We hopped on a bus to a town called Whittier. There wasn't much left to do in Anchorage, so we thought we would leave the city and see a bit of nature. There are so many animals around if you pay attention. Hundreds of birds hide in the waterfalls. Sea lions congregate and sleep on rocks. Rafts of sea otters hunt for clams (THEY HOLD HANDS). But at first you don't really notice any of it.

- Anchorage

Hello, sparkling pink whale journal. Pleased to make your acquaintance. I've just dropped off a good friend at the airport and am heading back into Munich. I wasn't intending to write anything on the way back, but if I look engaged or focused on something, maybe the fellow sitting across from me would stop staring and stroking my leg with his. This is the most ridiculous first entry in the world, but let it be known that I wrote it as a form of self-defense against a guy who wouldn't stop stroking my leg.

- Munich