Tag Archives: reflections

other thoughts, on a German train

[Written on September 19th] There is a feeling that comes to me on German trains. Maybe I would get it in other trains too, under the right conditions – but on this trip, and on the one I did in 2013, it was mainly on the German trains that the feeling came to me. MaybeContinue reading “other thoughts, on a German train”

the perks of not flying

I went to Göttingen to visit Esther, a former trainee at SRC who now is doing her PhD there. It is a beautiful little university town, full of lively students and old, beautiful buildings. The view from the top of the Jacobikirsche church tower beautiful, and the Holocaust memorial both serious and hypnotically appealing allContinue reading “the perks of not flying”

thoughts about train-traveling

[Written on September 17th, on trains between Delft and Göttingen] Traveling by train in Europe: All the changes, I have seen many stations, waited on many benches. In some ways, it is stressful. It takes a long time, it is a hassle to carry my bags around, trying to figure out where to go nextContinue reading “thoughts about train-traveling”

French journeying

[Written on September 9th] We left Peyresq early in the morning, everyone tired from the party the night before. Saying goodbye to the tutors and some of the lecturers in the village square, most of the participants at the airport, the last few at Nice train station. Wondering who I would see again, at conferencesContinue reading “French journeying”

the magic of old stones and music

Towards the end of the summer school, my voice gradually returned. I got some bad news about a friend back home, but being so far away there wasn’t anything I could do and I felt helpless – and also, weird, from being in such a social situation but not really having anybody there to talkContinue reading “the magic of old stones and music”

small coincidences in life

When overwhelmed with big ideas and new people, it can be nice to cling to the small things. Like a coincidence: At the summer school, I met a German PhD student who is studying different ways in which the concept ‘multifunctional landscapes’ has been studied. Already that is interesting to a certain degree, since theContinue reading “small coincidences in life”

an alpine train ride

[Written on August 28th] Getting up when the mist still lingers over the Zürich lake, saying goodbye to Maija and taking the tram to the train station. A heaviness in my head, hoping it’s just tiredness – sensing it’s probably not. Changing trains in Geneva, the only things I see of it are some artsyContinue reading “an alpine train ride”

the green domes of Zürich & words of care

Of course I visited the botanic garden in Zürich too. I’ve been trying to figure it out. Where this interest comes from. My obsession with botanic gardens. I’d like to say there’s something profound about it – but maybe it’s just a type of collection. I come from a family of collectors, list-makers and chroniclers.Continue reading “the green domes of Zürich & words of care”

on a winding rail from Stockholm to Zürich

[Written on August 25th] The conference ended and I barely slept before I got on a train the next morning, over-packed and feeling almost like one of those eggs that kids make at Easter, emptied, fragile. But afternoon in Copenhagen was beautiful. I was staying with an old classmate from before the turn of theContinue reading “on a winding rail from Stockholm to Zürich”