Brighton Beach (Memoirs). England

My October 31, 2008 aka Halloween, was spent wandering around Brighton, England. Here's a shot from Brighton beach on this comfortable October evening. Care to cozy up and read a copy of Brighton Beach Memoirs while you're at it?

#FranceFriday: Montpellier

 

During 2008-2009, I spent eight glorious months teaching English on contract in the south of France. This gorgeous city, constantly basking in Mediterranean rays of sun, just a short jaunt from the azure waters of the Mediterranean sea was my home.

 

Here is a shot of some of the city’s beautiful 19th century architecture, in the heart of the city, at Place de la Comédie.

 

 

 

 

Portugal is beautiful! Vamos para Lisboa!

Lisbon in February, 2009. Yes, the sun was shining in Lisbon in February! I was elated to be able to walk around in sunglasses and a tank top.

Here is a view of the beautiful Rio Tejo, which runs through Spain and Portugal, from the Belem Tower, which is a UNESCO world heritage site "because of the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries. The tower was commissioned by King John II to be both part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon."

Here is the "Momument to the Discoveries" (another UNESCO world heritage site), overlooking the Tagus River. The red bridge in the background is the 25 de Abril bridge, which was built by the same company that constructed the San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridge. Across the water is the monument of Christ the King, located in the town of Almada. This is similar to the statue in Brazil.

So, vamos para Lisboa! Anyone?

 

Riding the rails: Amsterdam Centraal

The central train station of Amsterdam. October 2006.

I enjoy travelling by train. It's a great way to sit back and enjoy the true views of a foreign countryside sweeping past you.

Would I have been able to capture this lovely shot of real life as someone knows it (somewhere in between Brussels and Amsterdam) as a part of a standard tour group?

Doubt it.

Now grab your backpack and let's ride the rails! I'm look at you, Rick Steves.

Paris, je t'aime: La Tour Eiffel

Paris, summer 2006.
La Tour Eiffel glitters.

Paris puts on her jewels as la Tour Eiffel glitters in the night sky

Sarah and I went to Paris in August 2006 for a week filled with Parisian discoveries. (Her first visit to the City of Light, my second.) We couldn't waste an evening sitting in our hotel room so what did we do? We walked along the Seine to admire the beauty of La Tour Eiffel twinkling in the late August night sky.