// December 5th, 2011 // 9 Comments » // Photo of the Week, Turkey
With less than three days to explore Istanbul, I think I can say we made the most of it. One of my favorite architectural sights in the city is Hagia Sophia, once a Christian church that was transformed into a mosque and is now a museum. This photo is just a teaser of my stopover in Istanbul that I hope to share in the coming days.
// July 1st, 2011 // 7 Comments » // Spain
I’ve heard it a lot: Gaudi is gaudy.
I make bad puns all the time so I can’t blame ‘em, but sadly, it couldn’t be further from the truth. While the highly ornate exterior of La Sagrada Familia is not to my liking, I was blown away by the interior, modeled after a forest. I also really loved the Passion facade, however this is the work of another artist. I’d love to sit down and actually write about the architectural elements, but time is not on my side here in Africa. Instead, I’m just going to post the photos and recommend that if you ever go to Barcelona, you must a.) pay to go inside La Sagrada Familia and b.) pay to go up the elevator to the top of one of the spires and wind your way down the stairs. Enjoy! This is my last post on Gaudi and Barcelona! (more…)
// June 27th, 2011 // 5 Comments » // Spain
I’m an absorber by nature. I don’t necessarily like to debate but I like discussions on debatable topics. I’m just as happy observing an activity as I am participating. Growing up, I used to love to watch my sister play a Zelda video game. I didn’t want to play I just wanted to watch her play. I think my absorbent personality is why I am so intrigued with people watching. Sometimes I walk down the street and wonder about a passerby’s life. If I’m not sure, I just make something up in my head. (more…)
// June 23rd, 2011 // 4 Comments » // Spain
What do I love more than seeing Gaudi’s work in Barcelona? Seeing it for free! I visited Park Guell on my second day in the city and made not one but two more trips back to the park. I was drawn in by the views of the city, the ability to discover new areas of the park, and the people watching. As a public park, it’s an opportunity to see some of Gaudi’s work for free. (more…)
// May 31st, 2011 // 14 Comments » // Spain
Antoni Gaudi is one of the most famous Spanish architects and affiliated with the Art Nouveau movement. His designs are heavily influenced by nature and characterized by curvilinear forms. While many turn to puns and call Gaudi’s work ‘gaudy’, I think it is difficult not to appreciate his style after learning about his design process and what inspires him. (more…)
// May 23rd, 2011 // 10 Comments » // Spain
“Excuse me,” I said to the front desk guy at my hostel, “could you tell me how I can see the top of this building?” He had never even seen this market before. His buddy at the desk leaned over and mentioned that he had seen the colorful tiled roof of Mercat de Santa Caterina but from a friend’s apartment- he had no idea how I would be able to see it. I set out on a mission. I was obsessed with seeing this roof. I just had to! I wandered through a maze of streets, ended up in a sketchy part of town, but finally came upon the market. (more…)
// May 20th, 2011 // 11 Comments » // Spain
Mercat de La Boqueria
La Boqueria is perhaps the most touristed market in Barcelona. Located on La Rambla, it is chock full of delicious sweets, fresh meats, smoothies, peppers, and all sorts of goodies. Why say in words what I can illustrate with photos? Enjoy! (more…)
// May 18th, 2011 // 18 Comments » // Spain
Montserrat literally means “jagged mountain” in Catalan.
Just an hour outside of Barcelona, these dramatically sculpted rocky formations are sacred home to a monastery and a basilica housing a black Madonna. The UNESCO World Heritage Site draws tourists and pilgrims who come from near and far to see the beauty nestled in this small mountain range. (more…)
// May 16th, 2011 // 16 Comments » // Spain
I hate(d) soccer. Yep, I said it.
I never played soccer as a child. I did plenty of other sports but never soccer. Sure I learned to play in gym class in middle school, and I liked it alright. (more…)
// May 10th, 2011 // 11 Comments » // Spain
I’ve only posted a couple of photos from my afternoon spent atop Montjuic, but on request, I thought I’d go ahead and post some more photos. It was a really bright afternoon, but I did get a few shots of the castle and beautiful Barcelona. (more…)
I love to travel, run, volunteer, and explore this crazy world! If it involves an adventure or a passport, count me in! For more about me, click here.
