  My first stop was Rijeka. 

Rijeka.  A nice coastal city on the northern part of the country.  Spent one night there with Ana's friend Franjo.  He's a local who took us around the town.  My favorite was our walk to this old castle on top of city that's been converted into an outdoor cafe.  Amazing!

Opatija.  The next day we visited this neighboring town.  So far, Opatija is the closest thing I've seen to Laguna Beach.  There's a walking path of 3 miles; nothing but beach.  I wanted to stay longer in this city, but the island of Krk was calling...

Baska.  On the island of Krk.  This was to be my home for the next 8 days.
More to come on the time in Baska...
The Adriatic Sea and the coast of Croatia is beautiful.

yoga - 2

This morning I woke up sore.  The kind of feel good sore where you know your muscles are still alive.  As I got out of bed my hamstrings said good morning...  Followed by the left glute singing hello and my shoulders joining in the chorus.

I practiced yoga yesterday.  And today I feel good.  While there are many levels of yoga, I enjoy the work and effort it takes holding challenging poses.  There is something completely exhilarating about it.  When I’m in an advanced pose, all I can do is breath and focus… it causes me to be in the moment.  All my worries and cares are gone.  In that place in time, I am without thought.
I breath.  I focus.  I am happy. 

I love yoga!  I’m going back for more.  Completely addicted.  Today 2 yoga teachers (Ana and I) are taking a hike on the island of Krk.  We’re going to a remote beach.  Stopping along the way to practice yoga.
It’s going to be a good day. 

The pictures you see were taken yesterday from my yoga practice… fun!

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti = Peace, Peace, Peace  

Belgrade Top 10

I recently spent some time in Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia.  It reminded me of so many other cities I had recently visited while driving through Eastern Europe. Beautiful parks, a downtown plaza with good shopping, relaxing cafes, and the Danube. As I took a walk through the park, I saw old men sitting and playing chess... I found the city inviting. 

While Belgrade is not known for its tourism, it is a city that has a lot to offer. Still filling the effects of the Civil War from the 1990's.  Yes, a civil war took place in Europe in the 90’s.  The area known as former Yugoslavia has gone through so much in the last 20 years.  Just 10 years ago Serbia was still a communist country.  They are trying hard to rebuild and have hopes to become a part of the European Union.

If ever in Belgrade, you want to spend your time in what is known as the Old Town.  This is where is life of the city lies. 

While in the capital, here is my Belgrade Top 10:

10 – Kalemegdan Park – kale = fortress and meydan = field… a beautiful park in front of the city fortress. 

9 – Saint Sava Church - largest Orthodox Church in Easter Europe.

8 – Many bookstores, yet finding a Serbian guidebook is not easy.  

7 - The city castle known as Eastern Outworks and Zindan Gate, walk through it - enjoy the city views.

6 – Construction, construction, construction. 

5 – Movies.  Sex & the City 2 in a theater with Serbian friends = fun!

4 – Hard to drive on the streets... so CoNfUsInG. 

3 – Visit Kneza Mihaila (main street) and walk around the city plaza.

2 – Night life is here.  Famous clubs on the Danube.

1 – It’s all about the café experience… sitting outside, taking it easy, and enjoying life.

 Thank you Rajko for introducing me to your friends and showing me such a good time.  You treated me as one of your own.  And that made all the difference.  :-) :-) :-)