(Madrid, 08/30/11)

(Madrid, 08/30/11)

For the first time during my trip, I was travelling by myself, meaning I did a lot of aimless wandering. I ended up in the biggest park in Madrid, Parque de Buen Retiro, where I sat for hours, enjoying the lively weekend crowd, the dubious street vendors, and the boats floating by on the manmade pond.

I was surprised to witness a warmup for what appeared to be a kayak-waterpolo game right there on the pond. The players scooped and threw the ball with their paddles, shooting it into hoops. I had a limited understanding of the rules after watching, but that doesn't mean I won't go home and try it out anyway!

(London, 8/11/11)

London has the world’s only sideways art replica somethingorother of flowers, which sounds stupid until you look at the picture. They surprisingly let the public walk right up to it and touch it. I was thoroughly impressed, other than the few bald patches--surprising, since Britain's known for its impeccable lawns. The mural was on display next to Trafalgar Square. Here’s the original for comparison:

Good News...

My camera is finally fixed! I'm picking it up tomorrow, then I can really show you what I've been up to.

(San Sebastian, 10/16/11)

Spain's older population loves to go for walks in the late afternoon and on Sunday mornings. This past sunday, I encountered this pair chatting by the ocean. In Basque. In berets.

The tradition lives on.

(Interlaken, 08/16/11)

I was surprised to find this playground at the top of Harder Kulm, elevation 1322m. The swing was the only safe part of the playground, which included a precarious slide--now closed because some child flew off the mountain at a curve (probably). 

More European Sunsets:

Paris

Interlaken

Venice