Take it Easy

2.
Wish
February 2019
Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

Arriving in Europe for the first time, everything was so new and fresh. I noticed the architecture and loved all the cute pastel coloured apartments with the red roofs. It was the tail end of Winter and the trees were still bare. The absence of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers made way for unobstructed views of the clear blue sky (and night sky). Maybe that was the reason why it was so common to see these white lines. They reminded me of shooting stars (which I did see a few of!) and I’d always tend to pull out my camera when I saw them — I just think they’re quite beautiful.

3.
Journeying Through
March 2019
En route to Stuttgart, Germany

Being so far from home, I am incredibly thankful to have had a friend come and visit me in my small German town. 

Alice was also on exchange at the same time, but in the UK. She stayed with me for 2 nights, and we spent the weekend exploring Stuttgart. I showed her around Gmünd, introduced her to some of my newly found friends, and prepared meals which we shared together at the little dining table in the kitchen — we even attempted to cook pearls for our milk tea, and shared my small single bed (sleeping with our heads at the foot of the bed to avoid a big spider that was on the wall).

Our first and only dinner in Stuttgart was accidentally at a Michelin Guide restaurant and was wonderful (of course). That experience catalysed the subsequent fine dining experiences I would have on my travels.

I am ever so glad that I was able to have a close friend actually see and experience a chapter of my life abroad — but I’m most grateful for our similar and shared experiences that allowed us to talk through the unique challenges and emotions that come with going on exchange. 

It was a short few days, but incredibly memorable (just like Alice). Forever thankful for Alice and her friendship. Thank you for visiting and travelling with me, and for always being there.

4.
Waldeinsamkeit
March 2019
Stuttgart, Germany

Waldeinsamkeit is German for woodland solitude, or the feeling of solitude in the woods. 

I first discovered this word 4 years ago and it’s stuck ever since — and I definitely found myself some woodland solitude while wandering through nature on my lonesome.

6.
Marktplatz
March 2019
Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

Where it all happens — the town centre of Schwäbisch Gmünd.

From carnivals to winter markets and an ice-skating rink; horse day, a sand playground and Spring alfresco dining, Marktplatz is always bustling with life and activity. I do miss listening to the melody that plays whenever the clock strikes a full hour, and being in a quaint, small town.

Although, when night falls and the street lights flicker on, silence fills the air and the town centre looks like a film set. It did take some time getting used to how quiet it is at night, with hardly any cars or people around, but it was safe and I slowly felt more comfortable walking through the town after dark. 

7.
Market Flowers
March 2019
Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

I remember describing this particular day as “the most perfect day” — it consisted of grocery shopping at the farmers’ market with friends, followed by lunch at a café, and a peaceful stroll home along the river.

Incidentally, I had an acoustic cover of Supermarket Flowers on repeat at some point during those 5 months.

8.
Into the Unknown
April 2019
Aarhus, Denmark

10.
Calmer Waters
April 2019
Aarhus, Denmark

11.
La Vie En Rose
April 2019
Aarhus, Denmark

Your Rainbow Panorama is a site-specific art installation by Olafur Eliasson, a 360-degree walkway glazed with rainbow-coloured glass that sits atop the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum rooftop. Walking through it was a somewhat otherworldly and wonderful experience — I spent hours on the rooftop and in the walkway, admiring it from all angles, as well as Aarhus city from above. Walking through this particular section of the rainbow was as if I was looking through rose coloured glasses.

ARoS is hands down my favourite museum in the world — not only did it have the magnificent rainbow walkway, it also housed beautiful, relevant and thought-provoking art which were all curated perfectly in the exhibitions, as well as a lovely design store and great staff. I really only had 2 and a half days in Aarhus, and I spent all of it in the museum — but even then, I didn’t get to see all the exhibitions I wanted to and really wished I had more time! 

13.
Winter in Spring
April 2019
Copenhagen, Denmark

The Winter Garden was my favourite part of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek art museum. I really do have a soft spot for glasshouse gardens — they’re just so effortlessly beautiful. 

While I was wandering the halls and rooms in the museum, and lingering in places to take photos, a staff member noticed me and we started having a conversation. Kim told me how the glass dome in the Winter garden used to be coated with gold, but was later removed as it made the garden too hot, although I imagine it would have been beautiful with golden light pouring in. He also revealed that he had been working in the museum for a long time (I forget exactly how long) and that he used to be a school teacher. Kim was so kind and personable, it was so lovely getting to speak to and learn from him. 

Travelling solo has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. On my last night in Copenhagen, I stumbled upon a Michelin Star restaurant which I then decided to have dinner at. I was seated next to a couple from Austria, and over the course of dinner and exchanging glances and overhearing jokes with the waiters, we began talking and continued until it was almost midnight. We talked about where I was from, where they were from, where they lived in the mountains, their 3 daughters and so on — we even showed each other pictures of our families (and their dogs). Truly a night I will not forget, meeting such genuine people and having heartfelt conversations over a very delicious dinner.

14.
Cloud Nine 
April 2019
Copenhagen, Denmark

I’ve never been to Disney land, but Tivoli was my happiest place on Earth.

15.
København
April 2019
Copenhagen, Denmark

16.
Waking Dream
April 2019
Copenhagen, Denmark

18.
First Blooms
May 2019
Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

19.
Quintessence
May 2019
Paris, France

I like to plan out rough itineraries whenever I travel. I have extensive lists of places to visit and things to eat, and so I try to pack my days to make sure I see as much as possible — but I never fail to overestimate how much I can cover, because I am the type to linger and really take my time. Although I was able to spend a week in most places I travelled to, it always felt like time was cut short. When I was in Paris, this frustration and disappointment in myself began to engulf me a few days into my trip.

In hindsight, my first full day in Paris was one that I enjoyed the most. I always like to just settle in and relax on the first day, so I didn’t have much planned except a café to visit for lunch. Afterwards, I decided to walk around the vicinity, and I turned the corner to find a lovely little coffee shop and store. This is when I ordered a coffee and chocolate brownie, sat down at a bar stool and looked up and out the window. In that moment, I thought to myself that this was quintessentially Paris. 

Isn’t it ironic that I need to remind myself to take it easy when I already travel at such a slow pace?

21.
Romance for One
May 2019
Paris, France

22.
City of Love
May 2019
Paris, France

On my fifth day in Paris, I finally went to see the Eiffel tower in person. As I was walking towards Champ de Mars, I got so excited seeing just the tip of the Tower. I’ve always wanted to visit France, Paris in particular — I even wanted to go to France for exchange when I started my degree at the University of Sydney and took up French. Although I have heard about others’ bad experiences in Paris, my trip was truly magical and a dream come true — even though I was in the city of love on my lonesome. My Airbnb room even had a little balcony looking out onto the street, and I just thought that was such a luxury. That week, I truly felt like a Parisian living in Paris. 

To be honest, although I obviously wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre etc., I was dreading doing all the touristy things, which was why I kind of did them towards the end. I think apart from having to squeeze through crowds, the feeling of doing the touristy things for the sake of it didn’t sit quite well with me. What I realised is, for me, travelling wasn’t about the landmarks (although I still want to see them), but immersing myself in a foreign place and feeling at home. I spent my first day in Paris just wandering quite aimlessly around a neighbourhood and that was perfect. 

P.s. also helped a lost boy find his family at the Louvre. Oh boy. 

25.
Sunday Morning
May 2019
Paris, France

26.
Passing Through
June 2019
London, UK

27.
Passing Clouds
June 2019
London, UK

28.
Gloomy Bloom 
June 2019
London, UK

London sure does live up to its reputation! I had woken up to pouring rain and found out that this particular day was forecasted to have record rainfall — there were even warnings of floods. I was staying with friends who lived in a large converted warehouse (that had an indoor swing!) and was just thinking about staying home that day to avoid getting stuck with no way back. I eventually decided against lazing around and headed out to Paddington. 

I didn’t have anywhere in particular to go to, I just knew I wanted to find a row of cute pastel-coloured houses. I stumbled upon a cute little café and design bookstore which was absolute heaven! There were so many books I wanted but couldn’t buy because I was worried about luggage weight coming back home, but I ordered a coffee and cinnamon bun and enjoyed them by the window.

Leaving the café, I made a left turn and discovered the cutest little laneway of houses. The one at the end was carpeted with greenery and flowers — truly a sight
to behold.

30.
Through the Clouds
June 2019
Berlin, Germany

I had just finished hours of walking and shopping in the Mauerpark flea market and went up the hill to take a closer look at the graffiti wall. As I was about to leave, I caught a glimpse of the crescent moon shrouded by dark clouds. I wanted to get a photo, so I stood and waited until the clouds passed and the moon peaked out again (which made me a sitting duck and gave this random stranger a chance to come up and talk to me hmm). Still, I’m glad I lingered. 

By this point, you might be wondering why this is the fifth photo of the moon you’ve seen, and why I’ve titled this collection and exhibition ‘Take it Easy’.

While I was in Europe, every time I had an amazing day or came home from a trip, I’d always look up and see a bright and stunning moon — beautiful in all its phases. It just became this sort of thing for me – it reminded me of how grateful I am to have the life that I do, and have the means and ability to have all these new experiences. I shared this with a friend one time, who shared it with another, and when we were saying goodbye, she said to me, “always remember to look up at the moon,” and I felt my chest tighten and eyes start to well up. 

One of my biggest takeaways was learning how to take it easy. Incidentally, before I went on exchange, one of my closest friends gifted me a necklace with a pendant that was Japanese for “take it easy”. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but while I was in Paris, it all kind of fell into place and made sense — it’s become a phrase very befitting for that season of my life.