Let's go to Kotor, shall we?

I knew nothing about Montenegro. Frankly, wasn't all that stoked on it; probably wouldn't have gone had it not been right smackdab in my freaking way from Albania to Bosnia. But I was set on sticking to the Mediterranean coast during my Balkan Backpacking Odyssey, (because, duh, that's pretty much the lazy planner's ticket to sweet stuff) and boy oh boy, did I stumble upon a gem.

Turns out the reason I hadn't heard much about Montenegro is probably because it hasn't been around all that long. Seriously, I was finishing my junior year of high school when it separated from Serbia in 2006. Coastal, historical Venetian influence (Montenegro= monte negro='black mountain' in archaic Italian), a hot spot for Slavic tourists. Needless to say, I stayed a few days, in a few places. Enjoy these babies taken in Kotor--a stunning stone city on the fjord-like Bay of Kotor.

   

I like this. I think I'll call it 'Self.'

There are those who have come before me.

Freaking cool art installations.
(Hanging laundry is sort of a theme in Kotor. I saw this at the end of my day. Many of my photographs felt instantly contrived. Meh, whatevs.)

Stylish smoke break outside a salon

 

I seek out scenic sandwich spots almost as deliberately as I seek out good sandwiches.

Sorry Dubrovnik, you may be hot shit right now, but Kotor holds a mighty candle. Plus the mountains?! Waayyy more badass. (naaner-naaner-naaner)

The Thursday-After Thanks

Okay, okay, I know I'm a week late for the offish Thanksgiving post.

(Ahh, yesh, another one of thoooose.)

(1) Jake, Kylie, & Ronnie  (They're my college BFFs. Time spent with each of them in recent months helps me to see big parts of who I am.)
(2) Low-key get-togethers of people I've loved for so long
(3) The. BEST. Parents. Period. (So chiilll--the chillest)
(4) Families of friends
(5) A sis who humors me 'n keeps me company--and on my toes
(6) Not being pressured to grow up, get married, and make grandchildren (see #3)
(7) A ceasefire (for the moment) in Gaza
(8) Freedom
(9) Having time to reflect
(10) Family health
(11) Beautiful, soulful places (and seeing them and spending time there)
(12) Options & Opportunities
(13) Brave times
(14) Art
(15) Reading (not always literature but always learning)
(16) Mac file sharing (for sweet tunes!)
(17) Kindred spirits
(18) Stellar films and yummy food--shared
(19) Time to catch up with old friends, drop lines of thanks or 'you'd like this,' and make calls to say, "Hi, I'm thinking of you. Love ya."
(20) Fireplace fires & cups of tea (vanilla or huckleberry)
(21) My hilarious, kismet-ed Fulbright family :)
(22) Aaaaand, podcasts (!)

Happy Holiday Season!

Once I Went to Sarajevo, Where I Fell in Love with Windows

I never blogged much about Bosnia.

Or a lot of other places. So, here goes.

Summing up a Stellar Western Roadtrip

Ahh, freedom.

The freedom to be with my buds

--old, new, and ancient kindred-spirit-type ones--

in beautiful places.

I don't know how it can get better than this, folks.

Drive Baby Drive...

Some photographic memories of just that...
All over south eastern Utah.

Ascending up to Escalante

R and Darla da truck on Hells Backbone Bridge.

Box Death Wilderness behind me.

 

Lots of places few have ventured (except in the pages of The Monkey Wrench Gang).

The Descent, Burr Trail Road.

San Juan County/Canyon Country

Sunset outside Mexican Hat.