Europe photos..

These don't all have the best shot of a landmark but they are some of my favorite photos from my Euro trip. I especially love the one of my mom in the garden with the bright trees.

Mauthausen.

Can I tell a story?

It might be kinda long but I think that it's worth it.

Like a typical college student I worked as a waitress. One of the people I met working was a WWII soldier in the 65th infantry. He ordered dessert to go and always smiled and was my favorite person to wait on. One day he was reading a hand bound book about the work the 65th division did in the war and we chatted about his role, he casually mentioned that he'd even helped free a concentration camp and of course my interest was 100% engaged. I could interact in the conversation somewhat!

Mauthausen.

He helped free Mauthausen.

What are the chances that he freed the one camp I'd been to?

After reading the 261st regimental journals and personal testimony and hearing stories returning to Mauthausen was an entirely different experience. The previous trip I remember being completely immersed in the silence and death of the place but I was honored to have the memories and firsthand accounts of the salvation as well this time to temper the atrocity. Not that what happened was any different, or walking the stairs was any less heartbreaking, but it was a perspective not many people can approach the site with.

We often overlook our history and soon we won't have any WWII vets left to overlook. The oral history they can convey is a limited quantity and I feel so lucky to have shared in it.

I don't have much to say about the photos... they are a smattering of the famous points of the camp: the cliffs which lead to the quarry, the stairs (a then and now photo), and a memorial for the 65th infantry division. We walked the three miles from the train to the top of the large hill where the camp is situated- it's a gorgeous landscape. Sometimes it's hard to believe that something so awful could be surrounded by something so lovely.

One last photo, this one is from the DC Holocaust Museum.

Don't skip it if you're in the area.

Of the day this is the photo that has stuck with me from that entire experience. I don't have another concrete vision of that day, this one is seared into my mind so fully.

Vienna.

Home sweet Vienna.

We didn't take enough pictures here, we took too many. Do you ever feel that way? I didn't take a single picture of Mom and I walking up and down Mariahilferstrasse twice, wandering in and out of every store looking for perfect boots. And we were both completely immersed in the moment. But now, no pictures. And I want a million pictures of Vienna. If I had to live anywhere else it would be Vienna- even over another US city I think.

Right. That's that.

The Kunsthistorisches where Carvaggio's David and Goliath is (D&G picture not mine). My favorite painting in Vienna/ maybe ever.

On the ring. We saw a GIANT dog five minutes after this. GIANT. A six year old could have ridden that dog.

Bustling daytime Christmas market activity- it was opening day of the Rathaus market so things were crazy!

Poofy hat from Christmas past and red cheeks from Christmas punch (and the freezing weather- high 30's the whole time)!

Lovely.

Roma!

It was 70 DEGREES! Isn't that wild for November? We enjoyed our summer weather by wandering the streets without coats and buying gelato liberally. All the walking from the previous cities was undone by scoops of coconut!

They used to flood the Colosseum (before they built the underground bits) and stage naval battles.

Forum.

Why yes, that is the open window of the Pope's study!!! I'm positive he saw me.

Pretty Castel Sant'angelo with a giant flock of tiny birds.

The stairs of St. Peters (always up things..) were curved as you followed the dome- it felt like you were holding up the walls!

But oh the view.

Godzilla seagull.

The Spanish steps.

The last gelato of the trip, coconut was the best flavor. Coconut and cafe were the best combo. I'm so glad there's not a gelato place in town, I'd be in big trouble!

The Circus Maximus! Ben Hur!

Mom, always caught up on here journaling.

Me, always behind.

Paris, where Ratatouille is set.

Mister would call that association lowbrow.

Don't care.

Paris was a nice change from chaotic Caribbean neighborhood London... couldn't understand hardly anything! French was the language I knew least of on this trip. But it was easy anyway, if you're quiet and polite you can fool or charm your way almost anywhere.

Most nice was Laduree macaroons! Coconut was best, but mom loved the raspberry too.

We walked from the Louvre to the Arc a bunch of times over the course of three days, with breaks to dodge cars in the middle of giant round-a-bouts.

We climbed 284 steps to see Paris from the top of the Arc... I have now no desire to go to the top of the tower, the view from the Arc is incredible! We didn't use the flash anytime hardly and I like the muted sky that created.

Nursing our wicked blisters and enjoying the lovebirds.

Versailles. It's enormous! I can't even describe how large the grounds and gardens are- that's the view in only two directions.

And the night train- on the way to Rome! With hummus and shopping bags.

It's catchy, and British.

London, condensed and packaged neatly.

First the National Gallery.. and this lovely living painting.

Then the British museum (and Tate Modern, but not really my cup of tea).

ARSENAL!!!

With Theo. What a happy, happy night.

Onion hummus and milk. Hummus is on a whole different level... we might have eaten a container a day. Maybe.

528 steps to get the wind blown hair effect, and a view.

We lived in Seven Sisters (you know a place is sketchy when the customs officer warns you not to walk home after dark), which was chaotic and lovely. Cheap fruit and fresh bread.

Top Three Moments in London:

1. Arsenal (they were terrible, which was actually familiar and perfect)

2. Billy Elliot. The best show I've ever seen. Anywhere, ever.

3. Seeing Pitt and Wilberforce buried next to each other at Westminster, friends in life and death.

Packing and juicing.

Packing and prepping to be gone for a month.

How did one hundred little things not get done before today!?

Even though I'm packed I'm still leaving things until late. Typical.

I miss my Mister already.

We watched this movie with some friends and my mom and Mister both did a ten day juice fast. I think I'm going to ask for one for Christmas (because that's the kind of thing you can ask for at my house)!

no smiles.

i just realized how many pictures im not smiling in from europe.

not on purpose.

an example:

howth.

venice.

vienna.

howth-

one of my favorite places in the world.

sometimes i dream about it.