Gaudi’s Masterpiece: La Sagrada Família

17 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in Barcelona, Europe, Spain

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Mr. Selfish and I went to La Sagrada Família with little to no expectations, but we were blown away by its magnificence.

La Sagrada Família is a basilica, on which Gaudi began working in 1883. When Gaudi died in 1926, less than a quarter of the basilica had been completed. In 2010, construction passed its midway point, and the Sagrada was consecrated as a minor basilica by the Pope. It is anticipated that the Sagrada will be completed in 2026 – the centennial of Gaudí’s death.

The day that we visited the Sagrada was beautiful and sunny. We saw the front and the sculptures adorning that area in full sunlight. It was spectacular.

Gaudi 21Front of SagradaGaudi 22

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Gaudi’s Casa Batlló in Barcelona

16 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by in Barcelona, Europe, Spain

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Mr. Selfish and I really enjoyed Casa Milà, so we decided to go to Casa Batlló as well. It is another apartment building that was remodeled by Gaudi from 1904-06. Although Casa Batlló was a bit flashier, we enjoyed the views from Casa Milà more.

Casa Batllo Gaudi Houses 20

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Gaudi’s Casa Milà in Barcelona

15 Saturday Dec 2012

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Mr. Selfish and I spent the week of Thanksgiving in Barcelona. We stayed in a lovely apartment with his parents and his sister. It was nice to have some family time during our selfish year.

Barcelona is known for its Gaudi architecture. I found it interesting that Antoni Gaudi died from his injuries from a tram accident. He was dressed like a bum and no one recognized him at the hospital until it was too late. Gaudi was certainly a character, and his architecture showed his crazy way of thinking.

My favorite work of Gaudi is Casa Milà (better known as La Pedrera). It is an apartment building that was built from 1905-1910 and was designed for a married couple – the Milàs. It was innovative since the façade is self-supporting and an underground car garage was built. I particularly liked the wrought iron decoration of the balconies and windows.

Gaudi Houses 01Facade

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Flashback Friday – Our Orange Tree in Florida

14 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by in Flashback, Food & Drinks, North America

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Prior to leaving on our selfish year, Mr. Selfish and I moved out of house in Winter Park, Florida and rented it for a year. We had an orange tree in the backyard that would produce dozens of oranges during November and December. We would harvest the oranges and make delicious, sweet orange juice every year.

Unfortunately, we just heard word that our orange tree has died and needs to be taken down. We loved that orange tree, and it was one of the things I really missed about having a home in Florida – fresh orange juice. This flashback post is dedicated to our orange tree.

DSC03419 DSC03418 DSC03415

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Hello Portugal (since I don’t speak Portuguese)!

13 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by in Europe, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom

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Mr. Selfish and I have arrived in Lisbon. This is our 26th and last city on our European/North African tour. We are here for four days in Lisbon and then we leave for the States. We are quite excited to be going home. Can’t wait to see everyone for the holidays!

For those of you interested, here’s the map of our last four months:

Europe Map

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No Place Like Nice

12 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by in Europe, Food & Drinks, France

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After our culinary adventures in Lyon were over, Mr. Selfish and I took the four-hour train to Nice. Nice sits on the French Rivera and, during the summer time, is the playground of the rich. Elton John and even Paul Allen own homes in Nice. However, when we were there, it was low season and pretty deserted, which is how we like it.

Nice 041 Nice 052

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Eating Delicious Food in Lyon

10 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in Europe, Food & Drinks, France

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I had read that Lyon was the gastronomic capital of France (and possibly the world). After spending six weeks in Paris and very much enjoying the food there, I had high hopes for Lyon, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The most memorable food that I ate in Lyon was the pink pralines. Mr. Selfish and I were wandering the old town of Lyon and came upon a long line. We have taken to joining these long lines because there is usually a reason for the line. This time, the line was for a bakery, which specialized in Lyonnaise pralines. These Lyonnaise pralines are different from the pralines that we are used to in the States. Although they are still almonds in sugar, they are not caramelized (unlike the American counterparts), which makes the texture nice and crumbly. We had some bread with pralines and it was divine.

Long Line Pink Pralines Bring It On Hell Yeah Mmmmmm.

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Wandering Around Lyon

09 Sunday Dec 2012

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Although the weather was a bit chilly, Mr. Selfish and I enjoyed Lyon. We particularly enjoyed the Roman ruins and the Parc de la Tête d’Or.

The Roman ruins are on the hilltop near the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. They may not be as impressive as the ruins in Rome but they were free and pretty empty.

Roman RuinsFor Free!It was pretty empty.Mr. Selfish

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The Beautiful Churches of Lyon, France

08 Saturday Dec 2012

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Mr. Selfish and I took the four-hour train from Paris to Lyon and stayed in Lyon for four days. There are two very beautiful churches in Lyon – the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon.

Upon our arrival in Lyon, we saw the Basilica from afar. It was nighttime and the Basilica was all lit up. Interestingly, Lyon has a miniature tower just like Paris. I didn’t tire of this view and kept photographing it in different light.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de FourvièreNight ShotCloudy DaySunny Day

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Flashback Friday – Plenty To Do in Prague

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by in Europe, Flashback, Food & Drinks

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In 2008, after stopping in Budapest for a couple of days, Mr. Selfish and I took a train to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Mr. Selfish had previously visited Prague and had assured me that I would love it.

I particularly enjoyed Old Town and the Charles Bridge. Old Town has the main square and the Astronomical Clock. Right next to the main square was the first time that I can remember having truly thick hot chocolate and loving it.

DSC03302Astronomical ClockDSC03404Old Town

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Day Trip to Nantes, France

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by in Europe, France

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My aunt graciously invited me to visit her in Nantes, France. I gladly took the two hour train from Paris to get to know my aunt better and see the beautiful city of Nantes.

Nantes is located in the Brittany area of France, which is the western corner of France. In 2004, Nantes was rated as the “most liveable city in Europe” by Times magazine. It was indeed a very liveable and lovely city.

First, my aunt took me to the Château des ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany). It was the residence of the Dukes of Brittany between the 13th and 16th centuries.

Château des ducs de BretagneInside the ChateauMrs. Selfish and AuntLeaving the Chateau Continue reading →