It’s been a while since the last time I traveled, and today I was overcome with a sudden longing to go somewhere far, alone. To wander aimlessly and be surprised at whatever things awaiting on the corner at every turn. To spend long hours on the train and airplane, and the solitude that comes with it. To have my camera at the ready for moments I’m about to witness on the street, and to furiously capture flashing events and hope at least one of the photos turn out good. To come home with memory cards full of photos, sore legs from too much walking, a bank account with a considerable less amount of money, and the mixed feelings of happiness, bliss, and gratitude.

Since traveling is not feasible at the moment, I dug my traveling folders and found these pictures, taken in different places, from a distance.

Nonnberg Abbey, Salzburg

If you’ve seen The Sound of Music, you must be familiar with Nonnberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery where the character Maria comes from. It stood on a slightly higher ground than its surrounding, with the Alps in the background, as you can see in the photo. Unlike other parts in Salzburg that could be a bit crowded with tourists, this was where I had some peace and quiet, away from the usual scenes of Salzburg: tunes performed by buskers that seemed to be everywhere, residents trying to sell souvenirs, tourists with maps, and the general buzzing atmosphere. Those weren’t bad by any means, and I really enjoyed those things about Salzburg, but it was nice to spend a moment in silent with this gorgeous view before my very eyes. I went there on my last day in Salzburg, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better way to say goodbye to this stunning city.

Big Ben, taken from Trafalgar Square, London

I remember this picture was hastily taken when I was leaving the National Gallery. It was a dreary overcast day. As I made my way to the underground station, I saw Big Ben in a distance, and double-decker buses on a street lined with Victorian buildings. The sky was grey, and in that moment, I thought, London couldn’t be more picturesque than this (it could, of course, as I would later find out. But this picture is one of the most iconic shots of London I have, and still my favorite!).

Waverley station, Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities, and every corner seems to have something worth capturing. I took this photo in one frosty morning, and looking at it reminds me of that time in January when I went to Edinburgh for the very first time, after I was done with the exams. My favorite part about this picture is the faint outline of Edinburgh Castle in the background.

Little Venice, London

I came across this place accidentally, on my way home after submitting my visa application for spring break. I took a few snaps with my phone before walking back to Paddington station, and later found out that it was Little Venice. That afternoon full of rush and worry, and this pleasant surprise made my day.

The Munich Residenz, Munich

If a dementor was approaching me and I had to produce a patronus, I would remember spring break 2104, when I went to Germany to visit my friend. It was the happiest time of my life, when everything was just right. On my last day there, I took a trip to Munich, and the first place I visited was the Munich Residenz, the former residence of the Bavarian monarchs. My favorite part was this remarkable Renaissance Antiquarium, where I stood in awe for quite a long time before realizing that I must have looked a bit foolish, standing on the way with my eyes bulging and mouth slightly open. But I couldn’t help it. It was so glorious and majestic.

If you miss the previous parts of this series, catch up here:

• Vol. 1
• Vol. 2: Couplets and Solitaires
• Vol. 3: London
• Vol. 4: Bright Colors
• Vol. 5: People
• Vol. 6: Words That Caught Your Eye