sunday skies

Driving around big cities has always been one of my favorite things in the world. Nowhere compares to New York...especially when you're zooming from one island to another atop narrow and humbling bridges. Every time of day possesses its own unique quality. Unforgettable views glimmer between the grittiness of steel arches and skyscrapers.

Gala de la Música

Its about time I post up a few more of my best moments from Spain, before I attempt to recapture these multiplying New York City adventures. This particular July evening started off at Valencia's Palacio de la Música, where my talented saxophonist roommate Neus was performing in the Gala de la Música commemorating some of Spain's top musicians. Kristin and I are pictured here after the gala. It was the beginning of one of the best nights of my life.

The night continues...

That July night continued on in an exquisite castle in the center of the city, where musicians and friends of musicians mingled, enjoying cocktails and an array of gourmet tapas, and a never ending stream of dessert. Neus, Kristin, Susanna and I mingled for a while, then we went dancing at an open beach-side club. It was my last Saturday night living in Europe, and amidst such wonderful friends, I couldn't have asked for more.

Mis fotos preferidas de Valencia...

I'll never forget the best paella I've ever tasted (to remedy a sleepless Saturday night), the beautiful beaches of the Spanish coast, and the daily Orxatas and churros we shared on cafe terraces. I may be back in NYC, but I'm not yet through with life in Valencia!

Musée d'Orsay (now a distant winter '04 memory)

Time...what happened to time? Its been flying by these past two months. If I had some time to update more often, I would. My worldwide travels are being temporarily compromised, as I am back in New York City focusing on the last two years of college. In New York time just flies. I used to appreciate this 'New York minute' concept, but I can't anymore. Not after France. Not after Spain. I love this city, but I feel a sense of belonging more so in Paris. I've at least succeeded in retaining this sense of adventure in my life, but adventure too is dependant upon time. Am I happy? Sure, although not entirely content. However, I'm still in the midst of figuring out what I want most in life.

Valencia...

Night and day, I'm continuously impressed with the city's fusion of old-world charm and modern architecture. Above is a picture of Valencia's planetarium and below one of Carmen's cathedral. Last is a photo of the roommates of my Auberge espagnole on their previous trip to Mallorca (includes Florian from Switzerland, and my roommates Verena from Austria, Spaniards Susanna and Neus, and Björn from Sweden.)

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡España!!!!!!!!!!

Before I even had a chance to recover from my departure from Paris, I threw myself into another exotic country yet to discover. I'm not really sure what I'm doing living in sunny Valencia, since it hasn't been easy saying goodbye to Paris, but I sure  am enjoying my time here.



The bottom three photos are in a nearby town called Sagunt, which Kristin's archeologist friend Pablo drove us to explore on July 7th. This (partially reconstructed) roman ampitheater dates from 200 b.c.; a nearby fortification extends out for miles in the distance, as it once protected the Iberians from invaders.

Another Romantic Getaway on the Côte d'Azur - June 2005

There's nothing like a bird's eye view of the French Riviera (too bad it was raining)!

Going from Nice into Italy is one of the most picturesque drives one can imagine. Both country's seaside rivieras are marvelous, although I know the French coast much better than the Italian side. This time, driving from Cagnes-sur-Mer to Nice, then Villefranch, Beaulieu, Monte Carlo, Menton, through a small Italian village called Latte, into Italy's market ridden Ventimiglia, and back (with a whole lot of Limoncella and Grappa), was quite a dream.

Paris Soirée - May 26th

I was the host of several extravagant soirées throughout the year. On this particular night, so many people showed up at my apartment, we all had to gather our belongings and our wine, and head over to the nearby quais on the Seine River. A few friends brought their guitars, and the rest of us just enjoyed the beautiful night out. Pictured first is me on Pont Neuf earlier that day, as well as a bronze statue of Henri IV on a horse riding atop my head.

Paris in late May warmed up, classes calmed down, Matthieu returned from the Cannes Film Festival, and the lazy days passed by without a moment of boredom. I fell more in love with my diverse neighborhood, from the Jardin des Plantes to rue Mouffetard. My favorite thing is Paris' Grande Mosquée located next to my apartment. All the world's Muslim countries donated money to build it once the seperation of church and state complicated its erection in France, so the architecture is a variation of styles from across the Muslim world.
I also added some photos of my neighbors--a few goofy llamas and a red panda with the cutest little tongue. They all live in the ménagerie two seconds from my house, in the Jardin des Plantes!

Amsterdam, the Netherlands...

In May, I spent five days with my lifelong friend Kelsey in Amsterdam, who happens to be studying macrobiotics there at the Kushi institute for eight months. Her school is located directly across from the exquisite Reijks museum, pictured left and up. From day one, her and I cycled all over town (once she fixed her flat tire), visiting every part of Amsterdam we could think of, not forgetting to take a look at the Red Light District.

I fell easily in love with Amsterdam. Kelsey would pedal and I would sit behind on her bike, taking in the beautiful sights every direction I looked. People truly seem happy in their charming city. Not that I know much about life here...but I was pleasantly surprised by the cuisine, the nightlife, the museums, the cosmopolitan culture...yea, I could live there in a heartbeat.

The last morning, we had Amsterdam's famous filafel on a sunny terrace. I had some spare time when Kelsey was working to see a Dutch magician/comedian. Unfortunately, I came off as too idle and the guy chose me to throw three massive swords at him as he pedaled atop a seven-foot unicycle. That didn't stop him from insulting the United States in the process. Also, something I have wanted to do for almost a decade was to visit Anne Frank's secret annex. Reading her diary was a life-changing experience for me when I was younger, so being inside her house was heavy on the heart. Here I am in front of a canal facing her house, which is the brick building amidst a blue sky.

Monet's Giverny

Giverny, France, May 14th, 2005: Seeing Monet´s house and lily pond among good friends was truly an adventure. Despite the pouring rain, Giverny remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing places I've ever been to.

A New Jersey Housecat

Le Petit Abby! Our new peach kitten is back waiting for me in New Jersey. They say a cat is happy when its willing to sleep on its back.

Voorhees, New Jersey, April 23, 2005: My brother and I at our Passover Seder. Yes, that's Adam, for those of you who saw him a year ago when he only reached my shoulders.

Mount Laurel, New Jersey, April 26, 2005: Ugie came to visit me from Washington D.C.; we caught up on old times, visited former haunts, and had an altogether blast!

Paris, France, March, 2005: My good friend from New York City recently moved to Valencia, Spain, and she came to visit me for a week in March! Here Kristin and I are on top of the Cannes Film Festival's headquarters, where Matthieu was working, over in the 7th arrondissement. Now, of course, Matthieu's down in Cannes mingling with celebrities on the red carpet. Meanwhile, I'm here visiting New Jersey!