Euro Road Trip...

Charlie and I in Strasbourg

Its been 5 days of travel which started in Paris and will end there tomorrow as well. Day 1 we drove through the French wine and champagne countryside, visiting Reims where we saw a beautiful cathedral and then travelling to Nancy where we saw Place Stanislas. We ended that day in Strasbourg, France. The following day we headed across the border into Germany's Black Forest where we saw the most beautiful views and small towns! That took the good part of the morning and the rest of the day was spent walking the streets of Strasbourg, enjoying the beer, and food. Day 3 we headed to Brugges, Belgium stopping along the way in Luxembourg and Bastogne (sight of The Battle of the Bulge). After a full day of driving catching the sight of the Brugge exit sign was quite amazing... however, once on the cobble stone, people filled streets, we began to think otherwise! However, after navigating through a maze of one way streets we finally found our way to our hotel, only a 5 minute walk from the city center! Today we went to see the cathedral here, said to hold a vile of Jesus' blood... one of the most extraordinary cathedrals I have seen yet. We then visited a mom and pop chocolate shop and ended the afternoon with a brew tour! So much fun! It is going to be said to leave tomorrow, but its time... and in less than 48 hours I will be on a plane heading back home to Fort Collins, Colorado! 

All Good Things must Come to an End...

Today is my last day in my host family's house and I am all packed and ready to go! Going to have coffee with a friend tomorrow morning and then head to the hotel to meet my dad! I can't wait and I can't believe that it is already here. Though it was super rough at times, it really did fly by! I loved every second of it! 5 days until Charlie gets here and 13 days until I am back in Colorado...in the land of the free and the home of the brave! :)

You made a friend... and its a girl???

Jamille and I at a birthday party

 SHOCKING... I know.

A la Campagne...

  4-Wheeling anyone?

The Family!

A real home

I'm sorry, is that sound of wind I just heard??? The smell of fresh flowers.... fresh cut grass???? Can't be... I must be dreaming. Or just not in Paris. :) I spent the weekend in the country, people, and I have to tell you... that right there is God's gift to run down, tired, city folk like me.

Barcelona...

Hermosa Barcelona!

First and foremost, I utilized google translate for the title...so I sincerely hope it actually says "Beautiful Barcelona"! If it doesn't, I apologize and we will all have to pretend.  Highlights of the trip included: Latin food sans french bread (Parisians have no idea how to do it right), Barcelona Tour Bus, and incidently ending up at the only nudist beach in Barcelona. Many of you may question... "well wasn't there a sign?!" No, infact... once situated comfortably on our towels, amongst a pleathera of nude humans, we questioned what was happening and why so many people we were without swimsuits. We thought surely this couldn't be a Nude Beach! Sure enough, here comes the bulldozer placing a sign that read "Nudista Playa" not 30 feet from where we were laying. Shit. Needless to say, it was quite terrifying! So, Jamille and I decided, after that horror experience, to hit the city and see what it had to offer. The architecture was outstanding, there was artwork on the buildings and the sidewalks were even carved! It was absolutely stunning! All in all a fantastic 2 days!

3 days later...

Turns out, you can't rush fashion and there are no short cuts. Take your time, enjoy the process, and pay attention! Just finished my first solo project at my internship, sewing a shirt (at left) and it took me 3 days. Only made one mistake, but one mistake on a couture garment takes a WHOLE day to fix, I found out. However, I am so proud to say this was my baby, from cutting the fabric to sewing on the tag! It has been extremely fulfilling! Furthermore, to know that this is going to be sold, not just turned in for a grade is something I am not yet used to! Oh, and the price ladies and gents????? Well, lets just say its more than I make in a month!! AND I MADE IT! Its just surreal.