Bonnie Saporetti 3/25/19 Bonnie Saporetti 3/25/19

Finding Warmth in Edinburgh

Going from a place that is just dipping its toe into the heat of summer, to one in the thick of winter is not something I’d recommend. Especially when that place happens to be in the United Kingdom, not exactly famous for its sun.

I arrived in Edinburgh right in the middle of January after spending 3ish weeks in sunny South Australia. Going from a place that is just dipping its toe into the heat of summer, to one in the thick of winter is not something I’d recommend. Especially when that place happens to be in the United Kingdom, not exactly famous for its sun.

Yes, it was quite an adjustment. If I could do it again, I’d do the entire trip in reverse so that I’d end up in Australia (and probably not leave…). But the stark contrast of climates just forced me to look for warmth in places other than the temperature.

One of my nights was spent gazing into a gigantic bonfire full of old christmas trees. Watching the dancing orange sparks and listening to the intense crackle made by the dry branches was definitely a relief from the brisk walk along the canal that we took to get there.

You just need to find a cozy corner and start sipping on a gin and tonic. The longing for a summer breeze eventually becomes duller and you can enjoy where you are.

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Adelaide Botanical Gardens

Images from a day in the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

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Walk through Adelaide

My favorite way to get to know a place is by walking through it.

On one walk through an Adelaide neighborhood, I came across all of these animals.

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Beaching in Adelaide

This was my first venture outside of the Northern Hemisphere. Going from sunsets at 4:30 in 30 degree weather to summertime was a very welcomed change.

This was my first venture outside of the Northern Hemisphere. I went from Christmas day to Summer in a matter of a quick 26 hours of travel. Not only was there culture shock upon landing in Australia (hello, they drive on the wrong side of the road here? Who knew?) but there was temperature shock as well.

I was incredibly lucky to spend New Year’s Eve on the beach. And it was SO pleasant. Last year, I was in Upstate New York where you couldn’t be outside for more than 5 minutes before your hands went numb no matter how many layers you had on. This was a very welcomed change. It truly felt like the Fourth of July to me. Hoards of people were heading to the grocery store to get barbecue supplies. There were fireworks. I was at the beach. It couldn’t possibly be January?

The sunsets are something I miss the most right now. While at home in the eastern U.S. the sun was setting around 4:30, but here it didn’t get dark until 9. To be able to experience summer sunsets in the middle of January is a truly bizarre and wonderful and warm and confusing sensation.

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Adelaide Central Market

I miss Adelaide Central Market so, so much. This was like my north star during my time in Adelaide. With it being a small city, this was a pretty central location and very easy to get to from almost anywhere. It was my happy place.

My first full day in Australia started here. It was bustling and crowded and full of foreign things as well as the familiar. It reminded me of Reading Terminal Market in Philly, only like, much cooler? And smaller. And less sit-down restaurants and more fruit stands. Ugh, the FRUIT. It was so colorful and lively and reminded me that yes, it is in fact Summer even though you literally just celebrated Christmas in 30 degree (Fahrenheit) weather. Also the people selling fruit are yelling in Australian accents. It was bizarrely comforting. I don’t know, I can’t explain it!

My absolute favorite place was a combo of Plantation Juice and Big Table. Yes, I’m biased because my friend knows the manager of Big Table (Hi Missy!), but that doesn’t mean it’s not fucking delicious. Their sandwiches are incredible. Also, side note: America, can we start using more halloumi in our dishes? I really feel like this is a missed opportunity. We love cheese.

It’s a big operation for the tiny space it occupies at the back of the market. The staff seemed to have no trouble navigating behind the counter, catering to the many people lined up to get their espresso or salad or breakfast. Oh, disclaimer: there is no table at all, so don’t look for an actual big table. I mean you can have a seat at the counter, or sit at a medium-sized table nearby, but just don’t take the name literally is all I’m saying.

I had an unspoken routine where I’d walk through the market, look at all the delicious fruit, and get a coffee and food at Big Table. Then I’d walk five steps behind me and grab a juice. It was glorious. It was summer. There was fresh juice using local fruit. It was $7. Which was actually $5 American. TAKE ME BACK.

It’s also worth mentioning that there is a churro restaurant right behind the market. A fancy chocolatier that also specializes in churros. It was a dream come true. There was also the time when I grabbed a sandwich to-go (sorry, takeaway), and brought it to the beach. I took a quick bus ride, got to the beach, and ate my sandwich right there on the sand. It was glorious. Did I mention the design for the market is on point? Take a look for yourself. Then book yourself a flight to Adelaide. Then go straight to the market.

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Welcome

Whenever I come back from a trip, I end up drowning in photographs. I’ll post about 5 photos from each trip on Instagram like, 10 months apart with little to no context. I’ve decided to use this corner of the internet as a space to display and organize my photographs from these trips so that they’re not locked inside of my computer figuratively collecting dust.

I travel a lot. I take a lot of pictures. These are not unique sentiments. Everyone takes pictures when they travel. It’s a thing. It’s what cameras were invented for, right?

Something inside of me is increasingly restless, itching to get away from where I am and onto a new place. I know that it comes from a place of deep privilege that I am able to do this at all. The millennial trope of living with my parents has allowed me to pack up and go without leaving much behind. I may not be able to buy a home, but at least I’m seeing the world??

I am also eternally grateful for the summer job that allowed me to meet people from all over the world (shout out to Appel Farm Arts Camp). This has paid off not monetarily (well kind-of), but has led me to faraway places that I would normally not arrive to on my own. Most of my trips revolve around visiting friends where they live, and that just happens to be spread out across the planet in very cool spots.

My most recent trip began with a text months ago asking “what’re you doing for new year’s?”. It led to an invitation to photograph an engagement party in Australia that Winter (aka Summer). I jumped at the chance, because when else am I going to get an invite to Australia?

Naturally, while looking for flights I decided to see how much it would cost to get to other places from Australia. I have a friend in Edinburgh (yes, from that same summer job) and she has been telling me to come visit. Flights were fairly cheap, so I thought OK LET’S GO THERE THEN. While we’re at it, why not see how much it is to get to Rome, where my friend from high school is living? Twenty dollars? That’s a joke. But it is also very serious and now I’m going to Rome. My friend from Edinburgh happens to love Rome, so looks like we’re going splitsies on an AirBnb.

Anyway, whenever I come back from an epic journey like this, I end up drowning in photographs (and credit card debt) that I have no idea what to do with. I end up posting about 5 photos from each trip on Instagram like, 10 months apart with little to no context. I’ve decided to use this corner of the internet as a space to display and organize my photographs from these trips so that they’re not locked inside of my computer figuratively collecting dust. I don’t foresee many people looking here, or reading my ramblings, but it will give me some peace of mind. Here is my little digital scrapbook from my many travels. Enjoy! Or don’t. But let me know if you do because that would definitely give my life some purpose. So thanks in advance for that!