That one city. Edinburgh.

A place I’d always visit again. I’m romanticized. Narrow paved alleys, traditional cottages with pretty bays, pointed roofs and smoking chimneys, cosy pubs with live music and grass so green – pick nick must be an experience! Edinburgh is a wonderful place to visit by foot and Princes Street is what you might call a shopping paradise. Edinburgh Castle located on a hill is definitely worth visiting as it is not only hosting an interesting exhibition, but also offers a dramatic view over the whole city, the ocean and the mountains. Ocean and heaven are equally within one’s reach and the city seems to be stuck somewhere between middle age and modern present. But my highlight was another place: Calton Hill. Probably the most beautiful place within a city I’ve ever been to. Located right between blue ocean and mountains this place looks over the city’s roofs. And my boyfriend still talks about that one burger in the old little pub he enjoyed that much. I still talk about that one city. My Edinburgh. Which city impressed you that much?

 

A random idea for financing you next trip!

http://tinyurl.com/9okcflg

Summer has already gone into hibernation and all friends have returned from holiday by now. South America, California, Asia – Some of them have seen quite a lot of this world. But is there any way for me to raise enough money for going on a pilgrimage somewhere beyond Europe’s frontiers myself? Well, there are some to restock your travel budget for at least a few Euros! Why not convert your memories into money? You really don’t have to be an apprenticed journalist to sell one or the other brief article to the local press. For the most part some sense of diction and expression and a bit of imagination is all you need. Try to figure out what’s special about your destination! That doesn’t necessarily have to be the blue ocean or the beautiful sunset. What’s really hitting the papers are emotionally and authentically stated reports. That can be the Greek fisherman’s story or the lesbian soccer team in Kosovo. Just try to be creative and just don’t be shy and you will get to know your destinations in a totally different way.

Vacation mood? Vacation music!

There definitely are a few songs bringing summer mood into our winter lives. On our way to work, under the shower or simply having a nice cup of tea on the sofa: Just collect some summer songs, make a cd and start dreaming away  to the marvelous beaches or the pleasant places of this earth. Here some inspiration:

http://tinyurl.com/8j5f5yx

Men at work - Down under

Beach Boys - Kokomo

Scott McKenzie - San Francisco

Village People  - Go West
Frank Sinatra - New York, New York
The Beatles  - Back In The USSR
Nat King Cole - Route 66
Oasis  - All around the World
Willie Nelson  - On The Road Again
Neil Young - Prairie Wind
Laid Back - Sunshine Reggae
John Denver  - Leaving on a jet     plane
Manic Street Preachers – Australia

Ella Fitzgerald  - Sentimental Journey                 
Eagles - Hotel California
Weezer - Island in the Sun
Goombay Dance Band  - Sun of Jamaica

Eruption - One way ticket

Boney M - Hooray! Hooray! It's A Holi-Holiday

Murray Head - One night in Bangkok

Will Smith – Miami

Beach Boys – Surfing USA

Mamas & Papas –California Dreaming

David Bowie – China Girl

Simon + Garfunkel – America

Ich + Ich – Gute Reise

Katrina & The Waves – Walking on Sunshine

Kate Yanai – Summer Dreaming (My favourite!!)

Die Fantastischen Vier – Tag am Meer

Ian Pooley – Bay of Plenty

Something to read.

One way to get back summer into our dreary autumn lives is reading. Not reading dark thrillers or a mysterious story, but reading a bright and cheerful summer novel, lets say, „Die Inseln auf denen ich strande“ by Lucien Deprijck. The novel consists of 18 short episodes about getting stranded somewhere. Alone, with a woman you absolutely don’t like, with hundreds of people on a tiny rock – one may not believe how many different ways there are existing. Thereby the protagonists strand on lonely, hostile to life, heavenly, tropic or windswept islands. They experience different destinies, find themselves in front of their dream’s ruins or get completely new chances. The stories lead into totally unexpected worlds, tell about journey’s to oneself or to fellow men and about all the important questions of life. Dramatic, witty and over and above all original.