Travels of a Free Spirit

Europe 2012

Europe 2012 by Amanda Weedmark Photographer, Designer, Writer, and Author

"A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."

Mar

And so it begins...

2012

6-months ago, life forced me in a direction I didn’t plan on going. My heart had been shattered, my hopes and dreams, dashed. I was lost.

one can never prepare for a moment like this. But, one does have choice: to scream and resist what you can’t control, or let go and see where it takes you; To be open to the adventure, the lessons to be learned, and the new opportunities that await.

- Gael Attal

So, I will make the most of this moment while it is still present and travel Europe like I always dreamed. It’s where I hope to find a little inspiration and insight, get a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and to discover a new life purpose.

Mar

26 2012

Pushing the limits When 2012 came around, I decided that this would be the year that I would explore, make bad decisions, take risks, try new things, and get out of my comfort zone - along with getting out of my own way. Having been in relationships for the past 10 years, it was easy to hide behind someone or find an excuse NoT to do things. This hindered the knowing of my own limits, my own desires, even my own fears. So now it’s time to get out from behind the shadows, push those limits, and figure myself out.

Apr

2012

Life to the fullest over the years I have experienced many lifechanging moments which made me re-evaluate myself and my direction, again and again. From health scares to heartbreaking loss, the message being reiterated to me is live life to the fullest, at every moment, no matter what. Capturing dreams big or small, embracing what is, and letting go of what isn’t or never was. And even though I may not be perfect at following this motto 100% of the time, I will always strive to live a full life whether it’s eating a new food, making a new friend, taking a trip to somewhere new, and embracing the many more moments - good or bad - that lie ahead.

Apr

Curiousity coin toss

2012

Being curious can open the door to an unlimited amount of knowledge, success, and happiness. on the flip side, it can also bring about great disappointment, embarrassment, and failure. Hence why some don’t even choose to exercise the thought. It’s a coin toss!

The big question is whether or not you let that fear of the unknown prevent you from even tossing that coin.

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” - ralph Waldo Emerson

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

pArIS May

May

2012

10 11 12 13 14

Men in suits on bikes; Women in skirts on scooters; The craziest transit system I have ever seen; Paris sure knows how to get around!

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It poured rain as I made my way to the Eiffel Tower. Hopping from awning to awning, I came across a cafĂŠ where I decided to warm up with a warm tea. Once finished, I made my way to the top of the Eiffel Tower to take in the misty city.

Everything in Paris has such character. I can almost hear the stories each brick and cobblestone has to tell about the people who once lived here and wandered the very streets Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m walking today.

I find great joy in finding the unique and unexplored.

I shed a small tear when I got to bask in the glory of the Mona Lisa - along with many other famous works of art that I remembered learning about in art school and only seeing in books. To be here, finally, was a dream come true.

In Montmartre, the pace is restful as the church bells filled the quiet streets. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but imagine the great, many artists that may have wandered these streets. I, surprisingly, felt at home here.

This was, by far, my favourite museum. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quaint, humble, and focused on one of my favourite artists; Dali. He reminds me that rules were made to be broken, that imperfections need to be embraced, and comfort zones should be breached.

“Have no fear of perfection you’ll never reach it.” - Salvador Dali