Paris

P A R I S 

_

October 2012 

Barcelona

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting one of the most exhilarating, thrilling and beautiful cities of Europe - Barcelona. 

Personally when traveling to "foreign" places I like to take in the city by doing the most anti touristy things possible.... I truthfully don't believe you get the whole experience and grasp of a city by visiting all the "must sees" that are marked in your travel guide along with your fellow tourist companions (half of which you probably saw on the plane ride over here) but rather see where the city takes you.... be spontaneous, live the day and allow yourself to wander.... at least that was the motto of this fine trip. I probably walked about 40 km in 3 days... talk about workout, ate the seafood & amazing Tapas, sunbathed at the beach, strolled along the harbor and just took in the hot spanish sun ! + had the best yoghurt ice cream ... ever .

Barcelona, 

you haven't disappointed me one bit, everything I heard, you showed. 

Love 

P.S. Must learn spanish ! 

Istanbul ' ia

Walking Zombie... is what we and with 'we' I mean me, myself and that really tired one over there... would describe the last week...or...... 2 ? I think the "bear cave syndrom" is slowly creeping in... yes it comes every year.. SURPRISE... and creates this little voice in my head that keeps suggesting to just throw everything and go find a comfy cave with lots of fur blankets and mango trees to reside in for the next what, half a year ?
But before I go do that... let me tell you or rather show you... my recent excursion to the city of Istanbul .

The best word to describe would probably be .. busy.... the city's population... 16-20 million... they can't really say...i think that says everything.... including 2 million internationals... So yes.. stick your forks in the fondue pot! They got it all !
Between street cats, the craziest traffic I have experienced to date... new yorkers- feel laughed at !  Meats roasting everywhere, harmonizing architecture fitting every mood of - pick your city-! burkas, craZy chanting (or rather to much - to early chanting), cashmere scarves swaying in all directions, and turkish coffee, I found myself exploring one of the oldest cities in Europe.

Here's the peek 

 Sketchiest vintage store I've ever been to... you were basically shopping in the dark.. is that a chucky doll on the right ..? 

 Crazy Bazaar 

 Note to oneself.. dishes will be shopped in Istanbul . period. 

Did I mention their tiling and pattern skills ? Probably one of my favorites and most inspiring to me personally ! I'll be sure to post some of them in the future... 

Buenos Noches

More or less my last night in Santa Fe... can't believe 6 months have past this quick... and the fuller my bags are getting and the closer I come to departing the land of the West, the more I think... "what have I learned out here"? Now.. I have to say.. I have lived in the states before wayyy back in the day.. so it's not completly new but yet again.. Can you really compare the east to the west? Cowboys to financial bankers and politicians?? No. Didn't think so... ! I really enjoyed the experience of the "real malboro lifestyle" out here.. cowboy boots, hats, leather, leather and shall I say hide? The people were overall very friendly, laidback and down to earth which is always nice when you come from the city. You remember what is really important.. .. Hard to tell all you fashionistas out there! (Including myself) we and our materialistic things... bought way too much out here... Better start with the mascara now so I can do the minnie mouse move at the check in!! 

I thought I'd put a little list together of what I will miss. and what I won't...

Won'ts
- Stop signs.... (what is their purpose exactly?? Get everyone confused I suppose.. )
- Pot holes in the road... (reallllyy gootta watch out for those)
- Pick up trucks... (not a fan... can't see whats going on ahead...)
- The food... (def. a fan of the margaritas and chips with guacamole... but really.. those big enchiladas melted in cheese and grease for breakfast?!?!?!... no comprende!!)
- No social life whatsoever.... not happy about that one.. what happened to bonfire parties in the desert?!

Do's:
- SUNSHINE & those never ending blue skies
- The sky in general.. the sunsets are unbelievable here and the night skies look like a big sequenced blanket
- Whole foods <--- Gotta love that place!!!
- Vitamine Water --- now Germany please explain... why do we not have this stuff?
- All the leather everywhere!!!! ( I am the biggest obsesser over anything leather and fur you must know.. so this is heaven!! ) + it's all so unique and handcrafted.. none of this mass production nonsense!
- All the art that you are exposed to here... so many free spirited people doing what they love!
- Coyotes... those howls in the night are quite something...
- Turquoise jewelery... so much of it.. but soo expensive too!!
- Vintage shops... not like here in Germany... so disappointing! Which is a great excuse for why I had to grab as much as I could...

^^now that is just a bit of it all... don't wanna bore you too much here! I'll probably miss it so much once I'm back in 'graytown' ... but for now I seriously cannot wait to jump on that plane and see all my buds back home!! & My CLOSET!!!!!!!!!!! My dears! GET READY for what is bound to be unleashed!!!!!

Hugs and smooches from the West.. I'll be seeing you on the other side!

Hasta Luego