18 DAYS IN ITALY no.2

 previous day 
The sea is a wonderful thing. Fresh air smells of salt water. The sea breeze is ruffling your hair like any other breeze, and yet it somehow feels different a special way. The feeling of walking barefoot in the soft warm sand.

25th August

Hullo everyone,

It felt engaging. To be back by the seaside. To feel the characteristic atmosphere of the seaside. And to be part of it.

lucky me

The sea was surprisingly warm and very enjoyable. Last year when we were in France with my family the sea was rather cold and acrid. The french beaches was gorgeous though, but... oh, how I love italian seaside.

And I saw a fish jumping out of the water! It immediately disappeared in the waves again, but woow! Believe it or not, this was the first time a saw an actual fish in the sea.

. . .

oh, how i'd love to take a ride
 on a sailboat again

I took only the very most necesarry things. "Things you cannot leave the house without" as my aunt told me. That would be
a book, a camera, sunglasses and of course a swimsuit and a towel.
Yaaay, and we can go.

We settled down among these boats and sailboats so that no one would bother us. I swimmed for like 20 minutes. Well, swimmed... more like floated on the waves.

When I fully enjoyed the water I just went for my camera and started to take photos of everything.
Then it occured to me it would be quite sweet to send my male-friend a lovely little shell (I'm sending him a letter). So I started looking for unique shells while photographing.

look at the landscape!

 I couldn't find any acceptably cute so I took at least few nice pebbles. For the rest of the time I read an engrossing book.

“She said, 'I'm so afraid.' And I said, 'why?,' and she said, 'Because I'm so profoundly happy, Dr. Rasul. Happiness like this is frightening.' I asked her why and she said, 'They only let you be this happy if they're preparing to take something from you.”  

― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

 That was a quote from that book if you didn't get that.

. . .

Okay, this is getting weird. He's basically all I think about. Except maybe food.

. . .

I learnt to play Ed Sheeran's Autumn Leaves on my aunt's old guitar. It's a beautiful song, really. I don't know why I fell in love with this one. I guess it has something to do with ... you know what, I don't wanna think about this right know.

My aunt promised me to set off sooner tommorow. I hope I'll find the right shell.

Love and kisses,

                       Anna

this is supposed to be the night view from our apartment.
see those hills on the left? these are actually mountains
but they're not visible in this photo

 next day 

18 DAYS IN ITALY no.1

I actually never mentioned I'm going to Italy with my brother! We set off yesterday morning and arrived shortly before midnight. The journey was long but oh, beautiful.

24th Aughust

Hullo guys,

My cousin who drove is Italian so it was quite entertaining just to be in the car and watch him driving. But the most entertaining thing was the nature around.

As soon as we crossed the German borders and entered Austria the landscape started to change. Soon we were passing through mountains so high we could hardly see its white tops, because the clouds were practically hiding them. We've seen green hilly valleys, lowlands with rippling brooklets. Small villages, above which was always rising a church tower. 

We drove by many castles and fortresses, towering on the rocks like forgotten sighs of the distant past.

I listened to my music, watched films with my brother. Soon my notebook died. And after some time my mobile died too. So I tried to sleep. When I couldn't sleep I just leaned my head on the window and began thinking. 

And you're miles away

And yesterday you were here with me

Ed Sheeran really has some touching songs. It's not just the melody and words. It's the whole conception. The feelings hidden inside. How come I didn't notice it before?

This was just stunning.

As the day was slowly coming to an end I finally managed to fall asleep. When I woke up, we were there. My cousin's apartment is cozy and has a beautiful view. It's a bit messy, of course, like every boy's apartment, but I like it.

That's all I was able to notice at half one in the morning before I climbed into bed and dropped off.

Kind regards from Italy,

Anna 

 next day 

A NICE QUIET PLACE no.2

 previous part here 

Throw me a line if I reach it in time

I´ll meet you up there where the path 

runs straight and high.

- Led Zeppelin 

I stopped crying when I realized it can't help me. It never helps. That's why you quit crying, remember? Yes, of course, of course. 

And I got up and ran. 

I started talking to myself. That's what I do when I'm- 

-well, I can't really specify the conditions under which I do this.

All of a sudden a strange thought crossed my mind. It was there just for a second. And that was very enough.

Somebody is chasing you.

My heart skipped a beat. Paralyzing fear started spilling throughout my body. I speeded up.

Run.

I looked back. There was no one behind me. As far as my eyes could se were only harvested fields.

But I kept running.

Then I realized what my mind was trying to tell me.

The person chasing me

was me. 

.  .  .

And if I could hold you, where would you belong? Sitting here to reason how the world's gone wrong.

I laid down in a soft pile of straw in the middle of one field.
And as I was lying there I noticed how dark gray the sky got. The air was getting heavy and the wind was rising.
Storm is coming.
I didn't take my cellphone or any watch with me. I tried to count how long am I out there and if it's not dinner time already. But it didn't matter. Nothing mattered.
I just laid there, playing with straws, thinking and still talking to myself.

I was wondering what woud He say, if He'd saw me there, basically lying on the ground, talking to myself, teary-eyed.

A sad smile lit up my face. Somehow I always smile when I think about Him.
He'd probably just lay down next to me and looked up at the sky. Maybe asked what am I doing here.
And I'd say
"Waiting for you".

.  .  .

I lied when I said I wanted to be alone.
But you probably figured that out already.

May the bridges I burn light the way.

A NICE QUIET PLACE no.1

Hullo guys,

I had a fight with my dad. The last thing I said (well, more like „yelled“. Yes. The last thing I yelled. Very loudly.) was „I DON’T CARE! I DON’T!“.

Then I slammed the door, ignoring the words my dad was yelling at me, oblivious to my mum's anxious "what's going on?" questions. I went off.

I didn’t know where I was going. I turned off and let my feet go wherever they want. The only thing that mattered was that I was going somewhere away.

From my house, from all the struggles and fights and from my restless mind.

All I knew was I need to get away from the things, voices and sounds of this town. I need to find some place quiet. I need to sort some things out.

I began running.

And I ran and ran 'till I saw a green island of wild plants and trees in the middle of a field. I walked in. The tall grass, sharp bushes and wide crowns of trees were providing me a valued shelter. At last I found a nice corner to rest my bones and mind.

I sat down and began thinking.

.  .  .

„And that helps you?“

 „What?“

„Playing the guitar“

„Usually.“

Yes. Usually.

Now, for instance, it wouldn’t. Sometimes it doesn’t help. Sometimes I just need to be alone.

.  .  .

I wanted to let all my current feelings out. And in that moment, nothing seemed more clear and obvious than the idea of putting them all in a long, ear-splitting shriek. The latest joy, happiness, passion… but mostly the anger and fear. I had to let them out. They were gathering inside me for too long. I was actually afraid my heart would explode if I’d let them manipulate with me just a little longer. So I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, opened my mouth-

and nothing came out. I couldn’t do it.

I couldn’t scream.

After this discovery all the worries and „what-if“ thoughts striked me even harder. Every single concern I had for the past few days. They were all bursting out at once, crying out for attention, followed by great measure of grief and agony my tiny confused heart wasn’t prepared for.

.  .  .

Intellect versus emotion. Intellect wins. Emotion starts crying.

__________________________

I decided to cut it here and make two parts. The final article was too long. Sorry.

-Anna

 next part here 

TRIPPY

Hullo everyone,
I went for a walk around Prague today. Well, I should probably say "we went", 'cause I wasn't alone.

Okay, now I'm pretty much relying on the fact almost no one reads my blog.
It's okay though. At least I can share and write about everything.

morning Prague

So. Me and my male-friend (sorry for the word but you have to admit it would be even more weird to say "boy-friend"... English is so weird. How do you people do it when you wanna point out your friend is a boy/girl?) went for a nice walk to do some sightseeing and mostly "philosophize about life". That's literally what he said. "Let's go out and philosophize about life."
'Cause that's what the cool kids do.
Hehe.

Well, it somehow turned out completely different. Instead of philosophizing we talked, laughed, babbled, and laughed and babbled again.

The most amazing thing about friendship is that whether you're laughing or being silent, you do it all together. You share and enjoy the moments together. Emotions, connections, feelings... It's kinda impressive.

the "Lennon wall" in Prague

And I think that in that very moment, when we were together, we both were happy. And that's the most important and remarkable thing, right?

The funny thing is that we're both from Prague, yet we don't know much about its attractions. We walked through the charming streets of the Old town, passing many famous buildings and statues of great men, whose names we should know.
I always pointed on something, expecting my knowing friend to tell me what it is. And he just smiled and said he has no idea.

And I know happiness is just an illusion

but oh, 

how delightful.

click "read more" if you like cool antique stores

EXPECT NOTHING.

Hullo guys,

I just came back from a two-week camp. I spent an amazing time. And I spent a horrible time. 

Instead of  listing all the activities and experiences I'm gonna show you this: One page from my personal notebook (in which I write when I have nothing else to do). 

Maybe you'll get better picture from this short writing, whether it's incoherent or not. Better picture than you could ever get from a story about people you've never met and things you've never done (the more emotional for me, the more boring for you).

Acid.

photo by Kristyna Rutova

The first day:
"The key is not to let it (or them, or him...) get too close you. Don't let anyone in. At least not beyond the boundary of normal friendship.

Don't get your hopes up. Don't expect anything. 'Cause it's probably not going to happen.

And it's always no good. That goes for everything.

I don't even know the exact reason why am I writing all this. Why am I even thinking about it so often now, and what on earth did I expect.

But I do feel a strong urge to write about it.

And so I write.

Sunset.

photo by Nelson Fisher

I'd probably be quite relieved if I told someone. I guess so. But I'm not gonna.

Not that I wouldn't have anyone to talk with. More likely I wouldn't be able to talk about it. I wouldn't be able to convert it into meaningful words."

The second day:

"He's to proud to plead his quilt."

Interesting.

I would say that's quite a bullshit.

I believe a man is very well aware of that quilt, but is afraid (even frightened) of it. Because the consequences of such "guilt" are usually very painful and, most importantly, very permanent."

The third day:
"Oh my, what am I writing..."

I'm still not sure what I meant. But I'm certain I meant something by it, so it has a meaning. I just don't know it yet. Maybe I'll figure it out.

At least you can make your own opinion now. Think. What could I possibly mean?

Oh, just one thing. I was thinking about one guy from our group when I was writing it. As far as I know.
But more on that later.

Here. Look at these super cool photos.

Fireside.

photo by Tereza Kostkova

Hookah.

photo by Tereza Kostkova

Blur.

photo by Adela Stoklaskova

Boys.
photo by Tereza Kostkova

Us.
photo by Marie Vinsova

DIY: Caffè Latte

Hullo guys,
it's me again. Couple months ago I've learnt how to make caffè latte. And after this rediculously long time it crossed my mind that I could write it down and create this easy DIY project for you.
It's definitely worth your time!
I love this type of coffee. It's good-looking, very tasty and not even hard to make. C:
So let's begin!

Ingredients

• 1 or 2 teaspoons of soluble coffee
• about 50 ml of water
• about 200 ml of milk

Optional: teaspoon of cocoa or another decorative yummies

Equipment

• mixer or beater

Total time: 10 minutes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Step 1

So first bring the water to a boil. Then put the coffee in some cup (preferably little jug or cup with a spout, you'll need to pour the coffee later), pour the boiling water in it and let the coffe dissolve.

Step 2

Pour the milk in a small pot and heat the milk on a stove for a while (it doesn't have to boil). When the milk is warm, turn off the stove and whisk the milk with your mixer for about one minute untill you create a foam on the surface of your milk. 

Note: The foam is very important because it's the thing that keeps the coffe on the surface. When you don't create enough of the foam, you can't make the "double-colour" effect and your coffe will mix up with the milk as usual.

Step 3

So here comes the trickiest part. Now pour your warm frothed milk in a sufficiently large glass (!! make sure it's not too hot, otherwise you could break the glass. Same with the coffee !!). Then take your coffee cup and pour the coffee SLOWLY and carefully in the glass too. The coffee should keep on the top (Again - if it doesn't, you probably didn't whisk the milk long enough and so you don't have enough foam).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Optional

Sprinkle the top with some cocoa (or basically anything else you have), it's up to you and your creativity!

If you like coffees a bit sweeter, you can add some sugar it the milk and in the coffee before mixing it together.
Oh yeah, and cookies are also a good match ;)

Et voilà!

Your beautiful and delicious caffè latte is ready!

Bon appetite!