This July, I visited Pamplona, Spain. It was my first time participating in the Running of the Bulls, and my first time witnessing up close the life-and-death struggle between the bull and the matador in the bullring. Six bulls' lives were taken right before my eyes, and the artificially created jubilation made me feel even more alienated from my surroundings.
The first thing I did when I arrived in Madrid was to find out which shows were currently playing in the local theaters. The performance of "Swan Lake" at the Teatro de la Luz Philips Gran Vía caught my eye. Even though I wasn't particularly fond of this ballet, I was glad I decided to experience it in the theater. The highlight of the performance was Anna Scechaleva's brilliant portrayal of both the White and Black Swan.
In Siem Reap, we would ride bicycles or take tuk-tuks to visit the Angkor temples every day. Whenever we passed by Angkor Wat, we would see locals enjoying picnics in groups. Following their example, my friends and I went to the local market. We bought some grilled meat, roasted bananas, fruits, and snacks. Then, we headed to a large grassy area to experience the casual atmosphere.
After concluding my trip to Italy, I took a train back to Munich to meet up with friends. Unfortunately, this train encountered a malfunction even before leaving Italy, forcing it to come to a halt at the small station of Rovereto.
Before coming to Italy, I didn't realize how indulgent I could be. During my week-long stay, my daily meals looked roughly like this:
Breakfast - Dishes prepared by the bed and breakfast.
Lunch - Gelato.
Afternoon Tea - Gelato and Coffee.
Dinner - Gelato.
Today is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. What does this have to do with me, someone without any religious beliefs?
It is about to leave Athens and start a solo trip to Italy. Before leaving, I spent a lot of time observing my surroundings. Here, besides people, cats are the beings I encounter most frequently.
On a rainy afternoon in Macao, I decided to visit the famous Ruins of St. Paul's and enjoy the view. While standing in front of the remaining facade of St. Paul's Church, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of those ancient walls. However, strangely, my thoughts kept wandering back to the vibrant casinos.
Who said that first-time casino players would have beginner's luck? In less than 15 minutes, I had lost all of my chips. Finally facing reality, I realized that I didn't have any good luck, and it's better to stay grounded.
After more than half a month, my journey through Germany is coming to an end. On the train and along the railway, the diverse European travelers have enriched my imagination.