Thursday, August 9, 2012
Where I've Been
Paris - Final Days
After Belgium I had 3 more days in Paris.
I have always loved Paris. When I was a teenager, I remember the France pavilion at Epcot Center being my favorite country. I went to Paris when I was 17 and I thought the city was magical. I spent most of time walking around drinking Orangina and a Nutella crepe. This trip was no different.
I spent my days wondering the city. I walked the left bank, wandered from the Arc de Triumph to Concorde. And of course I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The city was just as I remembered it, magical, enchanting. The energy of the city is consuming.
I have always loved Paris. When I was a teenager, I remember the France pavilion at Epcot Center being my favorite country. I went to Paris when I was 17 and I thought the city was magical. I spent most of time walking around drinking Orangina and a Nutella crepe. This trip was no different.
I spent my days wondering the city. I walked the left bank, wandered from the Arc de Triumph to Concorde. And of course I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The city was just as I remembered it, magical, enchanting. The energy of the city is consuming.
I met someone in Paris, gaining myself my own Midnight in Paris tour guide, Tan. The midnight part coming from the fact that he works at a restaurant and was only available at night to hang out or in the morning. We wondered the city in the middle of the night, went to night clubs in the city. It was fun to see the city through the eyes of someone who lived there, but loved it as much as I do.
My last night I went out with Tan's friend, Badrovich and got to see Montmartre at night. We went to a Hookah bar and to a dance club. I don't remember the last time I had so much fun.
And so my trip ended. I flew to Zurich on Sunday and then flew home on Sunday. The trip was amazing. I'm so glad I took the opportunity to go.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Belgium
Bruges is a small town in northern Belgium. It was a beautiful town with canals running through it. It use to play a major part in wool imports to Belgium.
As part of the day tour, I went on a canal boat trip. It is a really cool way to see the city. It was interesting how different the buildings were compared to other parts of Europe.
Despite the bus trip being very long, it was a good day.
Paris - Monmartre
I spent a couple of days in Milan between La Spezia and Paris, but I mostly slept, so there isn't much to share. It was hot there, over 90, with high humidity, so even the shopping wasn't much fun with that weather. It was nice to get to Paris, where it was a bit cooler.
My first day in Paris I wandered the area I was staying in, Montmartre. I rented an apartment through airbnb.com. It was a great location. It was close to things, but still on a very quiet street. I was a little worried about the area being safe, but it was fine.
I loved the village of Montmarte. It's known for the Moulin Rouge and being the bohemian district and I felt right at home there. There were great artists and shops everywhere. I went to a museum that is in the house a lot of the bohemian artists from the 1920s lived in, which was cool.
I think I could stay in Montmartre forever. :)
My first day in Paris I wandered the area I was staying in, Montmartre. I rented an apartment through airbnb.com. It was a great location. It was close to things, but still on a very quiet street. I was a little worried about the area being safe, but it was fine.
I loved the village of Montmarte. It's known for the Moulin Rouge and being the bohemian district and I felt right at home there. There were great artists and shops everywhere. I went to a museum that is in the house a lot of the bohemian artists from the 1920s lived in, which was cool.
La Spezia
Ok, I am home now, so I realize I am horrible at blogging, but I'll catch people up on my trip and show some more pictures.
In La Spezia (which is a coastal town in Italy), I decided to stay with a family using airbnb.com. The host was a singer/song writer from Ireland and his wife, a pottery store owner (and artist) from Spain. They also have an adorable 2 year old, Sophia.
La Spezia wasn't quite what I expected. It was a fairly large town that used the coast for primarily commercial use. But the water was beautiful and there were some cool buildings.
My second day there I went to the Cinque Terre national park, which is really the appeal of La Spezia. There are five cities along the coast, built into the rocky shore line. I went by train and rode with Eva, the wife. It was fun to be able to chat with her on the way and hear about her life.
The cities of Cinque Terre are beautiful. They are small and touristy, but it was fun to see them. Most people travel to Cinque Terre to hike between the towns, but it was incredibly hot, so I opted for the ferry.
My last night in La Spezia, Andrew and Eva invited me to have dinner with them. It was fun to sit down with them and talk about their travels. Andrew has spent a lot of time in San Francisco playing music and Eva has traveled all over Asia. They were such an interesting couple. It was very cool to meet them.
In La Spezia (which is a coastal town in Italy), I decided to stay with a family using airbnb.com. The host was a singer/song writer from Ireland and his wife, a pottery store owner (and artist) from Spain. They also have an adorable 2 year old, Sophia.
La Spezia wasn't quite what I expected. It was a fairly large town that used the coast for primarily commercial use. But the water was beautiful and there were some cool buildings.
My second day there I went to the Cinque Terre national park, which is really the appeal of La Spezia. There are five cities along the coast, built into the rocky shore line. I went by train and rode with Eva, the wife. It was fun to be able to chat with her on the way and hear about her life.
My last night in La Spezia, Andrew and Eva invited me to have dinner with them. It was fun to sit down with them and talk about their travels. Andrew has spent a lot of time in San Francisco playing music and Eva has traveled all over Asia. They were such an interesting couple. It was very cool to meet them.
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