Tonight, is the last night in Barcelona and Spain. However, I am sad, but not not depressed that I am leaving, and the reason is this. I know, and with no doubt, that I will be coming back to Europe in the near future. It's not like I have plans right this minute, but I just know, I will be back here soon!
I really don't think that words can describe how inspired I am at this moment. I think some of this can be explained by the fact that I am excited to be coming home, but honestly, I am truly inspired!
This is the reason why I can not fall asleep! I have finished packing for tomorrow's flight but am far from being tired. Every inch of me is excited and ready for a new adventure. One in which I can apply all the lessons I have learned traveling in Spain.
It is sort of funny that my trip in Spain involved me wearing only my convertible hiking pants and a t-shirt! Normally, I would NEVER do this, but really, I had no other option. And even walking around Barcelona, one of the greatest places in the world for fashion, I was wearing cut-offs and a t-shirt. Yikes! But i had to deal with it. And everything was ok. I also had expectations of what I would buy while shopping in Barcelona. I had quite a long list. But after trying on many different things and many different stores, I decided upon an flattering grey skirt, Benetton tee and tank, simple. However, at the last minute, my dad brought a little Benetton suitcase to mind and we rode the mettro back to the crazy tourist filled Plaza de Catalunya and got it. Great buy! I also got a pair of pants with pleats in the front and a prominent style in Spain right now. Overall, I think I got some really nice things, things that are special.
Anyway, I don't think that this trip was about buying cute clothing or seeing the best sights. I think it was more an internal journey, one to think things over and learn. And really, I got the chance to really study people, their clothing and their character. Now, I can come home and use all those observations and inspiration and just create!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This whole trip, I don't really think that I have realized I am actually in Spain! WOW! It seems like something I have dreamed about and wanted but now that I have been here, I can't believe it! This really isn't a bad thing, because I have taken in every moment, but it just proves that dreams and hopes do come true(that sounds so cheesy, but it's really the truth)!
It has also been amazing to spend this time with my dad, we have grown closer over these last weeks. There have been some really difficult times, but fantastic ones as well. I really want to thank him so much for working so very hard to make this trip happen! I am really quite proud of you dad!!!
I am still not tired! Rats!
Oh, speaking of rats! We walked down Las Ramblas today. It's a big tourist attraction and actually rather boring and hectic. But, we did pass the bird market. A shop full of pet turtles and birds and rabbits. Rabbits. They were so CUTE!!! I mean extraordinarily cute!!!!!!!! I wanted one so much, but that was something that would definitely not happen.
I am getting a bit more tired.
The culture in Europe in amazing. For one, people hang out with each other. And I don't mean having a couple of beers while watching Sarah Palin's Alaska! I mean people sit down at a cafe, have a coffee and just talk to each other. Unlike in America, it's not some rushed thing at Starbucks!
Everything here is smaller. Smaller kitchen, washing machine, coffees, cars, you name it, and it is probably smaller than what we have in the states! And because the houses are smaller, space is used so much more efficiently! If we could be more efficient in the U.S. maybe things would be a wee bit better!!!!!!
Maybe because it is all new, but most everything seems way cooler here! Even the trash cans are more interesting!
One fantastic things about Europe, is the Public transportation! Buses, mettro, train, they have so many ways of getting around. My personal favorite is Bicing. It is basically a bike company that has bikes all around the city, one has a little card and can use a bike whenever, to get to wherever. When you are finished, you just bring back the bike to one of the storage places! Imagine if we had that back home, and with decent bike lanes! It would be totally fantastic!!! We could also save on gas and people would get more exercise!
Being away, has made me appreciate home a lot more! For instance, in Sebastopol, I can just walk down to the market and pick up some fresh, organic produce. However, here, besides the local market(which is totally amazing), there are just supermarcados and tiny, weird little fruit stores. So I am pretty darn lucky to live where I live for this reason. I have also learned to appreciate my own house. I love my house! And it is nice to feel settled and know where everything is.
Ok, I am pretty tired, and it is three in the morning here, I have to get up at seven and I have about ten hours of travel a head of me. I need to get at least a couple hours of sleep!
Thanks to everyone who has been reading my blog! It means a lot! I bid you good night from the amazing country of Espana!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
SHORT, BUT SWEET
This is going to be a short but sweet post.
Well, Spain is amazing and I am savouring every precious moment here! I love the people, the fashion, the food and well, I love just about everything in this country! Later, when I don´t have a time limit, I will go into more detail of my adventures, but here is one tid bit.
Tonight, our last night in santiago, we went to an amazing resteraunt. Where, I literally had the BEST pasta I have ever tasted!!! I don´t think words can describe it!! It was a cudle fish and shrimp pasta, but the actuall pasta was black. One would think that a complicated dish would be the best, but this simple pasta totaally rocks!
A special note to those who have supported me over the last several weeks, you definitely know who you are! THANK YOU!!! Lots of love!! And thinking of you all while I eat churros and chocolate!
I am saying good night from the worlderful city of Santiago!
Well, Spain is amazing and I am savouring every precious moment here! I love the people, the fashion, the food and well, I love just about everything in this country! Later, when I don´t have a time limit, I will go into more detail of my adventures, but here is one tid bit.
Tonight, our last night in santiago, we went to an amazing resteraunt. Where, I literally had the BEST pasta I have ever tasted!!! I don´t think words can describe it!! It was a cudle fish and shrimp pasta, but the actuall pasta was black. One would think that a complicated dish would be the best, but this simple pasta totaally rocks!
A special note to those who have supported me over the last several weeks, you definitely know who you are! THANK YOU!!! Lots of love!! And thinking of you all while I eat churros and chocolate!
I am saying good night from the worlderful city of Santiago!
Monday, June 13, 2011
revision
Hello, I´m blogging from another refugio.
The last couple of days have been interesting. I say this because not only has this journey been hard physically, but mentally as well! And finall, through many discusions and perhaps arguments, we have decided to come back home about a week early.
After that really terrible day of walking through field after field of wheat, we came to the conclusion that being in the sun that much isn´t the best for us our fair skin. And thinking about lking through a desert type landscape was not at all exciting. So we decided to skìp that paart and walk to Santiago from the 100 kilometer mark. Sounds like a plan.
The people walking the camino are really, really interesting!!!! They are super cool, and very fun to talk to! Infact, we met these really cool Irish women on the trail, Heleñ and Irene! They were fabulous!!
Well, I got to go , the meter is finished,
adios!!
The last couple of days have been interesting. I say this because not only has this journey been hard physically, but mentally as well! And finall, through many discusions and perhaps arguments, we have decided to come back home about a week early.
After that really terrible day of walking through field after field of wheat, we came to the conclusion that being in the sun that much isn´t the best for us our fair skin. And thinking about lking through a desert type landscape was not at all exciting. So we decided to skìp that paart and walk to Santiago from the 100 kilometer mark. Sounds like a plan.
The people walking the camino are really, really interesting!!!! They are super cool, and very fun to talk to! Infact, we met these really cool Irish women on the trail, Heleñ and Irene! They were fabulous!!
Well, I got to go , the meter is finished,
adios!!
Friday, June 10, 2011
An Ok Day
Nothing exactly interesting happened today, except I got just a little hit farther to Santiago.
We got a late start, not my fault by the way! Left the Refugio and then walked onward to the town of viana. Luckily, it was cloudy, with little sunshine and actually a wee bit chilly
We stopped for a little while and then kept moving. That's jut how it goes on the Camino.
Finally after a long day of walking, we got to the town and found beds at a pretty big auberge. We then spent about an hour trying to figure out where and aha to eat, finally we decided upon making out own food! Apparently, we inspired this super fabulous Irish women to cook and then we all wound up eating at o e giant table tLking abou random stuff, like how to download iPhone apps.
Today was a good day, and plus I get more Wifi! Yay!!! I love wifi!
Anyway, I am going to go to sleep now!
Xo Taya
We got a late start, not my fault by the way! Left the Refugio and then walked onward to the town of viana. Luckily, it was cloudy, with little sunshine and actually a wee bit chilly
We stopped for a little while and then kept moving. That's jut how it goes on the Camino.
Finally after a long day of walking, we got to the town and found beds at a pretty big auberge. We then spent about an hour trying to figure out where and aha to eat, finally we decided upon making out own food! Apparently, we inspired this super fabulous Irish women to cook and then we all wound up eating at o e giant table tLking abou random stuff, like how to download iPhone apps.
Today was a good day, and plus I get more Wifi! Yay!!! I love wifi!
Anyway, I am going to go to sleep now!
Xo Taya
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wi-Fi gratis
Today, was really dreadful! It first started out when I was about three miles away from the Refugio when I realized that I forgot my scarf on the clothes line. Seeing as this was one of my favorite scarves, this was a rather unfortunate event!
So we kept going, not even entertaining the fact of going back. And as the day went on, it got warmer, and warmer and warmer! When finally we stopped at a little cafe for lunch. They had Internet and so I checked my email. I had gotten a facebook message and it put me in a really annoyed mood!!!!!!
After that, webjust kept walking, surprised? And as we were walking, the trail began to have less and less trees. Eventually there were absolutely no trees and field upon field of wheat.
Walking endlessly in he sun through neverending fields can be sort of disheartening.
So combined with the forgotten scarf, Facebook message and the hot sun, I lost it! And literally started crying in the middle of the trail mumbling about how I hated the sun. This didn't really do any good, so I just kept walking. For, walking is really the only thing one can do while on the Camino.
It really seemed like forever until we reached the town of Los Arcos and then wandered around trying to find a Refugio. We found one!! Yay!! It is very cute and has free Wi-Fi, thus the title.
At the Refugio, we are eating dinner and enjoying the church bells ring!
Adios, I am going to eat some much needed food!
So we kept going, not even entertaining the fact of going back. And as the day went on, it got warmer, and warmer and warmer! When finally we stopped at a little cafe for lunch. They had Internet and so I checked my email. I had gotten a facebook message and it put me in a really annoyed mood!!!!!!
After that, webjust kept walking, surprised? And as we were walking, the trail began to have less and less trees. Eventually there were absolutely no trees and field upon field of wheat.
Walking endlessly in he sun through neverending fields can be sort of disheartening.
So combined with the forgotten scarf, Facebook message and the hot sun, I lost it! And literally started crying in the middle of the trail mumbling about how I hated the sun. This didn't really do any good, so I just kept walking. For, walking is really the only thing one can do while on the Camino.
It really seemed like forever until we reached the town of Los Arcos and then wandered around trying to find a Refugio. We found one!! Yay!! It is very cute and has free Wi-Fi, thus the title.
At the Refugio, we are eating dinner and enjoying the church bells ring!
Adios, I am going to eat some much needed food!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Fashion on the Camino
Hi...again.
Well the fashion is interesting, most "pilgrims" are wearin convertible, quick drying pants and a base layer or quick dry shirt. I am also wearing the quick dry pants yet am keeping to cotton t-shirts and tanks.
I normally wouldn't wearing these Flores but indon't think a vintage dress, cardigan and conversebis exactly practical! What is really quite anoying is the fact hat in the bigger cities, most people are dressed very well and I am walking through with hiking pants, a t-shirt and am super tired and sweaty from hiking tons of miles. But, I am working through it. That sounds sort of pathetic!!!!
Anyway, guess why? Lacoste is incesibly popular here in Spain! Everyone from bus drivers to old guys outside local cafes are wearing it!! Absolutely super!!!
I am getting a bit hungry...again, so I think I should eat something. Actually, we bought some lemon Dannom yogurt at the charcuterie and it is really good!
Adios!
Well the fashion is interesting, most "pilgrims" are wearin convertible, quick drying pants and a base layer or quick dry shirt. I am also wearing the quick dry pants yet am keeping to cotton t-shirts and tanks.
I normally wouldn't wearing these Flores but indon't think a vintage dress, cardigan and conversebis exactly practical! What is really quite anoying is the fact hat in the bigger cities, most people are dressed very well and I am walking through with hiking pants, a t-shirt and am super tired and sweaty from hiking tons of miles. But, I am working through it. That sounds sort of pathetic!!!!
Anyway, guess why? Lacoste is incesibly popular here in Spain! Everyone from bus drivers to old guys outside local cafes are wearing it!! Absolutely super!!!
I am getting a bit hungry...again, so I think I should eat something. Actually, we bought some lemon Dannom yogurt at the charcuterie and it is really good!
Adios!
Photography note
Oh, for those who are reading this blog and actually want to see what I am talking about, I am going to upload pictures when I get back! So keep checking the blog!
Three days of walking and a lot more left to go!
Hi everyone!! Well I finally have time and am actually able to blog!
The past few days have been really exhausting, yet amazing!!!
On the first day of the camino we hiked up and through the Pyrenees mountains. It was beautiful, yet really difficult! On the way, there were many herds of sheep, and walking a little father there was horses grazing! It was picture perfect, many of the horses were mares and had foals by there side! It definitely was a kodak moment...I took a bunch of pictures! Later in the day, the clouds came in and made everything that much more magnificent!
After hiking about 15 miles, we entered the town of Roncesvalles. It was rather small but had a really awesome hostel. The hostel was huge, clean and well thought out, imagine a huge cobblestone building, with an IKEA interior!!
The next morning was dreadfully, I ached all over and my feet were throbbing, yet we still had to walk. The day wasn't exactly spectacular, here was a lot of walking and some whining. And finally after it seemed like forever, we arrived at our destination. Sadly, all the nice places to stay were full so we had to go to the municipal hostel. I had a suspicion that there might intact be bed bugs, so I looked under and around each bed and found that my suspicions were probably correct.
But with a little luck, we found a really cute place to stay.
Day three was equally as hard, maybe a little less painful!! And then it started to rain!! Oh my goodness, I was on the brink of a serious emotional breakdown when we saw this little auberge and thought it was worth a Ty, and it was lovely!! They were extremely nice, and the rooms were very clean! To make things even better, he lady, Doris made me hot coco! So very lovely! We had a good sleep and then woke up in the morning to my dad's feet really hurting from blisters. We decided we needed a wee bit of a break, so we took a bus to Puento de la Rena. Some could consider this cheating, but I think it is better to rest and then charge a head, rather then pushing ones self to the limit and then facing the consequences!
So now I am here and after eating a really, really good bocadillo(sandwich) I am happy as a clam!
Tomorrow we will power onward walking on actual roman roads, pretty cool!
Well, toodles!!!
The past few days have been really exhausting, yet amazing!!!
On the first day of the camino we hiked up and through the Pyrenees mountains. It was beautiful, yet really difficult! On the way, there were many herds of sheep, and walking a little father there was horses grazing! It was picture perfect, many of the horses were mares and had foals by there side! It definitely was a kodak moment...I took a bunch of pictures! Later in the day, the clouds came in and made everything that much more magnificent!
After hiking about 15 miles, we entered the town of Roncesvalles. It was rather small but had a really awesome hostel. The hostel was huge, clean and well thought out, imagine a huge cobblestone building, with an IKEA interior!!
The next morning was dreadfully, I ached all over and my feet were throbbing, yet we still had to walk. The day wasn't exactly spectacular, here was a lot of walking and some whining. And finally after it seemed like forever, we arrived at our destination. Sadly, all the nice places to stay were full so we had to go to the municipal hostel. I had a suspicion that there might intact be bed bugs, so I looked under and around each bed and found that my suspicions were probably correct.
But with a little luck, we found a really cute place to stay.
Day three was equally as hard, maybe a little less painful!! And then it started to rain!! Oh my goodness, I was on the brink of a serious emotional breakdown when we saw this little auberge and thought it was worth a Ty, and it was lovely!! They were extremely nice, and the rooms were very clean! To make things even better, he lady, Doris made me hot coco! So very lovely! We had a good sleep and then woke up in the morning to my dad's feet really hurting from blisters. We decided we needed a wee bit of a break, so we took a bus to Puento de la Rena. Some could consider this cheating, but I think it is better to rest and then charge a head, rather then pushing ones self to the limit and then facing the consequences!
So now I am here and after eating a really, really good bocadillo(sandwich) I am happy as a clam!
Tomorrow we will power onward walking on actual roman roads, pretty cool!
Well, toodles!!!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
A small glimpse of Barcelona
So, today, after having an emotional breakdown, I felt better about being in Spain. I am still getting used to the city and being in a new place.
After waking up at about ten o'clock my time, I took a shower, got dressed and went to eat breakfast. My dad and I went to this cute little bakery, sadly I didn't take any pictures because I didn't know if it was ok with the lady in the shop. Anyway, then we walked back to the apartment were I slept. I normally don't do this but considering that it was about four in the morning U.S. time, I was really tired.
My dad woke my up and I slowly got ready to go out in to the world again. See, I don't really like big cities, something I really need to work on if I am going to go to London for college. So we walked around for a little while, and then ate at a pleasant little cafe.
While sitting down outside, I was able to get a small idea of the fashion in Barcelona. It is really quite fantastic.
One thing I noticed was that many people are wearing lighter wash jeans instead of dark. Personally, I prefer dark wash as they are classic and flattering, however when I get back home, I will definitely start wearing lighter wash jeans.
Another thing is that, suer tight jeans aren't exactly the thing to wear here! Instead some of the pants are baggy, yet still really flattering. This isn't to say everyone in Spain in wearing super loose pants, for I did see some really cute tighter pants in some really cute colors!
There is also a lot of tank tops. Not exactly ribbed ones, rather longer, racer back and loose fitting ones, and the ones I have seen are in more grey, white tones. This brings me to another point which is that, some of the people I have seen are wearing neutral shades, beige, white, grey and brown. One might think this is boring, however it is quite the contrary(in my opinion). To me it seems to compliment ones natural beauty, not distracting with a bunch of neon colors!
Brands also seem important. For example I am seeing a lot of Puma and Ralph Lauren. Oh...and Lacoste. I really, really, really LOVE Lacoste.
I have noticed that many guys are wearing polo shirt with the collars popped. Something American guys just can't really pull off.
Anyway, I have become super inspired and excited. Oh... and they are so many CUTE bags and purses! All these adorable things make me want to go home and starting sewing and crafting until I fall over from exhaustion. I am really excited for when I go home and can start making my visions into actual things(if that makes sense)!
Well, I am going to sign off. But before I do so, I just wanted to say that sometime soon I will post some photographs, I haven't yet worked up enough nerve to randomly take pictures of people while they walk by...I mean what if they get mad and start yelling at me, well that probably won't happen, but still.
After waking up at about ten o'clock my time, I took a shower, got dressed and went to eat breakfast. My dad and I went to this cute little bakery, sadly I didn't take any pictures because I didn't know if it was ok with the lady in the shop. Anyway, then we walked back to the apartment were I slept. I normally don't do this but considering that it was about four in the morning U.S. time, I was really tired.
My dad woke my up and I slowly got ready to go out in to the world again. See, I don't really like big cities, something I really need to work on if I am going to go to London for college. So we walked around for a little while, and then ate at a pleasant little cafe.
While sitting down outside, I was able to get a small idea of the fashion in Barcelona. It is really quite fantastic.
One thing I noticed was that many people are wearing lighter wash jeans instead of dark. Personally, I prefer dark wash as they are classic and flattering, however when I get back home, I will definitely start wearing lighter wash jeans.
Another thing is that, suer tight jeans aren't exactly the thing to wear here! Instead some of the pants are baggy, yet still really flattering. This isn't to say everyone in Spain in wearing super loose pants, for I did see some really cute tighter pants in some really cute colors!
There is also a lot of tank tops. Not exactly ribbed ones, rather longer, racer back and loose fitting ones, and the ones I have seen are in more grey, white tones. This brings me to another point which is that, some of the people I have seen are wearing neutral shades, beige, white, grey and brown. One might think this is boring, however it is quite the contrary(in my opinion). To me it seems to compliment ones natural beauty, not distracting with a bunch of neon colors!
Brands also seem important. For example I am seeing a lot of Puma and Ralph Lauren. Oh...and Lacoste. I really, really, really LOVE Lacoste.
I have noticed that many guys are wearing polo shirt with the collars popped. Something American guys just can't really pull off.
Anyway, I have become super inspired and excited. Oh... and they are so many CUTE bags and purses! All these adorable things make me want to go home and starting sewing and crafting until I fall over from exhaustion. I am really excited for when I go home and can start making my visions into actual things(if that makes sense)!
Well, I am going to sign off. But before I do so, I just wanted to say that sometime soon I will post some photographs, I haven't yet worked up enough nerve to randomly take pictures of people while they walk by...I mean what if they get mad and start yelling at me, well that probably won't happen, but still.
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