Tag Archives: Spain

  • Lost in Space!

    July 5, 2012

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    Today is a big WOW! I am strolling thru what looks like Mars or some sci-fi set for a futuristic movie feeling like somehow I have been transported into OuterSpace. I am not lost, rather I found the nirvana of modern and forward thinking architecture in of all places, Valencia, Spain!

    I am walking around having to pick my jaw off the floor at every turn…I am at the site of Ciudad De Las Artes Y Las Ciencias (the city of arts & sciences) not far from the old town center of Valencia. Museums can be boring, but not here!
    Creativity is king…we can do anything with imagination. Spain is a testament to this and this country has sparked so much inspiration with it’s blend of old & new! This is beyond sightseeing, this is a religious experience for anyone creative or anyone who appreciates creativity.

    Architecture so perfect and symmetrical yet like nothing you have ever seen! Whitewashed and glowing under the intense sun, there is something to see at every angle.

    Rent a bike and enjoy a ride around this amazing complex labryinth of curves and angles. Duck under arches and pillars and test some of the acoustic wonders this place holds!

    I loved the kids playing in inflatable balls in one of the lagoons.

    Valencia is the birth place of Paella, but I will remember this place for opening my eyes to so many design possibilities!

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  • Playing the markets!

    July 5, 2012

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    My first stop in any city, no matter where in the world, is the local market. Anyone who has travelled with me has experienced this pilgrimage! It’s not about food (though I love sampling food of any kind!), it’s about soaking in the local flavor…the regional delicacies,the aromas, and seeing how residents live.

    Today I am in Valencia,Spain and my first stop is Mercat Central (Central Market)! I just love it!
    Local women shopping for today’s meals, men sipping strong coffee, vendors hawking local finds, and tourists alike in this gorgeous Gothic style market. The home to the famous orange, there is so much more to see, hear, and smell here…

    You can get no better sense of a place than spending a morning in the local market.

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  • My day in the sun!

    July 4, 2012

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    After a late night and much needed sleeping in, the beach in Ibiza was calling my name…
    Arriving in town around noon, I dont recognize it from last night…hardly awake, shops and restaurants are just starting to open for the day. You really need to get on a whole other time here!

    A quick trip from town, Es Cavallet beach (or “playa” in Spanish) is the hip spot to chill. Blue water, soft sand, more gorgeous people (many nude!), and lots of sangria or cervezas(beer)! I am loving the parmesan spread, fresh bread, and delicious olives as I sip away at my Sangria looking out at the clear blue water with yachts pulling into harbor in the distance.
    Gorgeous people frolicking in the sand add to the already gorgeous view!

    There are beach chairs and umbrellas available and a restaurant serving up cold drinks and good food.

    Aww…the good life in Espana!

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  • Vampire of the night!

    July 4, 2012

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    Ibiza, Spain…NYC may be the city that never sleeps, but Spain redefines the late night club crawl! Here on Ibiza, nothing even starts going til 11 pm and it really kicks off at 3 am. Don’t expect to get much sleep…

    Centered mainly in Ibiza town, Beautiful people all party together…gay, straight, whatever all having a great time all night long! It takes some getting used to as there are some cultural differences. The Spanish are very passionate and tend to speak very closely…it seems very sexual to those not used to it, but soon you realize it’s just the way it is and there is no hidden meaning. The Spanish are very forward as well, so if they are interested in something more, they will make it very clear!

    So I am channelling my inner vampire and dancing until dawn under a full moon…this island doesn’t burn the midnight oil, it seems midnight is barely the beginning of the burn. A post-beach Disco nap is a must in order to go the distance!

    Sitting at an outdoor bar from 11:30 pm on, I was stimulated by a host of activities: masseurs roaming around offering free rubs, fireworks being set off from rooftops, parades of drag queens and models, friendly Spaniards & revelers, and a vibe of total fun!

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  • Viva Old & New!

    July 2, 2012

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    Seville, Spain…today I set out from our port of Cadiz to the beautiful city of Seville. Renfe trains are modern and clean and the ride was easy and comfortable.
    I am awestruck by the juxtaposition of modern futuristic architecture amongst buildings centuries old. Cutting edge work such as the spectacular Metropol Parasol (the world’s largest wooden structure) built so amazingly like a waffle in the sky to the Alamillo Bridge are set amongst the Cathedral of Sevilla housing the tomb of Christopher Columbus and the royal residence, Alcazar, built in the 10th Century by Muslim Kings.

    I am totally inspired by how seamlessly it all works together. I realize this is a great idea for fashion. People refer to style that is futuristic or weird as “Avant Garde”, but by mixing it together with classic or traditional pieces it really is not so weird or “out there”, rather it pays respect to the past and speaks to the need for the future!

    I suggest walking from Parasol to the Cathedral as the stroll through winding narrow cobblestone lanes allowed me to stumble across tiny shops selling the most amazing handmade scarves, jewelry, and couture gowns all made by Spanish artisans!

    Viva Espana and congrats on your big soccer win last night over Italy…you can feel the country’s pride everywhere today!20120702-141746.jpg20120702-141803.jpg20120702-141855.jpg

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