Leila est en route

August 2014 - I was in a crazy mood and participated in a coach ticket contest where you had a chance to win coach tickets for a "virgin" line (a line that would start for the very first time) to Milan, Italy. I had already forgot about it when an email popped up on my mobile phone stating I had won two tickets. A friend - I will call her C. here - was upbeat and ecstatic when I told her the good news. We packed our bags, booked our hostel (the Piero Rotta Youth Hostel), made plans what to see. The coach drove over the eminent Gotthard Pass, we had beautiful views over valleys, mountains, hills and mountains again. Here and there, you would discover a lake or an old Swiss farmhouse. We took a break at a petrol station in Lugano - where we actually finally felt we were hungry and sleepy. We arrived in precious Milano in the late evening, but that didn't bother us at all. While we gathered up our luggage, had a quick look on a city map, we decided it's not too fa...

As part of my first stay abroad, I also visited Hereford, a tiny, but very charming city in the West Midlands. Located near the Welsh border, it's more of a rural area. You'll find lots of forests, green spaces and small cafés in the town centre.  One of the best sights is the cathedral of Hereford, very old and historic. It hosts the Mappa Mundi, a medieval world map from the 13th century.  Once dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Ethelbert The King, it has an impressive crypt and memorable library. It's also lucky to possess one of the Magna Carta which is sometimes shown next to the Mappa Mundi . When you've finished your leisurely, thoughtful and attentive walk surrounding the Cathedral, you'll soon reach a harmonious, tranquil park that may be a perfect venue for a picnic amongst friends or family. If you're missing a bit of a big city spirit, you may like the centre with the shopping streets and the Old House or the Black and White ...