Italy, Amore Mio!

As if it wasn't crazy enough to do 8 Italian cities in 6 days, I challenged myself to come up with a photo journal of our trip (all in a valiant effort for one's self improvement, to stimulate one's mind etc. etc.) and I guess this effort was worth it. We loved Italy for the warm city hues, the ridiculous variety of tomatoes (who knew there could be that many!) and most of all - the coasts of Cinque Terre that would charm even the most frigid of misers. Our first bite of Italian pasta took place on a very rainy day in a very, very unassuming shop with a faded white sign "Amore Mio Restaurant" (I googled it and it means My Love). After the one man chef brought out a dough-covered dish and proudly cut it open to unveil the steaming platter of seafood spaghetti for two.. Well as they say, the rest was history. I experienced my Anton Ego moment in Ratatouille - you know, the one where the critic takes a bite of the vegetables and is instantly transported back to childhood where his mother's meals cheered up particularly dull days. It was the most vibrant, incredible pasta I've ever had. You can't forget a dish like that, ever. Italy my love, grazie! Our crazy, expensive, jam-packed trip was the best we've ever had so far. 

Photos featuring: Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Rome, Vatican City

2 Girls, 2 Popsicles and 1 Balcony

Kim plops two pear popsicles on her new balcony table, unwraps one and hands it to me. I've never had a pear popsicle before, I say. She replies that its the best thing ever, and so it was.

Unlike every Tuesday I've had so far, today was probably my favourite. Jules joined us for a picnic at the breath-taking Juliana Park (a hidden gem - only the locals seemed to know about this gated oasis) before leaving early for a class. Having nothing else planned for the day gave me the luxury of spending an afternoon on Kim's balcony. I love her flat - the stairs are so thin, tall and steep that you say a prayer every time you climb them. There are signs of renewed bursts of enthusiasm to keep the place tidy but always falling short. Character is what I call it. 

And so we sit for a moment in silence, listening to the gulls clapping their wings above us in the sky. I'm so glad I chose to come to Utrecht for my exchange, I say. I love it. Kim smiles - she's exchanging in Singapore next semester in NUS medicine, and I promise myself to give her the best time ever.

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Ryan on Film

Although initially marked with apprehension, my friendship with Ryan has been collectively assembled over Ghibli, fried rice cravings and as of late, film cameras. 3 months with him abroad still leaves me unable to pinpoint his peculiar accent, nor the easiness which comes with his company - I suspect due to his perrenial chill candour. Ryan made a trip with his girlfriend Vel to Paris, the elusive land of croissants and love that seems to over-promise its charm to every bright-eyed traveller. On film however, it makes one convincing story of two in le petit paris. He didn't seem to mind me pinning his photographs on this lonely space, so here we are.. 

'If you look closely, there are two cats - and they're twins. Many mouth clicks to make the cat look over at us.'

Morning coffee, vel and a train to Amsterdam

'A small rue on the way to dinner, missing Asian food so much'

Passage des Panoramas

Gorgeous Lyon

'virgin' (lol@ryan!)

 Fontaine Bartholdi | Courtyard of the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts

'my verbal bullshit driving Vel insane in the Louvre'

'why do i find girls who smoke so attractive?'

Sacre-Coeur

'Our first official non-selfie together and she's busy eating a bagel'

also just for fun, the first time a film photograph of me was taken - in the school canteen no less

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