Notes from wandering in old cities
Visual musings of moments from my holiday that made me pause
Welcome to a visual journal of my trip to 4 European cities. Expect a potpourri of personal observations, musings about life, and iPhone photos.
I journeyed 28 hours to get to Europe; 3 flights, 2 Ubers, and 1 bus. I took a tram ride in one of Lisbon’s ancient streetcars and a boat ride on the canals in Amsterdam. And then I walked for hours each day. Our human spirit takes us places and we traverse the journey in boxes—just so we can walk free. The paradox always makes me laugh; we surround ourselves with confines in order to eventually taste freedom unhindered.
Old cities have stubborn bones. They stand on the strength of history and the memories that linger in their streets. Born from wars and dreams, such cities wither but persist, slain only by wrecking balls and political agendas.
We’re all like old cities; we hold generations of wisdom, gifts, trauma, and traditions. As we move through life, some inherited bones perish and some embolden our selves. We take a wrecking ball to some, breaking down and rebuilding, and some, we protect like plaques.
There is a refined delicacy to the art of Mediterranean cooking. An array of indulgence awards the same pleasure as a simple offering of sweet flavoured butter and warm bread. The philosophy, I think, is to live a good and enjoyable life. What’s more enjoyable than fine food? The French call it bon vivant meaning one who lives well.
Mulled wine in a quaint bar is good living. A beautiful book on a train ride through the country is also good living. We all desire it. We seek such a life but often reserve it for holidays and weekends. Why on hell do we postpone bon vivant?
Speaking of good food— some of my favourite holiday escapades are found in scouring unique restaurants and bars. While delectable cuisine is sought after, the ones I like the most are often picturesque and well-designed too. More often that not, they have a good playlist or live music. It appeals to all my senses.
Humans have an affinity to juxtapose contrasts. The old and new, natural and man-made, history and future, and so on. I love this marriage of opposing elements and so, I adored the three days we spent at this ultra modern airbnb tucked away in an old-fashioned town surrounded by ancient nature. I spent hours by this frigid un-swimminable pool, admiring the landscape of Les Apieres with a book, wine, and birds for company.
The beguiling shapes that emerge where architecture meets the skies is yet another contrast that my eyes are instantly drawn to. The sharp edges of the canal houses of Amsterdam and the smooth curves of Casa Batlló seemed more vivid when viewed under a blanket of blue. It reminds me of the human disposition where our moods inevitably soar on beautiful sunny days; everything seems extraordinary when the heavens shine.
Portugal is bejewelled with pretty tiles. Roads, pavements, walls, and ceilings are carpeted with tiles of different colours and shapes. It’s sight to behold but when it rains, you’re sure to fall if you’re a moon-eyed tourist like me. I have to admit that I slipped a few times, even tumbled into a stranger, and learned the Portuguese word for ‘sorry’ in the process. Desculpa!
I hope you enjoyed this slice of my trip and my random musings about life. Is there an experience or holiday that you especially cherish?