Have Camera, Will Travel.

Oh, I've Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:38:00 +0000

You can now find me at http://www.emilywenzel.com,

please update your links!

A Leap of Faith

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:49:00 +0000

My heart is heavy with the ache of words unspoken. I find it hard to articulate what I feel right now. But I'm trying to say it all. I'm finding my life, my dreams, my aspirations, pulling me in a thousand different directions. I find myself standing at a crossroads, unsure of what I want on the surface, scared to acknowledge that I know exactly what I want deep down. I've kept my dreams locked away, deep inside. I've been afraid to let myself succeed for fear of the reality not living up to my dreams. I've been scared.

Scared to take a leap of faith. And I look around, I see all those who have taken that chance. Who've stood where I stand now, at a crossroads, and made their decision. They took chances. They lived the life they wanted. And they have prospered. And sometimes they've failed. And some don't make it. But we don't know, unless we try, do we?

I am standing on the edge of something great. I can feel it. I am able to dream of all I can be. But I'm scared. I'm scared that I'll fail. I'm scared that I won't be as good as I think I can be. I'm scared to crash and burn. And I want certainty. But certainty is not available. Even in this day and age, with technology so advanced, we cannot know the future. There are too many different possibilities.

It's possibly, that I will succeed. It's also possible that I will fail. But I will never know if I don't take a chance. If I cannot take a leap of faith, how will I know how far, how high, I can jump. I dream of a life worth living, yet am afraid to put myself out there. I say I have talent, but do not pursue it. I want all the rewards, but have so far, been unwilling to work for them. I find my dreams pulling me in different directions. I find that my heart is not in what I'm doing. I find myself trying to be someone that I'm not.

And it makes my heart ache. But I'm scared to make the change and take a chance. I'm scared to find I won't be good enough. I'm scared I won't really love it. I'm scared to take that leap of faith. But I'm also scared of the regrets. Because it's better to regret living than to never have lived at all.

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
-Emily Dickenson

This Emily Dickenson poem used to be on my wall. It was my inspiration in so many ways. In one of my many moves, I must have lost it. I still have the book, but I don't have this poem up any more. On a shoot on Sunday, I saw it again. Etched in stone at a library. And it reminded me. It reminded me that hope is always there, just waiting for you to listen. Believe in your dreams. Believe in your hopes. Conquer your fears. Take that leap of faith.

Can you hear the crickets?

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:35:00 +0000

I haven't posted in a month. And I apologize. Things have gotten a bit crazy, and with the backlog of stuff on my to-do list, blogging isn't a priority right now. And I have my reasons. They are good ones, would you like to hear them?

1. I'm getting married in 40-odd days. Yeah. That soon. And my to-do list? That long. Did someone hide my panic button?!
2. I've gone back to school. Yup. I've given up my evenings and sanity to write papers again. And even though I still hate homework, I'm enjoying it.
3. I'm moving. Well, the blog will be moving. And my website. And all my online stuff. But not til October. However, I've been working on how I want to get everything put together, trying to decided if I need some help with the coding, and what needs to be done. I'll be reintegrating my photography blog with my travel/personal blog, as having two is annoying when I want to post something to the same one (like, oh, this!), most likely moving over to a new platform and a whole slew of fun and exciting stuff. I'm thrilled, with how it'll look, but it's a lot of work.

I still love ya'll, and I have lots of stuff to share, but well, priorities. Check back up on me in late September/early October. I might be a cognitive human being again by then.

Lotsa love,
Emily

Before the Sun Rises

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Waiting. Always waiting. Issaquah Triathlon. 4 June 2011

Before the sun rises, we rise. We get up. I shower.
We break down a bike, load bags in the car, we drive.
Rather, he drives and I sleep.
We arrive at a state park, a beach, a waterfront.
The sun is just coming up. It is peaceful, calm.
I wish I'd remembered my running shoes.
There are many people, bleary eyed but chipper. Wives with coffee in hand. Kids asleep in their fathers' arms. Family and friends who sacrifice their sleep to cheer for loved ones.
There are so many wetsuits, you can smell the rubber.
There is laughter. Tension. Nerves.
Shouting from the announcers. The gun fires.
The wave of swimmers hit the water. Family members wait on the sidelines.
The unique sound of hundreds of wet feet slapping the pavement as they run towards the transition area. The frantic rush as people watch their loved ones run on, further faster. As wetsuits are ripped off and bike shoes are shoved on.
Then, they are off, pedaling to places we can't see them. We wait.
One by one, they return.
The slide in on the gravel. Stumbling off their bikes. Legs, weak, now forced to run.
A bike is racked. Shoes are shoved on feet. They run.
It's only a couple miles, but it feels like forever.
We wait. Again.
This time by the finish like. The shout of the crowd rises, echoing in the still morning. "Good job!" "You can do it!" "Just a little more!" "You're almost there!"
My hands, red and almost raw from the clapping. My voice, hoarse from the screaming.
My heart racing. Hoping.
The worry when it feels like its been too long since he came through the transition.
The joy, when he crosses the finish line.
The exhaustion written on his face.
I pack the bags back up. We sit in the sun. Too tired to move, but ready to go home.
We're already planning for the next one.

Summer is here, triathlon season has begun.

Fixed Life & Travel: Finding a Balance

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:30:00 +0000

A while back, I was cleaning out a few boxes of stuff from college, and I found a list in one of my notebooks. It was a list of trips I wanted to take someday. It must have been a slow day in class.

Looking at that list, I couldn't help but wonder what my life would be like if I hadn't decided to stay in the US this year. I know I wouldn't be planning a wedding, but I don't really have any regrets. And here's why, I love my fixed life. It's true. Blasphemous almost, in the travel world, but true. Some travelers, like Christine of C'est Christine, write about missing out on a lot of the perks of fixed life, but still enjoying travel. For me, it's the opposite. I love my fixed life, but sometimes I miss my "travel" life.

Let me explain: H and I have a great life. Our expenses are low enough that we're able to chip away at our student loans at a good rate. We work for great companies and I'm going to be starting grad school this summer (hopefully!). We both prioritize travel, meaning we'd rather spend less on stuff and more on the experiences, but we also feel guilty about leaving those loans to hang over our heads for later. We want them GONE and fast! And I'm determined not to leave my education half completed.

We're excited to be planning our wedding. A couple weeks ago, I wrote about how we're doing our wedding on a budget, so we can keep from going into debt. We both refuse to go into debt over one day, its just stupid. Also, since we've been saving for this wedding since about the time we got "real" jobs, we're used to saving now and living on a budget. We plan on keeping that up after the wedding, perhaps throwing more at our loans, but also saving for travel. We're already planning trips. Since we rent (and don't plan to buy anytime soon), we don't feel too attached to one place.

But (you know it had to come to this), there's a problem: I hate long-term travel. I don't like moving every few days. When I lived in the Czech Republic, I would often get sick of traveling. My classmates would hit up a different country every weekend while I would stay in Prague or take day trips. I like having a home base. Over the past few months, as we've been wedding planning, we've talked about the future. We want to travel more, but know that this isn't the time for it. However, we don't believe that travel is a single or childless adventure. Our goal is to live abroad someday. Whether its for a year or ten years, we want to live abroad. We would love to raise our future children abroad, exposing them to different cultures and ideas from an early age. But for now, we stay put. We take awesome vacations and get rid of all our debt.

So, while we aren't taking major, round-the-world trips right now, I still have a list of adventures I want to take. And a world map on my dining room wall. I think when I made this list, I was planning each point as a "trip".

The List:
~India
~Nepal and Buhtan
~Thailand
~Mongolia
~Israel, Palestine, and Jordan
~Egypt
~South Africa
~Brazil
~Peru
~Chile and Argentina
~Mexico
~New Zealand
~Norway, Sweden, and Finland
~Denmark and Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg)
~The UK (Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales)
~Italy
~Spain and Portugal
~Croatia, Serbia, Greece and Turkey
~Morocco
~Russia
~China
~Australia

Of Love and Money

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:57:00 +0000

When H and I sat down and started looking into weddings, we researched how much weddings cost. And once I saw those numbers, I walked to the kitchen and poured myself a drink.

Ouch.

In case you didn't know, the average American wedding is somewhere in the %25,000-$30,000 range. That's a LOT of money, if you didn't know. It's enough money to live on for almost a year in some countries (Southeast Asia, South America). It's more than I owe in student loans.

We scaled our budget back, but it hasn't been easy at times. There are things we gladly splurged on: our rings & our honeymoon. But, a lot of things were cut. For example, I really (really really really) want a photobooth for the reception, but when I looked them up online and saw how expensive they are, I sadly said goodbye to that dream. I know, that as much as I would love to have a photobooth, I would feel guilty about spending so much money.

However, it hasn't all been hard. I'm a pro at bargain hunting, and let me tell you, that extends to wedding shopping as well!

Thoughts on Beijing: Street Life

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:04:00 +0000

I spent just over a week in Beijing in November of 2009. I never got around to blogging about it - blame it on college - but sometimes I like to drag out my memories of one of the world's most interesting cities. Someday we plan on going back.

Unlike Saturday (when I arrived in Beijing mid-day) or Sunday, when H led me around so I wouldn't get lost and was kind enough to let me sleep in, day three was solo day number one, and boy, did I have plans.

The day dawned bright and clear. Blue skies, or what pass for blue skies in Beijing, stretched above my head, banishing the haze for an day. It was crisp and cold, the kind of chill that warms you its winter, but at the same time, teases you with her sunshine. I stepped out of my hostel to find a lady selling some sort of fried dough concoctions outside the small shop next door. Some skillful pointing and hand motions earned me two warm, fried bread items for breakfast. I don't know what they were, but they were cheap and yummy. I turned the corner of our street to find that what had seemed like an empty parking lot in front of a sketchy night club the afternoon before was now transformed into a market. Vendors were crammed into street, selling fresh fruit, fish swimming in buckets, cheap clothing and other various goods. They were lined out on tarps and set up on rickety tables.

One lady had a tarp spread out on the ground; socks and underwear were laid out for sale. She shouted at me, trying to get my attention. I realized that day that the would shout in English, Hello! Hello! Nice price!, trying to get my attention. They rarely knew much English, but everyone was determined.

I didn't stop that day. I was on a mission. I had a city to explore, and my first stop was the Temple of Heaven.

Sour Lemons

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 23:28:00 +0000

I made lemon bars today.
Two batches.
The first batch was a total failure.
As in, they were leaky and drippy and not set.
H promised me they taste okay, but I just couldn't take them to Easter dinner like that.
Batch number two is cooling now. Here's to hoping.

I've been a cooking failure this week. Maybe I'll do better next week.

Here's to hoping they're not all sour lemons.

Putting Down the Camera

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:36:00 +0000

I have a small confession to make. I didn't take many pictures in Germany last month. There is, of course, a reason for this. Part of the reason we travel to visit H's family is to leave all of our life behind. I took my camera, and we played tourist for a day in Frankfurt, but I didn't use it in the village. I'm not saying that we didn't have a couple great days - after all, we were there for a party - but I chose to spend my time speaking German with his family, playing with his nieces, and eating cake. Do you blame me? I could tell you how the villages are picturesque. They are. They have cobblestone streets, and little wine shops (we brought back three bottles) I could tell you about the old house with a sun dial on it (charming), but maybe, later, I'll dig up some interwebs photos and do a little story. For now, just take my word for it. Villages on the Rhine do it right.

More than a Month

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 04:43:00 +0000

Its been more than a month since I last wrote. Its been more like 6 weeks, to be honest. That's not to say I haven't wanted to write. However, I've been exhausted. And soon, I will be writing more. But not tonight. Tonight, I just wanted to say I'm alive. Now, I'm going to go read a book and try to relax.

A Reality Check

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:34:00 +0000

I never thought planning a wedding would be so difficult. Not that first night, right after he proposed, when we were both so giddy we stayed up, talking, almost all night. Not in the weeks or months beforehand, when we were abstractly discussing engagement and a wedding. But now, now I realize, this is work. This is why sensible, career women, those who value their sleep or have extra money laying around (or heck, just aren't organized) have wedding planners. But man, we're on a budget. And it's tough.

Buy a dress, rent some chairs, invite 120 people and feed them. How much can it cost? A lot. I've read a lot of bridal magazines in the past month. I've bookmarked websites and turned the corners of pages. I keep a notebook in my purse, so should I have an idea while busy (at work, in class) I can quickly jot it down before I forget it. I have emails from multiple photographers to answer. A spreadsheet listing my budget, my to-do list, my everything.

None of it seemed really real until Saturday. I'd picked a venue (in my hometown, so I haven't visited it) and a caterer AND and baker. I'd booked them all. But none of it seemed real. We had a date, but I didn't have anything. And then I went dress shopping. Maybe I'm not normal, but I didn't cry. I just got tired about halfway through it. I was ready to be done. But I picked a dress. I ordered it. And it's coming, soon, I hope. Because, secretly, I can't wait to put it on again and twirl around like a princess.

Finally, a perk has come through in all this wedding planning. I'm also looking forward to the cake testing. A lot. And when it's all over, I'll be glad that I'm no longer getting (unsolicited) advice from everyone and their brother about what I should do.

Prague: Josefov, The Jewish Cemeteries and Prague's Jewish History.

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:49:00 +0000

I can't write about Josefov without writing about its synagogues and cemetery. However, what I loved most about Josefov was its charming small streets, its quiet alleys, the street vendors that were just as crazy as the ones on the mail square, but not so overprices. Plus, some of them are willing to bargain. (NOTE: Bargaining in the Czech Republic used to be quite commonplace, however, as the country becomes more western, this has changed. Plus, most of the tourists just pay the fee. At street stalls sometimes, you can bargain, but the ability is quickly disappearing.)

If you want to visit the synagogues and cemetery, I recommend you go. I went with a group of students from my Czech history class as a field trip; for us, this was a very relevant experience. If history isn't your thing - or the 480 Kc ($25, €20) all attractions fee deters you - then head over to Zizkov and see the small cemetery at the base of the Zizkov Radio Tower. When I was there in June of 2006, it cost me 20 Kc. To enter just the cemetery is only 50 Kc.

The Jewish Museum of Prague is the best place to find accurate information on all the sites. The Information for Visitors link gives you all the pertinent information about opening hours and closures. Each ticket comes with a small map and a list of the six sites. The first site is the Maisel Synagogue, which is a museum cataloging some of the history of the Jewish People of the Czech Republic. The Spanish Synagogue contains the second half of that exhibit. The third site, the Pinkas Synagogue is the most emotional for me. I even snuck a picture inside, which is breaking the rules. The walls of this Synagogue have the names of the 80,000 Czech Jew who were killed in the Holocaust. The fourth site is the The Old Jewish Cemetery, which needs no explanation. Site number five, the Klausen Synagogue, is connected with site six, the Ceremonial Hall.

The Old Jewish Cemetery & Pinkas Synagogue

Looking Back; A Glance Over My Shoulder

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0000

It's January. A new year. When did that happen? Looking back, it wasn't the craziest of years, but it hasn't been dull either. A year ago, I was elated; I had presented my senior thesis a few weeks before, a culmination of 3 1/2 months of hard work, intense research and many, many long nights. It was worth it. I contemplate continuing my research at least once a week, but then I realize I'm already so busy it wouldn't work.

While I haven't done much international travel this year, I did add a new state (Wisconsin) and a new country (Canada).

If nothing else, my last semester at Gonzaga was memorable. I took a fencing class, dislocated and sprained my thumb while snowboarding at the end of March. I shot the HPIC Luau for the 3rd time this year, which, in my opinion, was the best one yet. I graduated - holy crap - in May.

We moved to Bellevue in May, which was an adventure in itself. There is something to be said for packing everything you own into a Uhaul and walking away from a place that has given you so much. Gonzaga, I have learned, is as much an experience as a school. We had good times, we had bad times, but Gonzaga never left me hangin' at the end of the day. Spokane, I'll be seeing you soon, don't worry.

2010 started with a lot of high expectations, many of which fell flat. But, as I think about it, that leaves room for improvement in the next year. I hope to continue to grow in my photography, to travel more (there are already at least two trips in the works), and to write more.

As I sit here, reflecting on the past 12 months, I am amazed that so much has happened. I know that 2011 will be amazing. 2011 is going to be my year, I can feel it.

Emily

(PS: check out the rest of the website - I gave it a little update for the new year!)

Motivation

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 04:25:00 +0000

I haven't posted in ages. It seems like months, although its only been three weeks. I'm ashamed. It's not to say I haven't tried. I have. But every time I sit down to my computer, I watch the cursor blink and do not write.

It may be because I haven't done any traveling. It may be because I'm frustrated with my photography right now. Moreover, I'm frustrated with my life. I can't help but wonder why life has to be so difficult. I have a college degree, and yet, I work two part-time jobs. Jobs where I feel underpaid and overworked. Jobs that make little to no use of my college education. Is that why I'm paying off tens of thousands in student loans? To hand out coffee and do art projects with little kids? Although, I must say, the fact that I get paid to color - rarely, but sometimes - is pretty amazing.

I find myself at that point. The point where I need to find my motivation. To strike out and make a change. I keep reminding myself that life is not coming to me, that I have to go towards it. I have to grab life with two hands and take charge. Take charge and make a change.

And so, if you don't hear from me very often, know this: I am doing my best to juggle many many commitments. I have very little time to write, but much love for those who read my words. If I don't write before Christmas, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season. I hope to write more in the new year, as I journey off on new adventures. And hopefully before then as well.

Much Love,
Emily

Switzerland: A Family Quest

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 23:58:00 +0000

I wrote this post and it was featured in July on A Pair of Panties and Boxers. I'm reposting it here because I love it just that much.
Jean and I raced down the stairs, pushing through the crowds, barely able to breathe. We were, once again, cutting it a little close. "Which platform?" Jean asked me, I scanned the old-fashioned departure board at Prague's main train station, struggling to keep up with the flipping pages "number 18, the last one," I answered, and we ran down the tunnel and up one final flight of stairs, swinging into the last carriage mere minutes before the train left. After pushing our way through multiple carriages, we found our bunks just as the train picked up speed. "Goodbye Prague, hello Switzerland!" Jean announced with a smile.

We were on an adventure of epic proportions. The plan was to take the night train to Basel, and then a smaller, connecting train to Interlaken, Switzerland and stay at the Backpackers Villa Sonnenhoff for some awesome adventures. Most importantly, for me, was a trip to the village where I thought my great-grandma grew up. She'd been a little hazy on the details when I was a kid, so we were kind of guessing, but Jean and I were determined to go for it. It was, after all, number 30 on my bucket list. Jean, my study abroad roomie, was more than happy to be my partner in crime for a long weekend in Switzerland.

Armed with last minute (thanks mom!) information on great-grandma's hometown, Jean and I left Interlaken on a train bound for Innertkirchen via Meiringen, on the other side of Brienzersee (Lake Brienz). We didn't realize how beautiful the lake would be. The bright November sunshine turned the lake to glass, and the clouds were like small cotton-balls in the sky. The view had us pressing our noses (and cameras) up against the window, endeavoring to take it all in.

We somehow managed to get lost in Meiringen, even though the town has less than 5,000 inhabitants, and missed our hourly connecting train - more like a tram - to Innertkirchen. So, as we strove to amuse ourselves for the next 45 minutes. Jean decided to reenact bad westerns by sitting on the train tracks and pretending to be a damsel in distress.

After finally arriving in Innertkirchen, we set out to hike the 2km to Pfengli up a moss covered path, which eventually led us out onto a road up the mountain. Jean was ahead of me and exclaimed, "I feel like I'm walking into a fairy tale! I couldn't agree with her more.
Pfengli was high in the Alps, and while not much higher in elevation than Interlaken, Prague was much lower. So when we finally reached Pfengli, we took a break at these cute chairs. The sign in between them says "Vacation Homes Pfengli."

Some scouting around led us to a house that I thought might be one from a picture that was sent to me by a distant cousin. While there were occasional puffs of smoke coming from the chimney, I was too scared to go talk to them. (I'm kicking myself for that now!)After refilling our water bottles in a small mountain brook, we took a look at the setting sun and headed back down the hill.

I was practically shaking on the way down the hill, I couldn't believe that I might have found the home of my great-grandma. As the city of Innertkirchen came into view, I wondered what these small mountain villages had been like nearly 100 years ago when my great-grandma had left them for the United States. Maybe she, like Jean, had stopped for one last glance up the hill, and then run down the mountain to embrace her future.

I still don't know if that was the village or house that my great-grandma grew up in, but I know that without it, our adventure in Switzerland would have been just another long, sleepless weekend of travel.

How to have a Perfect Trip

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:25:00 +0000

Have you scoured the internet, searching for the best, most amazing, and top 10 attractions in the cities you'll be visiting on your next trip? Made lists longer than your arm and vowed to give up sleep in order to squeeze in every last site and attraction that your twitter followers or facebook friends have recommended? If so, take a break; here are a few tricks and tips to make your next trip perfect.

Doing too much planning can give you a headache and leave you with travel burnout upon your return home. And, worst of all, you arrive home with hundreds (or thousands) of photos on your camera and little or no recollection of what you saw. In order to keep myself from this problem, I've found a simple way to plan my perfect trip. It satisfies the "planner" part of my personality while leaving room for the spontaneous and fun part of me as well.

Go ahead and make your list
If you have a nagging urge to write a list - do it! Write down every last thing you want to do. Decide how long each attraction will take. Planning a trip to Auschwitz? Save a whole day for that. Touring Prague Castle? Save two to four hours.

Add some wiggle room
It may be tempting to cram your schedule full, but leave some time for wiggle room. While you think it may only take you an hour at the Museum of Communism, you might find yourself wandering in there for hours. Plan extra time for getting lost or long lines. You'd rather plan an hour for a walk that takes 45 minutes than plan 30 minutes and worry about lost time. Relax, grab that ice cream and wander down those quaint side streets. Sometimes the greatest finds are off the beaten path and found by accident (like the best currywurst I had in Berlin!)
Take some time to rest. If you're traveling between cities on a longer trip, plan for travel days and rest days. Or if you're doing a whirlwind weekend tour, take 20 or 30 minutes each day to relax, find a quiet place to journal or rest.

Rank your favorites
If you only have two days in Berlin, you aren't going to see everything and enjoy it. You may decide that going to Checkpoint Charlie is more important than visiting Alexanderplatz. I usually make three lists. The first is the things I have to do - like visiting Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden. The second is things that I hope to get to, but might not have time for, like wandering through the Tiergarten. And the last list is things that sound interesting but I won't cry if I can't get to (because I spent too much time wandering around and eating food).

Change is constant!
Don't set your minute by minute plans in stone 3 months before you leave. Yes, some things must be reserved months in advance, such as tickets to Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper at the Santa Maria delle Grazie and therefore can't be changed. But most things can change and the best way to travel is to learn to go with the flow. Remember, there is always a next time!

Madison, WI

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:31:00 +0000

Alternatively, I wanted to call this post "My trip to the land of cheese, beer and vegan cupcakes"
My trip to Madison, WI was planned without ever looking into the city. I knew a couple things about Madison: the University of Wisconsin has a campus there, my friend attends grad school at that campus, and I hadn't been there yet. So, when my trip to Beijing last November resulted in a $250 United flight credit, I couldn't think of a reason not to go.

After getting an early flight out of Seattle, I was ready for some food and sight-seeing in Madison. As it happened, my visit coincided with the Taste of Madison. There, I was told by my (vegan) host, that Wisconsin is known for its cheese curds. More than that, they're known for their beer battered cheese curds. While enjoyable, I couldn't finish the entire tray before I had to try a wonderful fruit smoothie and some awesome gelato. What surprised me, as a Washington native, is that people were drinking beer as they walked through downtown Madison. While awesome, as a watched a girl in three-inch heels stumble off a curb with a red cup in one hand and a 40 oz can in the other, I couldn't help but wonder if the law was safe.

My darling friend Jen, with whom I stay for the weekend, is a cupcake aficionado. She's also vegan. So we dug through her favorite cookbook, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and picked a few recipes. After a quick trip to the grocery store, we were ready to start baking. Jen and I took a break from baking to visit the Capitol Building and take a free tour. The building is stunning, and it was a great way to learn a little bit about the culture and heritage of Wisconsin.

I couldn't leave Madison without visiting the University. As we strolled through campus, I couldn't resist getting a cone full of ice cream from the Daily Scoop. The ice cream is made right on campus at Babcock Hall. It's wonderful. I left Madison with a new appreciation for the state of Wisconsin. A college town at heart, the city is a fun, quirky place to visit.

Eat: ice cream at the Daily Scoop (UW-Madison Campus), beer battered cheese curds from Old Fashioned.
Drink: Genna's or The Great Dane (near the capitol building)
Tour: the capitol, it's free!

Busy busy!

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:54:00 +0000

Whew...life got crazy all of a sudden. Life is back in full swing, and suddenly, free time has been at a premium. I just finished a back-to-back crazy two weeks. Three days in Madison, WI visiting a friend, followed by 4 crazy days of work and then two days in Victoria, BC. I'm now back in Seattle and attempting to upload photos and clean my place.

The website has been changed, as well. In addition to new design and banners, I'm now working under two names. For travel posts and rambles on life, you'll find me here: http://eehyndman.blogspot.com, right where I've always been. It's now titled Have Camera, Will Travel. For photography, head over to my main site: http://www.emilyhphoto.com and posts only relating to photography will be posted at my photoblog, http://emilyhyndmanphoto.blogspot.com. While that may be a little confusing (and there are still some kinks to work out), you can easily navigate the pages from the links under the header.

I apologize for the messy "room", but as time permits, links will be fixed and posts will become more cohesive. And I have many photos and posts waiting to be written and published!

Lotsa love,
Emily

Running

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:20:00 +0000

I've been a bit...busy, distracted, confused. I signed an offer for a new job in the fall. I'll be working with a small after-school program at a local Catholic elementary school. I start September 1st. I've also been doing some part-time work this summer, in addition to my job as a barista. On top of the stress of balancing two jobs and trying to find time for my photography and writing, I decided to start running. A few weeks back, I read a post by Betsy Talbot of Married with Luggage, in which she details her journey from a non-runner to a runner.

[It] all started out as a lark, one of those “wish I could” kind of statements without anything to back it up. You know what I’m talking about, the kind of thing that makes you say stupid stuff like “I wish I could lose 20 pounds” to your friends as you chow down on a burger and fries. - Betsy Talbot

Her post made me realize that there are so many things I wish I could do. One of those things was run. Running was, at one time, a joy of mine.

As a kid, I spent weeks every summer running and swimming while visiting my grandparents. But in high school, I sustained an injury to my knee that put me in physical therapy. An injury that I was told would keep me from running. And I did stop running. I started biking. And since then, I have been back in physical therapy once more, and bypassed it once just months ago. But when I moved, I watched the people run every day. I though "I wish I could run" and, even said so a couple times. Yet, after reading Betsy's post, I decided to do it. And talked my mom into doing it as well.

Almost a month after I started, I feel energized. I might be tired, I might miss days of my workout after hours on my feet at work, but when I run - farther, faster, stronger - I can't help but be proud of myself. Each day, I strive to improve. I have found myself looking forward to my runs. It clears my mind. Helps me focus. As I run, I feel free. The pavement pounds under my feet. The yards - and then miles - pass me by. My knee aches, my lungs burn, my heart races. And yet I feel satisfied. Accomplished.

Yesterday, I went for my run. My brain was full. My mind was twisting, thinking, turning. I couldn't figure out if I was running away from all my stress or running towards a goal. And for the past 24 hours, I've wondered if I have spent my life running towards my future or away from my past. Have we all? What motivates us? What drives us to love? dream? plan?

Working as a barista, I see my college degree wasted. I see my coworkers - many of whom have degrees as well - working long hours on their feet in a field that they did not study. And it makes me more and more determined to go back to school for my master's degree. To become a teacher. To inspire others. To teach is to give to others.

What does all this have to do with each other? Running has given me drive, inspiration. I feel the need to pick up my camera, to travel, to write. To push myself farther and faster and become the person I dream of being. To run towards my future, and not away from my past.

Prague: Pizzeria Kmotra

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0000

By the time I went to Pizzeria Kmotra, European (or rather, Czech) pizza was not a foreign concept to me. I'd been traveling around Prague for the day and met up with my host mother to grab dinner before seeing Prodana Nevesta, known as The Bartered Bride in English, at the National Theater. My host mother had spent 3 years living in Prague and knew the area well.

Kmotra is not too expensive, and you can order wine by the carafe(last time I was there, I had the house white, from Moravia, it was more than decent for the price). Or, better yet, try Kofola, the Czech national soft drink. If you're going on a weekend or during the high season, have your hostel help you book a table in advance. Unlike a lot of places in Prague, Kmotra also has a non-smoking section.

If you sit downstairs in the cellar, the pizzas are cooked right in front of you, in a large, brick oven. It's cozy and charming - my favorite kind of place! However, if you fancy a smoke, sit upstairs in the cafe, as you can smoke there. Kmotra is my favorite place for pizza with friends - and romantic enough that you could take someone there for a date!

all images from www.kmotra.cz

Beijing: Chinese Temples

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:18:00 +0000

While in Beijing, I visited three separate temples, each representing a different faith, which was quite unplanned. My first stop was the Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan). My guidebook had mentioned it, but it was the recommendation of my seatmate on the plane (a British expat living in Beijing) that caused me to put it atop my list. Then Temple of Heaven is a Taoist temple and, as far as I could tell, not a major tourist attraction like the Forbidden City or the Lama Temple.

To get to the Temple of Heaven, just take line 5 of the Beijing Subway and rode south to Tiantan Dongmen Station (Temple of Heaven East Gate). Exit the station and turn right. The East Gate is right around the corner (although not that well marked). I was the only non-Chinese person to enter the park, and saw very few tourists. The Chinese were bundled up (it was November), but many were wearing athletic clothing. I soon discovered why. Inside the park were multiple plazas, upon which groups of Chinese were practicing tai chi, dancing, singing karaoke or some other kind of group fitness. Men were playing mah jong in the long halls and drinking tea. Inside the Temple of Good Harvest and the other religious buildings, only tourists - both Chinese and international - were around. I spend almost 2 hours wandering around and could have used more time.

The second temple I visited that day was Yong He Gong Temple, also known as the Lama Temple. Yong He Gong is located on the intersection of subway lines 2 and 5 in the at Yonghegong Station. Yong He Gong is a Tibetan Buddhist temple, and home to some of the largest Buddha statues in the world. This temple was much more touristy than Tian Tan had been, but there were still Chinese burning incense. We rushed through the temple (we went as a group) in a scant hour. I could have used more time, personally.
From Yong He Gong, it's a hop, skip and a jump to the Temple of Confucius. This temple was practically deserted when we visited, as most of the tourists miss it and go straight to the Lama Temple. However, it has a wonderful museum, which explains some of the Confucian teachings, beautiful temples and a bridge where many Chinese tie their wooden prayer "cards" to. The Beijing Temple is the second largest Confucian temple in the world (second only to the one in Confucius' hometown) and after a crazy day in Beijing traffic, the temple is the perfect place to find some peace.

All of the temples I visited in Beijing had beautiful architecture, the kind of sites you would expect to see when thinking of Chinese history. The Temple of Confucius was especially well-preserved, especially considering their age. The Temple of Heaven dates to 1420 AD, the Confucian Temple to 1302 AD and the Yonghegong Lamasery was started in 1694.

Prague: Top Ten

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:23:00 +0000

I often get asked about my favorite destinations and activities in Prague. And I am disappointed when people return from travel abroad to tell me they didn't appreciate Prague's charms. "it's too crowded" they've complained, "all I saw were tourists". This can be a problem. If you are not a Czech native or are depending only on the advice of guidebooks, you'll find yourself at the typical "Top Ten" that everyone- be it Lonely Planet, Rick Steves or Rough Guides - recommends. Here's the problem: Prague is small. It's not London or Paris or Berlin. Prague has three (count 'em, three) metro lines. Only one million inhabitants, but three million tourists annually.

So how can you see the best of Prague without feeling like a piece of cattle? I've made a "Top Ten" of my favorite things to see, do, and eat while in Prague. Some of it will have you fighting the crowds, but some will find you off on your own. For more information on each of these destinations, please feel free to get a hold of me!

10. Uzavesenyho Cafe
While Prague Castle does not make my top ten list because the tourist density is way too high, it is still an important destination in Prague. I've been there four or five times. If and when you go, head over to the Uzavesenyho Cafe for a meal. Just off the beaten path, they are cheaper than most in the Castle District. Even Bill Clinton once ate there. Try the veprova pecene, zeli, knedliky (also known as vepro-zeli-knedli), it's a classic Czech dish, but not one of my favorites as it is pork, dumplings and sauerkraut. I really enjoy the smazeny syr, or fried cheese and the hovezi svickova na smetane, brusinky, knedlíky also known just as svickova is beef with dumplings in a cream sauce with cranberries. All are traditional Czech dishes worth trying. Have a Pilsner or a Gambrinus (personal favorite) with it for a true Czech meal. I'm hungry just thinking about it!

9. Petrin Hill & Strahov Monastery
Petrin Hill may be touristy, but it gives great views of Prague. Take the funicular (for the price of an adult ticket) up the side of the mountain. Climb the tower for great views (and a fee). Then take a look around. Petrin tower has beautiful views of Prague and on a clear day you can see quite far. You can take the funicular back down, or take one of the trails down the back of the hill, past Strahov Monastery to Prague Castle and the Castle District.
Emily's Recommendation: Head up Petrin early in the morning, walk down the train towards the castle, see the castle & eat at Uzavesenyho Cafe. Or eat first, and then see the castle. If you are in the area just before noon, the changing of the guard is cool.

8. Mala Strana (the Lesser Side)
Mala Strana lies between Hradcany (the Castle District) and the Vltava. Full of fun shops, tourist destinations, charming churches and quaint parks. Head to Kampa and wander around on the island. Turn down a side street and get lost. Visit the Shakespeare and Sons bookstore for a English translation of a Czech classic (and a myriad of others). Spend an afternoon reading in the park. Best done in late spring or early fall.

7. Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
Charles Bridge is an icon of Prague. Its on almost every postcard and at the top of every list; you can't visit Prague without seeing the bridge. During the day, the bridge is full of tourists, pickpockets and Czechs trying to sell you trinkets. However, at night, the bridge is quiet and calm. If you've got your sweetheart with you, prepare to fall under the spell of it's charm and romance.
Emily's Recommendation: If you've got the time, go twice. Once during the day and once at night.

6.Namesti Miru & Zizkov
From Petrin hill you'll be able to see the TV tower located in Zizkov. You can also go up the tower, but it's more fun to stare at the outside: David Cerny's baby sculptures. On your way to Zizkov, stop at Namesti Miru to admire St Ludmila Cathedral. Namesti Miru is located in the heart of Vinohrady, an upper-class neighborhood of Prague. A lot of expats live in the area, and there is some nice shopping as well as long, beautiful streets perfect for strolls. If you're in need of a run, this is a good area to get you exercise. The metro at Namesti Miru also boasts one of the longest escalators in Europe.

5. Cafe Louvre
Cafe Louvre often makes the tourist books, but it also makes my list. It's charming and a beautiful example of old Prague. Restored after the end of the communist regime, you can now dine in a cafe reminiscent of the same place as Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka often dined.
Emily's Recommendation: Hit it up on a Sunday morning if you can, it's usually fairly empty. Try the hot chocolate, it's some of the best in Prague.

4. A Show at the National Theater
By American (or Western European) standards, the national theater in Prague is cheap. If you're a student or a teacher and have an International Student Identity Card, going to the National Theater is even cheaper. Check out the monthly schedule to find which shows are playing while you're in town. I've been to both the Estates Theater and the National Theater. Both are beautiful. With my ISIC card, sitting in the top (3rd) level, I was able to see the opera of Carmen for $5USD. Perfect.

3. Kmotra Pizzeria
Situated right behind the National Theater, Kmotra is my favorite Pizzeria in Prague. With an upstairs cafe and a downstairs cellar where you can watch them make your pizza in the brick oven, it's a great place to hang out with friends or a date.

2. Josefov, the Jewish Cemeteries & Prague's Jewish History
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is one of the most complete in all of Europe. While not a fun, happy-go-lucky experience, it is touching. It is more expensive than anything else on my list, but the museums are just as important as the cemetery. If you've already been, or want to avoid the crowds, head to the Jewish Cemetery in Zizkov, which is smaller and cheaper, but just as powerful if you need another dose of the holocaust in your life.

1. Vysehrad
My number one favorite spot in Prague is Vysehrad. Stop by Tesco or Albert and grab all the fixings for a picnic. Hope on the metro (take the red line, the stop is named Vysehard) and go for a stroll. It's a great place to visit for a free afternoon adventure off the beaten path, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful beauty of Prague instead of fending off pickpockets at St. Vaclav Square.
Emily's Recommendation: Vysehard is home to the cemetery where most of the famous Czechs are buried. Kafka is a notably absent.

Of books, brain freezes and boxes

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 07:09:00 +0000

I'm three weeks into my new job, and I still have mixed opinions. On the one hand, there are a few people that I really enjoy working with. They are, for the most part, considerate and kind, helping me out along the way. On the other hand, there are always a few people that rub you the wrong way. At times, it makes me miss my solo shifts at Jazzman's.

However, working at Crossroads gives me time to enjoy the area. Crossroads mall is the heart of northern Lake Hills. It is a diverse mecca of uniqueness and creativity. The food court has more variety that some mid-sized cities. And more than that, it's a community. A community which contains my favorite new haunt: Half-Price books. It doesn't hurt that the store offers a discount to mall employees. Score. Needless to say, I've purchased a few books for the both of us in the past few days.

As the temperatures have climbed, I've lounged on the patio, book in hand. Which is great...when your freezer works. As it was, we bought a pack of popsicles yesterday and consumed them at a very fast rate. My brain still hurts.

Our office is almost completely reorganized. I'm sitting at my desk right now, even. Except the room still looks like an obstacle course because our new cat has commandeered a couple empty boxes and a paper bag for her own amusement.

Switzerland: A Fairytale Dream come True

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:37:00 +0000

Jean and I raced down the stairs, pushing through the crowds, barely able to breathe. We were, once again, cutting it a little close. "Which platform?" Jean asked me, I scanned the old-fashioned departure board at Prague's main train station, struggling to keep up with the flipping pages "number 18, the last one," I answered, and we ran down the tunnel and up one final flight of stairs, swinging into the last carriage mere minutes before the train left. After pushing our way through multiple carriages, we found our bunks just as the train picked up speed. "Goodbye Prague, hello Switzerland!" Jean announced with a smile.

Head over to A Pair of Panties and Boxers to read the rest of the story and find out what happened to Jean & I in Switzerland.

Is this what it feels like?

noreply@blogger.com (emily) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 01:51:00 +0000

I woke up to beautiful sunny skies. Another night on a mattress on the floor. My fault. I should have kept that full sized bed, I guess. Another day spent researching, applying, waiting for a job. I guess it'd help if I knew what I wanted. That's when the doubts set it. That's when the angst hits me. That's when the stress rockets up. It rains here. A lot. I should get out more, but I don't know what to do. I sit here and stare at the map, dreaming of where I'd go. I sketch outlines of posts, I play with layouts for the website I'll upgrade to someday. I dream. And still it rains on. The sun fades away. The gray clouds come back. I think of things I didn't do. Of times I played it safe. My dreams are full of trains, planes, adventures. And when I wake up in the morning, I can't decide if I'm running away from my past or towards my future? Or maybe I'm just thinking too much. Maybe he's right, maybe I'm spending too much time alone.

Maybe I'll go to the library tomorrow...
Maybe I'll get a call about a job...
Maybe the world will change when I take out the camera and turn off the computer...