Segovia 2: Details & Daydreams

The pictures above illustrate the personal details of the imaginative landscape that was Segovia.  It seemed like a never ending maze of hidden gods and goddesses.  A larger than life landscape dedicated to beauty with an undeniable touch of otherworldly mystique.  Perhaps, it has something to do with seeing the park during off season when the plants aren't quite alive yet and the fountains remain inactive.  Surely, in the full bloom of summer it is stunning, but there was a desolate slightly eerie quality to it in April.

Fall Fashion & Farewells

Gareth Pugh's Fall Collection. Images via style.com 

 The dominantly black structured shapes of this collection made it one of my favorites.  There exists an undeniable sophistication to the pieces.  Above are some of my favorites, especially the coat in the second image. 

In other news: It's hard to believe I only have 8 days left in Spain.  Home seems so close, yet unbelievably far away.  All that remains to be done here feels like formalities, despite the fact that these are supposed to be the days for emotional farewells.  The goodbye I dreaded the most was perhaps to my closest friend from Spain.  I'm happy that I got to meet such an amazing person, but that made the goodbye so much harder. Tonight is the group dinner, followed by a weekend of insane partying, then a week of finals.  After that lovely "officially friend-zone" conversation making me feel rather foolish, I am more concerned with finding a few strong drinks than reviewing my study guides. Hahaha. Bring on Thirsty Thursday!! 

Sparkle

Oscars 2013

 Custom Giorgio Armani 

 Dior Haute Couture

Zuhair Murad Couture

Whenever I need a little inspiration I always turn to the red carpet.  These 3 dresses have that undeniable glamour and elegance that I love about the Oscars. The first two have a lovably sweet aspect, while Catherine Zeta Jones definitely works the bombshell angle. So jealous of them all!

Segovia

 The famous aqueduct 

 Segovia's beautiful cathedral, similar to Salamanca's and the last of its style to be built. 

 Alcázar Castle 

 Fountain detail up close at Segovia's mini version of Versailles

 Why don't my baths look this cool?

 Baby angels riding giant fish? Adorable. 

 Fountain a bit further away. 

 Reindeer? Crazy animals. 

"Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going." -Paul Theroux

I chose the quote above because I find it comforting.  The fact that there is a little less than three weeks left in my adventurous year makes it impossible not to wonder where I'll go next.  All the options and uncertainties get overwhelming.  The future is an open question.  This quote reminds me that I don't need to know exactly where my next step will lead, as long as I never stop exploring. 

xxx 

Something Blue

Blue is bold. Love...

One of my all time favorite fashion icons: Miroslava Duma in Stella McCartney

 Valentino Fall 2013

Valentino Fall 2013

This and everything else in Elie Saab 2012 Couture

This image from Fat-Fat Club Mash-Up Food Photography by Aude Debout

Images via Vogue.com, Streetpeeper.com

German Expeditions: Zoo!

 Penguins on a mission!

 Totally reminds me of the British voice over animal video on YouTube. Google it!

 Adorable Easter decorations.

 Stunning colors.

 Covered in glitter? Diva. 

Least favorite part: Owl feedings!

If Alice in Wonderland was set during Easter this is what it would look like.

Hanging out. 

Sweet Sorrow

Traveling creates a constant sense of upheaval.  My world is transitory- nothing is permanent.  As much as I love travel, there exists a slightly sinking feeling in knowing that everything has a time limit.  Now as I near the end of my time in Spain I can't help experience 1) Inevitable excitement to return home mixed with mild homesickness 2) Sadness knowing that all the people and places I have come to know will be left behind, uncertain of when or if I will ever see them again.

As I debate traveling more in the future, I am caught between the allure of new experiences and the fact that once again I must put the rest of my life on pause.  I have met amazing individuals, seen beautiful things, created my own world within the wonderful places I've lived in & visited this year. This makes goodbyes even more difficult. I am on borrowed time in all these situations, never fully putting down roots because of the risk of having to leave some part of me behind.

In a way it is lonely.  Never having your friends and family around to share in the new experiences.  Never being able to build relationships without feeling like a countdown until goodbye.

Let me be clear however, I regret nothing about this year.  My time abroad has completely changed me for the better.  As the saying goes "It is better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all." I have so many new found loves because of this year, even if the forever impending goodbyes make them distinctly bittersweet.