Milan turned out to be a period of rest for me. I have gone out every day shooting but not in the same style as before--I have traded in my 10 mile walks for metro rides and strolls. I finally reached that point where my body just can't keep up with the pace I have set for it, I needed a few days of rest to get things back where they should be.
Good news is, my lack of energy has not necessarily translated into lack of images. I have managed to come away with at least one or two images a day that I am more than happy with--which is all I can really ever hope for.
Bad news is, we had internet here at the apartment for less than 24 hours before it mysteriously cut out again, that means no new pictures.
And so, that brings me up to today, my last day here in Milan, and also Italy. I hope to one day be able to return to Italy to see more of what it has to offer. I know it is a beautiful country and I really feel like it deserves more time than I gave it...one day. Today I will be climbing to the roof of the Duomo, as I have been told it is worth the price of admission and is a "MUST-DO" when you are here in Milan, so I'll check it out. Then I'll be walking down to the "canal district" to see what that is all about. I figure by that time it will be cold, wet, and dark enough for me to come home and make myself something to eat. And so ends my time in Milan.
8am train tomorrow. Looking forward to another 12 hours of trains and transfers as I make my way back to Strasbourg. Unlike my marathon trip to Barcelona, this time I have someone waiting for me :) I can't wait.
Coming Attractions: Prague on Friday
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Milan Update
Some new photos are up here.
I am too tired to write anymore right now, but enjoy the shots and I'll post again real soon.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Milan
It was a rough night on the train, but I got to Milan early Wednesday morning as planned.
After an exhausting and less-than-inspiring day yesterday, I decided to take a break today and catch up on editing pictures and plan out the next few portions of my trip.
I needed a break from the non-stop action and adventure, just a quiet day to myself, thankfully I got what I needed.
A quick word about the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia: it is an INCREDIBLE building, or will be, when it's finished. I was awestruck by Gaudi's vision and designs, and I felt very privileged to be able to witness the construction of such a monumental building.
When I was in Paris, I was talking with some friends about how buildings like the Sacre Coeur or Notre Dame could never be built today--that there is not enough devotion or patience for someone to design, let alone build, a structure such as these beautiful basilicas. But it is happening, right now in Barcelona it is happening. Yes, the first stone may have been lain in 1882, but the work is still far from over. When completed, it will be a structure 150 years in the making and a true testament to Gaudi and his creative genius.
That said, here are a few shots from my last day in Barcelona (went to La Sagrada Familia) and my first day in Milan.
As always there are some more on flickr. Enjoy.
After an exhausting and less-than-inspiring day yesterday, I decided to take a break today and catch up on editing pictures and plan out the next few portions of my trip.
I needed a break from the non-stop action and adventure, just a quiet day to myself, thankfully I got what I needed.
A quick word about the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia: it is an INCREDIBLE building, or will be, when it's finished. I was awestruck by Gaudi's vision and designs, and I felt very privileged to be able to witness the construction of such a monumental building.
When I was in Paris, I was talking with some friends about how buildings like the Sacre Coeur or Notre Dame could never be built today--that there is not enough devotion or patience for someone to design, let alone build, a structure such as these beautiful basilicas. But it is happening, right now in Barcelona it is happening. Yes, the first stone may have been lain in 1882, but the work is still far from over. When completed, it will be a structure 150 years in the making and a true testament to Gaudi and his creative genius.
That said, here are a few shots from my last day in Barcelona (went to La Sagrada Familia) and my first day in Milan.
As always there are some more on flickr. Enjoy.
Monday, March 3, 2008
La Boqueria, La Pedrera, and Hector
I started off the day today with a visit to the infamous Mercat de la Boqueria in downtown Barcelona. It is one of Europe's oldest functioning markets (if not THE oldest) and a true sight to be seen, or rather, experienced. Just about every food product you can imagine can be bought from one of the market's numerous vendors-everything from gummy bears to animal brains in tuperware is up for sale.
After the market, it was off to La Pedrera, one of Gaudi's numerous architectural attractions here in the city. At first, I was skeptical about the buzz surrounding Gaudi's work, but after visiting and learning a little of the history behind it I am a firm believer that he more than earned his spot amongst the architectural elite. The most impressive thing about his work is not only its beautiful organic shapes, but also the fact that most of his buildings were constructed around 1900. Gaudi was a man working far ahead of his time, creating things unlike anyone else could have even dreamed. I greatly admire his creativity and vision and strongly recommend you see as much of his work as possible if you ever come to Barcelona. He is one of the all time masters of architecture.
Throughout the day I had been corresponding with a friend of mine, Mr. Hector Soto, who I met in a hostel while I was in Paris back in early February. I hadn't heard from him in quite some time when I left La Pedrera, but I had told him I was there. Sure enough, as soon as I stepped out of the building, Hector came walking right over, sandwich in hand, smile on his face.
We sat down on a bench and began to chat about life, travel and Barcelona. Mr. Soto is a 30 year old singer/dancer/artist hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico. After his recent divorce, he hopped on a plane to Rome, then Paris and now Barcelona-where he is living. After catching up, we decided to head back to Yalda's apartment for dinner and drinks.
We had a fun dinner together with Yalda, whom I had told all about Hector prior to her meeting him. As Hector and I began to head out the door, Yalda volunteered to take a photo of us. You can't go wrong with a thumbs up.
Hector and I struck out for Placa del Sol, a spot not far away where a lot of locals go to hang out. It was a monday night so we figured there probably wouldn't be many people around but we decided to go check it out anyway. We bought a couple Estrella's and sat down on a bench next a few other 20-somethings. Turns out there were two other Mexicans in the group, both named Jaime, and Hector struck up a convo. By the end of the night we were all friends, especially the Jaime's and Hector, they just couldn't get enough of Hector's jokes, only half of which I understood (my spanish is mediocre at best).
I took a shot of the three of them before heading home for the night.
I have to say, I will miss Hector. I hope we can meet again soon somewhere else in the world.
Tomorrow is my last day in Barcelona. I will be trying to climb up in La Segrada Familia and also visit MACBA and/or the Picasso Museum. Then it's off to Milan!
After the market, it was off to La Pedrera, one of Gaudi's numerous architectural attractions here in the city. At first, I was skeptical about the buzz surrounding Gaudi's work, but after visiting and learning a little of the history behind it I am a firm believer that he more than earned his spot amongst the architectural elite. The most impressive thing about his work is not only its beautiful organic shapes, but also the fact that most of his buildings were constructed around 1900. Gaudi was a man working far ahead of his time, creating things unlike anyone else could have even dreamed. I greatly admire his creativity and vision and strongly recommend you see as much of his work as possible if you ever come to Barcelona. He is one of the all time masters of architecture.
Throughout the day I had been corresponding with a friend of mine, Mr. Hector Soto, who I met in a hostel while I was in Paris back in early February. I hadn't heard from him in quite some time when I left La Pedrera, but I had told him I was there. Sure enough, as soon as I stepped out of the building, Hector came walking right over, sandwich in hand, smile on his face.
We sat down on a bench and began to chat about life, travel and Barcelona. Mr. Soto is a 30 year old singer/dancer/artist hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico. After his recent divorce, he hopped on a plane to Rome, then Paris and now Barcelona-where he is living. After catching up, we decided to head back to Yalda's apartment for dinner and drinks.
We had a fun dinner together with Yalda, whom I had told all about Hector prior to her meeting him. As Hector and I began to head out the door, Yalda volunteered to take a photo of us. You can't go wrong with a thumbs up.
Hector and I struck out for Placa del Sol, a spot not far away where a lot of locals go to hang out. It was a monday night so we figured there probably wouldn't be many people around but we decided to go check it out anyway. We bought a couple Estrella's and sat down on a bench next a few other 20-somethings. Turns out there were two other Mexicans in the group, both named Jaime, and Hector struck up a convo. By the end of the night we were all friends, especially the Jaime's and Hector, they just couldn't get enough of Hector's jokes, only half of which I understood (my spanish is mediocre at best).
I took a shot of the three of them before heading home for the night.
I have to say, I will miss Hector. I hope we can meet again soon somewhere else in the world.
Tomorrow is my last day in Barcelona. I will be trying to climb up in La Segrada Familia and also visit MACBA and/or the Picasso Museum. Then it's off to Milan!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Updated Barcelona Set
New pics up, check em out HERE.
They are the ones at the bottom, the last 30 or so.
Stories coming soon...
They are the ones at the bottom, the last 30 or so.
Stories coming soon...
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