Europe March 2017

Just a few weeks ago, I got to go abroad for an incredible visit to Europe. I got to see my sister, who is studying abroad in Spain, visit my host family from last year, and hang out with my aunt and mom. SYA France celebrated it's fiftieth anniversary, and I got to be a part of it. I met so many incredible people in those few days, and it made me really excited to see what my classmates do as they get older. I forgot my camera at home so I was only able to snap photos on my phone. Here are a few of them, hope you enjoy.

We arrived in Madrid a bit early, so we went out to find  some lunch. This 'mercado' is like a farmers market set up, but inside, with mini gourmet restaurants for each stall. 

I'm going to brag... I found a super super cool hotel in Madrid, on Gran Via, for a reasonable price. The fact that it matches my aesthetic perfectly (and included snacks) only helps.

The roof top terrace and restaurant and pool at 'Dear Hotel' was so stunning that my mom and I decided to stick around for dinner... And breakfast...

For our one morning in Madrid, we decided to go see El Palacio Real, partially because it was one of the only places open. How's this for a (thanksgiving?) dinner table?!?

The castle was full of stunning pieces, from a variety of monarchs. 

After the speed visit to Madrid, we went to Zaragoza to see my sister Carmen. Her host dad was awesome and played tour guide - he took us to a castle called the Aljaferia. 

It was originally for the Moorish kings ( see above) so the center of the castle has heavy Arabic/Islamic influences. However, as time went on different kings just kept adding on. Here, a fairly typical European (Christian) monarch's style can be seen in the ceiling decoration. 

Another big attraction in Zaragoza is El Pilar, a cathedral built around a pillar that Mary apparently told one of the apostles to build. 

After visiting Zaragoza, we took the train to Barcelona. From there I flew to Geneva to visit my cousin. 

She took me to an incredible open air, Thursday evening, cheese market, where we ate excellent cheese with excellent bread in the square. 

Friday night, there was a reception at the City Hall for SYA alums (celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the program) and their host families, as well as old teachers and just about anyone involved in the school. Here is my mother with her host parents, so many years after she stayed with them. Hopefully, I'll have a similar picture one day as well.

Saturday night, there was a reception and program at the Opera house in Rennes. My mother, aunt, their host parents and my host parents were all there with me and a few hundred other SYA people.

Sunday was my mother's host father's birthday celebration. My mother, aunt, and I got to celebrate with the Fady family - the parents, children and grandchildren.

Monday night, I got to eat dinner in one of my favorite tiny restaurants in Paris, Pirouette. 

My mom had an absolutely terrible time getting into Paris, so we ordered off the menu for her. She arrived just as they were just serving the appetizers.  

SYA organized a tour of the Maison de Verre, a very cool house tucked away in a courtyard off of the street. 

Tuesday night, The American Embassy in Paris hosted a reception for SYA in the Ambassador's official residence. 

Absolutely stunning. The huge back yard in the middle of Paris, complete with a Calder mobile. The inside of the house was beautiful as well.

A Most Unfortunate Hike

Driving home with Carmen, I mentioned that it might be cool to see some old trees - specifically a virgin forest. We asked Dad about where we could find them in Virginia and he suggested we go hike in Ramsey's Draft. Apparently, there is a stand of virgin forest hemlocks at the end of a six mile hike. 

Dad was super excited and offered to take us there himself, probably because it was the first time in a while that me and my sisters showed any interest in the outdoorsy type of stuff he loves. We agreed to do the hike - longer that we had originally bargained for - and made plans to go that Sunday.

We all woke up at 6 (Susana got roped in depite having no interest or desire whatsoever to participate) and drove two hours to the head of the trail. Dad offered us the choice between an out-and-back or a more scenic, slightly longer (16 mile) loop. We chose the loop. 

The light rain should have been a sign but we kept going, even through the stinging nettles we enoutered growing over the path a few miles in. Our legs turned red with whatever toxins the leaves contain and at least one foot out eight slipped in at each creek crossing. 

Six and a half miles in, the only hemlocks to be seen were the dead ones laying across our path. Very few (we saw maybe three) were still standing after some disease killed them all. Not an issue, because scenic views awaited. 

We'd been going for about six hours already when we spotted another group coming towards us. They told us that the trail faded out at that we had probably missed the same turn that they had. The trails weren't very well maintained so it seemed possible - until we had gone over the same stretch about five times, looking for the turn that wasn't there. 

We consulted the map - what had looked like a trail was actually just the dotted line delineating the park boundary, but conveniently placed so as to look like a continuation (all the way back to the truck) of our original path. So a mile sixteen, we realized we were going bush whacking. 

We started at the top of the ridge, worked our way down the ravine (over moss and fallen leaf covered loose rocks) in the rain, trying to find the creek that led back to the trail, urged on by dad that "we really don't want to have to spend the night out here." 

Panic wasn't too far off - I began cataloging the contents of my back pack. One protein bar, one trail mix bar, a bag of mini nutterbutters, some assorted candies, a bottle of juice, two water bottles, knife, lighter, wallet, rain jacket... Surviving would be possible, but pretty uncomfortable. Discusses later revealed that all four of us had worked out basically the same internal dialogue. 

"Move fast but don't get hurt because it's a bitch to get you out of here if you do!" Great.

Finally, we found the couple from before (they had the same idea) then the creek, then the trail shortly afterwards. Two miles on the trail back to the car seemed doable, especially after doubting that we would even get to see the truck before going to sleep that night. That certainly doesn't mean the two miles were easy - my knee was swollen, we were all bleeding from scrapes (and one impaling, sus) and every muscle ached. 

Ten hours after leaving the truck, it finally came back into view. We ran. More like fast hobbled. The two hour car ride back was bliss - no pressure on blistered feet, just sitting and doing nothing. The showers at home were even better. The review of that day's events as I tried to settle into bed (difficult with the stiffness - I felt like an old lady) contained the full spectrum of emotions - excitement, fatigue, dispair, fear, hope, persistence etc... Not knowing if you'll survive danger -even a relatively small one - can inspire quite a bit. Most of all, it made me feel alive. 

At the end of it all, despite all the complaining, the four of us got one killer story for family Fourth of July dinner the next day. And I might have a topic for my college essays... Something about persistence, angry little sisters, the power of positive thinking and smiles, and walking through clouds in the rain. 

last night home

(All three Vosmik girls...an old photo by Delaney Adams)

Currently I'm curled up on top of my bed, and as I assumed this position I realized it would be the last time for a long time. I won't get to spend the night in my perfectly comfy bed in my room in my house in my city on my continent for another nine months. Instead, I'll be spending my nights halfway across the globe...

(Little Al's photography from my going away party)

Tomorrow morning I say goodbye to my home of sixteen years and begin the greatest adventure of my life. I'm hugely excited for what the future holds but this post is definitely a bit bittersweet to write. 

(Snack at Lift Coffeeshop today with C)

So much will change in the next nine months and I know that when I do return to RVA it will become very apparent, which scares me a little.

(C photographing graffiti meets mural...something I'll miss about my town)

Living abroad for a school year will change my perspective on so many things and I can't wait to see where I end up come next June. 

(Trying on vintage clothes like a pro)

However, today C and I headed off on our last adventure (playing hookie, shh) and Sus went to her practice and I ate lunch with my friends at school and I realized that I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss my life here a little bit. 

(Record browsing at Steady Sounds)

However these are all minor facts in the overal picture. I've finally packed my suitcase and bought host family gifts. The whole thing has begun to feel real and I couldn't be more excited to embark on this next step in my life. I truly cannot wait. 

Lu + C + Lettrick // a spontaneous day

Occasionally I think about how boring my life seems, but invariably a day comes along that reminds me that's not exactly the case. Of course I wouldn't be writing that if I hadn't recently had such a day, so without further ado I have a picture timeline to share from yesterday (side note: I'm getting better at the pictures thing!) 

I slept through my alarm, which is far from the norm, but even so C and I had time to grab coffee + a donut at Sugar Shack on our way to Pilates. I got an iced spiced mocha which was excellent, and as an added bonus C's  "coffee hipster" is barely visible in the background. 

Pilates was great as usual (it always makes me feel stretchy and just plain good) and afterwards we headed home to shower + meet up with C's friend the Lettrick (how she appeared in my contacts when I synced with C). We then headed out to lunch, with a quick stop at Ellwood Thompson's for some tasty and healthy juice + kombucha. 

We picked up lunch at Goatacado in Carytown Bike Co. and it was great as usual. I got the Mountain Tropp and shared with C - Lettrick got the Athena. 

We made an impromptu stop in Plan 9 Records, an awesome store that's been around since my dad lived in the Fan and visited it for music and AC during the summer. Some flannels hanging outside caught our eye, so we stopped into Luxor on our way back to the car. The vintage store is packed with all sorts of fun finds, and C bought a new favorite shirt. 

The Lettrick hadn't been to Addison street, one of my favorite places to frequent with C, so of course we took her to visit. C invited her via "formal invitation" aka text to come along on a sisters day...so we had to keep it authentic! The three shops were excellent as usual, and we all got a little something that brightened our days. After we stopped at Lamplighters Roasting Co. for some iced coffee and headed off. 

This is C's "situational sadness" face... She's working on my mom to get a puppy, and has done surprisingly well in the convincing department. I agreed to go to the pound to look at puppies, and we ended up at City Hall thanks to her subpar research skills. Apparently she legitimately thought they'd have puppies in a corner office of something. I got the proper adress, only to find out apon arrival that it was closed. Hence the sadness, but we'll likely be returning soon.

On our way back towards home we took an extremely circuitous route, and saw some new cute places.

We also stopped into a psychic store at C and the Lettricks request and had lots of fun picking out rocks for our friends...apparently they have mystical properties , but I liked the colors. I decided to use the as going away gifts for my closest friends in order to save money for better things in France. 

All in all the day was crazy, adventurous and super fun. C and I have a good time together, and hanging out with her friends isn't bad at all...because we're close in age there is actually considerable social overlap. After all the adventures I dropped off the rocks and visited with my friend Mol. She's finally back from her summer adventures, so of course we had some catching up to do. I realized I only had 17 days left in RVA (16 now!) which was a major bittersweet moment...and definitely inspired me to make the most of the rest of my summer. I'll keep you posted!

Sugar Shack Donuts ... www.sugarshackdonuts.com

Re:Form Pilates ... reformrichmond.com

Ellwood Thompson's ... ellwoodthompsons.com

Goatacado ... www.goatocado.com

Carytown Bike Co. ... carytownbikes.com

Plan 9 Records ... www.plan9music.com

Luxor ... www.facebook.com/pages/Luxor-Vintage-Clothing/161380838847

Yesterday's Heroes ... https://www.facebook.com/YesterdaysHeroesVintage

Addison Vintage and Handmade ... www.addisonhandmadevintage.com

NANIN ... shopnanin.com

Lamplighter ... lamplightercoffee.com

Animal Control and Adoption ... www.richmondgov.com/AnimalControl/index.aspx

Aquarian Bookstore ... aquarianbookshop.com