New Name, New Motivation

I am disappointed that I have not been more active about blogging since moving to Budapest. There are so many adventures and perspectives I want to share, but I seem to never set aside the time to write it all down and sort through the 'piles' of pictures. I came to realize that I am most productive and at ease when my apartment is clean and everything seems to be in its place. So I thought if I cleaned up my blog, made some changes, then maybe I would become more productive in writing. Here's hoping.

So the first change is the name. As Bill and I were hiking up Masada in Israel we began brainstorming new names for my blog. I wanted something that had a slant towards travel but also encompassed my personal observations while living abroad, and so came the name Passport Perspectives. 

Walking Speed

I am very observant when it comes to how fast or slow people walk. I attribute this to the fact that in the past 10 years I have only had access to a car for just under two years, so I am constantly walking, and walking fast.  I get frustrated quickly if I am behind someone who is dragging their feet, and don't get me started about when there are two people in front of me walking slow.  My mom used to joke that I would never be able to find a guy who could walk at the pace I do and actually hold a conversation. Luckily I found Bill and he can keep up just fine and is never at a loss for words.

Soon after moving to Budapest I noticed that people here walk really fast. I would say it is one of my favorite things about Budapest, but then that would make light of the truly spectacular things about the city that just about everyone can appreciate. If I am not passing nearly every pedestrian on the sidewalk then I know a city has a culture of fast walkers. In Budapest I will walk at my pace, and others will walk at their pace, and the distance between us will remain almost the same with every step. I know some of you are thinking that maybe I have just slowed down since living in Europe. I am getting older not younger after all, but I can assure you that I still walk very fast, maybe even faster than ever. There is something comforting about walking the pace that I want to without constantly having to slow down or be made to look like a crazy person. Complete strangers on the streets of New York City, Marrakech, San Diego, London and Chicago have called me out for walking fast, and I guess I deserved it as I was weaving through people looking like I was going to be late for a Backstreet Boys concert (in that case I would probably be running though). Speaking of running, I can't help but smile when I see the people of  Budapest every morning and evening running to catch the 4/6 tram which honestly comes every 2-3 minutes. There is a sense of joy knowing that I can run for that tram too and no one will be judging me, because you just never know when those two extra minutes will come in handy.

Art Nouveau in Riga

Living in Europe has made me an adoring fan of art nouveau architecture. An architectural style that blossomed in Europe during the late 19th century and early 20th century, with an emphasis on natural forms, structures and curved lines. Many different styles can be found in the art nouveau genre, including unique motifs that are reflective of the culture and country in which the building stands. Most people probably think of Paris, London or Barcelona when art nouveau is mentioned, but really it can be found in all parts of Europe, with Riga in my opinion being the most impressive. Between 1890-1910, over 40% of the buildings in Riga were built in the art nouveau style. While walking the streets of Riga my eyes were wide as I stared in amazement at the countless buildings with such beautiful, unusual and detailed adornments. Riga is easily one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to.

After my trip to Riga I was quite excited about art nouveau and had an opportunity to tag along on a Budapest art nouveau tour that was planned for students in the study abroad program I work for. It was interesting seeing the similar and differing elements between Riga and Budapest, as well as other cities I've visited that have noticeable art nouveau architecture such as London, Paris, Barcelona, Vienna, Prague and Milan. Look out for a post about Budapest art nouveau in the next week or so.

Weather Bragging Rights

View from my apartment on January 29 — first snow of the winter

Budapest got their first day of snow last week. Last year the first snow was the weekend November turned to December. So ever since December I kept waiting in anticipation for the cold and snow to come, and to be completely honest, it has barely arrived. I have felt light and energized this winter. No boots covered in snow to take on and off, no feeling cold and unprepared for what awaits me outside, and no transportation delays that make you wish you never left your bed in the first place. I can't help but feel lucky that while I have been receiving countless emails and photos from friends and family in Chicago about sub-zero degree temperatures— in Fahrenheit of course, I have been enjoying above-zero temperatures—in Celsius, for the past two months in Budapest.