Back in the USA

Back in the USA. Boring but otherwise uneventful flight from Düsseldorf. Anticipating jet-lag; otherwise I'm thrilled to be home with the kitties, sleeping in my own bed. Artemis (Lap Cat Number One) gave me the stink-eye for a few hours, but she's forgiven my absence. If only she knew what's coming up...

Already working on final China preparations, getting ready for three weeks in Beijing. I'm teaching a class on urban culture, learning to "read" Beijing as an exemplar of the current state of the modern project. Lenses include panopticism, the flâneur gaze, postmodernity, and liquid modernity. Can't quite believe this summer, but so far it's been amazing.

Europe 2012: Day 20 (Paris to Cologne - on the way home)

Today we took the train from Paris to Cologne, where we spent the evening wandering the Altstadt and joining crowds who'd gathered at pubs and restaurants throughout the city to watch soccer. Tomorrow we'll hit the rails one last time for Düsseldorf to catch our flight home.

Europe 2012: Day 19 (Paris)

Our last full day in Paris, which meant a morning rummaging around at the Porte de Clignancourt flea market, an afternoon visit to Cité de l'architecture - du patrimoine for their "Circuler" exhibition, and a lovely dinner at the Montmartre apartment of friends I met in Weimar [Thank you, Laurent and Matilde]. We caught the last metro back to our hotel and crashed.

Europe 2012: Day 18 (Paris and Chartres)

Andy circles the Chartres Labyrinth

Excellent day in Paris! How excellent? Morning and early afternoon in Chartres. Afternoon and evening in Montmartre. And only when we got back to our hotel did we remember that today is our 24th Anniversary!

Europe 2012: Day 17 (Paris)

Greetings from Paris! We arrived via night train from Munich and almost immediately found ourselves in pouring rain. Too early to check in to our hotel, we sojourned at a cafe and then took the metro to the Bon Marche where we toured an exhibit dedicated to Le Corbusier - yeah, in a department store.

Within an hour, sun rays began to filter through the glass roof tiles. Now the weather is perfect, with blue skies and white, puffy clouds. We got our room and are rested. Late afternoon and evening: searching for street art - followed by dinner on the Left Bank.

Jenny finds some of her beloved macarons.

Europe 2012: Day 16 (Salzburg to Paris)

Students are on their ways to next destinations all over Europe. Jenny and I are staying behind for the afternoon, taking the night train to Paris.

Europe 2012: Day 15 (Salzburg)

Salzburg adventures are complete! Final student presentations, wrap-up activities, a few hours to stroll town (now that the sun finally came out) and a full-dress concert and candlelight dinner in the Schloss. Afterward: lots of wine, singing, and leisurely conversation.