No Greater Love

If you ask me what the highlight of this most recent trip was, I won't say the enchanting canals of Venice or the nights spent listening to music at the Piazza San Marco. No, it wasn't the breathtaking sights of the Alps or the random wandering in Vienna...all those things were unforgettable but there's a certain little moment that'll stay with me for quite some time. A snapshot better than any I took with my camera...

It was the night my mom, some friends of ours, and I decided to go to a heurigen. I had never been to one before but my mom was hyping it up, telling me how nice those little wine taverns were and sharing stories of how she spent many nights at those places way back when she was doing some training in Austria. So off we went to enjoy a night of traditional Austrian culture and wine. The place we went to was certainly lovely but it wasn't the place, the food, or the wine that made the night what it was...

It was her.

With a violinist and accordion player performing the most romantic of songs, my mom was in her element. There she was, this vision...singing, swaying, and dancing to the tunes she raised me with...Historia de un Amor, Besame Mucho, Strangers in the Night, Love Story. I sat there watching her in awe...she was so happy, so elated, so absolutely radiant. For that moment, I got a glimpse of my mom as herself. I saw her not as a mother, a wife, a sister. Not as a friend or a grandmother. For that moment, she was just Jocelyn. Completely stripped of all other titles and attachments. And let me tell you, I wouldn't trade that one moment for a thousand others. I felt so lucky, so proud to have been sitting there knowing that this woman was my mother. And though she probably doesn't know it, it wasn't just me that was taken aback by her loveliness...I know that all eyes were set on her as the violinist played by her side as she playfully (and maybe even flirtaciously) sang and snapped along to his rendition of Fly Me to the Moon. And honestly, if you were there to see it, you'd wonder how anyone could ever keep their eyes away...

If it were just for that one moment alone, that one unforgettable snapshot...I can honestly say that the entire trip had been worth it. But it was that and more, so what more can I possibly say? I spent two weeks with this incredibly lovely lady who just so happens to be my mom and my best friend. We explored foreign lands (and waters), got into some heated fights (all part of the ride, right?), and shared some pretty sweet moments together (iPod breaks at Schonbrunn, picture-taking in our hotel room, remember?). We've got a thousand more pages of memories to add to our already jam-packed story and there's still so much ahead...

Happy Mother's Day, Mama. I love you!

Venezia, il mio amore

How can I possibly capture the perfection that has been the past week? Exploring Venice and its neighbouring islands and discovering their distinct culture, their rich history, the warmth of their people, and their overall way of life has been, quite simply, a blast. It's just so different from where I've been, where I come from and what I know...just the mere fact that it's a city in water is enough to set it apart from everywhere else. The trip and my learning of the old Venetian Republic's history served as a powerful reminder of just how much beauty there is in the world, in nature, in man, and in our ability to create, adapt, and discover...

The city oozes with that old school romance that we now only watch in movies or read in books. Everywhere you turn is a potential subject for a painting, every sound a possible song, and every street corner a story to tell. Like I said, it's everything I imagined it to be. Artists tucked away in hidden alleyways painting the sights before them or acordion players performing in gondolas...it's a sight I thought only existed in movies. But voila, I lived it for the past few days. C'est incroyable!

As I sat by the canals I imagined wars being waged on those waters with the Turks or the Slavs. I imagined the days when it was a commercial hub where merchants from all over the world traded their goods with one another. As I walked the hallways and rooms of the Ducal Palace, I imagined the everyday lives of the doges and dogeressas...such a distant past that I found it difficult to fully conceive. So distant as to be so unrelateable and seemingly irrelevant...and maybe that's what adds to its allure...

But more than anything else, I loved just roaming the streets and canals of Venice with absolutely no plans or maps and just going, literally, where the road took me. There's nothing quite like losing your way and trusting your inner compass to find your way back. It's amazing the things you'll discover...the small shops, the hidden alleyways, the odd writings on the wall, or (my favorite) the kind people. If there's anything I'll take away from this trip, it's the beauty of the city (of course) but also the warmth of the people. You wouldn't believe how many people I came across who were so eager to help or just so happy to say hello. Out of all the countries I've been to here in Europe, Italy is by far the friendliest...and really, what is a city but the people who comprise it?

 

So with all that, let me be the first to say that I've fallen in love with Venice. I was so sad to be walking across Piazza San Marco for the last time this morning. The city has stolen a piece of my heart and there's no doubt that I'll be back to get it...

Ahoj kamarád!

Dobry den! Greetings from Brno, Czech Republic!

Finally got the Internet connection in my room working yesterday and as you can see, I've finally found the time to give an update on the trip. It's been pretty kickass so far. Nothing but cheap beer, good people, and gorgeous weather out here! Except we had our first class today and I realized that I, unfortunately, actually have to study out here...it's gonna be a serious struggle focusing! But anyway...here's what I've been up to the past few days...

Left on a jet plane on Saturday and headed over to London. Met the people in the program at the airport and got to know each other on our 6-7 hour flight. Then from London to Vienna where ladeedah, I met mother dear at the airport's baggage claim area. You know how we do, just randomly meet up in Vienna whenever. ;) Anyway, from Vienna, took a bus down to Brno!

Got to Brno, checked into our residence, met up with my roomie, Martyna, who you see above! We have the most gorgeous view from our balcony! I love it! The air is better here and I swear the birds sing better too.  It's absolutely gorgeous.  We had our welcome dinner that night too and quickly got our education on how to order beer, an absolute must when you're here in Brno--pivo, proseem (beer, please) !

On Monday, we had a tour Masaryk University and downtown Brno. Had dinner outside in the perfect weather, sipped on some lattes, and had (my staple so far) ice cream (zmrzlina!). In the evening, we went to some super sketch laundromat in Gypsy town. I know what you're thinking...why the hell did we go to a laundromat on our second night in Brno? Okay so let me explain...down here in Brno, they apparently like to combine their facilities/services. Soooo not only was the place (Clubwash) a laundromat, it was also a bar/movie place/pool/poker place. Yeah, again, sketch!

Tuesday -- went to Macocha Abyss, which is a cave down here. Took like a 4 km hike, which no one was prepared for considering we hardly slept the night before! Ummm can't say much about that cuz I'm not exactly a nature person. Can't be swooning over some stalagmites and stalactites. It was excruciating exhausting walking up those hills! Martyna and I had practically 3 hrs of sleep the night before...so we were ready to collapse. After the caves, visited the Cerna Hora brewery...saw how they made the beer and taste-tested a bunch of the different kinds. I'm telling you, it's all about the pivo down here! Hung out at the bar next to our res...so if you're looking for anyone, basically go to the bar next door and they're probably there. Mmm I think that'll be the spot for the next 5 weeks, no?

Wednesday-- first day of class today, everyone was practically falling asleep. Um not much to report about there. Went to Tesco, which is like the Wal-Mart equivalent, apparently. Also went grocery shopping...seriously hating the fact that I can't cook for the life of me. Life would be so much easier! Hmmm, never thought I'd be saying those words. Weather was gorge again today...its all sun and blue skies over here!

Anywho, I'm off to meet up with some friends in a bit. Toodloo!