This is the view from my hotel room. Ridiculous.
November 11, 2009
November 9, 2009
Off To T.Dot.
Heading to Toronto for work and I am hoping to find some time to check out the city. It has been a while!
November 8, 2009
Real Madrid
No, not the soccer (futbol?) team. The pictures from Spain continue to roll through. Enjoy the show!
November 7, 2009
Trains to Madrid
After the four days in Barcelona, we hopped on a train and headed to Madrid. These high speed AVE trains are truly remarkable, hitting greater than 300 Km/hr (185+ mph), and word is that the US has been meeting with the Spanish government on how to incorporate similar trains into the States. It would be pretty amazing to be able to hop a train to NYC or Boston and get there quicker (total travel time) than taking a plane and navigating airports and cancelled flights. I digress…
The cultural difference between Barcelona and Madrid is astounding. Barcelona is progressive, laid back, beachy, and urban. Madrid is more reserved, historic, and formal, giving us the feel of a historic Paris. It seems everything is made of marble and there is a statue of a guy on a horse around every corner.
We really lucked out with our hotel choice. We stayed at the Regina Hotel, a short walk (eighth of a mile) to the Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, the historic center of the city. There was a metro stop at our doorstep, which is essential to each of our trips. We purchase the unlimited tourist pass for bus and metro and we bomb around the city like nobody’s business.
We were anticipating some rainy weather but were pleasantly surprised to see the sun beaming in a bright blue sky. Weather.com couldn’t have been more wrong. We took the opportunity and headed to Parque del Retiro, Madrid’s version of Central Park. We were greeted with elaborate fountains, monuments, and statues. Central Park on steroids.
We then headed to the Palacio Real, Madrid’s royal palace, to soak in the sunlight from the courtyard.
November 6, 2009
Casa Mila: Smokin’ That Chimney
Casa Mila was designed by Antoni Gaudi and one of the major highlights of the place is the rooftop terrace with the many different chimney designs. It offers wonderful views of the surrounding city, with shots of the Segrada Familia and Torre Agbar. His swirling style and tiled work surround you with the city below.
November 5, 2009
Barcelona’s Barri Gotic
Being from the States, I am always amazed by the shear age and history of many of the places I am lucky enough to travel to. Some of the oldest, most powerful sites that I get to see are churches and cathedrals that cities grow up around. I try to imagine the massive undertaking that building one of these would entail in today’s world. Truly mind blowing!
More of Gaudi’s architecture lit up at night. His style amazes me. It feels almost evil and gothic, with much of his work being inspired by serpents, snakes, and skulls.
And of course, no post is complete without the breakfast shot! French fries with fried eggs, I would never get sick of that!
November 3, 2009
Sneaker Spots of Spain
During our travels, I only hit up two real sneaker spots, both in Barcelona. We found Trust Nobody and 24 Kilates, both nice spots, but 24K definitely gets my vote as my favorite shop to date.
I snapped some pictures of both places and scored some New Balance 1500 24k Miro’s as well. Pretty stoked about that!
No extra blur added! Macro to the max!
November 1, 2009
Barcelona – Park Guell
Park Guell is located in the Gracia district of Barcelona. It was originally intended to be an upscale housing site for luxurious homes which could exploit the clean air and beautiful views of the city in the early 1900s. Only two houses were built and famous architect Antoni Gaudi bought one for he and his family to live in. The development was later made into a Park that was designed by Gaudi himself. Gaudi’s work is some of the most recognizable of the Art Nouveau movement, especially in Barcelona. His tiled serpents are everywhere.
This orange juice saved me. The half mile walk up-hill to get to Park Guell from the metro was a challenge. We stopped at a small grocery to get something to drink and relax for a minute. Phew!
October 31, 2009
Patta Air Max 1 Tier Zero Release
There are two or three releases a year that I end up really wanting to get my hands on but just never happens due to the limited release and location of the release. Amsterdam shop, Patta, released a surprise tier zero (256 pairs total) Nike Air Max 1 yesterday and I am left to just stew, knowing I won’t get my hands on these.
My boy Mike (remember our trip pics from Amsterdam?) got his hands on them and snapped some shots. Truly amazing! Check out Mike’s flickr account and thanks for letting me use these pictures to torcher myself Mike!
