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Wednesday 27 June 2012

Madrid = Sunshine = ♥

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Madrid. I knew obviously to expect the sunshine and the heat, but I was hesitant to fall in love with the place, as Italy is the place that has captured my heart previously, and I would feel unfaithful to really love Spain in the same way. But after visiting Barcelona, I knew Spain had something rather rare and unique to offer that would be different to Italy....I just didn't know exactly what it was Madrid would have to give.

Amazing Paella :)
Madrid most definitely is hot though! And that was just what the doctor had ordered for Filip and I. Our first day consisted of walking walking walking - we wanted to see everything. For me the number one thing - the paella, sangria (Restaurante Le Plaza de Chamberi), sunshine and architecture. AMAZING - it really feels like the nation's pride and joy within one city. Filled with the capital and country's finest, the buildings are big, beautiful and unique. It hosts wide avenues, many water fountains to feast your eyes upon and culture and art spread around the city in a dignified and unobnoxious way. It provides any visitor and/or local with stunning nature - the avenues and streets are lined with stunning trees leading you to the next cobble stoned avenue with enough to feast your eyes upon. Madrid oozed relaxation within a city of its size, and modern beauty which I wasn't expecting it to have in such fine form. The bars and cafes are open, bright and laid back, which again surprised me, being that Madrid is such a financial and busy hub. 


Our favourite place on Saturday was Piazza de Colon. Situated in the centre of the city with the buzz of the financial district on one side, and the shopping district on the other, it was an open space leading the way toward the Archaeological Museum and the National Library - utterly stunning headquarters. We walked past in the morning and HAD to return upon Filip's tour guiding in the afternoon (He siad he wanted to photograph the ginormous Spanish flag). Little did I know this was the place that would set the path for our future. We came across another 'penguin' set up and designed for charity sales all around the city, and after my famous last picture with the penguin, was greeted by a man on a knee taking my hand, presenting me with the most AMAZING thing I've ever seen in my life, and asking if I would be his for our years to come. Madrid became the backdrop for a proposal that brought tears (well more like massive emotional blubbering) to my eyes, and a complete joy and love in my heart that I will never forget. We had the Spanish flag, the art and history surrounding us, and looked toward our future in quite possibly one of the most beautiful places on earth. 

Newly engaged!
The penguins....pre engagement


In front of our place - the library being in the background :)
Our engagement dinner restaurant :)






When we awoke on Sunday, Madrid took me on a brand new journey. I felt everything looked even more enticing and elegant than what it was the day before






We went down to the Parque del Retiro (so stunning!) and walked and explored, us both feeling we were in heaven and walking on Cloud 9. I always say sunshine makes everything better, but in this city everything glistens when the sun shines, and when happiness is in your heart.



Retiro Park :)
 

I feel I don't want to say any more, excpet that Madrid for me equalled sunshine and nothing but love. A historical moment to path a magnificent future. 
A pool is a must!
Engaged and celebrating on the way home

Madrid, you will now hold perhaps the most important place in my heart, and we look forward to visiting and exploring again soon. ♥

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Thought of the day...


In 1990, I met a girl – little did I know who this girl was let alone who she would become.
Her name was Philippa and she was my best buddy. We used to dress the same, talk the same and do everything together – others came and went, but we remained. A few years later, I had to move towns – thank goodness my grandparents stayed, so anytime I visited them I visited Phil too. She was an amazing horse rider (still is to this day), and we used to go riding occasionally together – her guiding me and my horse – always maintaining it was to keep us safe (I think now it was cos she loved her horses so much she wanted them to be ok with a new rider)… Then I moved again – this time further away. We still stayed in touch but it was less frequent than usual. We went through teenage years – still hanging out in the stable, when I visited and chatting about boys, life, dreams and futures etc. Then came uni – separate cities yet again – separate courses – separate lives – yet we still laughed and giggled like when we were 5 all those years before. I moved to London in 2007 and hadn’t been home in 3 years – when I returned Philippa was in another city so we missed our chance to catch up that time. But then I saw her for the first time in a few years last evening, and like always – nothing had changed. She still has that place of feeling like a best buddy, intertwined memories and a history no-one else knows the details of. Never remembering a bad moment – just pure laughter and joy. We really got up to mischief when we were younger and there are just too many stories to tell!
Of course whilst we have changed, and our lives have changed – we still seem to slot right back in to being those two little peas in a pod. Last night though was a little different– we giggled and laughed and included 2 others - our loves!
Filip and Ricky became special guests at one of our meetings and they indeedly fitted right in too.

Last night reminded me that real true good and genuine friends stay with you a lifetime. – does it take effort or work? Most relationships do – but when it’s real – it doesn’t ever feel like work. And with Philippa that’s exactly how it is.  Whilst we don’t talk everyday – we’re not the type of friends who have to email even once a month – we do have a close understanding and friendship. When she got engaged – she rang me in London, and we spoke for an hour at least – it simply just goes right back to the last time we talked and just continues on.

Relationships are quite possibly the most important thing to me – ensuring people know what they mean to me and maintaining true friendship – it’s truly the best thing. When Phil and Rick left – Filip said “What amazing and genuine people – so down to earth and good!” So true! I also believe you are who you are as a reflection of the people you choose to base yourself around – and having Rick and Phil think so highly of Filip – was the same good feeling that Filip’s praise of them was.  So the thought of the day is to enjoy the time you spend with your friends, however much or little  – and appreciate your friendships especially the ones that began so very long ago.

“The only thing better than making a new friend, and that is keeping an old one.” Elmer G. Letterman
Maybe we'll find matching dresses when we're older too....:)

Friday 15 June 2012

I AMsterdam

I’ve just come back to London, back to work and back to the rain (It’s JUNE for crying out loud!) after perhaps one of the best weekends of this year. (I had a pretty great one a few weekends back in the countryside on the outskirts of London with friends and another with Filip’s parents in town – but this was one of the best travelling weekends I should say)
The best of travelling is that I get to do it with him!
Amsterdam is such a pleasure to see and be in. I use that word well aware that it is appropriate for both the Amsterdam I know and the Amsterdam that many travel to ‘see’. When you push aside the infamous aspects of what Amsterdam represents – the Red Light district and the freedom of cannabis – the representation of what Amsterdam is as a city and character is lit up and your experience is a completely euphoric one… well for me anyway.

I had been to Amsterdam before – I loved the city, but felt I had degraded my trip with the experiences many Kiwis and Aussies told me ‘I had to do!’ Pressure aside – I was indeed curious to see what the Red Light district was really like and how easy it was to go and explore different cafes etc. I had a great time, but I could see peripherally that there was a lot more to this place that captivated and interested me aside from the superficial characteristics I’d been told about.

The houses reminded me of NYC with the high ceilings and beautiful architecture

This time – was just the best! The city as I said earlier is just such a pleasure. There is so much here – it reminded Filip of Malmö and a little of Gothenburg in Sweden. It reminded me of getting lost in Venice, thinking one street looked like the next and in the Dam – thinking one canal was similar to the last.
 It has this relaxed feeling, when you get past the Red Light District and reach the canals (away from the main street where all the tourists flock for the shops), and feels very easy and safe – possibly partially to do with the freedom within their laws. It oozes quirky with modernity, and has art available within every glance of every street. It has a true café culture, with great food – vibrant atmospheres and fantastic décor. Similar to Sweden – the Dutch have amazing design skills.

The bicycles are of course a main characteristic of the city
It’s a place I do believe everyone must see – but not for the reasons I was first told I had to go there for. Go there for a rich culture, fantastic people and true European beauty with a solid history and a bright and engaging future ahead of it. When you go – check out of course the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and Vondelpark on a nice day. 




As extras and more off the touristy track – be sure to go to  Gallery LaRaven – we accidentally fell upon this gallery – open in Central Amsterdam for the final day before moving to its new location – and I literally fell in love with both the artist, gallery manager and the gallery space itself.










I became inspired again within a second of looking through the window, and was overwhelmed by how open and generous these guys were. I felt at home, and if I were financially a little wealthier, I would ha
ve been walking away with at least three or four pieces by Mark Janicello as they were utterly STUNNING.



This is the absolute top of my list for anyone going – and as you’re strolling along to their gallery – be sure to have your camera ready for the vast amount of art you’ll spot in the streets along the way. Very very talented people have imprinted all throughout the city, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.




Amsterdam hosts unique shopping boutiques, and has cheese flowing from every street corner. All in all a truly impressive, stylish and imaginative city. A place to take your family, to stroll with friends or travel to as a couple. In regards to shopping – as I’m trying to save a little at present it means my shopping must be kept to a low but of course I did manage to stumble across By Fabric (no website for me to share with you sadly)– and fell in love with the fact that they change all of their products weekly – how cool! They have two stores I believe, and I just thought it was such a great idea to keep things changing and updated. I bought a little bag for the summer evenings, as am loving the brights this season…. Good fun!
We stopped for lunch at Van Harte – great food, service and ambience. Huge portions…I literally didn’t think I would be able to eat the club sandwich due to the height of the bread. As per the below image you can see a half (yes just a half). But to be honest – the city is filled with cafes like this one, so stop wherever you think looks nice, and I’m pretty sure you’ll not be disappointed.
Trying to find a way to eat the HUGE sandwich from Van Harte
So in conclusion – the advice I have to offer is to keep your eyes open, push aside the preconceived ideas you have or you’ve been told about, and go and explore a truly enriching, creative, artistic and thoroughly enjoyable city. Explore explore explore and have an absolutely fantastic time.
A bride on her way to the church in a broken
down retro Volvo :( I hope she made it!
Amazing night sky 
The final farewell at the airport with Tulips