You see, I have this thing with climbing the ladder. I don't mind working hard. In some ways I don't even mind the stress with dealing with incompetent people, even though I do complain about it very often...but at the end of the day, I have to accept that I will forever be dealing with incompetent people...so I had better suck it up sooner rather than later.
What I don't like about climbing the ladder is when you are put in a challenging position and realise that maybe this isn't what you want to do with the rest of your life...is it really worth it? It will only be tougher...
Yes, I need the money...thats the whole point for me...the money. If it wasn't for the money, I wouldn't be working so hard to further myself. There is that little incentive to further myself personally. But for me, at the end of the day, I need to make more money to pay off the mortgage and have the sense of financial freedom that I crave.
I have had moments recently where I have caught myself wondering if it is all worth it? Is my hardwork now going to get me to that happy place that I want to reach later?
I have been thrown in to take over a project that is of highest priority to the client. It was meant to be easy, but I'm working with ever changing requirements, and therefore the scope is so skewed I don't even recognise the tasks at hand in comparison to the Scope of Work. I'm also dealing with people who want this implemented yesterday, but they are not delivering sufficient information for me to do my job today.
Lately, while my Program Manager has been on leave, I have been doing a lot of things that were his responsibility. I was sitting in a whole heap of meetings. I have also been managing this project...What this ultimately meant, was that my own work was jeopardised and to compensate I was leaving work way later than usual. I have been driving to work because it would save me 1 hour of travel time, but saving an hour to only spend 2-3 hours more isn't a good way to save time.
I don't want to be a single woman for the rest of my life. Drained by work with no social life. Only ever wanting to go home after a hard days work to rest up, so I can face the challenges of the next day.
Right before catching up with M&D to head off to Jervis last Friday, I found myself having difficulty switching off from thinking about work. I don't want my life to be like this for the next 35-40 years. I don't want to consciously tell myself "Now its time to think about something other than the implementation that is supposed to go through tonight..."
I'm struggling. I don't know if I have made the right decision. Maybe I just need to be managing other projects...anything other than network security...*sigh*...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
On my way to Jervis Bay...
Well, not quite yet. Later this afternoon, after work...i'll head off with M&D and drive down to Jervis for the long weekend.
My Program Manager is still on leave and won't return until Tuesday week. And the stand-in finished his 4-weeks notice yesterday to pursue greener pasteurs. I'm it!
I'm the one everyone is sending their bloody emails to. I'm the one everyone is calling. Its a mad house and I don't really have the authority or knowledge to approve half of the things! On top of the project with #1 priority being thrust upon my shoulders, I have the billing and financials to deal with, which is due today. But i need to ensure an emergency change the customer wants goes in tonight!!! There is noone around who can do the billing and financials. I'm it. On top of all this, I keep getting invited to attend 1-2hour long meetings, where i'm required and not optional. If i go, its such a waste of time. If i don't represent myself...i'll be used as the scapegoat.
pfft...
I can't wait for 4:30pm today. I'm out the door. I am not going to stay back as I have over the last 3 weeks. I can't...or I miss my ride to Jervis and then my whole weekend will be screwed!!!
>_<
*touch wood*
If you have gotten through my above rant, I hope you have a lovely long weekend!
My Program Manager is still on leave and won't return until Tuesday week. And the stand-in finished his 4-weeks notice yesterday to pursue greener pasteurs. I'm it!
I'm the one everyone is sending their bloody emails to. I'm the one everyone is calling. Its a mad house and I don't really have the authority or knowledge to approve half of the things! On top of the project with #1 priority being thrust upon my shoulders, I have the billing and financials to deal with, which is due today. But i need to ensure an emergency change the customer wants goes in tonight!!! There is noone around who can do the billing and financials. I'm it. On top of all this, I keep getting invited to attend 1-2hour long meetings, where i'm required and not optional. If i go, its such a waste of time. If i don't represent myself...i'll be used as the scapegoat.
pfft...
I can't wait for 4:30pm today. I'm out the door. I am not going to stay back as I have over the last 3 weeks. I can't...or I miss my ride to Jervis and then my whole weekend will be screwed!!!
>_<
*touch wood*
If you have gotten through my above rant, I hope you have a lovely long weekend!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Paris je t'aime...part trois...
Musée Rodin wasn't my choice, but i'm glad I visited. I should know better by now...I love art. I love being surrounded by creative pieces - no matter what media is used to create it. Rodin was never appreciated as a great artist while he was young and alive...nothing new...but he sure is appreciated now.
It was delightful. It may have been a gloomy day but the statues looked lively. The "Thinker" draws a crowd, similarly "The Gates of Hell". The two being his most famous statues. But what I love the best is the angel diving south...which reminds me of another angel diving south in Madrid.
After the Rodin, we walked around the Latin Quarter in search of Pierre Hermes, Gerard Mulot, and Christian Constant. As we were searching, we came across Cacao et Chocolat and stopped to pick up some chocolate eclairs...as I was continuing my search for the best eclair. The eclairs here, were pricey and really really really rich. I can recall my teeth were aching from the sweetness. There wasn't a balance of pastry/custard/chocolate, like the eclair from Henri in Biarritz. So, it was disappointing...
So, when we got to Gerard Mulot, I bought another chocolate eclair along with a bunch of macaroons. This was also a tour to taste test a variety of macaroons. Which is also the reason why we wanted to go to Pierre Hermes...we lined up to buy a bunch of macaroons from there too. And if you ever get the chance to...if it happens to be on the list the day you visit...try the white truffle & hazelnut, the green tea & chestnut, the passionfruit and there was a lily (i think) flavoured macaroon. I just love the way it is crispy on the outside and crumbles to a gooey mush because of the ganache centre. *yum*
As we made our way to the Jardin du Luxumberg, we stopped at Christian Constant. What i liked best about Christian Constant, is the total and utter respect for quality chocolate that they have. The way you are served. Its with patience. Its like there is a sense of serenity. The chocolates are handmade and the range of exotic flavours...oh...my...gosh! Earl grey...saffron...ceylon...heaps of tea variety...oh so refreshing. I adored the fact that when it was my turn to be served, when I asked about each different flavour I had never even heard of before that day...I was responded to with a "would you like to try one?"
My jaw dropped. I get to stand in this poshy store of handmade dark chocolates and try them. It wasn't just one. If I wanted to try 5, they were cool with it! (But I didn't forget my manners! So, I didn't push it that far...maybe 4).
For a small gift box (approx. 10x10 cms) was 10 Euros. You are charged per box, not weight, so they really pack the box as full as they can and with all the little gaps, they fill it up with chocolate covered orange peels...hehehe...I think I ended up with about 16-18 pieces of chocolates...not including the orange peels. What you end up with is a pretty black gift box with a pretty pink ribbon around the box.
After picking up my choccies, my friend and I head off to the garden.
I think its a must to go and visit the gardens if you are in Paris. Go on a Saturday, as I did, and appreciate the mellowness of the occasion and just relax. There are plenty of seats...take a moment to sit down and watch the kids launch their boats in the fountain. People watch. Just observe the beauty that surrounds you. The kids that are smiling and having fun. Couples canoodling under a tree. How big that tree is on the corner. The variety of flowers that are growing right before you...
If I wasn't trying to cram so much into my day, I would have sat there and drawn some pictures.
For lunch we had crepes. A savoury one to begin with and a sweet one for dessert...I had a nutella one for dessert...enough said! *LoL*
I also managed to buy two pairs of heels...don't ask...just accept that I was tempted and couldn't help myself. Thankfully my friend was there to prevent me from buying more than 2 pairs.
After our lunch of crepes in the Latin Quarter we headed back to the apartment...but not after a detour past the Pantheon. I think they charged us for entry, so we didn't actually go in. And since it was pretty clear in the sky, by this stage, we decided to walk home from here. Which was a pretty good idea...since, after our crepes I bought a massive 4 flavour gelato cone and pretty much had it myself...I also, couldn't help myself. They made it into a pretty flower!!! *LoL*
The day was filled with gluttony and I really did intend on going to a jazz club after dinner, but we didn't make it. I think we were too full to do much else but sleep! It was still satisfying and I'm glad that we covered so much during the day.
It was delightful. It may have been a gloomy day but the statues looked lively. The "Thinker" draws a crowd, similarly "The Gates of Hell". The two being his most famous statues. But what I love the best is the angel diving south...which reminds me of another angel diving south in Madrid.
After the Rodin, we walked around the Latin Quarter in search of Pierre Hermes, Gerard Mulot, and Christian Constant. As we were searching, we came across Cacao et Chocolat and stopped to pick up some chocolate eclairs...as I was continuing my search for the best eclair. The eclairs here, were pricey and really really really rich. I can recall my teeth were aching from the sweetness. There wasn't a balance of pastry/custard/chocolate, like the eclair from Henri in Biarritz. So, it was disappointing...
So, when we got to Gerard Mulot, I bought another chocolate eclair along with a bunch of macaroons. This was also a tour to taste test a variety of macaroons. Which is also the reason why we wanted to go to Pierre Hermes...we lined up to buy a bunch of macaroons from there too. And if you ever get the chance to...if it happens to be on the list the day you visit...try the white truffle & hazelnut, the green tea & chestnut, the passionfruit and there was a lily (i think) flavoured macaroon. I just love the way it is crispy on the outside and crumbles to a gooey mush because of the ganache centre. *yum*
As we made our way to the Jardin du Luxumberg, we stopped at Christian Constant. What i liked best about Christian Constant, is the total and utter respect for quality chocolate that they have. The way you are served. Its with patience. Its like there is a sense of serenity. The chocolates are handmade and the range of exotic flavours...oh...my...gosh! Earl grey...saffron...ceylon...heaps of tea variety...oh so refreshing. I adored the fact that when it was my turn to be served, when I asked about each different flavour I had never even heard of before that day...I was responded to with a "would you like to try one?"
My jaw dropped. I get to stand in this poshy store of handmade dark chocolates and try them. It wasn't just one. If I wanted to try 5, they were cool with it! (But I didn't forget my manners! So, I didn't push it that far...maybe 4).
For a small gift box (approx. 10x10 cms) was 10 Euros. You are charged per box, not weight, so they really pack the box as full as they can and with all the little gaps, they fill it up with chocolate covered orange peels...hehehe...I think I ended up with about 16-18 pieces of chocolates...not including the orange peels. What you end up with is a pretty black gift box with a pretty pink ribbon around the box.
After picking up my choccies, my friend and I head off to the garden.
I think its a must to go and visit the gardens if you are in Paris. Go on a Saturday, as I did, and appreciate the mellowness of the occasion and just relax. There are plenty of seats...take a moment to sit down and watch the kids launch their boats in the fountain. People watch. Just observe the beauty that surrounds you. The kids that are smiling and having fun. Couples canoodling under a tree. How big that tree is on the corner. The variety of flowers that are growing right before you...
If I wasn't trying to cram so much into my day, I would have sat there and drawn some pictures.
For lunch we had crepes. A savoury one to begin with and a sweet one for dessert...I had a nutella one for dessert...enough said! *LoL*
I also managed to buy two pairs of heels...don't ask...just accept that I was tempted and couldn't help myself. Thankfully my friend was there to prevent me from buying more than 2 pairs.
After our lunch of crepes in the Latin Quarter we headed back to the apartment...but not after a detour past the Pantheon. I think they charged us for entry, so we didn't actually go in. And since it was pretty clear in the sky, by this stage, we decided to walk home from here. Which was a pretty good idea...since, after our crepes I bought a massive 4 flavour gelato cone and pretty much had it myself...I also, couldn't help myself. They made it into a pretty flower!!! *LoL*
The day was filled with gluttony and I really did intend on going to a jazz club after dinner, but we didn't make it. I think we were too full to do much else but sleep! It was still satisfying and I'm glad that we covered so much during the day.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Paris, je t'aime...part deux...
Lunch at La Tour d'Argent was booked a month or so ago. I asked Reservations if I could get a table with a view, and they delivered.
It was a miserable day to be roaming around Paris...it was raining, but I couldn't have been anymore excited than I was at that moment...to walk thru the rain to get to a big feast. Not tres chic to turn up to such a restaurant looking like a water rat...but oh well. You make the best of such an occasion.
We walked in and I thought I would try my best and advise the MD that I had reservations for two - all in French. And because I had done so, he proceeded to ask me further for clarification something else in French...it took me a moment, but he was asking for the name...
We were asked to wait in the sitting room for a moment before we could go upstairs for lunch.
When we were ushered to the lift, we went upstairs and were pleasantly seated by the window. I had placed a bag I was carrying on the floor and a waiter grabbed another seat for me and placed my bag on top of it. *LoL*
The service was exceptional. The bread was delicious and the butter was to die for!
Now on to the duck that you can only have at this restaurant and no other...
We ordered the pressed duck with blood sauce. Now it sounds a bit *ick* but its actually quite delicious. And La Tour d'Argent is the only place in the world in which you can have it because there are only 4 press machines in the world. Two are in museums and the other two are owned by the restaurant. One they use and the other is a reserve, in case the one they use breaks down or something.
A plump duck gets brought out for inspection, like you would for a crab or lobster at a Chinese restaurant. We were also asked how we would like it cooked...and we went with medium spice. Since we ordered the duck to be prepared this way (that is the blood sauce), we will end up with 2 main meals for lunch. But before we have the duck we have a couple things to enjoy...
We had a plate of 3 bite sized things: 1 triangular pastry, 1 bite of fois gras, & 1 mussel with semi-dried tomato. Then we had a bread crumbed thing with a sprig of rosemary stuck into the centre of it, I can't remember what it was now, but it was delicious none the less. Nothing I ate that day was short of exceptional.
The red bordeaux we had was wonderful, and I think it was a turning point for me...because I now like drinking reds.
For the entree, my friend orderd a scallop and sea urchin ravioli dish that was light and tender. I had ordered a dish of pike dumpling, which was creamy and mousse like.
While we enjoyed all of this, our duck with blood sauce was being made on a stage in the centre of the restaurant. We saw the alcohol being lit and the sauce being reduced, it was quite a spectacle. It was really fun and interesting, considering we were the only couple in the restaurant at the time who ordered this, so everyone else on the floor were watching our duck being cooked! *LoL*
We took a photo with the chef who made our main meals.
When served it looked dark...of course, due to the blood sauce. But trust me when I say that the duck was yummy!!! The sauce was yummy and the pom frittes was really fun to eat!
After the duck with blood sauce came out and while we waited for main meal #2, our postcard for the duck arrived. La Tour d'Argent gives out duck numbers, for each duck served at the restaurant. Our duck was #1059054 and we have the postcard to prove it. I think this is one of the novelties of eating at such a restaurant.
I'm not sure how the second duck dish was made, but it was also yummy! By this point, i'm stuffed and appreciate that they serve each thing slowly for digestion. I also can't help but eat the bread with butter...because I have never had this bread, with such to die for butter in my life!!!
For dessert, I ordered waffles with licorice ice cream and fig, while my friend ordered some creamy thing with madeline. I often harp on dessert, because I adore sugar, but I won't this instance. Dessert was nice, but the mains was the reason why I went to the restaurant in the first place.
After dessert, we were given petite fours: dark choc tart, friand, macaroon, and some nut waffle thing. And after the petite fours we were served with some dark rum truffles and gelee pastilles.
By this stage, forget about grace...I had to roll my bottom out of there.
My friend and I decided that we should stroll to Notre Dame and walk some of lunch off, but the rain started to come down heavily and so we managed to walk past the Notre Dame, but did not stop and just proceeded towards the Metro to get back to the apartment and sleep off the lunch! *LoL*
It was an experience at La Tour d'Argent, that I will never forget. It may have cost me 2 days of wages, after tax, but it was worth every cent.
After sleeping it off, we went out to roam about again and went to La Fayette to check out the centre piece that was hanging off the glass dome ceiling - which is an architectural feat in itself. I bought Chloe's birthday present from there and I bought a gorgeous red coat from Zara just outside of it.
We took photos of the Academie Nationale de Musique and then walked to the Lourve to take the photos of the Pyramids by night. After the Lourve we walked to the Notre Dame to take a photo of Zero Point and of course the Notre Dame at night.
After that we called it a night. Dinner was back at the apartment. We weren't even hungry because of lunch. So, we called it an early night and went to bed so we could get up early the next day to visit the Musee de Rodin and go chocoletier & macaroon hunting through the Latin Quarter and see the Jardin du Luxembourg.
It was a miserable day to be roaming around Paris...it was raining, but I couldn't have been anymore excited than I was at that moment...to walk thru the rain to get to a big feast. Not tres chic to turn up to such a restaurant looking like a water rat...but oh well. You make the best of such an occasion.
We walked in and I thought I would try my best and advise the MD that I had reservations for two - all in French. And because I had done so, he proceeded to ask me further for clarification something else in French...it took me a moment, but he was asking for the name...
We were asked to wait in the sitting room for a moment before we could go upstairs for lunch.
When we were ushered to the lift, we went upstairs and were pleasantly seated by the window. I had placed a bag I was carrying on the floor and a waiter grabbed another seat for me and placed my bag on top of it. *LoL*
The service was exceptional. The bread was delicious and the butter was to die for!
Now on to the duck that you can only have at this restaurant and no other...
We ordered the pressed duck with blood sauce. Now it sounds a bit *ick* but its actually quite delicious. And La Tour d'Argent is the only place in the world in which you can have it because there are only 4 press machines in the world. Two are in museums and the other two are owned by the restaurant. One they use and the other is a reserve, in case the one they use breaks down or something.
A plump duck gets brought out for inspection, like you would for a crab or lobster at a Chinese restaurant. We were also asked how we would like it cooked...and we went with medium spice. Since we ordered the duck to be prepared this way (that is the blood sauce), we will end up with 2 main meals for lunch. But before we have the duck we have a couple things to enjoy...
We had a plate of 3 bite sized things: 1 triangular pastry, 1 bite of fois gras, & 1 mussel with semi-dried tomato. Then we had a bread crumbed thing with a sprig of rosemary stuck into the centre of it, I can't remember what it was now, but it was delicious none the less. Nothing I ate that day was short of exceptional.
The red bordeaux we had was wonderful, and I think it was a turning point for me...because I now like drinking reds.
For the entree, my friend orderd a scallop and sea urchin ravioli dish that was light and tender. I had ordered a dish of pike dumpling, which was creamy and mousse like.
While we enjoyed all of this, our duck with blood sauce was being made on a stage in the centre of the restaurant. We saw the alcohol being lit and the sauce being reduced, it was quite a spectacle. It was really fun and interesting, considering we were the only couple in the restaurant at the time who ordered this, so everyone else on the floor were watching our duck being cooked! *LoL*
We took a photo with the chef who made our main meals.
When served it looked dark...of course, due to the blood sauce. But trust me when I say that the duck was yummy!!! The sauce was yummy and the pom frittes was really fun to eat!
After the duck with blood sauce came out and while we waited for main meal #2, our postcard for the duck arrived. La Tour d'Argent gives out duck numbers, for each duck served at the restaurant. Our duck was #1059054 and we have the postcard to prove it. I think this is one of the novelties of eating at such a restaurant.
I'm not sure how the second duck dish was made, but it was also yummy! By this point, i'm stuffed and appreciate that they serve each thing slowly for digestion. I also can't help but eat the bread with butter...because I have never had this bread, with such to die for butter in my life!!!
For dessert, I ordered waffles with licorice ice cream and fig, while my friend ordered some creamy thing with madeline. I often harp on dessert, because I adore sugar, but I won't this instance. Dessert was nice, but the mains was the reason why I went to the restaurant in the first place.
After dessert, we were given petite fours: dark choc tart, friand, macaroon, and some nut waffle thing. And after the petite fours we were served with some dark rum truffles and gelee pastilles.
By this stage, forget about grace...I had to roll my bottom out of there.
My friend and I decided that we should stroll to Notre Dame and walk some of lunch off, but the rain started to come down heavily and so we managed to walk past the Notre Dame, but did not stop and just proceeded towards the Metro to get back to the apartment and sleep off the lunch! *LoL*
It was an experience at La Tour d'Argent, that I will never forget. It may have cost me 2 days of wages, after tax, but it was worth every cent.
After sleeping it off, we went out to roam about again and went to La Fayette to check out the centre piece that was hanging off the glass dome ceiling - which is an architectural feat in itself. I bought Chloe's birthday present from there and I bought a gorgeous red coat from Zara just outside of it.
We took photos of the Academie Nationale de Musique and then walked to the Lourve to take the photos of the Pyramids by night. After the Lourve we walked to the Notre Dame to take a photo of Zero Point and of course the Notre Dame at night.
After that we called it a night. Dinner was back at the apartment. We weren't even hungry because of lunch. So, we called it an early night and went to bed so we could get up early the next day to visit the Musee de Rodin and go chocoletier & macaroon hunting through the Latin Quarter and see the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Vous semblez beau...
After work last night, I was heading towards King Street Wharf to meet someone at The Loft. I was on George Street and thought if an available taxi comes along i'll get into that...or if the right bus comes along i'll get on that...whichever comes first.
A 412 bus to King Street Wharf comes my way...totally forgot there was a bus that could take me directly there. So, I hop on. The ticket machine on the right was out of order, so i had to use the one in front of the driver.
As I put my ticket into the machine, the driver said to me:
"You look beautiful!"
It took me by complete surprise, I don't recall anyone ever saying that too me. EVER.
Keep in mind, the bus driver is a female, not a dirty middle age man...Asian...and she said it with the utmost sincerity. I'm surprised that I managed to be gracious towards her. I gave her a warm smile and said "Thank You!"
I walked to a seat and was glowing from the compliment.
Its not every day a girl gets told she looks beautiful.
A 412 bus to King Street Wharf comes my way...totally forgot there was a bus that could take me directly there. So, I hop on. The ticket machine on the right was out of order, so i had to use the one in front of the driver.
As I put my ticket into the machine, the driver said to me:
"You look beautiful!"
It took me by complete surprise, I don't recall anyone ever saying that too me. EVER.
Keep in mind, the bus driver is a female, not a dirty middle age man...Asian...and she said it with the utmost sincerity. I'm surprised that I managed to be gracious towards her. I gave her a warm smile and said "Thank You!"
I walked to a seat and was glowing from the compliment.
Its not every day a girl gets told she looks beautiful.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Paris, je t'aime...
The morning the rest of the tour made their way to London, was the day I spread my wings...
The night before we celebrated at Nouvelle Eve and enjoyed the champagne...returned to the hotel and drank some more...took farewell photos and made promises to see each other again.
I got up just in time to say goodbye to the ones that really became my friends during the 24 days I got to know them.
I then went back to my room to sleep. I later got my proper wake up call from the front desk so that I could prepare my check out and meet up with my friend.
My friend messaged my mobile to say that they had arrived and was in the lobby waiting for me. We then proceeded to the Metro to make our way to the apartment we had rented for the next 4 nights.
It was a bit of a trek, going from Porte d'Italie (where I was staying with the tour) to Arts et Metiers, but we made it in time to meet the representative from Lodgis.
Thankfully the apartment is right next to the Arts et Metiers stop. This made it really convenient for us to travel via the Metro. Its about 15-20 minutes walk to the Lourve, about 5 minutes to Site du Centre Pompidou. So, its central enough...but when its raining, who really wants to walk around when the train is just underneath you.
The first day we met up and went to the apartment, did some laundry because we had a washer and drier, and then just relaxed for an hour or two - because up until now, it was a whirlwind for the both of us. Me with my "24 days, crossing through 9 countries" - tour...My friend's 5 weeks backpacking through Eastern Europe via Eurail. We just really needed to stop and revive.
After taking stock of where we were, we started to think about whether we would eat out all the time or whether we would cook some meals, and the most obvious, which sites, museums, or galleries we wanted to see the most! And then, we discussed the specialist culinary stores we should visit. My friend was ultra keen on Pierre Hermes for the macaroons and me, I wanted to go to Christian Constant for the chocolates.
We decided that we should cook a couple of the meals as we were going to La Tour d'Argent for lunch the next day and that would really take a lot out of the pocket. So, we should be conservative and have brekky at home and dinner for a couple of nights. So, we found our want to a supermarket. Weird thing is, we couldnt find fresh milk for our cereal...we had to get a bottle of the long life type of milk. The fruit and veges weren't as fresh as back in Sydney, and at this point I was really missing fresh produce. It seems like there is a shortage in Western Europe for fresh fruit and veg.
After getting the groceries we went to go see Basilique du Sacré-Cœur and we climbed the stairs to get to the top. After watching the Snowpatrol video clip for Open Your Eyes so many times at the gym, I had wondered how the girl walked up to the top to meet the guy in the car? And there I was, walking up the same stairs as she did in the clip. Its not that i'm completely dopey...I'm just ignorant! My perspective of Sacré-Cœur was skewed from the clip and I wasn't sure from which direction was she coming from.
I like the fact that, similarly to the park in Madrid, there were people just chilling on the steps of Sacré-Cœur. You know how if you smile, others will smile too...? Well, I like seeing people relax around me...it makes me feel relaxed or at least start to relax too.
After visiting Sacré-Cœur we headed over to Arc de Triomphe. At this stage, it was late into the afternoon and the sun was beginning to set. We decided that we would climb the Arc. I'm really glad i did. I know that its one thing to climb the Eiffel, but the Arc seemed more intriguing to me. I had climbed the Eiffel with the tour and it was "the thing to do". But climbing the 284 steps of the Arc was more of an achievement for me.
Its chaotic on the road around the Arc. Its a 12 exit roundabout with about 4-5 lanes of traffic. But up above, its quite serene, or maybe I just felt as though I had reached a summit and it was very still for me. I know that I was surrounded by people up on top of the Arc. I had to wait to take photos of each exit. Its weird, I felt as though time stood still for me.
The best moment was when i tried to take a "creative" shot of our shadows against a wall. I really felt at peace.
When we decended the Arc, and got to the road the ceremony for the unknown soldier was completed and I witnessed these men of war hobbling back to the Metro to make their ways home. My friend told me that they do this every evening. I felt horrible for the man who had a crooked leg and carrying the flags walking underground in front of us. To do this every day, without fail...how admirable.
It was starting to get dark around us but there was one thing that I didn't get off the coach to see and regretted it while on tour, that i really wanted to see that night (it was also convenient and on the way home). It was the view of the Eiffel from Musée de l'Homme...when we got there, it started to sparkle again with the green and gold lights (for the Rugby World Cup - not for Australia). And it just soo had to start sprinkling and dampen my parade.
We were meant to see the Lourve at night too, because we both wanted to see the Pyramids illuminated in the courtyard, but with the rain, we decided to go back to the apartment and rest up for our big feast tomorrow.
The night before we celebrated at Nouvelle Eve and enjoyed the champagne...returned to the hotel and drank some more...took farewell photos and made promises to see each other again.
I got up just in time to say goodbye to the ones that really became my friends during the 24 days I got to know them.
I then went back to my room to sleep. I later got my proper wake up call from the front desk so that I could prepare my check out and meet up with my friend.
My friend messaged my mobile to say that they had arrived and was in the lobby waiting for me. We then proceeded to the Metro to make our way to the apartment we had rented for the next 4 nights.
It was a bit of a trek, going from Porte d'Italie (where I was staying with the tour) to Arts et Metiers, but we made it in time to meet the representative from Lodgis.
Thankfully the apartment is right next to the Arts et Metiers stop. This made it really convenient for us to travel via the Metro. Its about 15-20 minutes walk to the Lourve, about 5 minutes to Site du Centre Pompidou. So, its central enough...but when its raining, who really wants to walk around when the train is just underneath you.
The first day we met up and went to the apartment, did some laundry because we had a washer and drier, and then just relaxed for an hour or two - because up until now, it was a whirlwind for the both of us. Me with my "24 days, crossing through 9 countries" - tour...My friend's 5 weeks backpacking through Eastern Europe via Eurail. We just really needed to stop and revive.
After taking stock of where we were, we started to think about whether we would eat out all the time or whether we would cook some meals, and the most obvious, which sites, museums, or galleries we wanted to see the most! And then, we discussed the specialist culinary stores we should visit. My friend was ultra keen on Pierre Hermes for the macaroons and me, I wanted to go to Christian Constant for the chocolates.
We decided that we should cook a couple of the meals as we were going to La Tour d'Argent for lunch the next day and that would really take a lot out of the pocket. So, we should be conservative and have brekky at home and dinner for a couple of nights. So, we found our want to a supermarket. Weird thing is, we couldnt find fresh milk for our cereal...we had to get a bottle of the long life type of milk. The fruit and veges weren't as fresh as back in Sydney, and at this point I was really missing fresh produce. It seems like there is a shortage in Western Europe for fresh fruit and veg.
After getting the groceries we went to go see Basilique du Sacré-Cœur and we climbed the stairs to get to the top. After watching the Snowpatrol video clip for Open Your Eyes so many times at the gym, I had wondered how the girl walked up to the top to meet the guy in the car? And there I was, walking up the same stairs as she did in the clip. Its not that i'm completely dopey...I'm just ignorant! My perspective of Sacré-Cœur was skewed from the clip and I wasn't sure from which direction was she coming from.
I like the fact that, similarly to the park in Madrid, there were people just chilling on the steps of Sacré-Cœur. You know how if you smile, others will smile too...? Well, I like seeing people relax around me...it makes me feel relaxed or at least start to relax too.
After visiting Sacré-Cœur we headed over to Arc de Triomphe. At this stage, it was late into the afternoon and the sun was beginning to set. We decided that we would climb the Arc. I'm really glad i did. I know that its one thing to climb the Eiffel, but the Arc seemed more intriguing to me. I had climbed the Eiffel with the tour and it was "the thing to do". But climbing the 284 steps of the Arc was more of an achievement for me.
Its chaotic on the road around the Arc. Its a 12 exit roundabout with about 4-5 lanes of traffic. But up above, its quite serene, or maybe I just felt as though I had reached a summit and it was very still for me. I know that I was surrounded by people up on top of the Arc. I had to wait to take photos of each exit. Its weird, I felt as though time stood still for me.
The best moment was when i tried to take a "creative" shot of our shadows against a wall. I really felt at peace.
When we decended the Arc, and got to the road the ceremony for the unknown soldier was completed and I witnessed these men of war hobbling back to the Metro to make their ways home. My friend told me that they do this every evening. I felt horrible for the man who had a crooked leg and carrying the flags walking underground in front of us. To do this every day, without fail...how admirable.
It was starting to get dark around us but there was one thing that I didn't get off the coach to see and regretted it while on tour, that i really wanted to see that night (it was also convenient and on the way home). It was the view of the Eiffel from Musée de l'Homme...when we got there, it started to sparkle again with the green and gold lights (for the Rugby World Cup - not for Australia). And it just soo had to start sprinkling and dampen my parade.
We were meant to see the Lourve at night too, because we both wanted to see the Pyramids illuminated in the courtyard, but with the rain, we decided to go back to the apartment and rest up for our big feast tomorrow.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
...and I miss you...
Reflecting upon 2007 last night, as i didnt get a chance to while I was on holidays...I recognise that there are a couple of things i miss.
I miss those nights where you are in your pj's, but you're flirting like crazy with someone you crush - all via the phone...having a deep and meaningful conversation into the wee hours of the night and only managing to get about 4 hours of sleep and yet you get up at the usual time to go to work, but its all okay, because your still buzzing from the really great conversation you had with that someone special. And from somewhere you don't know, you have the energy to power on throughout the day!
I miss the liberating feeling of wandering the streets of a city you have only just arrived in and manage to get to and from your hotel after a binge shoe shopping spree at a local mall that happens to be next to a really HUGE glass penis-looking building. Succeeding in buying 4 pairs of shoes and this is all done with only knowing how to say "hola", "por favor" and "gracias". [Referring to Barcelona]
I miss the moments where I feel completely passionate about a personal endeavour, whether it be running a race or painting a picture. I want to know that I am not wasting a moment of my life. I want to be sure that any time (outside of work) will be spent on doing something I love and feel passionate about.
I miss having the confidence to say and do anything i feel like. I'm actually a very quiet (reads: boring) person now. My interests are much more subdued than they were when i was 22 y/o. The last time I partied was actually when I was 22 y/o. The type of confidence I carry now is more in line with the fact that i'm older and it comes from maturity and practice. I'm still not glowingly confident...its a type of quiet confidence.
I miss being the child in my relationship with my mother - without the awkward sense of knowing that i am now an adult and should be treated like one. There is a weird resistance on both sides of the party...its really odd. We used to travel and Mum would take care of everything. She'd keep our passports, she'd fill out all the forms, she'd hold on to all the money, she'd get the bags off the carousel, etc. This last trip, the tables have turned. She didn't have to worry about anything, because I had our passports, I filled out all the forms, I took care of the money, and I schlepped all our bags for the both of us. I was the leader, the navigator, the fearless. I don't believe she is quite comfortable with the knowledge that I am now 100% independent of her. I don't believe that I am quite comfortable with the knowledge that I will float and not sink without her.
I miss those nights where you are in your pj's, but you're flirting like crazy with someone you crush - all via the phone...having a deep and meaningful conversation into the wee hours of the night and only managing to get about 4 hours of sleep and yet you get up at the usual time to go to work, but its all okay, because your still buzzing from the really great conversation you had with that someone special. And from somewhere you don't know, you have the energy to power on throughout the day!
I miss the liberating feeling of wandering the streets of a city you have only just arrived in and manage to get to and from your hotel after a binge shoe shopping spree at a local mall that happens to be next to a really HUGE glass penis-looking building. Succeeding in buying 4 pairs of shoes and this is all done with only knowing how to say "hola", "por favor" and "gracias". [Referring to Barcelona]
I miss the moments where I feel completely passionate about a personal endeavour, whether it be running a race or painting a picture. I want to know that I am not wasting a moment of my life. I want to be sure that any time (outside of work) will be spent on doing something I love and feel passionate about.
I miss having the confidence to say and do anything i feel like. I'm actually a very quiet (reads: boring) person now. My interests are much more subdued than they were when i was 22 y/o. The last time I partied was actually when I was 22 y/o. The type of confidence I carry now is more in line with the fact that i'm older and it comes from maturity and practice. I'm still not glowingly confident...its a type of quiet confidence.
I miss being the child in my relationship with my mother - without the awkward sense of knowing that i am now an adult and should be treated like one. There is a weird resistance on both sides of the party...its really odd. We used to travel and Mum would take care of everything. She'd keep our passports, she'd fill out all the forms, she'd hold on to all the money, she'd get the bags off the carousel, etc. This last trip, the tables have turned. She didn't have to worry about anything, because I had our passports, I filled out all the forms, I took care of the money, and I schlepped all our bags for the both of us. I was the leader, the navigator, the fearless. I don't believe she is quite comfortable with the knowledge that I am now 100% independent of her. I don't believe that I am quite comfortable with the knowledge that I will float and not sink without her.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
2008...
Its been 3 months since returning from my European escapades and only a day since my short stint in Asia.
I spent the end of 2007 in bed asleep while in KL and woke with the first *boom* from the fireworks to ring in the start of 2008. I got up and opened my blinds to see the Petronas Towers glittering from its own lights, as well as from the reflections of the fireworks display.
Its by no means as pretty as the fireworks we have in Sydney, but it was special in its own way.
I spent the last moments of 2007 ringing up a huge credit card bill by shopping away. I basically spent more than the average monthly wage of a local in a matter of 1 hour. Fun for me, but a bit harsh for the locals to observe while they watched, waiting in line behind me. Malaysia is great for spending like you are royalty without having to actually spend like a real one, after currency conversions and all.
I actually feel more tired returning from my week in Asia than i did returning from my month in Europe.
I slept well on the trip, i just didnt sleep well for the last 48 hours, which is the real reason why i feel soooo tired.
I'm wishing that I was at home right now, in bed.
2008 is going to be a year of more travelling. Lets hope i can save!!!
I spent the end of 2007 in bed asleep while in KL and woke with the first *boom* from the fireworks to ring in the start of 2008. I got up and opened my blinds to see the Petronas Towers glittering from its own lights, as well as from the reflections of the fireworks display.
Its by no means as pretty as the fireworks we have in Sydney, but it was special in its own way.
I spent the last moments of 2007 ringing up a huge credit card bill by shopping away. I basically spent more than the average monthly wage of a local in a matter of 1 hour. Fun for me, but a bit harsh for the locals to observe while they watched, waiting in line behind me. Malaysia is great for spending like you are royalty without having to actually spend like a real one, after currency conversions and all.
I actually feel more tired returning from my week in Asia than i did returning from my month in Europe.
I slept well on the trip, i just didnt sleep well for the last 48 hours, which is the real reason why i feel soooo tired.
I'm wishing that I was at home right now, in bed.
2008 is going to be a year of more travelling. Lets hope i can save!!!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Bye European Heritage Tour...Hello 2008!
I have finally summarised the actual Tour I was on for 24 days.
I will write up my individual Paris trip soonish...I guess.
I can't believe its only been approximately 3 months since I returned from Europe and to think that on Monday I will be in Malaysia and then Singapore, and when I return from that, it will be 3 months since I returned to work.
I'm not really excited about KL or SG. Even though its my shopping trip. Guess shopping doesn't give me a BIG buzz anymore.
=(
I got really annoyed about 30 minutes ago when the stupid SGAir website wouldn't let me get back into the section to change my seats...that functionality should be revised. And then I called them to check if there was another way of doing so, and the guy TRIED to be helpful but all he could do was F#$%EN write a note to request what TYPE of seat I wanted.
-_-"
Helpful...very helpful.
On another note, HAPPY 2008 to everyone I won't get to see or celebrate with.
I can't believe that the first time I receive 3 wonderful invitations to various NYE parties, I am unable to attend any. Please remember to invite me for 2009.
^_^
I will write up my individual Paris trip soonish...I guess.
I can't believe its only been approximately 3 months since I returned from Europe and to think that on Monday I will be in Malaysia and then Singapore, and when I return from that, it will be 3 months since I returned to work.
I'm not really excited about KL or SG. Even though its my shopping trip. Guess shopping doesn't give me a BIG buzz anymore.
=(
I got really annoyed about 30 minutes ago when the stupid SGAir website wouldn't let me get back into the section to change my seats...that functionality should be revised. And then I called them to check if there was another way of doing so, and the guy TRIED to be helpful but all he could do was F#$%EN write a note to request what TYPE of seat I wanted.
-_-"
Helpful...very helpful.
On another note, HAPPY 2008 to everyone I won't get to see or celebrate with.
I can't believe that the first time I receive 3 wonderful invitations to various NYE parties, I am unable to attend any. Please remember to invite me for 2009.
^_^
Paris
Day: Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Wellbeing: Decongestant is required!
Weather: Rainy
Highlight: The Lourve and Versailles (Day), Can-can dinner (Night)
It was a struggle to go to Versailles because there was a taxi strike, where all the taxis would literally stop in the middle of the road wherever they are. Fortunately, our bus driver knew in advance and we managed to avoide the strike by 10 minutes of when it was meant to be. We drove past as the taxis as they started to park in the middle of the road.
The rain really dampened the glory of the palace at Versailles. The interiors were lush and obviously covered with lots and lots of gold. I really loved the various themed rooms. The Indian room, the China room, the Glass ballroom...and the garden! Oh I wished my nose wasn't blocked and I could stop to smell the fragrant roses.
After Versailles, we went back to the hotel to get ready for the Can-Can dinner and show at the Nouvelle Eve. When we got to the restaurant, Marese took Lauren and I up the road to a chocolate shop and which is situated between the Nouvelle Eve and Moulin Rouge. The lady who owns it, sells the special chocolate that Juiliette Binoche requested for her movie - Chocolat. So, what else would we do, but buy the same chocolate and the chocolate lady wrapped it up in some special paper and pretty ribbon. I chose the choc hazelnut.
Champagne is good for such a night. And the performances between the actual can-cans and the boobies been thrusted around made it quite an "interesting" night. Most entertaining things were when Craig and Roger got called up on to the stage. Craig was called to help with the jugglers and they barely missed his nose. While Roger was called up to compete in a dancing competition. Mind you, Roger is like over 55 y/o and he only won because our tour group REALLY cheered for him.
It was a brilliant final day and night on the tour. I am SO glad that this tour has gone really well, except for my spending!
I think I have over spent by $1K and there is still 4 nights in Paris...
Wellbeing: Decongestant is required!
Weather: Rainy
Highlight: The Lourve and Versailles (Day), Can-can dinner (Night)
It was a struggle to go to Versailles because there was a taxi strike, where all the taxis would literally stop in the middle of the road wherever they are. Fortunately, our bus driver knew in advance and we managed to avoide the strike by 10 minutes of when it was meant to be. We drove past as the taxis as they started to park in the middle of the road.
The rain really dampened the glory of the palace at Versailles. The interiors were lush and obviously covered with lots and lots of gold. I really loved the various themed rooms. The Indian room, the China room, the Glass ballroom...and the garden! Oh I wished my nose wasn't blocked and I could stop to smell the fragrant roses.
After Versailles, we went back to the hotel to get ready for the Can-Can dinner and show at the Nouvelle Eve. When we got to the restaurant, Marese took Lauren and I up the road to a chocolate shop and which is situated between the Nouvelle Eve and Moulin Rouge. The lady who owns it, sells the special chocolate that Juiliette Binoche requested for her movie - Chocolat. So, what else would we do, but buy the same chocolate and the chocolate lady wrapped it up in some special paper and pretty ribbon. I chose the choc hazelnut.
Champagne is good for such a night. And the performances between the actual can-cans and the boobies been thrusted around made it quite an "interesting" night. Most entertaining things were when Craig and Roger got called up on to the stage. Craig was called to help with the jugglers and they barely missed his nose. While Roger was called up to compete in a dancing competition. Mind you, Roger is like over 55 y/o and he only won because our tour group REALLY cheered for him.
It was a brilliant final day and night on the tour. I am SO glad that this tour has gone really well, except for my spending!
I think I have over spent by $1K and there is still 4 nights in Paris...
Bordeaux & Paris
Day: Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Wellbeing: Okay
Weather: Rainy-ish
Highlight: Eiffel Tower and the cruise on the River Seine and the view of Notre Dame at night.
Paris is really a city of lights. The Eiffel sparkled on the hour for 10 minutes, but because of the Rugby World Cup, it was coloured green and gold. We went up to level 2 and took a look at the city as the sun was setting. Need to make my own way to the "Musee de Homme" to take a photo of the Eiffel in its completeness.
Bought a stirling silver charm of the Eiffel for Chloe and Aimee. Need to find a little love heart or flower for myself for the little purse I bought in Leichtenstein.
So tired. The optional excursion finished at 10:30pm.
Got my own room for this last hotel as I am staying on in Paris.
It is Marese birthday today. She was born in 1949. What a shocker!!!
Wellbeing: Okay
Weather: Rainy-ish
Highlight: Eiffel Tower and the cruise on the River Seine and the view of Notre Dame at night.
Paris is really a city of lights. The Eiffel sparkled on the hour for 10 minutes, but because of the Rugby World Cup, it was coloured green and gold. We went up to level 2 and took a look at the city as the sun was setting. Need to make my own way to the "Musee de Homme" to take a photo of the Eiffel in its completeness.
Bought a stirling silver charm of the Eiffel for Chloe and Aimee. Need to find a little love heart or flower for myself for the little purse I bought in Leichtenstein.
So tired. The optional excursion finished at 10:30pm.
Got my own room for this last hotel as I am staying on in Paris.
It is Marese birthday today. She was born in 1949. What a shocker!!!
Lourdes & Bordeaux
Day: Monday, 24 September 2007
Wellbeing: Okay - with a bit of a blocked nose.
Weather: Drizzling
Highlight: Le Chateau fort et son musee Pyreneen.
The fort was a great climb. Following Marese's instructions from the night before, I got the group lost, but we eventually found our way there. There was Bev, Judy, Phuong, Thilaga, and Peter. Lauren was still asleep when I checked up on her at 8:15am. She still felt a little sick and was going to sleep in.
After the fort I visited the underground Basilica and the other 2 churches above it - making it a 3 churches on top of one another. I witnessed a morning mass at Le Grotte, which was filled with many parents and their child who is sick or disabled or terminally ill, with this one last hope that a cure may be found to help their child. It was such a sunny and beautiful day, but I was saddened by what I saw.
After walking away with a heavy heart, I went in search for lunch and found some berets for myself. I bought 1 red and 1 white.
Leaving Lourdes, we headed to Biarritz and when we stopped Lauren and I went for a walk and stopped at a patisserier/chocolatier called Henriet, and we bought some chocolate eclairs. Now after having the choc eclair in Strasbourg, and then 2 in Cannes, and now this one in Biarritz from Henriet...Henriet wins the BEST choc eclair stakes! Lets see what Paris has to offer.
This one from Henriet had a more thicker creme caramel type of centre. It was petite in size and cost 2.50 Euros but worth every cent.
Wellbeing: Okay - with a bit of a blocked nose.
Weather: Drizzling
Highlight: Le Chateau fort et son musee Pyreneen.
The fort was a great climb. Following Marese's instructions from the night before, I got the group lost, but we eventually found our way there. There was Bev, Judy, Phuong, Thilaga, and Peter. Lauren was still asleep when I checked up on her at 8:15am. She still felt a little sick and was going to sleep in.
After the fort I visited the underground Basilica and the other 2 churches above it - making it a 3 churches on top of one another. I witnessed a morning mass at Le Grotte, which was filled with many parents and their child who is sick or disabled or terminally ill, with this one last hope that a cure may be found to help their child. It was such a sunny and beautiful day, but I was saddened by what I saw.
After walking away with a heavy heart, I went in search for lunch and found some berets for myself. I bought 1 red and 1 white.
Leaving Lourdes, we headed to Biarritz and when we stopped Lauren and I went for a walk and stopped at a patisserier/chocolatier called Henriet, and we bought some chocolate eclairs. Now after having the choc eclair in Strasbourg, and then 2 in Cannes, and now this one in Biarritz from Henriet...Henriet wins the BEST choc eclair stakes! Lets see what Paris has to offer.
This one from Henriet had a more thicker creme caramel type of centre. It was petite in size and cost 2.50 Euros but worth every cent.
Lourdes
Day: Sunday, 23 September 2007
Wellbeing: Okay - but I overslept on the bus
Weather: Fine, but cool
Highlight: Light Procession in Lourdes at 9pm
After a meagre dinner and settling in the "other" hotel (second hotel owned by the Christina Hotel company) we went out at 8:30pm with a candles, and made our way for the Light Procession.
I'm not religious and at first was hesitant to go, but I thought I should make the effort to see what it was. And I am glad that I went. I'm glad that I got to see the beauty. Its not like it converted me. It was just a sight. It was worth the time and the effort to walk around. It was inspiring, it was hopeful.
It started at Le Grotte and weaved around the statue and stopping in front of the 3 tiered Cathedrals (on above the other) by the river and near the new hospital.
The light illumination (even without the faith) was absolutely breathtaking. All the people with faith who sang with their hearts, moved me. With all the candles lit and this long procession - the sea of all the people, was simply a sight to be seen. Supposedly, tonight was a "quiet" night.
After the Light Procession ended, Bev, Judy, and I went to buy our berets and some glass bottles for the holy water, which we went back to the Grotto to collect. I thought I should bring some holy water back for my friends who are religious. I just hope the customs in Australia will allow me back in the country with it.
I bought 2 red berets for Chloe and Aimee.
Wellbeing: Okay - but I overslept on the bus
Weather: Fine, but cool
Highlight: Light Procession in Lourdes at 9pm
After a meagre dinner and settling in the "other" hotel (second hotel owned by the Christina Hotel company) we went out at 8:30pm with a candles, and made our way for the Light Procession.
I'm not religious and at first was hesitant to go, but I thought I should make the effort to see what it was. And I am glad that I went. I'm glad that I got to see the beauty. Its not like it converted me. It was just a sight. It was worth the time and the effort to walk around. It was inspiring, it was hopeful.
It started at Le Grotte and weaved around the statue and stopping in front of the 3 tiered Cathedrals (on above the other) by the river and near the new hospital.
The light illumination (even without the faith) was absolutely breathtaking. All the people with faith who sang with their hearts, moved me. With all the candles lit and this long procession - the sea of all the people, was simply a sight to be seen. Supposedly, tonight was a "quiet" night.
After the Light Procession ended, Bev, Judy, and I went to buy our berets and some glass bottles for the holy water, which we went back to the Grotto to collect. I thought I should bring some holy water back for my friends who are religious. I just hope the customs in Australia will allow me back in the country with it.
I bought 2 red berets for Chloe and Aimee.
Madrid & Toledo
Day: Saturday, 22 September 2007
Wellbeing: Good
Weather: Sunny and warm
Highlight: Toledo, another enchanting place like Lucca and Vance or Burano.
What I remember the most of today was the shopping I did in Toledo. I bought so many pieces, I've lost count. I bought a pendant for myself, about 4 or 5 necklaces, 2 pair of earrings for my nieces, I bought a hair pin/clip thing - not sure when I would wear it, but its good to have for an occasion.
Toledo is a maze of a city. Our guide admitted that even she, today, would get lost. I got lost trying to find my way back after I roamed off on my own to buy more jewellery.
The jewellery in Toledo that I refer to is gold gilt embossed on blackened steel. There are geometric patterns or flora/fauna themed pieces. I went with the pretty flowers and bird motifs because, well, they were pretty. You can only buy this type of jewellery here in Toledo. Which made every purchase special.
The reason why Toledo is a maze is because the buildings are very hard to distinguish. There are no obvious landmarks to refer to, and its easy to forget that you should turn left not right when you are walking down one of the long winding streets.
Irrespective of whether you will get lost in Toledo or not, its a really special place. We witnessed a wedding and the bridesmaid looked really glamourous in a tangerine coloured, tiered, flamenco inspired design. I think she stood out more than the bride.
Wellbeing: Good
Weather: Sunny and warm
Highlight: Toledo, another enchanting place like Lucca and Vance or Burano.
What I remember the most of today was the shopping I did in Toledo. I bought so many pieces, I've lost count. I bought a pendant for myself, about 4 or 5 necklaces, 2 pair of earrings for my nieces, I bought a hair pin/clip thing - not sure when I would wear it, but its good to have for an occasion.
Toledo is a maze of a city. Our guide admitted that even she, today, would get lost. I got lost trying to find my way back after I roamed off on my own to buy more jewellery.
The jewellery in Toledo that I refer to is gold gilt embossed on blackened steel. There are geometric patterns or flora/fauna themed pieces. I went with the pretty flowers and bird motifs because, well, they were pretty. You can only buy this type of jewellery here in Toledo. Which made every purchase special.
The reason why Toledo is a maze is because the buildings are very hard to distinguish. There are no obvious landmarks to refer to, and its easy to forget that you should turn left not right when you are walking down one of the long winding streets.
Irrespective of whether you will get lost in Toledo or not, its a really special place. We witnessed a wedding and the bridesmaid looked really glamourous in a tangerine coloured, tiered, flamenco inspired design. I think she stood out more than the bride.
Barcelona & Madrid
Day: Friday, 21 September 2007
Wellbeing: Okay
Weather: Cloudy & rainy - Sunny in Madrid
Highlight: Madrid after 5pm
There is a difference between the East side of Madrid and the city centre, especially between where the hotel is located and Plaza Mayor.
We had lunch at a deserted stop between Barcelona and Madrid. Looked and felt like we were in outback Mexico. We were in fact surrounded with arid land. Had a club sandwich in which Judy declared that she wouldn't treat us all if we had food poisoning. This was after I gave my Imodium and Stemitil to Cathy when Toby came down in the morning to tell Marese that Cathy was vomitting.
Madrid is a surprise. I didn't like how i felt about it until the local tour began in the early evening where we visted the Central Park of Madrid and saw the view at the back of the Temple of Debod - the amusement park and zoo inthe centre of the forest/woods. We also saw the old and new cathedral, as well as Palacio Real de Madrid.
For dinner we got Lauren to take a picture with our waiter Nicky as Nicky was flirting with her - like when she asked where the toilets were...he interlocked his arms with hers and walked her into the restaurant. We were having Roast pork in the middle of Plaza Mayor, as Caro (pronounced as Chuaro) recommended the pork at this place and they had a special oven that roasted the pork in about 30 minutes...so we didn't have to pre-order as you usually do.
Dinner was with Lauren and Peter N, and we actually got to speak on a more intimate level. We each revealed a bit more of ourselves and I really enjoyed dinner. It reminded me of having dinner with my friends and catching up after a few months. Pete revealed that Lauren and I had nicknames. Lauren is known as Chuckles and I'm referred to as Happy Eyes.
*^_^*
Wellbeing: Okay
Weather: Cloudy & rainy - Sunny in Madrid
Highlight: Madrid after 5pm
There is a difference between the East side of Madrid and the city centre, especially between where the hotel is located and Plaza Mayor.
We had lunch at a deserted stop between Barcelona and Madrid. Looked and felt like we were in outback Mexico. We were in fact surrounded with arid land. Had a club sandwich in which Judy declared that she wouldn't treat us all if we had food poisoning. This was after I gave my Imodium and Stemitil to Cathy when Toby came down in the morning to tell Marese that Cathy was vomitting.
Madrid is a surprise. I didn't like how i felt about it until the local tour began in the early evening where we visted the Central Park of Madrid and saw the view at the back of the Temple of Debod - the amusement park and zoo inthe centre of the forest/woods. We also saw the old and new cathedral, as well as Palacio Real de Madrid.
For dinner we got Lauren to take a picture with our waiter Nicky as Nicky was flirting with her - like when she asked where the toilets were...he interlocked his arms with hers and walked her into the restaurant. We were having Roast pork in the middle of Plaza Mayor, as Caro (pronounced as Chuaro) recommended the pork at this place and they had a special oven that roasted the pork in about 30 minutes...so we didn't have to pre-order as you usually do.
Dinner was with Lauren and Peter N, and we actually got to speak on a more intimate level. We each revealed a bit more of ourselves and I really enjoyed dinner. It reminded me of having dinner with my friends and catching up after a few months. Pete revealed that Lauren and I had nicknames. Lauren is known as Chuckles and I'm referred to as Happy Eyes.
*^_^*
Barcelona
Day: Thursday, 20 September 2007
Wellbeing: Fluey
Weather: Cloudy and mild
Highlight: Guell Park and the Tapas dinner and Flamenco Show
We visited Guell Park, saw Casa Batllo (skull looking building), saw La Padrera (first apartment block with an underground carpark). There was a trumpeter at Guell playing "Fly me to the moon" and it lifted my spirits. I can't say it enough, Gaudi is a genius. On the roof of the "Town centre" in the middle of Guell Park, there are benches around the wall that are ergonomically designed. It looks really uncomfortable to sit and lean back on, but its actually very comfy.
We also managed an excursion to Montserrat, which was great, but i napped before we arrived as well as the ride back to our hotel before dinner. Montserrat houses a Cathederal on top of a mountain. Really serene and peaceful. I had a plate of paella in the food court here, wasn't the best, but it was from a food court...so...yeah...
When we got back to the hotel after Montserrat, I rushed to the mall near the "glass penis" and I went hunting for a pair of heels. You know, leather shoes from Spain...but I didn't manage to find heels and ended up buying 4 pairs of flats from Zara. *LoL* The sales girl thoroughly checked my credit card and passport which made me feel confident n the purchase - good on the sales girl!
I'm happy I got to go shopping on my own. A little upset that I couldn't buy the red or the green clutch - but the clasp on both wasn't secure. GDI! Rushed back to the hotel after the sandal purchases to get ready for dinner.
We went to a restaurant off the main strip in Barcelona (like Pitt St, Sydney) and we were entertained with a passionate flamenco show after a buffet style tapas dinner. We managed to find our Mr April. He is from Russia and we made Lauren take a photo with him for our "Calendar". Well, she did think he was cute. *LoL*
Marese taught me how to say "thank you" in Russian, but i can't remember it now. Too much red wine.
After dinner we went outside to wait for the bus and in the mean time Marese got Lucy dressed up as a flamenco and she danced in the middle of La Romdas (?). There were so many of the group standing around her, that the locals thought she was out performing like a local busker. *LoL* She actually had money thrown at her too.
Wellbeing: Fluey
Weather: Cloudy and mild
Highlight: Guell Park and the Tapas dinner and Flamenco Show
We visited Guell Park, saw Casa Batllo (skull looking building), saw La Padrera (first apartment block with an underground carpark). There was a trumpeter at Guell playing "Fly me to the moon" and it lifted my spirits. I can't say it enough, Gaudi is a genius. On the roof of the "Town centre" in the middle of Guell Park, there are benches around the wall that are ergonomically designed. It looks really uncomfortable to sit and lean back on, but its actually very comfy.
We also managed an excursion to Montserrat, which was great, but i napped before we arrived as well as the ride back to our hotel before dinner. Montserrat houses a Cathederal on top of a mountain. Really serene and peaceful. I had a plate of paella in the food court here, wasn't the best, but it was from a food court...so...yeah...
When we got back to the hotel after Montserrat, I rushed to the mall near the "glass penis" and I went hunting for a pair of heels. You know, leather shoes from Spain...but I didn't manage to find heels and ended up buying 4 pairs of flats from Zara. *LoL* The sales girl thoroughly checked my credit card and passport which made me feel confident n the purchase - good on the sales girl!
I'm happy I got to go shopping on my own. A little upset that I couldn't buy the red or the green clutch - but the clasp on both wasn't secure. GDI! Rushed back to the hotel after the sandal purchases to get ready for dinner.
We went to a restaurant off the main strip in Barcelona (like Pitt St, Sydney) and we were entertained with a passionate flamenco show after a buffet style tapas dinner. We managed to find our Mr April. He is from Russia and we made Lauren take a photo with him for our "Calendar". Well, she did think he was cute. *LoL*
Marese taught me how to say "thank you" in Russian, but i can't remember it now. Too much red wine.
After dinner we went outside to wait for the bus and in the mean time Marese got Lucy dressed up as a flamenco and she danced in the middle of La Romdas (?). There were so many of the group standing around her, that the locals thought she was out performing like a local busker. *LoL* She actually had money thrown at her too.
Cannes & Barcelona
Day: Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Wellbeing: Good
Weather: Sunny, nice breeze
Highlight: Temple de la Sagrada Familia
D'antoni Gaudi, who ended up dying before he could finish the temple was an innovative genius. Mar (our local guide) describes the Sagrada as "organic" as he didn't use straight lines - ever. He was inspired by nature and is absolutely incredible as an architect and designer. The Sagrada is incomplete, and it won't be completed until 2020 (which is when I will be back to see it, in all its glory)!!!
Other architects have tried to complete it but the style is obviously different. Some parts of the monument is art deco, some are contemporary in style. It can hold 55,000 (i think) and it will be the highest monument when it is completed, with the tallest spire standing at 173m (not sure if that sounds right), to represent Jesus.
Wellbeing: Good
Weather: Sunny, nice breeze
Highlight: Temple de la Sagrada Familia
D'antoni Gaudi, who ended up dying before he could finish the temple was an innovative genius. Mar (our local guide) describes the Sagrada as "organic" as he didn't use straight lines - ever. He was inspired by nature and is absolutely incredible as an architect and designer. The Sagrada is incomplete, and it won't be completed until 2020 (which is when I will be back to see it, in all its glory)!!!
Other architects have tried to complete it but the style is obviously different. Some parts of the monument is art deco, some are contemporary in style. It can hold 55,000 (i think) and it will be the highest monument when it is completed, with the tallest spire standing at 173m (not sure if that sounds right), to represent Jesus.
Cannes & Nice
Day: Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Wellbeing: Okay
Weather: Very warm
Highlight: St Paul de Vance.
Vance is a small city/village like Lucca. I also had to buy something in memory of it and couldn't really afford the 2100 Euro pair of antique earrings I saw in the window display of a store next to the church. Ever so grateful that we were visiting Vance early, so the store was closed.
But having that urge to buy earrings, I found a pair of affordable earrings and bought those without a wince! Then I bought an original water colour painting for 25 Euros and 2 replicas that only cost 1.50 Euros each.
Later for lunch, we walked from the coach to the water front restaurant (La Fregate) on the French Riviera (Cote d'Azur). I had a pressed fish soup with crusty bread and aioli which was yum for the entree. I then had a scampi with saffron rice and then for dessert we had profiteroles with ice cream in the centre and melted chocolate on top. If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend the fish soup with the bread and aioli and the profiteroles. I couldn't find the same type of profiteroles anywhere else in France...AND it IS to DIE for!
After lunch we walked back along the promenade in Nice and went to Fragonard for some perfume. We had a tour of the production area and had a personal "smelling" session of their perfumes. They don't sell their perfumes in department stores. They have a couple of boutique stores of their own brand (in France only) and they sell online. But otherwise, you won't be able to buy their fragrance anywhere. I bought two bottles. 1 perfume: Eclat and 1 eau de toilette: Belle du nuit. Perfumes last for about 6-8 hours of wear, while eau de toilette is watered down and therefore lasts for about 3-4 hours of wear.
I realised today that I am running low on cash. GDI! In need of transferring money.
Wellbeing: Okay
Weather: Very warm
Highlight: St Paul de Vance.
Vance is a small city/village like Lucca. I also had to buy something in memory of it and couldn't really afford the 2100 Euro pair of antique earrings I saw in the window display of a store next to the church. Ever so grateful that we were visiting Vance early, so the store was closed.
But having that urge to buy earrings, I found a pair of affordable earrings and bought those without a wince! Then I bought an original water colour painting for 25 Euros and 2 replicas that only cost 1.50 Euros each.
Later for lunch, we walked from the coach to the water front restaurant (La Fregate) on the French Riviera (Cote d'Azur). I had a pressed fish soup with crusty bread and aioli which was yum for the entree. I then had a scampi with saffron rice and then for dessert we had profiteroles with ice cream in the centre and melted chocolate on top. If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend the fish soup with the bread and aioli and the profiteroles. I couldn't find the same type of profiteroles anywhere else in France...AND it IS to DIE for!
After lunch we walked back along the promenade in Nice and went to Fragonard for some perfume. We had a tour of the production area and had a personal "smelling" session of their perfumes. They don't sell their perfumes in department stores. They have a couple of boutique stores of their own brand (in France only) and they sell online. But otherwise, you won't be able to buy their fragrance anywhere. I bought two bottles. 1 perfume: Eclat and 1 eau de toilette: Belle du nuit. Perfumes last for about 6-8 hours of wear, while eau de toilette is watered down and therefore lasts for about 3-4 hours of wear.
I realised today that I am running low on cash. GDI! In need of transferring money.
Lucca, Pisa & Nice
Day: Monday, 17 September 2007
Wellbeing: Running nose
Weather: Warm & muggy
Highlight: Ria - the local guide we had for Lucca.
Lucca is such a special place, Pisa by no means compared. And the two cities are rivals of each other. And because Lucca was so special, I just had to buy something in memory of it. I happened to come across a store that opened and I bought Mum a pair of leather thongs. Would have bought it for myself, but it was the last pair and it was a size 36, and i'm a 38.
They just had a light festival where the whole town was lit up by candles, but the day we visited they were taking the candles down. Its actually the location of the "real" first colosseum. The town centre is in the circular shape and there are 52 entry ways, exactly like the Colosseum in Rome. It was fortified by Napolean's sister (i think it was his sister, but i could be wrong, because my memory is crap) for a war that never happened, and later she planted heaps of trees around the wall and made it into a park like surround.
Absolutely captivating and i will remember it always. Might go back for a concert in the colosseum shaped town centre. We were informed that Elton John recently had a concert there and so did Van Morrison...if Ria had told me that Michael Buble would be performing there, i would fly from anywhere in the world to attend.
When we got to Pisa I took a token photo of myself leaning on the Tower . And that was basically it for the day in Pisa. I got a slice of pizza in Pisa, but it was pretty crap, so I was pretty disappointed.
As we travelled to Nice, in Genoa Marese advised that our hotel in Nice was completely booked so we have been moved to a hotel in Cannes. I didn't mind where we were going to stay, so long as we got there. Before we would go to Cannes we were going to stop in Monte Carlo (Monaco, France) for the Casino.
I do believe the well dressed and style conscious are in Monte Carlo, if you compare Innsbruck or Lucerne or Vienna (as Marese thinks). Everyone I saw in Monte Carlo were effortlessly beautiful and glamourous. GDI!
Went into the original Casino, but only to use Mrs Murphy. Beautiful interiors, but absolutely no photos allowed. The Mrs Murphy seats were washed once you flushed - talk about poshy!
Really busy tomorrow...
Wellbeing: Running nose
Weather: Warm & muggy
Highlight: Ria - the local guide we had for Lucca.
Lucca is such a special place, Pisa by no means compared. And the two cities are rivals of each other. And because Lucca was so special, I just had to buy something in memory of it. I happened to come across a store that opened and I bought Mum a pair of leather thongs. Would have bought it for myself, but it was the last pair and it was a size 36, and i'm a 38.
They just had a light festival where the whole town was lit up by candles, but the day we visited they were taking the candles down. Its actually the location of the "real" first colosseum. The town centre is in the circular shape and there are 52 entry ways, exactly like the Colosseum in Rome. It was fortified by Napolean's sister (i think it was his sister, but i could be wrong, because my memory is crap) for a war that never happened, and later she planted heaps of trees around the wall and made it into a park like surround.
Absolutely captivating and i will remember it always. Might go back for a concert in the colosseum shaped town centre. We were informed that Elton John recently had a concert there and so did Van Morrison...if Ria had told me that Michael Buble would be performing there, i would fly from anywhere in the world to attend.
When we got to Pisa I took a token photo of myself leaning on the Tower . And that was basically it for the day in Pisa. I got a slice of pizza in Pisa, but it was pretty crap, so I was pretty disappointed.
As we travelled to Nice, in Genoa Marese advised that our hotel in Nice was completely booked so we have been moved to a hotel in Cannes. I didn't mind where we were going to stay, so long as we got there. Before we would go to Cannes we were going to stop in Monte Carlo (Monaco, France) for the Casino.
I do believe the well dressed and style conscious are in Monte Carlo, if you compare Innsbruck or Lucerne or Vienna (as Marese thinks). Everyone I saw in Monte Carlo were effortlessly beautiful and glamourous. GDI!
Went into the original Casino, but only to use Mrs Murphy. Beautiful interiors, but absolutely no photos allowed. The Mrs Murphy seats were washed once you flushed - talk about poshy!
Really busy tomorrow...
Florence
Day: Sunday, 16 September 2007
Wellbeing: Good
Weather: Very warm
Highlights: Group photo shot at the highest point of Florence. Lowlight was the fact that the museum staff at the Academia were on strike, so I didn't get to see David in all his glory!
Because of the strike at the Academia, I went nuts shopping. I basically bought everyone in my family a present from Firenze. I bought a leather wallet for my younger brother, which I had his initials embossed with gold (as you do in Florence) and a leather belt for my Dad with his initials embossed with gold as well with 24K gilt. Bought leather bookmarks for my book reading friends, and these really cute keyrings in the shape of a key for my cousins.
Found Mum a handbag and one for myself. I then went over to the "Gold Corner" for a necklace weaved with gold threads like a scarf. The one I really wanted was made with white and yellow gold and is long enough to use as a belt. But that cost over 3500 Euros. There was a thinner, shorter version with a loop on one end (because its too short to knot), but that was 936 Euros. I thought it over, and finally said no. I either buy the one I absolutely love, or nothing at all.
So, I asked the guy to show me some rings! *LoL*
I ended up buying a 18K white gold ring. I have to remember to go to the airport in Paris to claim my duty tax back from the ring.
After spending up big, we went back to the wine country, more specifically Lucca (also known as Monte Carlo) in Tuscany, for some wine tasting at a vineyard.
We tried 3 whites, 2 reds, 1 dessert, a shot of grappa and had olives, sundried tomatoes (which I couldn't get enough of), and olive oil with bread...yum, yum, yum.
Wellbeing: Good
Weather: Very warm
Highlights: Group photo shot at the highest point of Florence. Lowlight was the fact that the museum staff at the Academia were on strike, so I didn't get to see David in all his glory!
Because of the strike at the Academia, I went nuts shopping. I basically bought everyone in my family a present from Firenze. I bought a leather wallet for my younger brother, which I had his initials embossed with gold (as you do in Florence) and a leather belt for my Dad with his initials embossed with gold as well with 24K gilt. Bought leather bookmarks for my book reading friends, and these really cute keyrings in the shape of a key for my cousins.
Found Mum a handbag and one for myself. I then went over to the "Gold Corner" for a necklace weaved with gold threads like a scarf. The one I really wanted was made with white and yellow gold and is long enough to use as a belt. But that cost over 3500 Euros. There was a thinner, shorter version with a loop on one end (because its too short to knot), but that was 936 Euros. I thought it over, and finally said no. I either buy the one I absolutely love, or nothing at all.
So, I asked the guy to show me some rings! *LoL*
I ended up buying a 18K white gold ring. I have to remember to go to the airport in Paris to claim my duty tax back from the ring.
After spending up big, we went back to the wine country, more specifically Lucca (also known as Monte Carlo) in Tuscany, for some wine tasting at a vineyard.
We tried 3 whites, 2 reds, 1 dessert, a shot of grappa and had olives, sundried tomatoes (which I couldn't get enough of), and olive oil with bread...yum, yum, yum.
