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Monday, August 27, 2007
Vote for My Travel Photo!
If anyone still subscribes to these blog posts, help a friend out. Vote for my precious memory of Montmartre...
Sunday, July 15, 2007
My Journey: A Retrospective in Photographs
With only 20 years and 30,000 workers, you too can have all this!
The Shire
Street Art in Granada
Paris is so droll this time of year...
The Nativity Facade - La Sagrada Familia
Self Portrait - First day in Granada
Granada Pals
Gaudi Afternoon
My first Vermeer(s)
en route a europa
escalera del agua
night in jane austenville
the Eiffel Tower = an extension of Johnny's soul patch
courtyard in my granada home
campari art
cathedral in granada
cafe musings
The Alhambra as seen from Generalife Jardins
1/16 of the Louvre
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig
Well, folks, it's been wonderous, woozy and erratic, but my whirlwind European Tour has now come to an end...
For now I will spare you the details of my ridiculous journey home (especially as those of you who know them should not be forced to go through them again); needless to say they were quite silly and exhausting. My body still insists on waking right up somewhere between 6.00 and 8.00am, which will probably last until I have a job which requires such behavior.
Details of the trip shall be regaled to you over summery cocktails in ABQ or Seattle, and any of you who are anywhere else will hear about them all in good time...
Overall impressions include: I am so glad I went and I am so glad that I am home.
For now I will spare you the details of my ridiculous journey home (especially as those of you who know them should not be forced to go through them again); needless to say they were quite silly and exhausting. My body still insists on waking right up somewhere between 6.00 and 8.00am, which will probably last until I have a job which requires such behavior.
Details of the trip shall be regaled to you over summery cocktails in ABQ or Seattle, and any of you who are anywhere else will hear about them all in good time...
Overall impressions include: I am so glad I went and I am so glad that I am home.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
3500 BC to 500 AD
All the way back to ancient England!
This is a site of one of the oldest known human settlements in Britain.
As you can see, Petra, John the Luthier and I are commemorating the experience by doing our best impression of Beatles-ésque 60´s pop art.
This is a site of one of the oldest known human settlements in Britain.
As you can see, Petra, John the Luthier and I are commemorating the experience by doing our best impression of Beatles-ésque 60´s pop art.
Rewind to Paris Flat
This is where we stayed in Montmartre. (these photos are all compliments of Señor Juan and Photobucket)
Flashback to Eiffel
Um, Johnny is kinda one of the best photographists ever.
I had to make this one smaller so you could see the whole thing.
If you want to see it in all it´s glory, try visiting this link:
http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x287/onetear_bucket/for%20dad/?action=view¤t=DSC_0661.jpg
I had to make this one smaller so you could see the whole thing.
If you want to see it in all it´s glory, try visiting this link:
http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x287/onetear_bucket/for%20dad/?action=view¤t=DSC_0661.jpg
Sevilla
This weekend the UNM girls and I went to Sevilla to see what is -according to Guiness- the world´s largest Cathedral. Or at least it has the "most area" or some such thing. At any rate, it was very large and impressive. Sadly, it´s been turned into such a museum type attraction that there was actually a fee to get in. Morally I just don´t find it appropriate to charge an entrance fee for public places of worship.
Still, it was worth it as we had just studied the tower of this particular church in my art history class. It was originally built for Muslim orators to climb to the top of five times every day, in order to call the people to prayer. It has since been converted into a bell tower, but instead of the usual claustrophobic itty bitty circular stairway, this tower had ramps. Thirty four ramps to be precise. Those orators must have been in the best shape ever... Although it seems there was often a donkey involved who did most of the work.
The next day we went to the Alcázar, which you can learn about at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alc%C3%A1zar_of_Seville
I can tell you that Ferdinand and Isabella developed Columbus´ expedition to ´the Americas´ there. It is amazingly beautiful, and home to the most luxurious and peaceful gardens I have ever seen. Even more so than the gardens in the Forbidden City, and those were a sight to be seen.
It turns out one of the girls I know here does in fact have a laptop with her! Which is exciting enough to deserve an exclamation because it means I can upload pictures! Hooray! So, views of all of these fascinating Spanish wonders are soon to come. Stay tuned...
Still, it was worth it as we had just studied the tower of this particular church in my art history class. It was originally built for Muslim orators to climb to the top of five times every day, in order to call the people to prayer. It has since been converted into a bell tower, but instead of the usual claustrophobic itty bitty circular stairway, this tower had ramps. Thirty four ramps to be precise. Those orators must have been in the best shape ever... Although it seems there was often a donkey involved who did most of the work.
The next day we went to the Alcázar, which you can learn about at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alc%C3%A1zar_of_Seville
I can tell you that Ferdinand and Isabella developed Columbus´ expedition to ´the Americas´ there. It is amazingly beautiful, and home to the most luxurious and peaceful gardens I have ever seen. Even more so than the gardens in the Forbidden City, and those were a sight to be seen.
It turns out one of the girls I know here does in fact have a laptop with her! Which is exciting enough to deserve an exclamation because it means I can upload pictures! Hooray! So, views of all of these fascinating Spanish wonders are soon to come. Stay tuned...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Paris the city, not the heiress
Now after all that sappy sap-ness about how much I miss my dear Albuquerque, let me deliver the promised tales of Paris...
As you can see by the (giant!) photos below, Paris is indeed a romantic city. That was our very first night there, and we were relaxing in the aftermath of the tumultuous thunderstorm that greeted us immediately upon our arrival. When we finally found our flat and settled in, it was off to quaint neighborhood market for groceries and wine, which were thoroughly satiating.
The week that followed was filled with adventures to the Sacre Cour and the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower (when one or the other of us gets some photos uploaded, they will be shared here), and much meandering through the bustling city streets. We walked a great deal, but occassionally took the metro or a taxi. As Johnny so accurately pointed out: It feels like any street corner on which you emerge in Paris is The Place to Be. And so it was.
We had some rainy, cold days to contend with, but between my trench coat and Johnny´s umbrella, we could not be stopped. There was shopping to do and adorable french speaking children to see, not to mention fantastic Parisienne meals to be had, and beguiling waiters to try and understand...
Overall a sparkling, wonderous vacation... Though I must admit I was a bit relieved to enter a country where I somewhat speak the language... if only my travelling companion could´ve continued to accompany me. *sigh* Ç´est la vie, as they say.
Next: Adventures at the "International" school for modern languages!
As you can see by the (giant!) photos below, Paris is indeed a romantic city. That was our very first night there, and we were relaxing in the aftermath of the tumultuous thunderstorm that greeted us immediately upon our arrival. When we finally found our flat and settled in, it was off to quaint neighborhood market for groceries and wine, which were thoroughly satiating.
The week that followed was filled with adventures to the Sacre Cour and the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower (when one or the other of us gets some photos uploaded, they will be shared here), and much meandering through the bustling city streets. We walked a great deal, but occassionally took the metro or a taxi. As Johnny so accurately pointed out: It feels like any street corner on which you emerge in Paris is The Place to Be. And so it was.
We had some rainy, cold days to contend with, but between my trench coat and Johnny´s umbrella, we could not be stopped. There was shopping to do and adorable french speaking children to see, not to mention fantastic Parisienne meals to be had, and beguiling waiters to try and understand...
Overall a sparkling, wonderous vacation... Though I must admit I was a bit relieved to enter a country where I somewhat speak the language... if only my travelling companion could´ve continued to accompany me. *sigh* Ç´est la vie, as they say.
Next: Adventures at the "International" school for modern languages!
Mi Casa
home /hohm/ noun, adjective, adverb, verb, homed, hom·ing.
–noun
1. a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household.
2. the place in which one's domestic affections are centered.
As many of you know, I have spent a great deal of my life as somewhat of a nomad, wandering from place to place. Even in specific cities, I never seem to stay in one ´shelter´ or ´usual residence´ for very long.
What I have learned here in Granada is that Albuquerque is my home. The courtyard is my home. My cat, my sweetheart, and my neighbors and friends are my home. It is I suppose, rather poetically typical that I would realize the significance of all of these things when so far away from them.
*Note to Family: When I am at home, I am constantly swooning over the absence of my family as the one thing that makes me unhappy in Albuquerque. Ask Johnny. I´m sure he´s growing weary of hearing about how much I miss all of you. All the time. End note.*
At any rate, this all came about when I realized that I am, for the first time in my life, really really homesick. I know Granada is a beautiful, amazing city, and there is much to learn and experience here, but I am constantly thinking about everything that is at home.
Homesickness is very new for me. Even in LA I wasn´t sure where I wanted to be, only that I didn´t want to be there.
So thanks Albuquerque, for being my first home in a very long time.
Think I´ll go have some tapas and toast to you, ABQ.
Hasta luego,
Elizabeth
–noun
1. a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household.
2. the place in which one's domestic affections are centered.
As many of you know, I have spent a great deal of my life as somewhat of a nomad, wandering from place to place. Even in specific cities, I never seem to stay in one ´shelter´ or ´usual residence´ for very long.
What I have learned here in Granada is that Albuquerque is my home. The courtyard is my home. My cat, my sweetheart, and my neighbors and friends are my home. It is I suppose, rather poetically typical that I would realize the significance of all of these things when so far away from them.
*Note to Family: When I am at home, I am constantly swooning over the absence of my family as the one thing that makes me unhappy in Albuquerque. Ask Johnny. I´m sure he´s growing weary of hearing about how much I miss all of you. All the time. End note.*
At any rate, this all came about when I realized that I am, for the first time in my life, really really homesick. I know Granada is a beautiful, amazing city, and there is much to learn and experience here, but I am constantly thinking about everything that is at home.
Homesickness is very new for me. Even in LA I wasn´t sure where I wanted to be, only that I didn´t want to be there.
So thanks Albuquerque, for being my first home in a very long time.
Think I´ll go have some tapas and toast to you, ABQ.
Hasta luego,
Elizabeth
Friday, June 8, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
En Granada
So I realize that this blog is laughing in the face of chronological order, but you´ll have to bear with me... I will get back to Paris and how marvelous it was, but I would like to wait until -ahem- my sweetheart emails some of his fantastic photos for me to share with all of you...
For now: Here I am in the computer lab of the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, where I have (gracias por dios), been placed into the 301 level courses. Classes begin on Monday, and going to school in such a compelling and beautiful environment will present a bit of a challenge... Not that I´m complaining! Tis far superior I´m sure that what must be the experience of all those suckers, er, I mean students, in summer school back at UNM...
Speaking of home, I did find several of my fellow estudiantes, and we´re all here internetting away before heading out to some lunch and then registration. It´s nice to have human contact, and they are very kind ladies, but I would like to meet some locals who will force my brain into the land of Español... Soon enough, ojala.
¡Hasta luego, queridos! Hope all is well back in los Estados Unidos.
Ciao,
Elizabeth
For now: Here I am in the computer lab of the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, where I have (gracias por dios), been placed into the 301 level courses. Classes begin on Monday, and going to school in such a compelling and beautiful environment will present a bit of a challenge... Not that I´m complaining! Tis far superior I´m sure that what must be the experience of all those suckers, er, I mean students, in summer school back at UNM...
Speaking of home, I did find several of my fellow estudiantes, and we´re all here internetting away before heading out to some lunch and then registration. It´s nice to have human contact, and they are very kind ladies, but I would like to meet some locals who will force my brain into the land of Español... Soon enough, ojala.
¡Hasta luego, queridos! Hope all is well back in los Estados Unidos.
Ciao,
Elizabeth
Monday, May 28, 2007
Backtrack to England...
Here's a bit of a surprise: Johnny and I spent a mere four or five hours in London, and found that we were quite satisfied with that amount. Our stay was henceforth spent in the English countryside, mainly in the home of our hosts, in a small village called Chilton, where instant visions of Jane Austen novels spring to mind, and there is always someone offering you tea.
We also visited Oxford, which is as beautiful as you would expect and which stirs up irrational desires to pursue a master's degree in theology and philosophy... Our last day in England we were joined by Petra -Johnny's friend and our lovely host, along with her parents- and the three of us visited the luthier who designed Johnny's Manouche guitar in the old spa town of Cheltenham. After our guide conjured up some Guiness and Petra and I did a bit of shopping while the musicians wrangled with guitars, it was back to the village for dinner at the local pub.
The next day we set out for Paris, but that is another story altogether...
Quaint countryside home where we were most welcome
Johnny shakes it down at the luthier's
England? Ireland? Guiness Ad?
We also visited Oxford, which is as beautiful as you would expect and which stirs up irrational desires to pursue a master's degree in theology and philosophy... Our last day in England we were joined by Petra -Johnny's friend and our lovely host, along with her parents- and the three of us visited the luthier who designed Johnny's Manouche guitar in the old spa town of Cheltenham. After our guide conjured up some Guiness and Petra and I did a bit of shopping while the musicians wrangled with guitars, it was back to the village for dinner at the local pub.
The next day we set out for Paris, but that is another story altogether...
Quaint countryside home where we were most welcome
Johnny shakes it down at the luthier's
England? Ireland? Guiness Ad?
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Ps.
Next time you are in Paris, leaning out your window with an iron-wrought railing, looking out over the sunset-lit Parisiennes as they meander down cobblestone streets, you absolutely must do the following:
Play 'Travelin Light' by Billie Holiday, drink a glass of Beaujolais, and smoke a Gauloises Blonde.* Trust me.
*(and yes, mom, I'm sorry, that is a cigarette... I'm on vacation, and I'm in Paris! Love you :)
Play 'Travelin Light' by Billie Holiday, drink a glass of Beaujolais, and smoke a Gauloises Blonde.* Trust me.
*(and yes, mom, I'm sorry, that is a cigarette... I'm on vacation, and I'm in Paris! Love you :)
Friday, May 25, 2007
Bonjour Francia!
Some truths about travel abroad in Europe:
-the public transportation is amazing, and not to be trifled with
-the English countryside provides a picturesque view and sublime hospitality
-there is at least one Very Rude person in Paris. so rude, in fact, I was compelled to describe her with words I try to avoid
-rudeness is not a quality posessed by all of France, however. our subleters could not be more kind.
-foreign keyboards live up to the former adjective in many ways
-it is now time for food, drink and merriment... more from me when we are settled
Ciao lovlies!
-the public transportation is amazing, and not to be trifled with
-the English countryside provides a picturesque view and sublime hospitality
-there is at least one Very Rude person in Paris. so rude, in fact, I was compelled to describe her with words I try to avoid
-rudeness is not a quality posessed by all of France, however. our subleters could not be more kind.
-foreign keyboards live up to the former adjective in many ways
-it is now time for food, drink and merriment... more from me when we are settled
Ciao lovlies!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
And we're off...
Tomorrow the beauty of physics will carry my love and I over thousands of miles of land and sea, back into the history and the future of our world... More tantalizing tidbits to follow...
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