Vaux le Vicomte, inspiration of Versailles

I am looking forward to visiting Vaux le Vicomte while I am Paris. This chateau was the inspiration of Versailles, is spectacularly beautiful and comes without all the crowds. At dusk they light candles around the gardens and fountains and it is apparently very special... I will go to Versailles as well, but I really look forward to Vaux and a nice relaxing day there.

Inspired by others' doodles...

You simply MUST click the pic below to view both sides of the page - this doodler's work is really cool when you see it all..... (do the same for the larger pics in this post)

click each photo to go directly to the artists' work

Was inspired by these doodles on the myMoleskine Artwork site. SO cool to see all the pics of people's doodles in their Moleskines.... Maybe I'll contribute one day...

I do know that I will be spending a lot of time with Moleskine books in the year ahead... and have been thinking about doing a little scrapbooking for each country I visit using these books.... Ah, Hemingway's Moleskine legacy lives on....

A week in Aix-en-Provence!

I have just secured this wonderful apartment in Aix-en-Provence for a week, very excited!

I have had an interesting experience figuring out what to do between Barcelona and Paris, as I had 7 nights open. As I've been able to book mostly apartments for a month, with a couple of months of shared accomodation thrown in, all for not much more than my rent here at home, I was quite cognizant of my budget. Yet wanted a special experience somewhere new for this period. But, of course, it's peak season in Spain and France. I'd looked at San Sebastian, Nice, Antibes, Arles, Avignon and more... all expensive, then, bingo, this weekend, figured out where I wanted to go: Aix-en-Provence.

What drew me to this wonderful town is a special Picasso-Cezanne exhibition at the Musee Granet celebrating Cezanne's influence on Picasso. There are several exhibits - plus the Château de Vauvenargues where Pablo Picasso lived between 1959 and 1965 will open its doors to the public during the exhibit. As I am pursuing Picasso's works throughout my trip, it was an easy decision once I learned the exhibit was on. I also love Cezanne, so it's extra special. I was very glad I ran across the exhibit's info on the weekend, as this was 'made for me'. I'd also seen Aix-en-Provence on a few TV shows recently and it sounded charming. My timing also means that I will catch the last few days of a music festival there, a bonus.

So.... my place in the centre of Aix-en-Provence is a sweet transition spot for me. And a nice balance to all my big-city time. This charming mansion was once the home of Carmelite nuns and has been converted into seven apartments. After 4 weeks in Barcelona on the 4th floor of a flat without an elevator, this 2nd floor flat with air conditioning and a jacuzzi will be pure heaven....

It will also be a great intro to Southern France. I'll probably be back in the area at some point, as there is a Picasso museum in Antibes I want to visit, maybe in the new year....

My lazy day

click the image to go to the artist's work

What a lovely lazy day...

• I really did sleep most of the day.... pure bliss
• Eventually went out this evening to turn in my bus pass (won't be needing that anymore, $90 saved)
• that's about it... aside of some twittering, some doodling and scoping out good websites on how the locals live in Paris
• 58 days to go...

Europe Travel Links

Just keeping track of some good links for myself, for the places I'll be visiting....

(I plan to update this post periodically as I discover new links, and will eventually copy over to a trip-specific blog...)

BARCELONA

Spotted by Locals - Experience Barcelona like a local
Vila de Gràcia - Reading the signs & symbols - great public library in Barcelona, open to 1am
Bar Oller - Pop into Pep’s - neat Barcelona bar with € 1.20 draft beer, great place to hang with a newspaper and listen to Van Morrison

Frankfurt, Sant Jaume - Central, Cheap and Cheerful - great takeout place, a burger is only € 2.80 and the menu sounds great, even get a beer to eat in the square

Frederic Marès museum - Curious Curios & Crucifixes - courtyard café - on Wednesday after 14:00, it’s free admission

La Pedrera - A Mine of Art - turns out there's a great art gallery in the space that will store your bags and use the loo

Barcelona Online

Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)

Fundacio Joan Miro
The Barcelona Guide

AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Aix-en-Provence Tourist Office

Practical Information for travelling by bus in and around Aix-en-Provence
Aix en Bus
Musee Granet

PARIS

Spotted by Locals - Experience Paris like a local
Stuff Parisians Like
BPI - Postmodernist book’s home - awesome Paris library with lengthy free internet
Saint Ouen Flea Market in Paris - wow, can't wait to hang out here for days
Jeans - an interesting blog post about wearing jeans in Paris (and I'm still gonna wear them despite being past 49)
Wearing Black - in Paris, black is in, bright colours are out, oh my! ("There is no wearing red or yellow in Paris if you are mentally sane")
What do I wear in Paris???- another great piece on what women wear in Paris, with lots of pics
Art Brut - awesome cafe / bar in Paris

Castle of Vaux le Vicomte - inspiration of Versailles, as beautiful, waaaaay less crowded

10 Things to Do in Paris for $10

What Can You Still See in Paris on $5 a Day?

Paris Travel Guide

The Paris Traveller
The Paris Pages
Pour Vous Paris - meet Parisians
How to Ride the Paris Metro
Rock en Seine

Paris' Premiere Terraces

Paris' Train Stations - ways to kill time before your train departs

Drinking Dehors in Paris - destinations for a spell of civilized open-air drinking

Small Bites In Paris - accompanied with best nearby spots of grass in the city

Secret Gardens in the City of Light

The City of Lights' Best Free Bar Food

Paris By Bus

The Best Hotel Bars in Paris

Cafes in the sun

Cooling Off in Paris

Top Picks: Paris Cafes with Free Wi-Fi

French Sex Lessons

Snogging in Paris

Paris on the Cheap

The Sexual Saunas of Paris (!)

ROME Spotted by Locals - Experience Rome like a local
Upter - Lifelong Learning on a Budget - continuing ed courses in Rome
English Yellow Pages - Directory of English-speiaking professionals and businesses in Italy -but it's also bloggish with other good info
What's Happening in Rome
The changing face of Rione Monti - Fascinating Shopping in Rome walking in the Ancient Roman neighborhoud of Rione Monti
Districts of Rome: EUR The city within the city - the area in Rome where I will be staying
Rome Travel Guide
The Rome Guide
BERLINSpotted by Locals - Experience Berlin like a local
M1 - Tram trip from trash to classic art - Berlin subways and art stuff
Berlin Travel Guide
Free Walking Tour of Berlin, Germany!
Checkpoint Charlie and other Berlin Wall stories
Eat on the street in Berlin
Anne Frank Museum - didn't know there was one here (as well as the one in Amsterdam)
The Berlin Guide
Berlin in Your Pocket - awesome guide in downloadable PDF
Berlin's Historic Swimming Pools
Berlin's Smallest Cinemas
Getting Naked in Berlin's Saunas -sounds waaaay more pleasant than the ones in Paris!
Berlin in Ruins
Guide to Berlin's Platzes
Chasing Marlene Dietrich
Wine Bars & Cellars in Berlin
Eclectic & Local Berlin Nightlife
Berlin Graf Guide Redux
The Best of Cheap Stuff in Berlin
Moabit's Art Offensive
Berlin Graf Guide - there is some very cool stuff!
Berlin's Best Art Blogs Revisited
Berlin Street Art & Lowbrow Culture 101
Exploring Berlin's Courtyards in Loving Memory of Heinrich Zille
Greater Berlin's Smaller Museums
Hidden Bars in East Berlin
Offbeat Attractions in Berlin
Things Not to Do in Berlin
Building Berlin: Architect Hans Poelzig
Architecture Museum, Technical University
Berlin's Puppet Regime
Naked Beauty in Berlin's Museums - dated with past exhibitions, but still good stuff
Classical Music & Opera in Berlin - Berlin's a city where operagoers take their seats in jeans and t-shirts.
RHODES
Medieval City of Rhodes - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Yoga in Rhodes - also offers art classes, retreats etc.
City of Rhodes
Living in Rhodes
Modern Greek Art Museum
ATHENSAthens City Guide
Athens in Your Pocket - awesome guide in downloadable PDF
GENERALSix surefire ways to get sick while traveling
15 Essential Items for a Trip Around The World
Six Tips for Introverted Travelers
Top 10 art museums in the world
Top 16 Museums of the World
Hillman's Wonders of the World
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Traveler’s 101 - The Complete Travel Tip Post
Power Plugs and Sockets all over the World
Top 10 cities for art lovers
Top 10 destinations for iconic drinks
11 Essential iPhone Apps for a Road Trip
The Top 5 couchsurfing websites

Free as a bird

click the pic above to see the artist's work

Well, I am free as a bird, no more 9-5, not that I ever worked on that kind of schedule...

Some sentimental moments, but it was a full week and a good day (ok, it was a whirlwind)... and nice to have such a special send off. I was delighted by the folks who came out. And touched by all the folks who shared kind words, even if they didn't make it.

Interesting juncture in my life, I am looking forward to the next few days as I reflect.

Oh, and 59 days to lift off...

One

One great meeting outside at a picnic table today
One day of work to go
One happy camper
One tired girl
One great world out there for me to explore
One life to live

Plus....
One cute cat
One banana peel

Just bailed on a taxi

just bailed on a taxi, my gut: driver'd been drinking, got out at a McDonalds, then got a new cab, called it in, dispatch didn't give a damn

2 days .... and 60 days til liftoff!

Moo, moo! Two days to go! On my mind....

• must I always have all out marathons down to the wire in my life? (another 12 hour day today, and my list still looks suspciously long
• found someone today who has 9000 books, what better person to come take mine away?
• tonight I bailed on a taxi, my gut: driver'd been drinking, got out at a McDonalds, then got a new cab, called it in, dispatch didn't give a damn
• I guess a strawberry sundae for dinner isn't real nutrition, is it? at least I am keeping the cows in business
• wow, I am down to the 60 day countdown to Europe, I can't believe I cooked up the whole trip thing in about 10 days a couple months ago, and here I am...
• Nice lunch today with a colleague/friend - she took me out for a "Despedida lunch" which is a Spanish goodbye before a long trip... nice sitting outside at a Cactus Club despite being right by a highway, the fountains balance it out
• I really need to see Vicky Christie Barcelona - sounds like a weekend thing
• Oh, my whole life will be a weekend soon...
• 2 people today suggested I become a tatoo artist.... my mouth gaped... wow... never occured to me... I could doodle on bodies!!

3 days of work left & 61 days to Europe

Amazing to be at this point, only 3 days left at work. Had to work on Saturday, and a 14 hour day yesterday, but once I have today under my belt, I'll be sailing....

Random reflections:

• Soon I will be officially counting down to Europe - 61 days to go
• Wonder what the swine flu reality will be by then
• 2 months ago Europe was just a vague idea
• Cute story on the news about a cat with a litter in an animal shelter adopting a baby squirrel, very cute
• My place looks, well, chaotic - have given away my sofa and some bookcases, there are books everywhere
• My client for my ongoing contract work is allowing me to put their work on hold until I get a 4 day weekend in - yeah!
• I am having fun giving away art at work
• I am happy it is sunny out
  

Perugina chocolate school with the maestros

I can't cook, but wouldn't it be wonderful if I could make chocolate? Not serious classes, but sheer delightful fun learning about chocolate with Italian maestros in short classes. Great article about the chocolate school here -- or visit the Perugina website and drool.

I can count the days left on one hand....

Wow, only 4 days work left....

Random reflections:

• felt great to clean out my cube
• loved putting gifts on people's desks
• I have already written my farewell email
• I'm energized
• My last day is 3 days before my 5 year anniversary
• I feel great, but I suspect I will cry - and I am ok with that
• I am really enjoying sharing my art

Reflections on 6 days left

Time is ticking away..... some random reflections on being down to 6 days left at work..

I am having some of the most interesting conversations with people since I worked there. Some are because I am asking to meet to learn about their travel tips, often people I don't know well, and I am learning a lot about their lives. Some are just spontaneous openness inspired by my trip, I am struck by how much people are noticing the courage such a move is taking. I'm used to it now, but it's very cool to be inspiring people. It's funny, I feel like I am making new friends by opening up more. If I have any regrets, it's that I didn't take time to get to know more people better over the years.

Other random thoughts...

• My list doesn't seem to be getting shorter, though it's no longer getting longer.
• I am so running out of steam
• I am ready to go
• But I am sad to leave too, or, better said, a bit nostalgic
• I sometimes think, gee, I'm glad I won't be there to sort that out later! (a bit of a guilty pleasure)
• I am becoming aware of just how much is hidden away in my brain, that no one else knows - yet
• I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now

Ony 9 work days left!

Can hardly believe I only have 9 business days left at work. Oh my, so much to do!! But it feels right, so I'm cool. I'm glad I have had this extra time, has allowed me to process what this job and the people I've met mean to me, and why this is the right time to move on. They even have a farewell drinks thing planned for me last day, that's cool....

Reflections

Click here for picture source

• how did i go 2 weeks without updating this? oh, yeah, messed up internet connections suck..
• delighted with my teensy new laptop - 13" and only 4lbs
• watching the last period of the Canucks 1st playoff game... I wonder if I should go to a game?
• Interesting that I ran into Fin downtown this morning.... gave a friend at work the towel he gave me, she is going to give it to her little girl, who is going to be thrilled - especially because Fin actually touched it!
• 11 more business days of work left
• 73 days until I leave for Europe
• there are a lot of details one has to take care of to go away for a year... lately I am adding to the list, but only striking a few things off
• I am having a blast talking with people who have lived in the cities I will be visting, or have done extensive travel - getting great tips
• 8 hour sleep tonight would do me wonders
• Nov and Dec are Greece - must post pics of my places soon
• Cool that I discovered that U2 is playing in Barcelona when I'm there
• Concerts in Europe are expensive!

Airline Tickets Booked!

Yeah! I guess that means I am actually going, eh? I fly June 28th to Barcelona. I counted. 90 days. Oh baby, I got lots to do.... but what a wonderful feeling to have a date to circle on the calendar....

Obsolute technology lives on

This is a really interesting piece: Are We Losing Our Memory? or The Museum of Obsolete Technology.

Busses that make you look twice

I'd like to have one of these make me smile each time it went by... even cooler to ride on. Check out the other cool pics of painted busses, lots of suprises.

October in Berlin!

I have a lovely apartment to myself in Berlin for the month of October. As its the off season, I have been able to negotiate an affordable rate, and I get to do some of it as a barter. I've asked if there is any interest in some of the doodles I will surely do on the road, which I could frame and leave behind.... I look forward to the response on that! Oh, and I was telling someone at work about my plans yesterday, and they said, "Germany, during Oktoberfest?!"... LOL... more of a coincidence than by plan, but that's pretty cool.

Reflections on Juggling

I was looking for an image of jugglers tonight - I've been thinking I am juggling a lot of balls of late - and I stumbed across this sculpture. They are from an artist called STEFFI GREENBAUM and I found them here.

Reflections...

• I am awed by howe energized I am by planning this trip and changing my life
• Today I remembered that I am not cut out to be a corporate girl, 9-5 is not my thing
• Giving stuff away feels good
• I am heartened by how positively gleeful and appreciative the regular homeless guy by IGA is when I buy him chocolate
• I am plotting Berlin and Athens, which first... ?
• How convenient that I had a travel book on my shelf, called Seasons of Rome, and that it starts in the fall on September 4th... I will be arriving on September 4rd, so it was soooo coool to learn about what is on the minds of locals at that time of year
• My purple hair needs some refreshing...

That's it for now...

Cheap travel in Europe

I'd heard Ryanair was cheap, but, wow:

• Paris to Barcelona: .79 Euros + fees = 23.91 Euros
• Paris to Rome: 4.79 Euros + fees = 27.91 Euros

That's $39-46 CAD. I will intentionally take the train sometimes, but this blows me away and will definitely be used from time to time... I can handle being treated like cattle for such short trips. (note to self: bring change to pee)

Pondering Foreign Flings

Now here's good inspiration for my travels ahead, 7 Reasons to Have a Foreign Fling. Yes!! what a great way to learn the language... ;-)

Cheap, dreamy spot in Algarve, Portugal - maybe?

No specific plans yet, but am thinking I really should go stay at this place at some point. For $50 Euros/night a full studio apartment, with a hammock on the balcony, swimming pools, gee, there's your value.... And, yes, if you read this, and steal away my spot, you will be forgiven...

Rome in September!

Well, I have found my spot for September, sharing an apartment with an Italian woman who has also lived in Chicago. I get my own bedroom with a king sized bed, couch, desk, private bathroom and balcony. It is located in 'an upscale and elegant neighborhood of Rome', the Financial District, or EUR. She tells me it is a safe area, where locals (and international professionals as well) live, work and have fun.

So... I am set for July (Barcelona), August (Paris) and September (Rome), so I am good through the busy season. Fall will unfold, and I'm already thinking about where to go that's warm in the winter...

I will see the Tour de France first hand!!!

I can't believe my luck! The Tour de France is going through Barcelona this year, and it is when I am there!!!! This is so totally awesome. I am a serious couch-potato fan. Stage 6 ends in Barcelona on July 9th, and Stage 7 leaves Barcelona leaves on July 10th. Soooooooooo cool! I was looking up the schedule and route map to see if I could travel to one of the stages, but they are bringing it to me!! I'll just have to take the subway and then walk somewhere.... I wonder if I'll see Bobke around town? and I wonder if he will have hair again?

Random reflections

Random thoughts from a week like no other:

• I walk past my bookshelf tonight and find this title staring out at me: Barcelona, by Robert Hughes. I just LOVE how my bookshelf does that. Probably picked it up a few years ago second hand and never read it. Sweet!!
• Why is pizza delivered cold a bad thing, and cold pizza in the morning is one of the most wonderful things in the world?
• They jacked up one of the cranes at the construction site across the street - damn, I missed it! I wanted to watch so I could see how they did it.
• I wonder if the crane operators like moving porta-potties around just for fun, or if there is some logical reason for relocating them every day this week.
• I giggled loudly once as the guy attaching the chain around a porta-pottie took a moment to check there was no one inside, just before they lifted it up. good lord, i hope they never forget.
• 7 days ago Europe was a vague idea, and today I have 2 months accomodation booked in 2 of the most fabulous cities in the world (Barcelona and Paris)
• I was exhausted at the start of the week, and energized at the end
• I love the sun, and can't believe it will really snow tomorrow
• I loved hearing the honking of Canada Geese and they flew by my apartment tonight
• I love google, I refound my fav cleaning lady, I need a rescue! help arrives tomorrow... I shall work on my laptop while the cleaning demons whirl around me

Paris in August!!!

Wow, wow, wow! I just got this wonderful Paris apartment for the month of August. And I'm delighted with the rate I was able to get. A friend recently told me that August in Paris is very special, as with the heat the locals clear out, there are less tourists, and the turn the banks of the Seine into a 24 hour beach that is very cool.

I can hardly believe how well this is coming together. OK, June - here, there, who knows. July - Barcelona, August - Paris, September and beyond, who knows....

Walking distance to Coliseum... ***swoon***

OK, this is a long shot, but I am swooning for this FABULOUS PLACE in Rome. I've made an offer for a 3 month stay in the off season and am waiting to hear just how negotiable the rate really is.... If not, it is fun to dream and just put stuff out to the universe...

Noted added later: eventually heard back from the guy, it's not available, but am happy as I've landed another Rome spot I am very happy with!