Barcelona

Yes, I wore a tank top while walking along this seaside walkway.  Taryn and I walked around outside most of the time we were in Barcelona.  We also laid on the beach, catching some rays.  If you are going to go to a city to look at archetecture, Barcelona would be the city.  Gaudi went wild and it's fantastic. I love all the colors, especially his mosaic work in Parc Guell.  Tapas are delicious. Sangria is.. dangerous haha. and Seafood from a coastal town is to die for.

Paris

• I have never seen so many good looking, well dressed people before in one place! Everywhere I looked.  Even children were better dressed than me.  Women in heels were riding bicycles.
• I love croissants. A lot.
• The most beautiful public parks I've ever seen.
• I got some color on my skin for the first time in months.
• I saw paintings in the d'Orsay museum that I've studied in school.  Full circle experiences = surreal.
• I walked up the Eiffel Tower and took the elevator to the top, where Taryn and I were too afraid to go outside because it was so high.
• Having your own hotel room felt like luxury compared to hostels.
• Latin Quarter is full of restaurants and cafes.
• Montmartre is the artistic quarter where Van Gogh and Picasso lived. The winding streets all lead to the spectacular bascilica at the top of the hill.
• I saw the original Moulin Rouge and caught myself singing "Love will lift us up where we belong..."

Prague Castle

I stood next to a Prague castle guard when I was 5.  Here I am again, 15 years later.  My pilgrimage to my heritage has begun.  Watching the changing of the guards is simple, yet exciting. When you stand near them you can see their eyes move, following you, but their bodies stay complete frozen. Creepy. They seemed more doll-like when I was little. Now I make eye contact with them and see a person who has been standing there for an hour and is probably looking at me like another other tourist.  Conclusion: prime people watching job!

Metro System

The public transportation system in Prague is amazing. You can never give the excuse that you were late because the metro wasn't on time. It's 100% reliable. No one talks much on the metro, except the foreigners. You either check people out, read a book, stare, listen to music, or make out. Yes, PDA here is completely acceptable. Even when you're past your youth.  I'm a 10 minute metro ride away from the center of Prague and from my classes.  I've been checked for my metro pass twice since coming here.