A new year to recap. 2011 was a busy one, especially in the travelling department. I spent a third of the year on the road and went to many places I dreamed of going for a long time. Travelling is life, and this year I felt I lived life to the fullest.
Another long January week-end in Paris that’s getting to be a tradition.
A quiet week off in Perthshire with my surrogate Scottish family.
A weekend of Edinburgh adriftness, ken wha’ I mean.
48 hours of adriftness in Amsterdam’s cuteness.
A return to Rotterdam, the irritation from the Dutch illogicalities only made better with the many great films seen.
The joy of finally setting foot in Sweden with a week in Göteborg discovering Swedish animation.
48 hours of adriftness in classy Stockholm.
A return to Berlin, with enough time to absorb the coolness of Prenzlauerberg. The discovery of more great films.
A return to Austin for SXSW, a cool line-up of flicks and a lot of fun.
A long week-end in New York with the spring that gave me a new outlook on the city.
A 4th time in Cannes in a lovely studio, more films discoveries and a packed karaoke party.
A 15th edition of Fantasia that lasted a very long 25 days, each of them packed with fun and awesome people coming to town. In my opinion the best edition of the fest yet and the most rewarding for me. Onwards and upwards!
A 4th TIFF, but the quietest for me.
A 3rd trip to Busan, BBQ, Haeundae Beach, late-night aquarium bars soju drinking.
The amazing joy of finally setting foot in Japan. 5 days of adriftness in Kyoto’s stunning beauty, the breathtaking mountains and funny snow monkeys of Yudanaka, more adriftness in Tokyo’s bustling streets and surprisingly quiet parks, late nights in Shinjuku with friends. A life-changing 2 weeks.
An unplanned trip to Buenos Aires with its welcomed warmth, steaks and Malbec.
A week in LA I had been looking forward to for years. Feeling at home in Los Feliz, hanging with friends, plotting for the future.
And finally recharging with the sun, the beach and rare family time in Costa Rica.
In-between all of this, a bit of work (admittedly not enough) and quality time with my favorite friends in Montreal.
I will surely not have a lucky year like this again and I happily took it in!
