(Ice on the side of a mountain)

(View of the city)

(Lovely Tennessee landscape)

When I first stepped off the plane in Copenhagen on a cold day in December, I began a two year period of wandering through cities with eyes wide open. I took countless pictures, marveling at architecture and landscape. I was constantly aware of my opportunity to see things I had never seen before.

It’s easy to feel that way when we are tourists and visitors to unknown beautiful places.

When I traveled stateside for the first time after I had moved to Sweden, I gawked. The towns I was familiar with were somehow different. Brighter, bigger, more interesting.

The town really hadn’t changed.
I had.

Suddenly, I payed attention to the uniqueness of where I was. There is no town like that town. There is no drive like that drive. It had it’s own little beauties and quirks and details.

I love going places with S’s sister, A. She is always aware of where she is. She is constantly taking pictures of things that catch her eye. It doesn’t matter if she’s on a road trip, visiting somewhere she’s never been, or running errands in the city she’s always lived in.
She appreciates where she is – wherever she is.

We need more of this.

When was the last time you took notice of your city? Do you still find it beautiful? What things have you neglected to do because they’re ‘touristy’, or you just haven’t gotten around to it?

Take the time. Take notice. It’s worth it.