Guilty Pleasure

May 19, 2022 | Photos, Stationary Work and Travel, Trips

Going to the zoo is a thing we don’t think about like we used to.

Back in the day, there was nothing more exciting to go and see exotic animals and learn about them and have fun at the playgrounds and either eat overpriced snacks or set the most extravagant picnic tables people have ever seen.

But now, the question about the animals will and well-being and ethical details take our hand while we wander the paths between wire and glass and walls.
Zoos are heritage from the times where travel and internet were either a matter of privilege or yet unthinkable. But nowadays, we could go and see and learn about animals in other ways than at the zoo.
But I am glad that seeing with your own eyes is still irreplaceable. Also, I haven’t seen a zoo that doesn’t actively support wildlife preservation. And nonetheless, some species were only saved because of breeding programs in a sheltered environment.

Be zoos good or bad, that’s for everyone to decide personally. But it did feel like cheating, when I recently visited one and tried out some of the longer-reaching zoom lenses. Out in the wild you would have to spend days for some shots…
I had to think about one of my first picture posts on my blog. How far we’ve come!

 

Playing New Zealand

Apr 28, 2022 | Photos, Stationary Work and Travel

Road trips were the bread and butter of my time abroad. And I wanted to ‘try them at home’, too!
I was so sure it would be easy. A nice little souvenir from overseas and a good way of living.

But it turned out to be something I would miss the most. As back home the clocks tick different.
And it is not as natural to just hit the road and explore.

Fast forward to my 2022, I have found my knack for road trips again and would rather do too much than too little!
Please enjoy some impressions of 9 different places I’ve been to this month 🙂

A little Egyptian Time

Mar 31, 2022 | Photos, Stationary Work and Travel, Trips

Would I have ever thought I would find myself in Egypt this year?

No. Not at all!

The invitation came just a month ago, as my cousin announced her engagement and wanted to have some of her friends around. I happily obliged!

We had some wonderful days in Cairo and learned quite a lot! Some lessons I will try to transport in here.
Also, pictures:

 

 

Lesson 1: A guide is worth their weight in gold

A foreign country has its traps for us gullible tourists. So it is somewhat vital to have someone to advise you, what to go for and what not to buy or listen to.

We were in such luck, having my cousins fiancé and another guide they knew lead us through the thick of the experience and recommended only the best of souvenirs to us. Such were quite edible, many times.

 

 

 

Lesson 2: Egyptian Time

This phrase we learned when it was time to meet and get in touch with the locals.

It only reflects the laid-back attitude of the people, which we Germans always tend to marvel upon. Life is busy, everyone has their own exciting story to live and so, the next big thing sometimes has to wait up for half an hour.

 

 

 

Lesson 3: Traffic

At first sight: Chaos! Honking, driving up close and virtually no rules to follow.

We Germans are used to obey the firm rules of our streets and it gives us much comfort. So this is new, but can be understood.
I learned: These drivers are all connected. Not by anonymous and ever-controlling rules, no, only by communication.

All honks and sometimes shouts are meant to tell the other what is going on and make all the tight maneuvers possible. And by tight I mean but centimeters!

By foot, you need to be a bit daring to cross a street, but you can trust in the drivers: They see you and you make sure you see them, too!

Not one accident we witnessed those days. And even when the traffic got slow, it still moved through the veins of Cairo.

 

 

 

Lesson 4: Sugarcane Juice! (or: Food!)

Ever since I left Southeast Asia, I missed my favourite drink: Freshly pressed sugarcane juice.

And as I learned that my overly glorified drink is also served around the Nile, I rejoiced and took every opportunity to taste this goodness! And as far as expectations go: It held up quite well and I will continue craving it.

Other than that, we dove into the local cuisine and tasted fresh and hot and puffy and sweet and savoury meals and put those moments into some dear categories in our heads.
In that department, a local guide comes in quite handy, too.

 

 

 

Lesson 5: Go up!

It is fun to be in the streets, but the sight of a huge and thriving city is something else from above!

And what felt out of this world was seeing the iconic pyramids from afar. Even from the plane!

 

 

 

Lesson 6: Shukran

Of a language very different to your native one, you can only learn a few expressions in a short trip.

The most important was „Shukran“, which means Thank you. We witnessed a lot of generosity and love and lived in a less touristy area, so expressing gratitude was an important way to communicate.
Combined with the gesture of putting your right hand to the heart, it felt natural and as if I was a part of a society so different from anything I know.

And gratitude is the common thread in our endeavour, from start to finish!