May 16, 2011

Day 23 >> 30 Day Challenge

30 Day Challenge
Day 23 - Countries you've been


I'm pretty sure I created this specific category in the 30 Day Challenge. I didn't create it to brag about the places I've been, I'm just really passionate about traveling and if I had to write a blog about something else than make up it would be about the world!

I've been so fortunate to be able to have seen what I have seen in the world. I might not have seen as much as some people have, but I'm very thankful to have been able to visit around.

Keep on reading!!!

I've only been in two continents: North America and Europe.
In North America I've obviously been in Canada since I live there. What is sad is the fact that I've seen more of the U.S.A than I've seen Canada. I've visited the whole Eastern side of Canada, but have never been in the West. It is definitely something I want to see soon.
 
In the United States, I've basically done the entire East coast as well. I've visited all the close by states like New York, New Jersey, Maine, Connecticut. I've also been a bit lower like North & South Carolina and Virginia. I've visited Florida a few times as well. I also went to Louisiana as a very young child.

Finally, the last place I've been in North American is Mexico. I only went once and I went to Cancun for March break with the parents when I was in High School.



Now, my favourite continent: Europe. I personally rather visit Europe than the South, but there is obviously a price difference. I just adore getting indulged in the culture and atmosphere. I went to Europe twice.

First time I went was on a my High School grad trip. We basically spent a whole month touring Europe in the end of grade 11. I took my first step in Europe on Netherlands soil. We landed at the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. I remember the amazing feeling of being across the ocean from everything you knew and trying to get used to differences from time to cultures.

 View of Amsterdam from a boat (it was raining.. the blurry spots are drops)

Next stop: Brussels, Belgium. I found it a very quiet city compared to Amsterdam. It was really special to me because I am half Belgian, so it was like I was discovering where my blood was from. If you go to Brussels, get ready to eat some of the best food in your life. You need to try their amazing fries (fries originate from Belgium, they are the real deal!). Also, splurge on a waffle. I went crazy and took one topped with chocolate syrup, ice cream and whipped cream. Can I just say I was rolling on the ground from all the amazing food I had there?

 The best waffles you will ever have!

After Belgium, we went down to Switzerland.  In Switzerland we stayed in a very cute little village. There wasn't too much to do in the little village. It was very quiet and Alps surrounded the entire town. No matter where you were, you had a beautiful view in 360 degrees.

Cutest houses in the alps!!!

The second day, we had a few activities planned for us to choose from. You could go on hikes, horseback riding, skiing and paragliding. I decided to ski since it is my favourite sport and it's not like you're in the Swiss Alps everyday!
Taken when I was skiing. Breath taking!

Next we went to Germany. In Germany we visited Munich. I love love love that city! We went biking and ate amazing German foods and did a lot of sight seeing! Our hotel was right by the Marienplatz, a beautiful building and everything was closeby. I seriously want to learn German and live there!
The Marienplatz in Munich

We then visited 3 cities in Italy: Florence, Venice & Rome. All of it was stunning and GREAT FOOD! But lets just say that after Italy I couldn't eat pizza or pasta for a while because I had so much! My favourite city in Italy was Rome, it was very lively and fun. I saw the Trevi Fountain and The Spanish Steps which were some of my lifetime dreams.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome

I loved the markets in Florence, where I bought my all time favourite scarf. I also loved the shopping in Venice. There was very nice jewelery and souvenirs. I also loved the canals, it was so much fun going over bridges and looking at the gondolas pass under you.

Rialto Bride in Venice

We got onto an overnight boat to get to Barcelona, Spain. We stayed in a nearby town on the beach. We stayed there a while, so we finally had time to sleep in and sit by the beach to rest. I was so tired at that point I really needed it. Too many nights talking on overnight buses, staying up late and waking up early. I was practically a walking zombie!

A beautiful town called Sitges a few minutes from Barcelona

The beaches were extraordinary. It was an amazing view, better than being in Mexico! The only problem was that it was March and the water was still pretty cold, though there were a few people swimming on the hotter days.

The beach in Sitges

I lied when I said I didn't eat pizza for a while, I tried Spanish style pizza and it was the best Pizza I'd tried in my life. I am going back to the specific restaurant I bought this pizza from one day. I basically ate that for every meal because menus were in Spanish and there was a language barrier (we literally made animal noises to understand each other, it was a game of Charades). I wish I'd taken my Spanish classes before the trip, now I would be able to understand. After that I truly couldn't eat pizza anymore!

 
The board walk in Sitges, you'd think we were in the Caribbean.

Last stop: London! We ditched the bus and flew there. This is where we stayed the longest. We stayed near Convent Garden (that was the closest tube stop). We did a lot of sightseeing, museums and shows. My favourite: We Will Rock You, Queen is my favourite! During free time, we shopped until we dropped, literally. Camden Town, Convent Garden market, Lillywhites, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, name it & I went. On free nights we'd go see extra shows in the West End. I loved London and would love to marry a british man. ;)

Piccadilly Circus, London.

About a year later I went to Paris with my parents. I was really sad that my grad trip wasn't going to France (usually it does) so I was extremely excited to go to Paris.

Walking to the Eiffel Tower for the first time.

First thing you need to know about Paris is that very few people are able to speak English. Usually the hotel front desk person does, but other than that it's either heavy accent of hardly at all. Can't blame them, not like everyone knows French. Most restaurants did have English menus because there are so many tourists in Paris. It wasn't a problem for me because French is my first language and it is what I speak at home (though I speak and write better in English).

Arc de Triomphe, Paris.

As soon as I got into Paris, I automatically fell in love with the city. My hotel was right by the Eiffel Tower so I would walk to it many times a day (and the Metro station was right next to it). I loved the amazing food like their sandwiches on baguettes and their grill cheese (so different compared to the Americanized grilled cheese).

La Cathedrale Sacre Couer, Paris.

I don't even know how to explain how I feel about Paris. I just want to go back so badly. I am actually looking into possibly doing a year of studies abroad, but for that I would need to take a French class to polish my grammar.










Day 01 — Your favorite makeup palette
Day 02 — Your favorite bag that you own
Day 03 — Your favorite brush
Day 04 — Your favorite foundation
Day 05 — Outfit Of The Day
Day 06 — Anything Hello Kitty
Day 07 — Your pet's OOTD
Day 08 — A photo that makes you laugh
Day 09 — Your favourite pair of shoes
Day 10 — Current fashion/style you like
Day 11 — Face Of The Day
Day 12 — Inspirational photo
Day 13 — Photo of your fashion/style icon
Day 14 — Photo of a hairstyle/haircut you'd like to have
Day 15 — Photo of your favourite piece of jewelery
Day 16 — Favourite/most used makeup look
Day 17 — The ultimate hair product
Day 18 — Your top 3 nail polishes
Day 19 — The best blush
Day 20 — Your favourite mascara
Day 21 — Photo of the weather
Day 22 — Your favorite perfume
Day 23 — Countries you've been
Day 24 — Favorite candle
Day 25 — Favorite decoration piece in your bedroom
Day 26 — An Item from your wishlist
Day 27 — Your favourite skincare line
Day 28 — Brand you wish you could purchase where you live
Day 29 — Lip product you can't live without
Day 30 — Your favourite nail design

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