Lost & Found 3: British Cathedrals

 The incredibly intimidating outside of Canterbury Cathedral. (Kent, England)

 After visiting way too many cathedrals, I've learned that the ceilings are one of my favorite parts. 

(Kent, England).

 Modern stained glass window, that most people think looks like a Disney drawing. ;) (Kent, England)

Collateral by Deborah Van Der Beek. Created as a memorial using actual bullets and warheads, many of which from battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Bath, England).

Westminster Abbey where Prince William married Kate Middleton. (London, England)

 Absolutely beautiful. (London, England)

 Oh hey. (London, England)

 Photograph from Queen Elizabeth II's coronation displayed in honor of her jubilee. (London, England)

(London, England).

It only seems fitting that the quote come from her royal majesty Queen Elizabeth II: "Discrimination still exists.  Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened.  Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures.  They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat." 

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate.

I am the captain of my soul. 

-William Ernest Henley

As you probably could have guessed, I finally made the time to watch Invictus.  It seems impossible to not be inspired by the story and the poem.  I admire Mandela's fighting spirit.  Admittedly, all things worth having are worth fighting for.  He proves that not all battles are won with weapons, whether personally or politically.  We must lead with our heads and not our hatred.  I say head, not heart because so often the heart can be conflicted by the pain that we are dealt in life.  Always remember not to yield to fear or anger, but navigate the waters of this mysterious world with courage and conviction.

We Are What We Choose

"When the sky turns gray

And everything is screaming

I will reach inside

Just to find my heart is beating"

Today will surely be a day that will be spoken of for many years to come.  George Zimmerman's verdict from the Trayvon Martin trial definitely raised questions for me and others.  I would rather not speak on the case or the verdict. Regardless of what happened, all this resulting support for gun violence and racist remarks is disheartening to me.  The responses generated by the case have painted a pretty negative picture of our society.  For one, apparently all Hispanics are considered Mexican.  Zimmerman's mother is from Peru- it is actually not part of Mexico if you were wondering.  Not to mention, the up-in-arms rally by whites to prove this was not a display of racism and subsequent attacks on blacks for always feeling as though they are experiencing injustice has actually come off pretty racist.

In light of our horrible track record with guns, it is unbelievable to think that concealed carry has been passed recently as well.  Terrifyingly enough, guns and shootings have become so desensitized. They are completely common in our country.  If only we realized how insane we looked to the rest of the developed world.  Trust me, the UK is not too jealous of our murder and prison rates.  Too many freedoms for our own good in all honesty.

The point to this rant? Sometimes the world is just a bit too much for me to handle.  A bit too upsetting. A bit too sad.  Those are the times when I choose hope.  No one has the giant band-aid solution, but we can all choose to stay sane, to love, and to hope.  Shut out everything else and just remember we are living now, so do it with purpose.  Spread love, not hate.

Quote above is part from Bleeding Out by Imagine Dragons. Enjoy below.

Lost & Found 2

Forest Adventures in Germany

Turns out, I'm not a big fan of wobbly bridges

Vegetarian hot dog from Goji in York, England. One of two innovative vegetarian places there.

Some very naughty faces hidden around the York Minster Cathedral.

The view behind the church, taken from one of the medieval walls lining the city.

Can't really refute that logic.

Loved the bright colors. Can't remember the name of the mansion this belonged to.

Although the point of this series of posts is to share the many pictures I have hiding around my laptop, I also want to use it to put up some of my favorite quotes.  I collect quotes- to me they are little reminders of the important things in life. I have them in countless notebooks, word documents, and post-it notes. So expect them regularly.  Below is a new one that I find to be quite true. 

“When you're different, sometimes you don't see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn't.”

-Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart

Lost & Found

Let's be honest... there is no way I am ever going to get caught up with all of my travel posts.  So I've come up with this idea: Lost & Found posts.  A glimpse of the best bits of my adventures without having to worry about order or anything else.  A random collection of hidden gems on my laptop that I never got around to sharing with the rest of the world.  Check out the first set below! And for more consistent updates follow me on instagram: sugarsprout.

 Climbed way too many stairs for this view of the Cathedral of Salamanca. (Spain)

 Dressed up for Carnival, far off to my left I could see the border of Portugal. (Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain)

 The only car I've ever wanted. (Ciudad Rodrigo)

 London street performer aka busker.  

You've got to be made of gold to set up in front of Michael Kors. (London)

Yup, I'm cool. Rocking the Gryffindor scarf.

And since I'm feeling in a Harry Potter kind of mood... A little wizard wisdom: "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends."