Euro Trek is trekking again... on the wings of a DVD player!

Euro Trek is happy to be trekking again, this time to Paris, France and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. (not Europe, but still foreign and exciting) with the help of a DVD player!

 For Christmas 2011, Euro Trek received one of Woody Allen's latest efforts, the quirky and lovable Midnight in Paris, starring Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, and others. Midnight in Paris is sure to appeal to Francophiles, art buffs and literature geeks. The movie is a 94 minute meeting of these three fabulous worlds. Your heart is sure to explore with joy giving the meeting of these three artistic worlds.

Sex and the City 2, on the other hand, is a fashionable romp in the Middle East. This quartet of 40+ somethings ventures to the U.A.E to continue their amazing life adventures, this time in a sandy land of camels and open air markets.

 Off we go!

Newest acquisitions: Midnight in Paris and Sex and the City 2

Beauty at Home: Seattle Style

Sure I spent a wealth of time travelling through Europe. But, beauty still exists at home. In Seattle. Along the waterfront. Love for Puget Sound and the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Seattle: Puget Sound at sunset during a lovely summer evening 

Just because I'm not there yet doesn't mean I don't know where I'm going

Source: theyallhateus.com via Monika on Pinterest

Travel Changes You

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life - and travel - leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.” - Anthony Bourdain

Via my co travel wanderer friend, Ieva.

Paris, FR: Eiffel Tower 2006

Reykjavik, IS 2009

Nyhavn Canal in Copenhagen, DK. 2009.

Windsurfing. NW France 2006.

Olden charm. Montlucon, FR 2009.

Luxembourg City. Backpacking adventures. 2006.

Mont St Michel. France. 2006.

Te amo, Park Guell. Barcelona. 2009.

La Belle vue. Sete, FR. 2009.

Copenhagen: Wherever you go, don't forget where you came from

In Copenhagen.

This Danish sailor has got it right. With some pride, knowledge and integrity, he's ready to sail the Danish seas. And beyond.

Ready to set sail from the shores of Copenhagen.

If you had the opportunity to do so, where would you like to go and explore?

Currently Under Construction: Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia's figurative "Currently Under Construction" sign surely must have quite the story to tell, having seen much of Barcelona and world history unfold before it since its inception in 1882.

After 144 years of construction, all should be complete come 2026. Hopefully.

This beautiful masterpiece of a Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, towers over Barcelona, piercing its skyline.

That fact that Sagrada Familia is visible from all around various part of Barcelona, it serves as a constant reminder of the city's heritage, foundation and artistic and architectural mastery as exhibited by its (most) famous architect, Gaudi and his impact on the makeup of the city (as seen in Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, Casa Batllo and La Pedrera).

A Catalan jewel in Barcelona - Sagrada Familia

Stained glass window inside Sagrada Familia

Spires reaching high above Barcelona's skyline

View from Sagrada Familia - Barcelona and the Mediterranean  Sea

#FranceFriday: Never want to leave the French Riviera

Nice, FR is nice. Very nice.

Nice is the second-largest city in France's Provence region, following Marseille.

Let us relish in some gorgeous views of this beautiful city.

Your 'to-do' list in Nice should most definitely include:

• strolling the Promenade des Anglais
• enjoying the view from the local chateau
• soaking up the sun, sitting along the Mediterranean, on a pebbly beach
• tantalizing your taste buds with all the lavender and rose-flavored gelato you can manage
• enjoying the beauty of the city's (and overall region's) multitude of colorfully shuttered windows
• picking up a locally-crafted lavender product to take home with you

We left Nantes one October evening on an overnight couchette train and about 11 hours later, arrived in Nice the following morning. We left the chilly, autumnal northwest corner of France and seemingly traveled back through the season, seeing as we arrived to this...

Bienvenue! Our train has arrived

All who visit Nice simply must hike up to the top of the local chateau, located at the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais. You will be rewarded with an outstanding view of the entire city similar to this one.

View of the Mediterranean Sea, Promenade and  Old and New town

Strolling, rollerblading and people-watching under the palm trees is made easy on the Promenade.

Promenade des Anglais

Don't forget to bring a sturdy pair of sandals when trapsing along the beach. Pebbly beaches are the norm here. I suppose this is a good way to engage the core and get an extra ab workout.

Pebbly beaches are the norm in Nice, FR

Fun Fact: Michael Jackson once stayed at Nice's Hotel Negresco, located on the Promenade des Anglais

Oxford, England: Pick Up Your Oxford Blues... and Alice Trinkets

Oxford, England. Home to more esteemed British academia.

Visiting Oxford in October 2008 was quite the trip. Literally. I had injured myself in Montpellier only a few days before leaving so I was obliged to awkwardly hobble about towns during my UK getaway.

I managed to snap a pathetic amount of photos due to the pain I was in. The one below is of an Oxford Blues shop. One of many stores in which visitors and students alike could purchase their very own Oxford blues. I, of course, couldn't leave this town with such a rich academic history without at least picking up a classic Oxford University tee-shirt.

Alice shop and Oxford Blues shop in Oxford, England.

Can't leave Oxford without an official University of Oxford tee shirt.

Alice in Wonderland fans may also be familiar with Oxford. The author, Lewis Carroll, was inspired by many aspects of the university, which he attended, and incorporated these aspects in his stories. A rowboat trip beginning at Folly Bridge served as the inspiration for the tale of Alice, a girl who created her own adventure.

So, as an homage (?) to Carroll and his wildly popular tales of Alice, her mementos can also be purchased about town.

Montpellier, FR: An aqueduct runs through it

Sunny Mediterranean Montpellier, located in southern France, is the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. 

Its 17th century Saint-Clément aqueduct spans the "Les Arceaux" (The Arches) neighborhood and it was used to direct water to the city from the Saint Clément spring located 8.6 miles away.

The aqueduct has (obviously) become a staple of the city's geography over the centuries and is an integral architectural feature in the lives of Montpellier's citizens. It is dressed up with classy lighting showing off its characteristic features, while also serving as shelter for many local pétanque playing fields.

Massive 17th century aqueduct in Montpellier lit up at night

A little beauty lighting for the aqueduct

Live An Adventure: This is what backpacking through Luxembourg looks like

Luxembourg. Tucked in between France, Belgium and Germany is a little (literally) gem rich (literally) in history and culture. 

Luxembourg on the map. Nestled between France, Germany and Belgium.

My friend, Ieva, once shared this brilliant quote with me,  “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

And so, this is what backpacking through Luxembourg (and beyond) at age 21 looks like. We're exploring the history of walled Luxembourg City.

Welcome to Luxembourg City. Rich in history.

My awesome travel partner Alaina, and me.

Now grab your backpack and explore the world! What's truly stopping you?

Brussels' 'Little Man Pee' or as locals know him, Mannekin Pis

Located just some hundreds of feet from the Brussels' central square, at the intersection of Rue de l'Étuve/Stoofstraat and Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat, is a small, 2-foot tall statue of a little boy urinating in a fountain. A Belgian landmark.

Know in Dutch as Mannekin Pis and in French as le Petit Julien, the little boy is one of legends. One of the many and most famous legends regarding his existence involves Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. It states that "in 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts, the lords of Grimbergen, in Ransbeke (now Neder-over-Heembeek). The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung the basket in a tree to encourage them. From there, the boy urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle."

Our little boy wonder is known for his ever-changing attire. He's quite the trendy little fellow. His costume is changed several times each week and his wardrobe is cared for by a local non-profit, The Friends of Mannekin Pis. 

In October 2009, Alaina and I happen to catch him in his seemingly Arab-inspired wardrobe.

Little Mannekin Pis is so trendy.

Little boy legend. Literally. This one is to show scale of size.

Considering he's been standing around, peeing, since 1618, his closet must be gigantic.

I think he should dress as Mickey Mouse one day. What do you think?

Dublin Castle, or what's left of it

Here is Dublin Castle, a major player in Irish government and stronghold in British rule. In the center is Record Tower, the sole surviving medieval part of this structure. Not bad for living through history since 1204.

Care to visit?

Dublin Castle. Pieces of it at least.

Copenhagen, DK: Home of the Little Mermaid, A Part of Your World

The Little Mermaid. Not Ariel. I'm talking about the Hans Christian Andersen variety here. This Andersen-inspired mermaid statue calls the edges of Copenhagen's Lagenlinie harbor home.

The mermaid is a young woman who is "willing to give up her life in the sea and her identity as a mermaid to gain a human soul and the love of a human prince." She now welcomes throngs of visitors to Copenhagen's harbor.

The little mermaid, at home in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Perhaps she "still" longs to be a part of our world, as she did in Disney's retelling of her story.


Part of Your World (Reprise)

What would I give to live where you are?
What would I pay to stay here beside you?
What would I do to see you smiling at me?

Where would we walk?
Where would we run?
If we could stay all day in the sun
Just you and me, and I could be
Part of your world

I don't know when, I don't know how
But I know something's starting right now
Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be
Part of your world

Mr. Reagan, Meet Mr. Gorbachev: The Reykjavik Summit of 1986

No more Cold War, please.

The Reykjavik Summit of 1986 is the event at which then-president, Mr. Ronald Reagan sat down with the Soviet Union's Mikhael Gorbachev to discuss ballistic missile usage. Although the talks fell apart at the last minute, certain agreements were still reached, promoting future changes regarding stances on and uses of nuclear weapons.

The home in which this meeting took place, pictured below, is named Höfði

Reagan and Gorbachev met here in 1986 for The Reykjavik Summit

Mr. Wikipedia states,

Despite the unexpected proximity to the potential elimination of all nuclear weapons, the meeting adjourned with no agreement; however, both sides discovered the extent of the concessions the other side was willing to make.^[3] Human rights became a subject of productive discussion for the first time. An agreement by Gorbachev to on-site inspections, a continuing American demand which had not been achieved in the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963 or the ABM and SALT I pacts of 1972, constituted a significant step forward, and foreshadowed Russian openness to such testing in future talks.Despite its apparent failure, participants and observers have referred to the summit as an enormous breakthrough which eventually facilitated the INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty), signed in Washington on December 8, 1987.

The US and Russia putting Iceland on the map, once again.

Bienvenidos al Park Güell! I heart Gaudi.

Bienvenidos al Park Güell! This place looks like it was taken from a storybook! Gaudi's work is all over Barcelona. Park Güell is one of my favorite examples of his work.

The park is situated on Barcelona's el Carmel hill. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, built between the years of 1900-1914. It is a feast of exploration for the ears, eyes and mind.

It is whimsy that welcomes visitors to the park. It is imagination that creates and appreciates the intricacies of the park.

I want need to go back. Barcelona, te amo.

Gaudi's art. Entrance to Park Güell. 

Yours truly enjoying the colonnaded foot path at Park Guell

 

Bienvenidos, todos! 

Gaudi's multi-color mosaic dragon fountain 

#FranceFriday: Sète, the Venice of southern France

Bienvenue à Sète. 

It is a port and seaside community overlooking the gorgeous Mediterranean sea. It is built on and around Mont St. Clair, from which visitors can stare in awe over the amazing views of the  quaint city and seemingly never-ending sea located beneath them. 

The city's bassin de Thau, an enclosed salt-water lake, has a primary function for oyster and mussel harvesting. The city undoubtedly serves excellent seafood; pulled from the waters regularly and served on dinner tables only a few short hours later. Can it get any fresher than this?

Take in the beauty of this seaside village. Don't forget to explore and learn about Mont St. Clair at the Chapelle de la Salette while you're up there enjoying the views as well.

Sete, FR as seeing from Mont St. Clair

Fun Fact: French crooner, Georges Brassens and poet and philosopher, Paul Valéry were both born in Sète.

Hallo, Amsterdam Centraal

Amsterdam's Centraal train station isn't just another point of entry or exit to and from the city, it's also a piece of neo-Renaissance art. The reliefs in between the two clock towers attest to hope and prosperity for the city and its citizens.

Hallo, Amsterdam.

• The station serves 25,000 passengers per day.
• This station has been welcoming citizens to Amsterdam since October 1889.
• There are 11 platforms which whisk visitors off to exciting new travel adventures.
• The station is paired with Liverpool Street station in London. This serves as the terminus for the Dutchflyer rail-ferry service.

Happy travels!

Explore Portugalia: Exotic Pena Palace in Sintra, PT

Home of past Portuguese kings.

The tiled, colorful, Arab-influenced, Romantic and exoctic Pena National Palace, located in Sintra, Portugal is a UNESCO World Heritage and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal (of which I have visited three. Hooray!).

Pena Palace with its colorful tiled exterior and elaborately rounded archways, should be easily identified as being influenced by Islamic architecture and Portugal's Moorish invasion, circa the year 711 and beyond.

Being a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, I think visiting the town of Sintra, PT and its many historically rich and diverse sites should definitely be on your to-do list. I am very glad it was on mine.

Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Part 1.

Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Part 2. 

Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. Part 3.

What are you curious about?

So friends, anything/place you're especially curious about, would like to know more about or see more of?

Just let me know by leaving a comment below!

Feel free to tweet me too! : @monikasalita

photo

#FranceFriday: Bienvenue au Mont St. Michel

Tucked away in Normandy in northwest France is Mont St. Michel, the Saint-Michel monastery. Connected to the mainland via a modernized land bridge, the island on which the monastery sits is just a bit detached from the rest of society and perhaps one could say, one step closed to heaven?

Shrug. To each his own.

I see this as a natural progression and development of nature during the passing of via.

"It was at the request of the Archangel Michel « chief of the celestial militia » that Aubert, Bishop of Avranches built and consecrated a small church on the 16th October 709. In 966 a community of Benedictines settled on the rock at the request of the Duke of Normandy and the pre-Romanesque church was built before the year one thousand."- via linked visitor's site

I definitely recommend that you visit this stronghold in Breton culture, an important piece of French history.

Le Mont St Michel located in France's Normandy region.

Esteemed academia: Wandering Cambridge

During my travels, my inner nerd rejoiced when visiting esteemed academic institutions University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England; University of Oxford in Oxford, England and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

Stop One was Cambridge, the second-oldest university in the UK and the English-speaking world. While walking along the city's cobblestone streets, I made a bee-line for the Cambridge University Press shop. Just because I wanted to be in a sea of Cambridge press. England, books, reading, knowledge, information. Ahhh, glorious.

Below is one (of a few) of my favorite photos from Cambridge. This is Great St. Mary's University Church. I think this photo definitely embodies a part of the personality of the city: Cobblestone streets, rain (off and on), bikes chained to a rail (used for travel to and from academic activities?), an aged church, and most importantly, knowledge sharing.

Great St. Mary's University Church in Cambridge, England.

I hope I left Cambridge a bit more learned than when I first stepped foot on the grounds. 

Cheerio!

Je pense à Paris: Gargoyle Considering Paris

Gothic Cathedral = Notre Dame de Paris.
Gargoyles = Deep thinkers of Paris.

Notre Dame: Preserving the sanctity of Paris while also pondering its many wonders?

Perhaps this particular gargoyle of Notre Dame de Paris is not only preserving the sanctity of the cathedral, but also pondering the many historical wonders of the City of Light spread out for miles upon miles beneath his feet.

Perhaps he's wishing he could fly away from his stony perch and explore his city of history, magic and dreams.

For now, he'll just have to continue to be a part of history among other relics of 12th century Gothic architecture.

I hope he's inspiring young writers who are undoubtedly sipping tiny espressos at the cafes surrounding Notre Dame and writing in moleskin journals (perhaps typing furiously on laptops?), inspired by great writers of the past such as Victor Hugo, Samuel Beckett, Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, Rimbaud, Jean-Paul Sartre and more.

Paris, je t'aime.

#FranceFriday: Disneyland! In Paris!

How does a girl celebrate her 24th birthday in December while teaching in sunny Montpellier in the south of France? By heading to Disneyland Paris of course!

I had a lovely time spending a (very) chilly day in Disneyland *in Paris* celebrating my birthday? How can this possibly be topped? Getting engaged one day atop the Eiffel Tower? ;) We shall see.

Amusez-vous bien!

Celebrating my birthday, in Disneyland, in Paris!

Backpacking through Frankish old towns is how I roll

Luxembourg City, nestled in the petite country of Luxembourg. Luxembourg is like a miniature Switzerland, in regards to financial matters. This place is monied. In 2009, it was ranked as having the third-highest GDP per capita at ~ US$79,000. No surprise that Luxembourg is a banking and financial center.

A view of walled in, old Luxembourg City.

Alaina and I were visiting Luxembourg in early November 2006. November 1, 2006 just happened to be the Day of the Dead, so, the city was rather peaceful (i.e. quite, chill, empty streets). The hostel we stayed at was nestled in a forest and was beautiful. Down comforters and beds that rival my own personal bed? Only in Luxembourg my friend. Click the link above to learn more about Luxembourg City Hostel.

So much history is found behind these stone walls. Even more history is found the more one explores. This place has got a little bit of everything -- history of the Romans, French Revolutionary Wars, German occupation, treaties galore, and more! This link can say more than I ever could.

Fun Fact: The official languages of Luxembourg are Luxembourgish, French and German.


Enjoy Luxembourg!

Comics, comics everywhere!

Comic hero of Belgium? Why none other than Tintin of course! Also known as "the hero of the French-speaking world."

This little piece of quintessential Belgian street art was found on a quiet street corner in Brussels.

Tintin decorates Brussels.

If you're swinging by Brussels and want to discover more quirky and fun Belgian comic genius, I suggest you head over to the Belgian Comic Strip Center for more fanciful exploration and indulgence into a favorite childhood activity.

Recent discussions have inspired me to give Tintin a more thorough read, especially in preparation of this winter's release of the next Spielberg classic (?), the Tintin movie.

The written word seems to always be better than the movie, don't you agree?
Spielberg better not let this Francophile with one-half of her bachelor's degree in French, down.