Barcelona!!! si, puedo hablar espanol!!!

Hello all,

So this post comes about a month after our visits.  But school has been pretty hectic.  ANYWAY, Barcelona!  We arrived in Barcelona and went straight to our hotel, Hotel Alimara- very very comfortable and luxurious hotel.  It was a well-needed break after the first 2 cities.  We basically crammed Barcelona all into one day- early in the morning we started off by going to Parc Guell, one of the highest points in Barcelona and to visit Gaudi's creations in the park.  We headed down to Casa Mila afterwards, where we had breakfast at Starbucks, sitting outside, of course, right next to Jimmy Choo and across from Casa Mila.  It was pretty awesome.  After breakfast we visited two other houses of Gaudi, and from there we ventured to La Sagrada Familia.  Now, some history: La Sagrada Familia was created by Gaudi, who was very pious and who rejected all the material wealth, thus creating the grotesque building.  This building was the last thing he did in his life, and he did not expect to complete it.  His expectation came true, as he died whilst constructing it, but he had already completed the majority of it.  La Sagrada Familia is undergoing construction now because there are those who want it finished, although there are others who believe it should remain as it was at the time of Gaudi's death.  After that we headed to Placa de Catalunya and walked down Las Ramblas- which was an experience in itself.  There were outdoor pet shops, street performers, artists, flower shops for a good mile and a half down one road.  We wandered off to do some shopping at the Bari Gotica and we ran into Santa Maria del Mar and Placa del Rei.  We also ventured into the Picasso Museum (Picasso considered Barcelona one of his homes), and after that we went back to Las Ramblas and walked down to Port Vell, where we walked on the pier and went to the Aquarium.  We had dinner after that in a very nice (and expensive) restaurant, and ventured back to the hotel after a VERY LONG DAY.

Next day- packed up all our stuff and headed to the Parc de Cituadella for a walk, and then caught our flight to Marrakech! 

Our greeting in the hotel room upon our arrival.  True four-star style!

It was seriously an amazing stay.

The ultra-modern bathroom.

The outdoor escalators to Parc Guell.

At one of the highest points in Parc Guell, overlooking Barcelona.

You can see la Sagrada Familia from here!

Climbing up some monument with the cross that looks like a "T"

Antonio Gaudi's amazing murals.

Yet again, Gaudi's impressive and grotesque looking architecture at Parc Guell.

In front of the serpent-y fountain.

Another of Gaudi's buildings-la Casa Mila.

La Sagrada Familia, under lots of controversial construction and expansion.  One of Gaudi's most famous creations.

La Sagrada Familia.

The Three Wise Men on the facade of the back of la Sagrada Familia.

Another Gaudi building- No. 35

Placa de Catalunya- start of the famous Las Ramblas

One of the dozens of street performers on Las Ramblas.

I totally don't remember where this was.

Catedral -also apparently going through extensive construction.

I THINK this is the Placa del Rei

Santa Maria Del Mar- very impressive cathedral.

Tribute to fallen soldiers outside Santa Maria del Mar.

The lions right by Port Vell.

My dress prevented me from totally getting on the lion.  Oh well.

Port Vell- this picture doesn't do it justice.  It was pretty amazing.

Barcelona Aquarium- apparently the largest in Europe but it was definitely more like a 25 minute trip!

WHERE'S NEMO?

Funniest looking fish ever.

SHAAAAAAAARK!

Venezia

Hi everyone!

So...our most recent adventure- Venezia!  Venice was very hot and humid, which made the city smell a little, but it was fun nonetheless.  Kyle and I stayed in a little town outside of Venice called Mogliano Veneto, in a villa called Villa Foscarini.  It was a pretty little town very reminiscent of Sausalito, Napa, etc.  The villa was charming, and everyone was very nice.  No one really spoke English, which made the experience even better!

On the first night we explored Venice a little bit, but only San Marco square.  We took the water taxi, which was very cool.  The second day we decided to forgo the taxi and walk Venice.  ALL OF IT.  TWICE.  Not kidding.  We started from Ferrovia station, walked across to San Polo, crossed over to San Marco and Zaccharia area, then walked back up to Ferrovia.  We then walked all the way back to San Marco area because we wanted to go on a Gondola ride, but when we found out it was 100 Euros, we definitely decided to forgo it.  There is a lot more we can do for 100 Euros than a measly 35 minute ride in the dark.  Anyway, along the way we saw a lot of different churches, encountered a ridiculous amount of touristy vendors, and of course visited the famous San Marco Basilica.  We were also able to buy masks from a fantastic shop.  The masks are popular for Carnivale, which is held every February, and the whole of Venice comes out in costumes and masks for 10 days.  Everywhere you go in Venice you will see these masks for sale.  Kyle and I saw an amazing one for 600 Euros.  Imagine that!  All in all, it was a very good experience walking on almost every single bridge in Venice and weaving around the city.  

- Kristen :)

Venice Day 1

Gondolas and the Grand Canal, with the San Marcos square to my back.  Beautiful.  

On the Water-Bus.  Who knew public transportation could be so enjoyable.  

Down one of the alley ways not under water.  Lots of cute shops.  Apparently, Venice is well known for their glass blowing, lace, and masks (as in masquerade balls).  

Just a great picture.

Same thing, except the guy on the Gondola looks pissed.  

Venice Day 2

“Policia on a mission!”  Watch out, I think they are pulling 30 knots!!! Woah.

On a bridge…. One of the seven thousand we crossed!

Kyle opened up his own Hotel in Venice as well… just changed the last letter.  (Note the sign above his head).  

Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!  Kristen’s worst nighmare.  A cluster of pigeons.  

On top of San Marco Basilica

Masquerade Ball…. except no Ball.  Venice is known for Carnivale, in which the whole city dresses up like this.  It’s tradition.  During tourist season, almost always “no photo allowed,” but the owner of the store asked us to do this and took a picture himself/the store.  

Venice at Night.  Again, thanks to Gevork for letting me use this lens.  The quality is undeniably great.  

Gondolas 

The Gondola ride would have been an awesome 30 minutes.  But here is the 100 Euros we saved by taking a picture in lieu of riding them.  Haha.  That’s 100 Euro of souvenirs that will last a lifetime.  

Roma!!!

Hi!

So, Rome was our first stop on our 10 day journey around Europe.  We stayed in a hotel near the Vatican, and it takes a bus journey to take us there.  It was quite enjoyable although we almost got lost searching for the bus, and when we actually got on the bus, we finally understood why there are so many accident rates in Rome!  The bus driver was a little nuts, but in a good way..... :)

First day: we woke up bright and early and decided to explore the Vatican area.  First up was the Musei Vaticana, which houses the Sistine Chapel.  The Sistine Chapel was very crowded, and there was  no photography allowed.  The rest of the Museum (which is arguably as big as the Louvre) was virtually empty, and so we wandered and saw very interesting artifacts....globes, maps, tapestries, sculptures, etc.  After the museum we wandered down to St. Peter's Square and went into Basilica San Pietro.  Inside the basilica there is a statue of St. Peter, and to rub his right foot is to have good luck.  His foot is seriously rubbed down--you can't even see the toes anymore!  After the Square we walked down to Castel Sant'Angelo, which is a fortress-museum, but the real impressive part of it is the walkway leading down to it.  The walkway is guarded by statues of angels sculpted by Bernini.  We stopped for a lunch, and shortly made our way to the Colosseo.  The Colosseum is famous, so there is no need to describe it.  We also made our way over to Foro Romana.  The forum is mostly in ruins, but combined with the Colosseum in the background, it makes a great sight.  We stayed by the Colosseum until after dark, and was rewarded by a nighttime shot of the building.

Second day:  Second day we decided to stay in Northern and Central Rome.  The first thing we did was visit the Pantheon.  The Pantheon is a perfectly preserved building since AD118-28.  There is an opening at the top of the Pantheon, and rain comes in and falls on the marble floors during the wet seasons.  After the Pantheon we wandered over to Piazza Navona, where we bought some paintings and saw a beautiful fountain.  We then walked over to the famous Fontana di Trevi, where it is said to be good luck to throw a coin into the fountain.  After that we shopped along Via Condotti, which is chock-full of the famous Italian designers- Gucci, Prada, Cavalli, Ferragamo, Armani, etc.  Heaven, even though I couldn't afford anything!  :)  We then had a leisurely lunch outside on a little alleyway, and shortly after, headed back to Piazza di Spagna, where the famous Spanish steps are, and the Fontana della Barcaccia, which has a sculpture of a half-sunken boat.  This fountain is the first fountain the river flows into, thus, I'm assuming, containing the freshest water!  The same river also flows into the Fontana di Trevi.  

Ciao!

-Kristen (picture captions by Kyle)

Rome Day 1

The highlight of the Sistine Chapel for Kristen: a fan!  After all, it was 100 degrees. 

Part of the Chapel.

The famous ceiling by Michelangelo!  Kyle took this picture right next to a sign that said “No photography.”  Needless to say, he got yelled at, but he said it was worth it.  You only live once.  Hence, the next picture as well.

A little blurry, but tried to snap the shot before getting kicked out.  

Is there anything more beautiful?  The staircase is nice too.  This was a highlight of the Chapel.  

I could totally take this guy.

St. Peters.  It lived up to its reputation.  Very, very, cool.  

One of Bellini’s Angels on his bridge leading to Castel Sant' Angelo. 

“I think he knows what Rome is.  Rome is the mob.  The mob is Kyle Pozza.” –Gladiator.  I’m pretty sure that’s how it goes.

Hard to mix romance with the Coliseum, but I think we pulled it off.   

“My name is Kylemus Desimus Badassimus.  Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Phylix legions…”  

Good overview shot.

Better overview shot, without my big head in the way.

Rome near sunset.  Two guesses who the shadows on the ground belong to.  

Talk about dinner with a view.  We kept ordering small things just so we could stay for a few hours to take it all in.  

Colisseum at night. And a special thanks to our good friend Gevork at UB for lending us his extremely nice lens, without which pictures such as this wouldn’t be possible.  

Day 2

Piazzo di Spagna and the famous Spanish steps.

The Fontana di Barcaccia in front of the Spanish steps.

Outside the Pantheon!  A very cool building.  Can’t believe it was free.

View from the inside of the Pantheon.  Top of the dome is wide open.  Too bad it wasn’t raining, could have been an exceptional picture.  

Outside the front doors to Pantheon.  See how the beam of light is shining down on me…I always knew I was blessed.  Jk.  I’m going to get struck by lightening now (karma).  

This awesome authentic Italian painter/drawer sold us a couple paintings on the cheap.  Really nice guy.  Kristen wanted the picture in the middle with the shoes, but for 250 euro she figured she could actually go out and buy new shoes.  

Most famous Roman Fountain, the Fontana di Trevi.  It is common knowledge that if you throw a penny in this fountain and you have good luck for a lifetime!  And she looks so cute doing it.

Didn’t take long for that good luck, apparently she met a handsome Italian guy.