September 2024 Maine photo dump

Some images from my latest trip up to the gorgeous state of Maine!

Cherry blossoms at Chanticleer Garden

A lovely Easter Sunday in Pennsylvania

Another beautiful weekend in Maine

A few perfect fall days

Photos from my quick trip to Glasgow for the 2023 BASEES meetings

The last weeks have been crazed as I made a mid-semester dash to Glasgow to present a paper at the 2023 meetings of the British Association of Slavonic and East European Studies. I had some time to walk around Glasgow and visit Calton Books, the “best wee radical book store in the world.”

My short but wonderful Bulgaria trip

I’ve just returned from a quick dash to Sofia to do some research in the National Library, celebrate my ex-mother-in-law’s 85th birthday, and write a little about how the country still celebrates 8 March as International Women’s Day. It was a very busy and over scheduled trip, with visits to three history museums, but I am always happy to be back in Bulgaria, even if only for such a short while.

The beautiful coast of Maine

Today was a beautiful day on the Maine coast and I was very sorry to be leaving the state.

Fall scenes from around Philly

The leaves they are changing as we slide into November. Time for hot cups of tea and good books.

It feels so weird to be back...

I’m on campus again and teaching in person without masks. Although I know that there are students still getting sick with the virus, it seems as if everyone has forgotten about the pandemic. My classes have started and I am now chair of my department, which comes with more responsibility than I counted on. But at least Philadelphia is really beautiful this time of the year.

Chanticleer Garden in Late August

I love the lotuses and the lush greenery of the end of summer.

Kayaking on the Merriconeag Sound in Harpswell, Maine

A perfect Sunday morning diversion. Glorious weather.

Chillin' in Athens so I can get to Italy

Since I have a lecture at the European University Institute on December 8th, I needed to first come to Greece because the Italians won’t let me in from Serbia. So I am taking in some sights outside and trying to avoid the crowds. Thankfully, late November is the low season in Athens, and most of the famous sites are relatively empty. And the weather is glorious.

More views of beautiful Belgrade

I am just loving the energy of this city. The weather has been phenomenal. I am the consummate flâneur these days, just walking the vibrant streets of Serbia’s capital city, meeting colleagues, and chasing typewriters.

Sunset over the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers

And more sights from Belgrade

Scenes from Serbia

I wandered around the old city of Belgrade yesterday, soaking in the late October sunshine and reveling in my return to the Balkans. It feels so good to see Cyrillic again.

Sunset in Belgrade

I was quite sad to leave Germany, but happy to be back in the Balkans.

Scenes from Bologna, Italy

Having lots of fun with my camera! Bologna is one of the most beautiful places on earth IMHO.

Friends, Michael Ignatieff, and the Festival of Philosophy in Modena

I spent a lovely weekend in Modena for the Festival of Philosophy, an amazing public event where people actually crowd the streets to listen to intellectuals discussion their ideas. This year’s theme was freedom.

Scenes from Modena, Italy

In town for the 2021 Festival of Philosophy and enjoying the stunning beauty of Modena’s city center.

Scenes from Bulgaria

Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Sofia University

Ice Cream Stand in the park in front of the National Theater

Red Army Monument

The Roman Wall from above

Graffiti Priests on Shishman

White cheese and red wine

Chanticleer is open for the 2021 Season

This place saved my life during the pandemic. I am so happy to be back on the garden grounds again. I went early this morning with my camera.