Clara in Germany!

Despite my limited time in the largest city of the eastern Canadian  province  of Quebec, I can say, with assurance, that Montreal is very cool.  Abundant in the bold and the colorful, Montreal is a city in which even the supermarkets are visually stunning. Behold this  brick of various nut milks which in my world, doubles as a Pop Art installation. If you are feeling peckish, head to the famed St-Viateur Bagel Shop, which has been serving loyal locals slightly sweet, freshly baked bagels for over 25 years.   To avoid clumsily juggling your delicious purchase on the street, you can head next door to a white-walled coffee shop known as The Standard Mile End, and take a seat.   Montreal is great for just walking around and looking at people. A prime location for soaking in the artistic side of the city is the charming Rue Duluth.  Daily life becomes brighter, sweeter, and better when guided forward b...

DC is a vibrant city full of culture and, if you know where to look, a really good time. Here's where to eat, drink, and look at art.  Coffee: Tryst in the Adams Morgan neighborhood  If a bar, a coffee-shop, and an art collective had a baby, it would be Tryst. Situated in the cute and colorful Adams Morgan neighborhood, this coffee shop exhibits works by local artists by day, and dissolves into a relaxed bar at night. This place is perfect for getting work done or packing away your laptop and enjoying an evening drink with friends.   Art: The National Gallery of Art along the National Mall The National Gallery in DC is a major tourist attraction for a reason. In this two-building art complex,  one can casually visit some of the most impressive and beautiful collections of art in the country, and in the world. Although it is not part of the Smithsonian Institution, entrance is free for all.  Breakfast/Brunch: Jimmy T's in the C...

Walking dogs on the docks The Walters Art Museum is the artistic vision of collector and philanthropist Henry Walters. Look out for his cabinet of curiosities, which is decked out with stuffed alligators, jewels, shells, and bones. For another surprising assortment of delightful junk, head to Antique Man in Fell’s Point, where you will be greeted by a 6-foot-long mummified sea monster, and a Marilyn Monroe sex doll who seems to be having a fabulous time. 

On the way to MoMa... Chinatown Mystery Walking through Chinatown 

Gleaming as well as gritty, Philadelphia is more than just Rocky and fun sandwiches. There is something for everyone: American history, cobblestone streets, alternative digs, grand architecture, and a warm small-town feel. Visit Reformxx Vintage on South Street. It's the place to go if you are looking for intriguing t-shirts or a good opportunity to surround yourself with fashionable Philly residents. If you are in the mood for a  vast outdoor maze of mosaic, head to Philadelphia's Magic Garden, which is a non-profit organization and gallery space on South Street. The mosaic is not just limited to the gardens, however. This sprawling artistic expression surrounds all of South Street, imbuing the area with vibrancy and whimsy. Dirty Franks is a warmly lit watering-hole named after old Blue-Eyes himself. This well-priced and cozy bar is flush with happy, openly drunk people and pet dogs.

"Baltimore; I actually kind of like it"  You can find this sentiment stamped across t-shirts at Atomic Books,  a relaxed bookstore/bar on Falls Rd, tucked away in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore.  In the Baltimore neighborhood of Hampden, one thing becomes clear: life is moving at a different kind of pace. Welcome to Hampden Junque on W 36th St. Don’t confuse the owner for John Waters, although the resemblance is smile-inducing. Hampden streets are lined with refreshingly local businesses that feel less like shops and more like gateways into the inviting world of some kooky Baltimoreons. End the day gazing at the neon red Domino Sugar Factory sign which has been glowing above the harbor since the 50's. 

Walking home along the National Mall.  Inside the Smithsonian Botanical Gardens The Capitol Building Descending into the metro

Scotland is not “chill”. Even during the super touristy and internationally focused Fringe Festival, Edinburgh managed to shine through in short and concentrated bursts.  A guy donning a traffic cone as a hat. Old friends simultaneously smashing their beer pitchers on the ground in joyful exclamation. A somehow soaked man screaming words of racial acceptance into the afternoon air. “I don’t fackin care if yer black or yer white, YOU ARE WELCOME BY ME.” Dogs are encouraged almost anywhere, and locals will actively chase you down to correct the slightly false directions they gave you five minutes earlier. There’s a warmth to Scotland that emanates from the cobble-stone streets and extends to the crooked smiles of its people. I went to a pub in Leith, and thought that everyone there was lifelong friends. Turns out they had just met. Calm, collected dog at Leith's coolest record/book store, Elvis and Shakespeare A Saturday afternoon in Leith During my day t...

Many stereotypes of German culture stem from the southern city of Munich.  This Bavarian town is home to lederhosen, Oktoberfest, and baked pretzels as big as your beer stein. Much of Munich looks like it was built from gingerbread, and many of its people do in fact wear lederhosen in broad daylight. The new normal. The serene and beautiful Gärtnerplatz   The city is one of the wealthiest in Germany, with a major religious influence that is both reflected in the abundant Catholic imagery and manner of greeting your fellow man. In Munich, “hallo” is replaced with “Gruss Gott”, which translates roughly to “love to god.” The last thing you would expect from Munich is a dark, graffiti-splattered underbelly. And yet, out of desperation and necessity, it exists. Situated in a random residential area is the Waanda Open Air Festival, which lasts a day and costs a mere 15 euros.   Beauty of Waanda The hippies, artists, and bri...