“The heat was total… it had weight, shape, color, and taste. It pressed with the force of iron against the eyes.” James Agee Still shit.
Departures – Warsaw
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” Hermann Hesse A good night’s sleep. Off to Bułkę przez Bibułkę for breakfast. We arrive just after opening and it is already filling up. A bagel for Shell and I have the omelet. Our last day in Europe, maybe for…
Warsaw Sunshine
“In the morning I got up and it was sunny and I was immensely glad to see the sunshine…” Jack Kerouac An early start. Coffee and to the airport. Airport breakfast. Through security and on the plane in no time. Modlin Airport. In the middle of nowhere, and efficient. We find our place and head…
The Last Days of Budapest
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” Walt Whitman I didn’t want to get out of bed. I could sleep for another five hours, but Shell wants to go for a run, and the day heats up quickly. She is right, the run makes us both feel better. Another 5…
European Summers
“In the middle of summer the fields are golden, the forests thick, and the air heavy with the scent of hay and wildflowers.” Leo Tolstoy We are up early to avoid the heat. Today’s forecast high is 32 °C. Under a blue sky, we run a quick 5 km—the Danube on our left, the parliament…
Back to Budapest
“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy at home.” Anton Chekhov A reasonable drive ahead of us today. We head out for a run and get in some breakfast and a few coffees. On the road at 8.30 am. It is a six hour drive to Budapest. About half an hour…
Schlafen
“How about if I sleep a little bit longer and forget all this nonsense” Franz Kafka I sleep and sleep. I slept through the night. When dawn broke through the curtains, I went back to sleep. When Shell held me, I went back to sleep. Dreamless, deep sleep. I can’t remember sleeping like this. “Sleep…
Running Man
“Running in the wind, in the pollen and dust, a flower in flight” Vladimir Nabokov I slept poorly. Our air conditioning system kept turning off, making it a particularly hot night. It’s a cool, overcast morning, and all I want to do is run. An odd feeling for someone who does not enjoy running. Or…
Demographics
“I am incapable of conceiving infinity, and yet I do not accept finity. I want this adventure that is the context of my life to go on without end.” Simone de Beauvoir I wake up with a slight hangover. It is early, and Shell wants to go for a run before it gets too hot….