A big part of travel is, of course, to see The Sights, those big-ticket items that draw the crowds -- and many times deservedly so. Our travels included some of these but I usually liked The Oddities more. Why? Partly because I have that streak, but partly because they make me look at daily life more creatively. You can't bring home the Brandenburg Gate, but it's easy to return with an idea for a new dessert or a new way to play or a new sensitivity to something you'd never really considered. And so far, Customs has not found a way to tax those.
Parks can be about nature, about play, about lounging. Some people love to climb. And apparently some people also like to paint. These boulders support both. Why not? And a low-budget bike and skate park made of rolling hills that looks like a contour map? Seems like there could be a lot more of these that don't involve looking for sponsors and spending months in the construction.
The first picture is of a girl on a zipline. It's a horrible picture, but now that you know what it is, we can proceed. Ziplines are dangerous. As a kid, I nearly split my head open when a zipline wheel jammed and launched me through the air. They're dangerous. And they're fun. What would happen if this girl got hurt? Nothing except medical care. This is the price of responsibility. Use it, don't use it, it's a choice you can make.
The second picture? Well, those people are out there! This sign says somebody sees them and is setting boundaries. I saw quite a bot of that in Berlin, and Germany generally. Clearly set the damn boundary!
MORE TO COME...
