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Monday, 09 June 2008
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I'm bringing Xanga back - drop a comment if you're with me!
Friday, 30 March 2007
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Destination: Spain (Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona)
Hola! We are back from our 1-week trip to Espana.
Feedback:
Madrid and Toledo - second time there, and I still loved it. There's just something about sitting at cafes and visiting museums and cathedrals (ok, maybe it's called "no work" - hehe). We stayed in a hotel that was central to everything in Puerta del Sol (tho at first exposure, the area was quite shady..). Every site was within a short walk away - El Prado art museum, the Palaccio Real, Plaza Mayor, one-day journey to Toledo, which is about an hour bus ride from Madrid. The big cathedral in Toledo was amazing.
Barcelona - first time to this city, and loved it. So much to do and see, but this city was not as walkable as Madrid. Muchas gracias to my traveling companions for being troopers. :) hahaha. I wanted to see everything! Barcelona is a beautiful city. Beautiful architecture, abundance of outdoor restaurants and cafes, peaceful harbor, people hustling and bustling everywhere. Most notable sites: the Sagrada Familia (the church designed by Gaudi that has taken hundreds of years to build... and still incomplete! the church is amazing, and stands out from afar.), the Picasso museum (you see the progression from his early works from his teenage years to his modernistic style.. it's crazy how he changed...), the Park Guel (GORGEOUS park where you see more of Gaudi's designs), other Gaudi designed houses, Montjuic Park, Barcelona harbor, etc.
In LA there is Rodeo Drive, in San Fran there is Lombardt Street, in Barcelona there is La Rambla Street. Walking up and down the street is a site in itself. What made my La Rambla experience even more memorable was getting pooped on by a pigeon!! It was seriously like a cartoon where my sis was standing right next to me, and we both WATCHED the pigeon poop land on my arm and it made that SPLAT sound.
Ultimate Barcelona highlight -- restaurant called Cal Pep. Ok, for dinner, we waited about an hour and 15 minutes, and it was WORTH IT. Oh my goodness.. even my bro-in-law agrees, and he gets cranky when he has to wait for food... it was so good, we went back for lunch the next day.. lol.. ok, we're pigs. get the tuna tar tar!!! that is a MUST.
Other thoughts:
Tapas - the Spanish version of dim sum - small meals throughout the day. Normal dinner time is about 10 p.m. Spanish people party hard and till the wee hours...
Beer or wine is cheaper than soda or water??!!
Smoking - everyone smokes there. This is one of the things I appreciate the most about NY when I go to Europe or Asia.. Meals are just that much more enjoyable when you don't smell smoke while chowing down.
Cool note: our usage of "gaudy" is derived from the architect Gaudi... ooohh...
I hope to return to Barcelona one day - maybe when i'm 80 and walking with a cane - to see the completed Sagrada Familia. If not, that will be my dying wish for my grandchildren - to visit the Sagrada Familia in its completion.
Can we bring the concept of SIESTA to the states???
Tuesday, 07 November 2006
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Will this get you to drink milk??
Thursday, 19 October 2006
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Feedback: The 5.5 hour drive was completely worth it (it was actually quite pleasant). The cool, crisp early autumn weather was refreshing. We mostly did what I do best - EAT! Fresh lobsters, lobster benedict, raw oysters, clam chowder, seafood bisque, fried scallops, crab cakes... the list goes on. Our days were scheduled around meal times and snack times - it was awesome.
And in between meals and snack times, we visited lighthouses, the LL Bean flagship store (open 24 hours a day!), and did a little outlet shopping. Oh.. did I mention they have a Tim Horton's there too? I thought that was only a Canadian thing...
Anyone want to go next year early autumn?? I'm thinking of making this an annual thing. :)
Monday, 09 October 2006
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Russell Peters.. check out his stuff on youtube.. heeeelarious.
here are short clips of my favorites..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp5mr-bxFeI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR3wGlRcUKo (the best part starts near the middle of this clip, so be patient..)
allieb21
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- Name: allie b
- Member Since: 1/13/2004
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