Happiness is so overrated isnt it? Undoubtedly, happiness is what everyone strives to achieve, including me. I have ranted innumerable times on this blog abt how I strive to be happy, unsuccessfully most times.
Well, I found this article from Reader's Digest... http://www.rd.com/healthy-living/health/20-simple-ways-to-get-happy/article.html on happines and how to be happy. I have to say, I hve tried few myself, works sometimes as well.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Yet again, kudos to BBC.- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6463761.stm
I have been very very curious to know real life opinions and feelings abt the Kosovan independence from real Serbs and Albanians, and not just a British reporter.
This article (hyperlinked above) gives a chilling glimpse into the lives of people (Serbs or Albanians) that lived in Serbia/Kosovo during the 80s, pre and post Milosevic era. \
As I read through their comments, I get the feeling most of them have witnessed violence and betrayal. Most of them have been displaced form their homeland.
Serbian and Albanian language is apparently very different. A Serb didn’t learn the Albanian language and vice versa in their childhood. Dating among a Serb and Albanian is uncommon. There is a deep untrust between the two groups. From the reader comments, I get the feeling the two groups tolerated each other, but never was any effort to become one major group. I can understand this- they have different religion, practices and language. This conflict is strikingly similar to the apartheid movement in South Africa.
Initially, I tended to lean towards Albanians- with their ethnic cleansing despite the fact they were a majority (90% of the population) in Kosovo in the '80s. As I’m reading more and more from different resources, I want to take a neutral stance now. Both Albanians and Serbs have been through a lot of trauma and have lost families and friends in the inter-ethnic tension. I am still not able to convince myself if the Kosovan independence is the right thing that benefits both parties.
I would like to have to observe what reforms and regulations the PM of Kosova, Hashim Thaci mandates in the coming months.
My sympathies to all Kosovans-Albanians, Serbs and other minorities for being brave and having come this far into the 21st century.
This article (hyperlinked above) gives a chilling glimpse into the lives of people (Serbs or Albanians) that lived in Serbia/Kosovo during the 80s, pre and post Milosevic era. \
As I read through their comments, I get the feeling most of them have witnessed violence and betrayal. Most of them have been displaced form their homeland.
Serbian and Albanian language is apparently very different. A Serb didn’t learn the Albanian language and vice versa in their childhood. Dating among a Serb and Albanian is uncommon. There is a deep untrust between the two groups. From the reader comments, I get the feeling the two groups tolerated each other, but never was any effort to become one major group. I can understand this- they have different religion, practices and language. This conflict is strikingly similar to the apartheid movement in South Africa.
Initially, I tended to lean towards Albanians- with their ethnic cleansing despite the fact they were a majority (90% of the population) in Kosovo in the '80s. As I’m reading more and more from different resources, I want to take a neutral stance now. Both Albanians and Serbs have been through a lot of trauma and have lost families and friends in the inter-ethnic tension. I am still not able to convince myself if the Kosovan independence is the right thing that benefits both parties.
I would like to have to observe what reforms and regulations the PM of Kosova, Hashim Thaci mandates in the coming months.
My sympathies to all Kosovans-Albanians, Serbs and other minorities for being brave and having come this far into the 21st century.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Is it always a bad idea to run away from problems?
2. Screw that, not worth a second of my time.
COMPROMISE-that’s one thing I simply can’t come to terms with or live with. Happy/contented compromise is a myth and an oxymoron.
I deserve what I want, because I have worked for it-How’s that for a positive attitude?
1. I ran to
2.
3. I bought fish—a Red Oscar and a Convict cichlid…Invested time and energy on reading up and maintaining them. This has given me immense happiness…my Oscar was abt 2” when I got him and is grown up to 6” in few months, with flaring red beautiful color, typical of Red Oscars.
4. I ran away to
5. Now I plan on going to
6. I’m also planning
I think not! I realize that, but I still don’t see the half full part of the glass. So yes, limbo is where I exist. I am born to be that way-wild, unpredictable.. I’m coded to be that way. I want things to work like I want it to. I can’t be tethered or forced. Call me crazy or wild. That’s exactly what I am.
IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN CONTROL, GUIDE, TETHER, BALANCE ME? PREFERABLY A MAN!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Dating Game……..sucks.
Definition= guy, gal like each other, but gal wont do shit until guy does some shit.
Yes, sorry I’m pissed off. This chasing, dating shizz has been way overrated. This is how it goes, conventionally-from a girl’s perspective. I see a guy I like, say at a public place-bar, theater whatever. I instantly act coy, sending out signals that the guy somehow needs to perceive. Then we all go home, do nothing, and don’t exchange phone numbers, until I magically meet him somewhere like a frikking year later. And for all you know, it won’t work.
Here’s my take—I see someone I like…I make the move (yes, the girl makes the unconventional move). I ask him out….I take the initiative, because, I like him too.
Apparently, this is a NO-NO! WHY may I ask? Here’s why---Since medieval times (and the frikking genetics), it’s the guy that makes the move and I’m supposed to shut my trap and wait.
All my friends say the same shizz. WAIT FOR THE MAN. HES LIKES TO CONTROL THE SITUATION. THE MAN LIKES TO CHASE. IT DON’T MATTER IF YOU LIKE HIM OR NOT. HE NEEDS TO LIKE YOU TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE.
Phuck that I say. Phuck that for real.
Beautiful Lyrics...Paul Simon 'Quality'
I want to know
Are you my beautiful young boy
Or just another love
Passing through my life
I need to know
Will you be my sorrow and my joy
And maybe one day soon
Will I be your wife.
Are you my beautiful young boy
Or just another love
Passing through my life
I need to know
Will you be my sorrow and my joy
And maybe one day soon
Will I be your wife.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Serbia and Kosovo- one and the same?
East European countries, especially the former Soviet blocs have always intrigued me. I have been sort of following the news about former communist countries and their current progress (towards an EU membership?) in the democratic world that we exist (or are made to believe we exist?)
I have been keeping tabs on the upcoming Serbian election and the fate of Kosovo. So far, seems like Kosovo will be declared independent-might I say, USA wants it like that?
Here is a blast from the past, people…
Both Serbs and Albanians have tried to gain power over Kosovo throughout the 20th century. The former soviet regime-Yugoslavia deemed Kosovo an autonomous province
of Serbia in 1974. After the death of Josip Broz Tito in the ‘80s, the then Yugoslav President, struggle for independence has been an issue of contention (and violence).
Kosovo has been UN administered since 1999. NATO bombings drove out the Serbian army in 1999. This was a bloody year, when the Serbian army puppets of the Slobodan Milosevic, then president, exercised an ethnic cleansing of Kosovo Albanians. Several fled to Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro. When NATO intervened with continuous bombings, Milosevic withdrew his troops and about 750,000 Albanian refugees returned home and about 100,000 Serbians fled Kosovo, in fear of retaliation.
Milosevic is held responsible and is indicted (1999) for human genocide by the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague. He died in March 2006 due to heart failure without a verdict.
Current…
Serbians consider Kosovo historically significant. They do not want to let go of their cultural ties, yet. A meeting between Serbian and Kosovan leaders (about Kosovo’s status) in November 2007 ended in failure. In the upcoming Presidential election in Serbia, Kosovo is the most significant issue. Of the 9 candidates, 2 of them are strong contenders—
I have been keeping tabs on the upcoming Serbian election and the fate of Kosovo. So far, seems like Kosovo will be declared independent-might I say, USA wants it like that?
Here is a blast from the past, people…
Both Serbs and Albanians have tried to gain power over Kosovo throughout the 20th century. The former soviet regime-Yugoslavia deemed Kosovo an autonomous province
of Serbia in 1974. After the death of Josip Broz Tito in the ‘80s, the then Yugoslav President, struggle for independence has been an issue of contention (and violence).
Kosovo has been UN administered since 1999. NATO bombings drove out the Serbian army in 1999. This was a bloody year, when the Serbian army puppets of the Slobodan Milosevic, then president, exercised an ethnic cleansing of Kosovo Albanians. Several fled to Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro. When NATO intervened with continuous bombings, Milosevic withdrew his troops and about 750,000 Albanian refugees returned home and about 100,000 Serbians fled Kosovo, in fear of retaliation.
Milosevic is held responsible and is indicted (1999) for human genocide by the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague. He died in March 2006 due to heart failure without a verdict.
Current…
Serbians consider Kosovo historically significant. They do not want to let go of their cultural ties, yet. A meeting between Serbian and Kosovan leaders (about Kosovo’s status) in November 2007 ended in failure. In the upcoming Presidential election in Serbia, Kosovo is the most significant issue. Of the 9 candidates, 2 of them are strong contenders—
1. Tomislav Nikolic
He is the ‘stand-in’ for the Serbian Radical party leader- Vojislav Seselj, who is on trial at The Hague. A radical nationalist, leaning more towards Russia’s support.
Opposses Kosovo’s independence, threatening to cut off ties with any country or organization that recognizes an independent Kosovo.
2. Boris Tadic
Current President, pro-european.
Opposses Kosovo’s independence but wants to accelerate Serbia’s path to EU membership (if that requires Kosovo’s freedom, so be it).
EU membership-the future?
EU membership is seen as a forward step to prosperity, modernity and democracy-more so for the former communist countries. Not quite so for the Serbian, so far. Ironically, Serbian Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica has warned the West and EU about severing ties and not signing the ‘stability and association’ past, regarded as the first step towards EU membership.
Really, who is at the receiving end here? Will Russia guide Serbia towards democracy (I want to LOL here) and modernity (improve living standards, decrease unemployment rate, put an end to ethnic violence??)
USA and most of Europe support Kosovan independence. But Russia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Spain, Greece and Romania remain stubborn opposers.
Serbia a long way to go if integration into EU is what is desired. Kosovo remains a prime issue. Also, Serbia has been unsuccessful in the capture of war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic (a whole another can of worms I don’t want to un-can here).
Finally…
All that I discussed above is mostly not my opinion. I’m not Serbian or Albanian, hell, I’m not even European! I don’t know what is right for Kosovo or how ethnic Albanians or Kosovan Serbs feel. In reality I’m not even sure or convinced if EU membership or declaring Kosovo independent is the start in the right direction for Serbians.
Will Russia be the ally Serbia thinks she is? Urging Serbia towards EU membership simply a power trip and gratification for EU?
The Presidential election, 2nd week of February will decide Serbia’s future.
Please do leave your comments, as radical or hardcore it may be.
UPDATE-BORIS TADIC HAS WON THE SECOND ROUND OF POLL....CONGRATS!!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I hear Cochin calling.....
Life was so simple and easy back then. Back it the day, we (my family) used to live in Cochin, Kerala- Thotakattu Cross Road! It was this narrow asphalt street lined with sloping roof, typical Kerala style houses. Right off Jose Junction! Our neighbors-Ajay, Shaila and baby Kannan....my best friend Vikas....and other friends...Guru, Raji, Unni, Grishma, Prakash, Chimmi, Badri..Days filled with so much happiness...Now Im not even in touch with any of them! sad...
I used to live for the evenings when we all played whatever...Running blindly and crashing intot he gate was such an adrenaline rush....Biking real fast and falling into a ditch was such thrill... Me and Appa used to plant roses bushes and wait for daysssss in anticipation for the bud to finally blossom! And when it did bloom...stupid Kannan would totally pluck it! (I know he was like 2-3 yrs old but...) Still remember the store at the end of this street...used to love their carrot juice...(Rs 4..a huge amt those days!) We had this motel..'Ideal Lodge' down the street where Appa, Aarthi and I used to crash after dinner and idle away time! Oh so much fun were those days! And 'Bimbis' was this place we had dinner almost every other day! I clearly remember the layout and the menu even!
I used to love going to school....used to fight for the best place in the bus..It was just the other day...Appa and I were talking abt the bus conductor-Sridhar! I used to fall asleep every single day and Sridhar wakes me up at my stop..what a nice man he was...I wonder if he is even alive today...And the huge temple I used to frequent (yes, those days...I used to idol-worship!).It was a pleasure even visiting the temple and its vast grounds...I havent found one temple in Madras...that not crowded and peaceful... (Hate Madras anyways)....
My friend from school...Archana who used to drop me home sometimes...theTTD blgd where I used to learn Carnatic music...The ice cream place 'Woodies' we used to frequent...Appa's friend LRS and his Bellmouth cottage...our badminton days...our quarrels with neighbor Viji, this video rental place 'Video Shake' (videos literally shook...bad ones) and 'Video Today'....the BTH hotel where I met Kamal Hassana nd couldnt stop blushignt he entire night (!)....summers when cousins/relatives used to visit us...my bike-learning days....my rose-stealing days from my neighbor (I have this thing for roses!), the picnic we went to that was organised by Appa's bank...all fragments of memories flooding my brain.....
In retrospection.I can NEVER go back to those golden days with my family in Cochin. I can never be so innocent...Nothing used to bother me.... Nothing on this earth can bring it back for me...All I have left is fond memories of friendship, innocence and loving times. If only I can turn back time...If only I had a penseive (HP fans would know this)...I would want to relive those beautiful, sunshine filled days and never get back to today...
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"-John Lennon
I used to live for the evenings when we all played whatever...Running blindly and crashing intot he gate was such an adrenaline rush....Biking real fast and falling into a ditch was such thrill... Me and Appa used to plant roses bushes and wait for daysssss in anticipation for the bud to finally blossom! And when it did bloom...stupid Kannan would totally pluck it! (I know he was like 2-3 yrs old but...) Still remember the store at the end of this street...used to love their carrot juice...(Rs 4..a huge amt those days!) We had this motel..'Ideal Lodge' down the street where Appa, Aarthi and I used to crash after dinner and idle away time! Oh so much fun were those days! And 'Bimbis' was this place we had dinner almost every other day! I clearly remember the layout and the menu even!
I used to love going to school....used to fight for the best place in the bus..It was just the other day...Appa and I were talking abt the bus conductor-Sridhar! I used to fall asleep every single day and Sridhar wakes me up at my stop..what a nice man he was...I wonder if he is even alive today...And the huge temple I used to frequent (yes, those days...I used to idol-worship!).It was a pleasure even visiting the temple and its vast grounds...I havent found one temple in Madras...that not crowded and peaceful... (Hate Madras anyways)....
My friend from school...Archana who used to drop me home sometimes...theTTD blgd where I used to learn Carnatic music...The ice cream place 'Woodies' we used to frequent...Appa's friend LRS and his Bellmouth cottage...our badminton days...our quarrels with neighbor Viji, this video rental place 'Video Shake' (videos literally shook...bad ones) and 'Video Today'....the BTH hotel where I met Kamal Hassana nd couldnt stop blushignt he entire night (!)....summers when cousins/relatives used to visit us...my bike-learning days....my rose-stealing days from my neighbor (I have this thing for roses!), the picnic we went to that was organised by Appa's bank...all fragments of memories flooding my brain.....
In retrospection.I can NEVER go back to those golden days with my family in Cochin. I can never be so innocent...Nothing used to bother me.... Nothing on this earth can bring it back for me...All I have left is fond memories of friendship, innocence and loving times. If only I can turn back time...If only I had a penseive (HP fans would know this)...I would want to relive those beautiful, sunshine filled days and never get back to today...
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"-John Lennon
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
HOME AT LAAAST
Home Sweet Home..at laaaaaast
I never thought I would say this..but I was glad to be flying back to SFO! My flight was out of the Barajas Intl, Madrid..so another long overnight train from Paris (Dec 29) to Madrid (Dec 30).
I spent New Years’ Eve in Dublin, Ireland…sadly at the airport. It was an overnight layover. And I spent Jan 1, 2008 in London and flying (in limbo shall I say)…I was finally at SFO on Jan 2. Made my way out of immigration and customs, hacking and cursing ---I didn’t get my bag! Damn UA.
On a happy note, my sister gave me a pleasant me by visiting me! She had landed at SFO the same morning as I! Isn’t she so nice and cute? I was glad I got to spend first few days of the 2008 with her.
Melancholy……Nostalgia
I am so glad I made the trip. It’s been a month since I got back, I can’t help feel nostalgic. I miss Munich and Florence the most. Wish I had more time in Paris…Wish I had more time to visit one of the concentration camps in Berlin or Munich.
On a positive note, on Dec 21, 2007, 9 other European countries (mostly eastern) were added to the schengen thereby lifting border restrictions--- Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, .Slovenia. The border checks by sea and land are lifted and air (airports) may take sometime, approx. March 2008 to be ready for the new change.
To me, this schengen addition only means one thing-I can finally visit Krakow, Poland and the Prague, Czech and Talinn, Estonia…Woooo Hoooooo
I wonder when Albania, Finland, Norway, Romania, Bulgaria among others will make the leap.
I never thought I would say this..but I was glad to be flying back to SFO! My flight was out of the Barajas Intl, Madrid..so another long overnight train from Paris (Dec 29) to Madrid (Dec 30).
I spent New Years’ Eve in Dublin, Ireland…sadly at the airport. It was an overnight layover. And I spent Jan 1, 2008 in London and flying (in limbo shall I say)…I was finally at SFO on Jan 2. Made my way out of immigration and customs, hacking and cursing ---I didn’t get my bag! Damn UA.
On a happy note, my sister gave me a pleasant me by visiting me! She had landed at SFO the same morning as I! Isn’t she so nice and cute? I was glad I got to spend first few days of the 2008 with her.
Melancholy……Nostalgia
I am so glad I made the trip. It’s been a month since I got back, I can’t help feel nostalgic. I miss Munich and Florence the most. Wish I had more time in Paris…Wish I had more time to visit one of the concentration camps in Berlin or Munich.
On a positive note, on Dec 21, 2007, 9 other European countries (mostly eastern) were added to the schengen thereby lifting border restrictions--- Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, .Slovenia. The border checks by sea and land are lifted and air (airports) may take sometime, approx. March 2008 to be ready for the new change.
To me, this schengen addition only means one thing-I can finally visit Krakow, Poland and the Prague, Czech and Talinn, Estonia…Woooo Hoooooo
I wonder when Albania, Finland, Norway, Romania, Bulgaria among others will make the leap.
Paris, France Dec 28-29
First things that struck me abt Paris---it has a complex, efficient and fast metro system (train) and that Paris is a huge city in contrast to all other cities Ive been to! Most of the world famous museums and monuments live here. AND…Parisians are rude. No one is going to help you if you don’t speak french! I did have a hard time communicating (my friend did all the communication).
We had 2 days in Paris….off which I spent one day sleeping…I was terribly ill you see…The second day..we headed to the much hyped Eiffel tower. And what a bummer it was! We had to wait nearly 3.5 hrs to go up the tower. We chose to go all the way to the top (11.80 euros)!
While waiting in the cold winter morning…we were approached by several people selling key chains etcccc in TAMIL and Hindi!! Tamil is the last language I expected to hear in France! Evidently no…I was approached by Bosnian refugees, mostly girls, asking for money obviously. My heart goes out for them (if they are indeed Bosnian refugees). They have been through a lot, displaced from home and begging in Parisian streets.
Firenze (Florence), Italy Dec 26-27 2007
Firenze (Florence), Italy Dec 26-27 2007
My second favorite city, after Munich is Firenze as they say in italian. It seems to be the center place of art- artworks of Michaelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael are all showcased in different museums. Even the churches seemed to be more impressive than other I've seen before. And the best part about Florence is...most of the city can be covered on foot. It was a pleasure to walk around (and I hate walking!).
Battistero di San Giovanni- This is a big old building with an imposing facade. The Battistero is the oldest building in Florence. It is located in Piazza del Duomo, where the world famous Duomo is located as well.
Duomo- This is the one of the largest cathedral in the planet! It can house30,000 people and is surpassed in size by Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, the Seville Cathedral, and the Milan Cathedral. It has an equally impressive façade with green and pink marble panels with a white background. It has great interior, gothic art work. A must see.
Ponte Vecchio and River Arno
River Arno is an important river in Italy, after Tiber. It crosses Florence under the Ponte Vecchio and Santa Trinita bridge . Ponte Vecchio is the bridge that spans river Arno. This is the only bridge (there are 4 others now) that survived the German bombing during WWII. There are plenty of jewellery shops along the length of this bridge almost 3 floors high--one of a kind! This bridge was constructed in 1333, and re-constructed in 1345. It is packed with tourists…Watching the river flow by peacefully among the buzz of tourists made me happy indeed.
Boboli Gardens- This garden is the largest open area of Florence. It gives great views of the city and houses few of museums as well (Palatine Gallery, Modern Art Gallery and the Museum of Silverware). It a great place to relax, enjoy the fountains and the artwork (statues).
There are other churches- Church of Santa Croce, San Miniato al Monte ( a typical Romanesque church) and museums like the Uffizi gallery (houses sculptures and paintings collected by the Medici family) that I couldn’t find time to go visit. But most places in Florence can be covered by foot, in about 2 days.
Next city-Paris!!
My second favorite city, after Munich is Firenze as they say in italian. It seems to be the center place of art- artworks of Michaelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael are all showcased in different museums. Even the churches seemed to be more impressive than other I've seen before. And the best part about Florence is...most of the city can be covered on foot. It was a pleasure to walk around (and I hate walking!).
Battistero di San Giovanni- This is a big old building with an imposing facade. The Battistero is the oldest building in Florence. It is located in Piazza del Duomo, where the world famous Duomo is located as well.
Duomo- This is the one of the largest cathedral in the planet! It can house30,000 people and is surpassed in size by Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, the Seville Cathedral, and the Milan Cathedral. It has an equally impressive façade with green and pink marble panels with a white background. It has great interior, gothic art work. A must see.
River Arno is an important river in Italy, after Tiber. It crosses Florence under the Ponte Vecchio and Santa Trinita bridge . Ponte Vecchio is the bridge that spans river Arno. This is the only bridge (there are 4 others now) that survived the German bombing during WWII. There are plenty of jewellery shops along the length of this bridge almost 3 floors high--one of a kind! This bridge was constructed in 1333, and re-constructed in 1345. It is packed with tourists…Watching the river flow by peacefully among the buzz of tourists made me happy indeed.
Boboli Gardens- This garden is the largest open area of Florence. It gives great views of the city and houses few of museums as well (Palatine Gallery, Modern Art Gallery and the Museum of Silverware). It a great place to relax, enjoy the fountains and the artwork (statues).
Next city-Paris!!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Monaco city/Monte Carlo, Monaco Dec 25, 2007.
Monaco city/Monte Carlo, Monaco Dec 25, 2007.
Yes I spent Christmas at Monaco. how cool is that?
Monaco is a 15 min train ride from nice; 9 miles east of Nice. Monaco is a small town up against the face of the ocean. It seemed heavenly at first sight. A stroll along the harbor had my eyes popping out at the expensive yachts! Shameless flaunting of moolah was all that came to my mind.
Expensive hotels, expensive cars (I’m talking Rolls Royce, Lamborghini), expensive people…..The Monte Carlo Casino is the major revenue generator (apart from the Monte Carlo Rally and Grand Prix).
You have to play to get into the casino, and we didn’t. The small narrow streets with designer stores and cars. I’ve never seen so much opulence ever!
Indeed a pretty sight. Next city- Firenze, Italy
Yes I spent Christmas at Monaco. how cool is that?
Monaco is a 15 min train ride from nice; 9 miles east of Nice. Monaco is a small town up against the face of the ocean. It seemed heavenly at first sight. A stroll along the harbor had my eyes popping out at the expensive yachts! Shameless flaunting of moolah was all that came to my mind.
Expensive hotels, expensive cars (I’m talking Rolls Royce, Lamborghini), expensive people…..The Monte Carlo Casino is the major revenue generator (apart from the Monte Carlo Rally and Grand Prix). 
You have to play to get into the casino, and we didn’t. The small narrow streets with designer stores and cars. I’ve never seen so much opulence ever!
Nice, France Dec 24, 2007
Nice, France Dec 24, 2007
Nice is nice, quiet ocean town. Although it was terribly cold here. I fell ill here, and didn’t do much of Nice. Except wander around the streets. streets are lined Nice is so chic and au courant….maybe it was the Christmas Eve atmosphere. Every clothing store seemed designer-like to me! And contrary to Paris, people were actually friendly.
Next city, Monaco!
Nice is nice, quiet ocean town. Although it was terribly cold here. I fell ill here, and didn’t do much of Nice. Except wander around the streets. streets are lined Nice is so chic and au courant….maybe it was the Christmas Eve atmosphere. Every clothing store seemed designer-like to me! And contrary to Paris, people were actually friendly.
Barcelona, Spain Dec 22-23 2007
Barcelona, Spain Dec 22-23 2007
Barcelona, the Catalonian capital is quite a lively city, way warmer than the rest of Europe. It has this old world Spanish charm (all gathered form movies!) with great old buildings.
La Sagrada Familia, the chruch of the Holy Family was my first building to visit. This is an unfinished church, designed by architect Antoni Gaudi in 1884. Gaudi passed away in 1926 when a tram hit him! But construction has been continuing to this day. 8 of the 12 towers (representing the 12 apostles) measuring over 100ft are done. Several other Christian theme based designs/towers are still under construction. It is estimated to be completed in 2026, Gaudi's 100th death Anniversary. I went up the elevator (2 euros) to the top of one of the towers. View of Barcelona with ocean to one side, the stark shiny buildings to the other was magnificent.
A walk along the Barcelona port was quite refreshing. Several street performers (beware of pickpockets!), roadside cafes, vendors selling food, pets-hens, rabbits, birds etc was quite a sight.
Next we headed to the Monujuic Park. The Tibidabo mountains lines up one side of Montjuic. We didn’t go up the funicular ride (1600 ft), although the mountain offers a panoramic view of the city. The Montjuic park comprises of several Olympic (1992) stadiums, Montjuic palace and a museum.
Id love to go back to Barcelona and spend more time in museums and other landmarks.
Next stop, Nice France. France, here I come.
Barcelona, the Catalonian capital is quite a lively city, way warmer than the rest of Europe. It has this old world Spanish charm (all gathered form movies!) with great old buildings.
La Sagrada Familia, the chruch of the Holy Family was my first building to visit. This is an unfinished church, designed by architect Antoni Gaudi in 1884. Gaudi passed away in 1926 when a tram hit him! But construction has been continuing to this day. 8 of the 12 towers (representing the 12 apostles) measuring over 100ft are done. Several other Christian theme based designs/towers are still under construction. It is estimated to be completed in 2026, Gaudi's 100th death Anniversary. I went up the elevator (2 euros) to the top of one of the towers. View of Barcelona with ocean to one side, the stark shiny buildings to the other was magnificent.
 |
| sorry abt my face! But that is La Sagrada de Familia -church behind me.... |
 | ||
| View from La Sagrada, more urbanized Barcelona |
Id love to go back to Barcelona and spend more time in museums and other landmarks.
Next stop, Nice France. France, here I come.
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