Back from Europe

Haha, actually, I've been back for about a week now. I've noticed that after coming back from trips, I like to behave like a hermit for a couple of days - just staying at home and whiling my time away like a retiree. :pThe trip was wonderful, we covered quite a bit of ground - Riga (Latvia), Krakow (Poland), Prague (Czech Republic), Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria) and Rome (Italy). Along the way, I saw lots of awesome sights and met a truckload of people, got to know new friends as well as old ones. And of course, we had a very rewarding experience at Peaktime :)

The avalanche of photos are available on Facebook, but I just wanted to write down a few thoughts which seem most salient to me right now.
On Riga:I can't say that this city has a lot going for it, but the people are so warm-hearted. Much thanks to Ieva and Bruno who took time out to show us the city and made us feel at home. My first time in an ex-Soviet Union country was pretty eye-opening. All the Soviet style modernist buildings, clinical and uniform, the deep-seated resentment of the government, covered up with good-natured jibes, the crazy competition (1 simulation, 2 cases in 3 days, 3 hours each!), and always always, the food. :)

Greenatics hard at work :p

Post-competition fun in Riga

On Krakow:

The most striking thing I remember about Krakow is the super-depressing visit to Auschwitz. On the day of our visit, it was cold and rainy, and we stood in the rain listening to our guide tell us about the monstrosities of the Nazis. I remember he used the phrase "sick ideology" several times, and I just felt really heavy-hearted the rest of the day. Upon my return, I read "Night" by Elie Wiesel, and it truly is a slim volume of terrifying power. Fascism may no longer prevail, but its reign during WWII is still being felt today. Hm, food for thought.

At the Auschwitz concentration camp

On Prague:

A beautiful city! I think what I loved most was the gothic architecture. The soaring spires, and high ceilings. Very majestic. And somehow, I never tire from looking at old buildings. Though I can't say the same for statues (more on that later...)

Our very passionate guide on the Prague Walking Tour. I think he has a really cool job!

On Vienna:

Woke up bright and early on Sunday morning to attend mass and hear the famed Vienna Boy's Choir! These boys are truly blessed with heavenly voices. Surprising number of Asians in the choir though!

This city makes us all feel (unjustly) musical. By the end of this leg, we were all singing in operatic voices and humming Mozart. Oh yeah, kena conned was underwhelmed by the concerts we attended. We paid a pretty penny and were promised a full Royal Vienna Orchestra, but in the end, there were like 10 people on piano and strings, an opera singer (I think she was not the best, but the most entertaining :)), and a CMI ballet dancer.

On Rome:

I think my favourite city on this trip! Sheer number of sites (Coloseum, Pantheon, Trivi Fountain, several Piazzas etc), I thought traveling alone would be terribly lonely, but I think I appreciated the solitude and independence after a while. :)



The first of many pizzas and pasta dishes

At the Roman Coloseum

I think I've got enough of Greek/Roman statues for a while

Ultimately, I love traveling, taking in exotic sights, meeting interesting people and soaking in different cultures. But being away always reminds me that home is the best. When the plane touched down at Changi, the familiar humidity blasting in my face, my family waiting at the arrival gate - that's the best. :)