Go on a Walking Tour!

This is a plug that, no matter where you are living or travelling, a walking tour will bring you closer to the city you are in.  Last weekend I woke up early on a Saturday (8am people!) and headed into Barcelona for a free walking tour.  Aside from me, the tour consisted of travelers from all over, even a girl from Washington! We made our way through the Gothic Quarters of Barcelona, home to many beautiful alleyways and churches. We made our way through the old Jewish quarters, buildings that survived bombings during the Civil War, cathedrals, churches, and more.  I finally got to learn about the rich history
of the city and see new parts of the city. And because it was a gorgeous day, Barcelona's inhabitants took to the streets to play music, walk around, and bask in the sun.  It was absolutely wonderful.

I also got to meet some new people who, like me, are far away from home, and learning lots about themselves and other people. It was very refreshing to exchange stories with new people and hear about why they love Spain.  After the tour, I walked around for a few hours.  It dawned on me (a little late) that instead of starving myself from lunch until dinner, I was forgetting to eat tapas!  How embarrassing. Well I couldn't build up the courage to ask for a table for one during tapas hour, but a chocolate gelato was the perfect substitution.

Walking both alone and with others reminded me of the things I love about cities.  In a small space you can see people from many different walks of life, coming together to celebrate a culture simply by living it.  Maybe I'll put in for a teaching job there next year. It might be nice to live in the city, and do some more living of my own. Until then, trips to Barca every weekend will be more than enough adventure :-)

Hasta luego,

meg xoxo

Road Trip cont.: Eating in 'America', the Hoover Dam, and AZ

Once we arrived in Vegas, it was becoming more and more clear to me that I was to exhausted to go out that night. I know, sooo not 'Vegas' of me. But I saved up my energy for the next day, our only full day in Vegas. With a shot to the face of Absolut, the boys were off to walk the strip, and I was off to bed.

I'm glad I rested that night, because in Las Vegas fashion, Hunter, Nico, and Dave, were out til 5am. We woke up around 1pm in search for brunch and settled on "America". That's right, we ate at an "American-themed" restaurant aptly-named "America".  The restaurant even had an obnoxiously sized 3D map of America sticking out of the wall. Each state had figures coming out at you like a real life pop-up book.  Oil rigs for Texas, lobsters for Maine, you get the idea.  I didn't even have a hangover and that thing was making me woozy.

Dave went to get us tickets for Criss Angel while Hunter, Nico, and I hit the slots. Nico and I are still mourning the loss of our collective 30$.  I think I understand where those Ocean's guys got their motivation.  After losing dollar after dollar at the Sex and the City slot machine, and a bit of a run at roulette (9 dollars!), we headed to the show.  It was a pretty good show (the double jack and coke helped), with some impressive stunts.

Next was a gay bar off the strip, where Hunter taught me some tips on billiards. Then an after-hours bar where we stayed for the rest of the evening. If you are going to Vegas, stop by Drai's. It is awesome. That's all I'll say on the matter, you have to see it for yourself.

We dragged ourselves home as the sun was rising, and got a few hours of sleep until we were up again dragging ourselves to brunch.  On the road at 2pm, we made a wonderful stop at the Hoover Dam, and the new Memorial Bridge that is built above. It was an incredible sight, so much more beautiful than I would have imagined.  An hour in awe and we were crossing state borders, on the way to Phoenix.

We got home in time to see Lee (yay!) and get a tour of the house, and then it was a movie and lights out. The next morning we arose to go to one of my favorite spots in the world, Sedona.  It is a place known for its beautiful red rocks and healing positive energy. And it was just the way I remembered it. I felt instantly happy when we were there.  We even had time for a spontaneous wine tasting. Who knew Arizona had such tasty wine?!


Later that night was a beautiful family dinner at Davey's house. Parents, aunts, uncles, and friends all came. Aside from Hunter and Nico's inappropriate jokes, it was perfect :-)


Nico left the next day, and Tracy, or should I say Theresa, sophmore Business Major at ASU, came to take his place :-) We had a blast going out on the town Pho-town style, and even hit up some ASU bars. A great end to an amazing road trip. Thank you to my spectacular friends. Three months gone and it didn't feel like any time had passed. xoxo

Long overdue: Seal Beach, SF, and roadtrip

A long over due post.  Because of visa issues, I traveled back home for a month. From less than desirable circumstances came a wonderful opportunity to see friends and family, relax, and madly driving all over LA County (thanks mom and dad!) to get my visa sorted.

First stop was Seal Beach, home sweet home.  I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, swimming with mom, and some quality driving time with dad too.

Next, it was off to San Francisco. Home sweet home again. I was just in time for our friends' Holiday Christmas Party.  The theme (it's San Francisco, of course there was a theme) was Disco Odyssey.  We drank, ate, and were very merry indeed. We even sung along to Mariah Carey and filmed it for one Katie Newman. We miss you Katie! 

I was wonderful being back in SF again. My city. It made me remember why I love it so much, and also, why I left (at least for now). I saw as many friends as I could, went to a lovely albeit belated Thanksgiving feast, and did a little improv too. I was a perfect visit, and I'm excited for the next time I'm back.

At the last minute I decided to surprise some friends and tag along for a road trip of the Great Southwest.  It was Dave, Hunter, Nico, and I. Lord help us. 

We by driving through Nico's hometown of Manteca. We saw the beautiful crops, mountains, and dismantled, rusty pipes left over from the water park. Oh such sites! It actually was a really pretty place.  On this trip, the boys and I realized that we all represent such different places. Hunter is from tranquil, mountainous Vermont. Dave is from the desertous, beautiful Phoenix. Nico, from the aforementioned Manteca.  And me, from the beachy, quaint Seal Beach.

We continued on past the breathtaking Caliente, California, and a town that  Dave refers to as Chahapapachi ( I can't for the life of me remember the actual name).  Both reminded me of why California is the best state in America.  Arizona gave it a run for its money, but we'll get to that later.  Across the border we went to another state, Nevada to be precise. And before we knew it, the bright lights of Vegas welcomed us with its opened, tacky, and bedazzled arms...