our travel tid bits

Just like any good city- the streets of Barcelona had a lot to offer. From the chain smoking prostitutes talking of tourist tainting its city's image. To I'll never soon forget the words " Oh my god its a angry mob!" and it was just that, with torches and all. Or how about the dining experience of a tanning bed as a back drop, couldn't really walk out it was Christmas day and the only restaurant that was open. Or how about have you ever traveled by gondola to the top of a mountain during a wind storm, you'd be surprised by how much they swing. We were like rubber balls, just kinda bouncing off the plexiglass.

Barcelona has to be one of the most beautifully designed cities I've ever seen. Every kind of design from graphic, interior, exterior, environmental, industrial, architectural, traditional and contemporary, has been strategically and organically placed throughout the city. The blinding white MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) with it's pristine wall of glass and open stone slab piazza was an impressive sight. Especially after wandering around dimly lit narrow streets. However, the MACBA is just one of many monumental staples within the city. There is all of Gaudi's works, from the famous Casa Mila, Casa Batilo and Parco Guell. To the famous Torre Agbar and Torre Montjuic, the list goes on and on. Even with seeing all these major sites, the everyday stores and restaurants were just as awe-inspiring. To me Barcelona is truly a city where no detail goes without artistic thought.

On top of Park Guell

On our last full day in Barcelona we walked a very long way (up hill) to the famous Park Guell. We didn't really walk to much around the park itself, but instead got sidetracked by a giant hill just off a main path. It didn't really seem like you were suppose to walk up it, since there were no paths anywhere, but there were no signs saying it was off limits either. So we trekked our way to the top, which was more difficult then expected. However, It was well worth it because at the top was the most amazing 360 view of Barcelona. You could tell it was one of those special secret places that most the tourist down at the park never see.

Barcelona Eats

We steered clear of any El Bulli alumni and tourist traps while in Barcelona and focused on the traditional. It's easy to fall for the Spanish style of cooking and eating - straight forward simple no fuss. Perhaps the perfect city with its cheap beer, cheap plates and no closing time. The good restaurants were always packed and worth the wait.

Some of the high lights had to be:

whole fried sardines in escabeche
of course seafood paella
dates, cheese and bacon(on these little crisp ladyfinger baguettes)
foie gras pate and Roquefort
duck confit with orange and pine nuts
Quarter sized rare mini burgers with sweet onions
fried hot peppers
chorizo and cheese sandwiches
eating al fresco

We even spotted several dunkin donut shops, which you have to be a little soft for after living in Chicago.

On top of Mont Juic

On are second day in Barcelona we headed up to the top of Montjuic via gondolas. Not having any idea of what was awaiting us at the top. The view was amazing as we sat on the hill sipping hot chocolate waiting for the city lights to come on under a full moon.

La Boqueria Market

This is the Mecca for food in Europe, the La Boqueria Market is the biggest and best. The outer rim of the market is full of small bars and restaurants. Once inside the market it's easy to get lost, the array of food is simply overwhelming. Tables of seafood so fresh they move, we made stops everyday to pickup fresh fruit. Basically if you can't find what you are looking for here it doesn't exist.

Up up and away- glimpses out the window on our trip to Barcelona. Enjoy

pretty lights

These pictures were suppose to be posted before the Holidays. However, like most people during this time, procrastination took over. Again.

Justice at last!

So after hearing about all these amazing Justice shows we kept missing, we finally got to see one for ourselves right here in Milan. It was at a venue called Magazzini Generali, which is a pretty big venue with an upstairs and a really nice bar. The kids definitely came out of the wood works for this show. We were suppose to meet five of our friends inside, but unfortunately it sold out before they were able to make it in. Justice came on around 11:15, and I gotta be honest I wasn't sure if Milan kids could get down, but to our surprise the place went absolutely crazy. This madness lasted about 2 hrs. and by the end my body felt like it just ran a decathlon. But just like any good Milan party, street food and more beer awaited us outside to make biking home more enjoyable.

Thanks Milano

So our friend Antonia had a little Thanksgiving get together at her apartment. Even though it wasn't actually on Thanksgiving, and we had to substitute turkey with chicken, and we weren't with our families, it still had the "feeling" of Thanksgiving (i guess). Half the people there were American and the other half were from all over the place. I guess you know something wrong when you finish your thanksgiving meal with jello shots.

churches

We have only been inside a few of the churches here in Milan. The Duomo being the biggest, most prominent, and grandiose of them all. A true staple in Milanese history and geography, the whole city encompasses it. It is impressive in it's immense size and ornate detail that covers every inch internally and externally. You also can experience it's wonderful views of the whole city, only if you can mange to walk up about 215 feet to the top. I'm hoping we will be able to see more of the smaller, more quaint churches around the city. However they all seem to be closed most of the time. I know what your thinking; why don't you go to one on Sunday morning when there open? Well... I will, hopefully... someday.

DAY 3 / Nice, France

Went to the open air markets early the third day, tables were full of local produce- we bought olives, white truffle oil, tandoori spice, balinese pepper, provence herbs, clementines leaves still attached, post cards, books, & soap all with loose change we’d accumulated.

On are way back to our hotels we stopped and watched the most peculiar thing. Don’t really know how to explain it- so here it goes - they were a bunch of kids dancing in the streets - seriously, no music, and no drugs just dancing. I thought to myself this must have been what the audition line for footloose must have looked liked. We were both mesmerized by this odd activity and ended up staying there way longer then expected. We video taped some of it, but don't know how to load it yet.

Here's a youtube link if you want to check out what it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4fHnJ1W1nE

just imagine bunch of kids everywhere dancing like this, with no music.

DAY 2 / Nice, France

On our second day in Nice we decided to take advantage of the 70 degree weather and headed to the beach. We brought with us some club baguettes and delicious fruit. We couldn't believe how clear and blue the waters was, however it was way to cold to go into. The rest of the day was spent lazily wandering around the pier and shopping area.

DAY 1 / Nice, France

Left for Nice at 7:10am from Milan Central, the train would run south into Genova then west along the coast into Nice going through French Rivera towns and rocky hills along the way taking around 4.5hrs. It was hard to sleep on the train you couldn’t help but look out at the sun on the Mediterranean.

The food in Nice was of an interesting eclectic mix, having the second largest population in France and a wide influx of tourist it was out to please all. We tried to stick to the mother-land-foods- crepes, porchetta, pissadaire, nicoise salads, beignets, mussels and fritts etc. All the food was great with the exception of the porchetta(stuffed suckling pig) I knew it to be how do you say? Back-woodsy/medieval/country/ “rustic”, but still wasn’t prepared for the coarse black pepper, juniper, garlic clove, hard dry liver, cubed fat back stuffing it was killer.

On Saturday night we headed to a club called Hollywood (I know, I know). The club was o.k, o.k people and o.k. music (maybe a mix between Smart bar and Foundation) However, the area that it was in was pretty interesting. It's a few city blocks called Corso Como. No cars can drive in it and it's filled with bars, clubs, pizzerias, gelaterias and a lot of little men trying to sell stuffed dancing penises. Like I said it was interesting.