Vamos a la playa!

For the second half of my spring break, I decided to head to the south of Spain for some much needed Vitamin D. The trip was very spontaneous, but isn't that what life is all about? I traveled alone, but fortunately had some close family friends nearby. After a three hour train ride, I arrived in Fuengirola (which I somehow still have trouble pronouncing) at around midnight, then took a taxi to my humble abode for the weekend: Hotel IPV Palace & Spa. For the majority of my stay I resided on the beach, enjoying 75º weather and clear blue skies. Although I was alone, I managed to make some friends during my stay. The company of Spaniards, Brits, and a few dogs on the beach, made my trip so much more enjoyable. In addition to soaking up the sun, I undoubtedly made room for local food and shopping. For my second night in paradise, I went to a restaurant located right on the beach: Serrano Playa Fuengirola. There, I had the best fish of my life. It was called "sole" and it was by far the best fish I have ever tasted (besides my mother's salmon, of course)! To complete my adventurous--yet extremely laid back--vacation, I met up with a few close family friends, who lived in Japan at the same time as my family. Seeing Jacqueline and Steven Fine was "simply delightful" (as they would say in their British accents). They took me to a superb restaurant, where we had an array of fresh Spanish dishes, and limoncello shots to top it all off. I had the most wonderful time. I was so happy that I was able to see them after so many years...it was like nothing changed at all! I am hoping my family is able to visit them when we travel to London this summer! Next stop... Camino de Compostela with my classmates!

Sole Fish at Serrano Play Fuengirola

Treating ourselves to more food...

Paris, France (Day 3 & 4)

After saying goodbye to my mom and brother, I tagged along with the Cummings for a nice visit to the Luxembourg Garden. The Garden was filled with an array of statues, a palace, miniature horseback riding, a pond for miniature sailboats, tennis courts, a playground, and so much more. While my cousins played with the toy sailboats, Marcia and I scoped the property for notable statues, including the statue of liberty! It was an exceptional day with a touch of childhood magic.

Ella and Rachel with toy sailboats

Aunt Marcia & Statue of Liberty

For my last day in Paris, Marcia and I visited the French Holocaust Museum: Memorial de la Shoah. It was very moving and incredible to see France admit to their wrongdoings. After seeing the museum, we went to the Galleries Lafayette shopping mall, then had lunch across the street. Later that evening, I took my cousins for dessert at the Eiffel Tower while my aunt and uncle enjoyed a much needed date night. Paris was one of the most beautiful cities I have seen, and I am sure I will be returning one day. "J'aime Paris" (I love Paris).

Memorial de la Shoah

View from Galleries Lafayette  

Delicious Caprese Salad 

Paris, France (Day 2)

The following day, my uncle Jack took us to see the Arc de Triomphe, along with the shopping street. Later that evening, my friends from the University of Minnesota, Jack and Amanda Teske, came over to the apartment for wine and cheese. It was a lovely evening filled with great conversation and a few unexpected connections! Jack, Amanda, and I, finished off our evening popping a bottle of champagne on the edge of the Seine River, with the company of the sparkling Eiffel Tower. It was an unforgettable night.

Arc de Triomphe

Eiffel Tower

Paris, France (Day 1)

Bonjour from Paris! For the first half of my Spring Break vacation I was fortunate enough to be with my family. Just a week before, my mom and brother, Ian, came to visit me in Spain. After showing them Madrid and Toledo, we flew to Paris to visit our relatives. My uncle Jack was given the opportunity to do a sabbatical, so he, my aunt and cousins, are traveling Europe over the course of 4 months! My family and I were very lucky to have them welcome us into their beautiful apartment (which I must mention has the Eiffel Tower right in their backyard)! Our first day in Paris started early at the Musée du Louvre, where it is a necessity to say "Bonjour" to Mona Lisa. After visiting the art museum, we had a magnificent lunch at the Palais de Louvre. To complete the day, we visited the Catacombs. The Catacombs are underground ossuaries in Paris, which hold the remains of about 6 million people in a small part of the ancient mines of the Paris tunnel network. It was very eerie, but gripping to see such a great deal of exposed bones. 

Musée du Louvre

Musée du Louvre

Lunch at the Palais du Louvre 

Catacombs

Barcelona

At the beginning of March I was lucky enough to visit my friend Jessica, who is studying abroad in Barcelona. This weekend was unique because it was "Study Abroad Fest": a weekend where students who are studying abroad all around Europe come to Barcelona for concerts and a good time! The first day, Jess, her friends and I, went for brunch at Aslur Cafe. I had a grilled cheese waffle sandwich with avocado--it was surprisingly delicious! Then we did some shopping/girly things. The next day, we joined a huge group of students studying abroad from the University of Minnesota and went on a boat for a couple of hours. It was really nice to see some more familiar faces! After that, Jessica treated me to lunch at the W hotel. With its beautiful location right on the ocean, and spectacular food, it could not have been more perfect. Finally, I ended my weekend trip with a visit to Sagrada Familia Basilica and Park Güell. Both were extremely fascinating. It was a very memorable weekend.  Next stop: Paris with my family!

Aslur Cafe

Boat with friends

Boat with Jessica

Sagrada Familia 

Sagrada Familia 

Park Güell