(Spain, Fall 2011)

(Spain, Fall 2011)

This was my first encounter with white asparagus. I picked up this tin in a convenience store, thinking, "how could anybody ever eat this?" 

White asparagus is a delicacy, it turns out. Or at least, my host mother saves it until company comes over. Being the nice guest, I tried a piece. Disclaimer, I've never loved normal asparagus, but this was exceptionally horrid.

Imagine the soggiest piece of asparagus possible, devoid of any of the possibly redeeming things asparagus can be cooked in--no butter, no lemon, no spices. 

Spain isn't renowned worldwide for its food.

(Paris, 10/23/11)

(Cinque Terre, 08/28/11)

Via Dell'Amore, the Love Walk. The inside of the walk is graffitied with amorous messages, some more serious than others.

(Interlaken, 08/16/11)

The water in Lake Brienz and Lake Thun was a particularly interesting shade of green/blue--not from contamination, but from the minerals it picked up on the way down the surrounding mountains.

Fresh enough to drink.

(Roma, 08/26/11)

Swiss Guards used to be all over Europe, but nowadays they just protect the Vatican. The uniform is similar to the one worn when they were created, over 500 years ago.

I took a picture of this guy because he's cheating--I'm pretty sure hipsters didn't exist back then. Or maybe they were underground so I probably wouldn't have heard of them.

(Cinque Terre, 08/28/11)