When you ask a successful blogger, or someone who is well traveled, what the best thing about what they do is, they'll almost always tell you this: people they've met on the way. Well, I'm not a successful blogger, nor someone who is paid to travel (I wish!!), but I am an international student. You'll see the connection in a sec. I have had this wonderful opportunity to live and study in three European countries, to attend lectures by amazing teachers, try different lifestyles and foods (let's not forget foodies, right?). But twenty years along the road, do you think I will remember what subjects I had in school? I don't think so. I will remember, though, people I met and stories they shared about their distant or not so distant homes.

Weekend Reads #16

Hey there! If you live in the Northern hemisphere, were you able to see the solar eclipse earlier today? I was! I actually only saw it projected on a paper/wall, as instructed by my sister, a future astronomer. But at the same time my News feed was flooded with complaints from people still living in Groningen, The Netherlands - apparently it was quite cloudy there. Yeah, it happens if you live in Holland... yay for Germany!

So how was your week and do you have any plans for the weekend? I hope you enjoy it. Here are some links for when you need a break.

Weekend Reads #15

I've been away with the Weekend Reads for quite some time now, and trust me, even though I had pretty good damn excuses every time (think packing everything you own and trying to fit it into a limited number of suitcases and being like HOW DID EVERYTHING FIT LAST TIME?? oh yeah... I kinda bought too many sweaters in the meantime; think traveling, think not having internet connection for a while...) - I would feel bad about that every single Friday. Well, I'm all settled now, and even though I still have to pay a visit to Ikea (I don't have a single pot or a pan!), the life has taken much calmer pace again and I'm ready to work, work, work. And have some fun here and there ;) One thing I learned about myself in the past year is that I'm actually a lover of a routine - I'd never thought so of myself before - so I'm enjoying it fully now.

Here are some reads for your weekend.

Back!

When you change countries and travel and fall in love with places so much and so deeply that you start considering them homes, being "back" does not have a straightforward meaning. So, here's a clarification: I'm back in Berlin!!!

Rome Day 2 - Photo Diary

Oh, it feels great to go through my photos from Rome. It's been quite a while now and my Italian trip has certainly become a great memory. But I still haven't shared everything I wanted with you guys, and Rome is among those things too! Who would've thought, I know, right, I was being so loud last year with all that 'Rome is the most beautiful city ever' praise. Well it is! And today I'm sharing the rest of my days there. On my second full day I went to Vatican (don't do that on Sundays, learn from my mistakes) and because the estimate wait for entering the Saint Peter's Cathedral was three hours, I skipped it. (It was really hot and there is no shade on the square where the line is formed, so I figured I better use three hours in Rome in another way). I wandered around, had a coffee, wrote postcards, most of which never reached their destination though... have no idea why. And admired the beauty. Yep, that's pretty much everything I did. Also, I included photos of the lovely Campo de' Fiori farmer's market that I visited the day before. It was screaming 'Italy' from every corner and I had wished I had been going home so I can buy bunch of pasta and spices for my family. Well, some other time! Because if anything's for sure, it is that I will be back in Rome. Rome, the love of my life.

P.S. This is the 100th post on the Wandering Polka Dot! Woohoo, right!

The Venetian Lagoon: Torcello & Murano

If you're considering visiting Venice (and by all means you should, because it's such a picturesque and interesting and beautiful town with lots of stuff to do!), then don't miss out on some other gems of the Venetian Lagoon. I mentioned the Burano island earlier on the blog, as the cutest place in Europe there is, but there are two other islands you could pay a visit to.

Snippets of Serbia: Interviewing Emma Fick

I don't even remember how & when I stumbled upon Emma Fick's drawings. (Must've been Facebook, everything happens on Facebook.) And I was impressed! It was a drawing of someone or something from Serbia, with a witty explanation from the point of view of a foreigner. Soon I found out that she is an American expat in Serbia who turns her days and experiences into a charming series of drawings - Snippets. Emma is an English teacher and a gifted artist. So far you could've seen her Snippets of Serbia all over the internet, but soon she's hosting an exhibition in Belgrade, and in few months she will publish a hard copy! As a curious being, I had to approach Emma and ask her a question or two, and she was so kind to answer (OK, it was more than two). Enjoy this lovely lady's work and don't forget to come to the exhibition if you're around Belgrade this coming Wednesday!

Weekend Reads #14

Hello guys! What is the weather like where you are? Nope, it's not the weather chit chat, but I'm just curious. We had few amazing spring days here in the north of the Netherlands, and then so much rain! (I'm not a rain lover.) But that's normal I guess, it's incredible how much the weather is changing here. In another news, I'm moving TO GERMANY in a week, and I'm beyond excited! Continuing to write about Berlin on the blog soon! EXPERIENCING BERLIN! I just can't explain how much I love that city! 

Here are this week's online specialties.

What Solo Travel Taught Me

Few years ago it would have never even crossed my mind to travel alone.

Luckily, times have changed. I have changed?

And let's be honest, traveling solo has become a thing in the world of travel blogs (and of course outside of it). More and more people have taken the plunge and done it. When we were told last year that we were supposed to attend a conference in Italy, I got the idea of traveling the country because I'd never been to Italy before. But I really wanted to see all the major cities, spend some weeks on the road, so I couldn't really expect anyone to want to follow me for two reasons: it's a lot of time and it's a lot of money. So I would do it alone.

Weekend Reads #13

Hey guys,

As you might have noticed, I missed last two weeks' Weekend Reads, and it was because I was too busy with my friend who visited from Serbia, and then an overwhelming workload at the uni. I wish I could say I'm still recovering, but I just keep pushing, because it DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE AN END! OK I know it does, my semester ends in two weeks, but it's just too much of everything and I feel I need a six-months' worth vacation without any articles. Not gonna happen - the next six months are dedicated to my MSc thesis... please keep your fingers crossed for me not losing my sanity. It also means that I don't believe I will have time for this li'l blog of mine in the next two weeks, but we'll see. In the meantime, here are some places around the web I want to share with you.