"Bonjour" Eiffel, The Louvre and Awful Croissants

So I was just in Paris for the last five days, still one of my favourite cities in all of Europe. It just has a feeling, an ambiance, an air of something I just can't fully explain... it is definitely romantic. Too bad yet again I wasn't there with Matt, maybe next time (hint, hint). Our short stay was filled to the brim with plenty of activity. Our first day was remembrance day so the Champes Elysee was packed with crowds paying respect and taking in the Remembrance day festivities. We walked from our cute, little apartment to the Louvre ( basically a hop, step and a jump out our door), from there we continued through the large park on to the Arche De Triumph beckoning us from the end of the famous Champes Elysee (lucky for my wallet most of the stores were closed). From here we wondered amazed by the number of Dior's, Chanel's and Prada's on every corner (this is without a doubt a fashionable destination where I tried my best to fit in). We than headed off to the Eiffel tower, along the way stopping for a photo exhibit along the Seine and long enough to snap some photos of an museum I wanted to see and a good example of new architecture. But what would a trip to Paris be without a ride/climb up the Eiffel tour, oh Gustav what an amazing view you created. As with my previous Eiffel experience I found the height a little daunting but the view well worth the climb.

We lived in style or at least we would like to think. When in Paris why not live like an artist, in a one bedroom studio. This is a picture of the beautiful courtyard at the entrance to our apartment. We were greatly surprised upon arrival to find our location right in the heart of the ritzy, expensive, artistic area known as St. Germain. I was astonished by all the home stores and galleries, this is I am sure where wealthy peoples interior designers shop, it was amazing. Never before have I seen such beautiful shops, bakeries, florists, etc... needless to say I felt inspired.

Casa Milla

La Pedra or Casa Milla as it is more commonly known was another destination I took my mom to see during her stay here in Barcelona. Like most of Gaudi's work it was yet another extraordinary building by this unique, modernist architect. Built between 1905 and 1910 it was an combined office block and apartment building. You can see this building coming from blocks away with its unique undulating, curvaceous exterior.

Tarragona

Just before my mom headed back home to Calgary we made a day trip to the town of Tarragona. A nice little place for reasons above and beyond its marvelous name. Similar to Toledo the old part of the town is enclosed by a surviving wall from Roman times. Within the protective walls of the old part of the city exists a maze cobblestone streets and beautiful buildings. A couple hours spent aimlessly wondering the streets of Tarragona provided us with a wonderful afternoon in the sun to enjoy the quaint yet beautiful architecture. If you ever go to Barcelona don't miss out on this town where you are bound to get caught up in the unspoiled beauty of the buildings and extraordinary Roman ruins.

The Apes of Gibraltar

Gibraltar was yet another afternoon stop on our way to a greater destination, that of Granada (which unfortunately proved to be a bit of a disappointment, as you will see there are no photos to follow). The three hours spent exploring the massive rock proved quite entertaining due to mainly the entertaining antics of the monkeys or the apes as they are accurately referred to. I could post plenty of photos of these rabies infested creatures but I will save you the boredom of monkey after monkey, a few pictures should suffice. Like humans these little guys definitely had personalities, I would sum up the trip up the rock as stepping into the movie "Planet of the Apes". These little guys were everywhere; in trees, hanging from rocks, in tourist shops and commonly on top of the cabs. To most people this would be cute but the idea of exiting a cab through the door under the legs of a large ape, which had casually decided to rest there wasn't the most appealing option (how did I know this monkey was going to jump on my back and attack me?) As long as I kept my distance and they kept theirs the Apes of Gibraltar provide a unique and exciting experience I hadn't anticipated having.

Seville

Seville, it is said to be the most romantic city in all of Spain. It was beautiful but some how it missed the romantic mark maybe because I was travelling with my mom and not my boyfriend, or because we didn't really get to see the city at night. This was a city full of color and vibrant buildings and proved to be very photogenic (how unfortunate for those of you who are getting sick of looking at photos of buildings, I promise I will soon make a conscience effort to take some photos that include me).

Toledo

Some how these photographs just don't capture the essence of Toledo. Just a little stop along the way to Seville we had the opportunity to explore the quaint, medieval town for a couple of hours. Toledo was incredibly beautiful, it was quiet, majestic and a little less travelled. It was one of those places I could have spent hours or a couple of days exploring, definitely somewhere to come back to.



Here are just a few facts:

Known as the 'Imperial City' Toledo is perched on a rocky ridge above the Rio Tajo. A labyrinth of narrow streets, plazas and hidden courtyards it has been refereed to as Iberia's Rome. Full of numerous mosques, synagogues, churches and museums Toledos provides an abundance of sites to explore within its ancient, medieval walls.

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First Stop... Madrid

Madrid, it was a lot like Barcelona but not as nice (or at least I didn't think so). Realistically though it is hard to get to know a city when you are travelling with your butt permanently planted in the plush velvet seating of a deluxe Trafalgar coach. Although a bus tour does allow you to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time it definitely left me feeling detached from the city I was intended to be experiencing. Almost two whole days spent in Madrid allowed me to come to the realization that like Barcelona there is too much to be seen and done in too little time. Unfortunately I didn't get to experience much of the city besides the public transit system and Placa Mayor but I was provide with an amazing excursion opportunity to see the Valley of the Fallen and San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial was an impressive palace and monastery complex about 45 minutes outside of Madrid. A one time royal getaway this monastery attracts plenty of tourist to a quaint little town located where the foothills of Madrid meet the mountains. We have radium and the Mandrilenos have El Escorial, needless to say although the exterior was quite imposing I definitely enjoyed and appreciated my visit, at times it reminded me of the Palace of Versailles.

Valle de le Los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen) was a memorial created by the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco (viewed as a tyrant by many) for those who 'fell' during Spain's civil war. It was an astonishing basilica and monument northwest of Madrid and home to Franco's final resting place. It is said that he actually used his prisoners of war to create this memorial tribute, how ironic is that. None the less, he may have been a horrible individual but he definitely created an incredible monument, it was breathtaking.