lucien.

My posts are a bit delayed to real life (I still have tons of Bordeaux to share), but I wanted to take a minute to introduce you to my current surroundings in Dordogne and to Lucien, one of the members of my little family here.




At first meeting he made me eat basil from the garden, put flowers in my hair, and picked lavender for me to rub on my hands. Then we swam in the river and ate blackberries. I think we're going to be fast friends.

monaco.

We couldn't go to Nice without spending a day in Monte Carlo. We yacht watched, drank wine by the beach, lost five euro in the casino, and had a long, lazy lunch under white umbrellas. I'd say it was a success.

weekend (in nice).

Experiencing the elegance that is the French Riviera truly lived up to all my expectations -- the fluffy Jasper dogs, the chic supertan women wearing all black, the consistently perfect weather, the cute boys on powder blue mopeds with helmets to match.

We spent most of our time in Old Town Nice which is composed of narrow alleys (no cars allowed) and happening squares, colorful buildings with even brighter shutters, and about a thousand gelato shops (which we took full advantage of). Wandering, people-watching, and eating were pretty much our top priorities.

sunset in nice.

One of my friends from Charleston (maybe you'd best recognize him sitting in an intertube) is also traveling around Europe for a few months and we decided to meet up in France for a holiday from a holiday. Our first stop: Nice.







This little sun-drenched coastline with its pebble beaches and cliff-top towns is just stupid pretty.

bilbao.

I had no idea I would fall for Bilbao the way that I did. Our initial intent for visiting was solely to see the Guggenheim, but we quickly realized that Bilbao is an amazing city in its own right.

We were lucky enough to be there during a giant festival so besides the colorful flags, loud music, and glowing ferris wheel, literally thousands of people congregated in the Old Town each night which felt totally magical. I also had the best tortilla omelet I had in Spain, which is saying a lot.

P.S. This was my favorite Guggenheim exhibit. Beautiful and heartbreaking.

sagrada familia.

Barcelona is home to Gaudí's Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Never in my life have I been so in awe of a church. I squealed at first sight.











Of course I've seen it and read about it my entire life, but seeing the Sagrada Familia in person was unlike anything I've ever imagined, much less seen. It's other-worldly. (I felt the same way about the Eiffel Tower).

P.S. Doesn't it remind you of a sand drip-castle?