I get why people love this city..

I arrived in Barcelona almost 3 days ago and I get it.. unlike Paris which is soooo beautiful, romantic and--well, paris.. Barcelona, to me at least, has a different energy.

I got into my hostel after an afternoon of travel. I had only recieved my passport via fedEx 2 hours before having to leave. The moment I got out of the bus and was in the city I already felt better. Coming from nearly a month of having to wear 3 layers, a coat, gloves and scarf, and now come to weather where I can walk around in a t-shirt--that was fantastic..

I really love the hostel I staying at, excellent people from all over (a lot of americans funny enough). For some reason it has been a lot easier meeting people here and connecting than it was in Paris (maybe its the weather, I dont know..). This hostel has a kitchen which means that I was able to chop something and make a salad for the first time in weeks..

Ive walked along the city, top to bottom, seen the gaudi architecture and was absolutely amazed. the thing is that the grand cathedral isnt finished yet, and it wont be for another 50 years or so. This city is contiuing a project that started by someone who is no longer here, and somehow they think that they can continue his vision.. regardless- the size of this thing really takes your breath away.. Theres also something so great about walking down some street and hearing a Spanish guitar in the background. even though its nearing winter, this city doesnt know it, or doesnt care..


after getting my bag taken in Paris, and hearing ALL the pickpocketing stories of Barcelona- I am SUPER contious of this, and I carry everything valuable in my bra.. and Im happy to say that no one has come at me yet.. I also think that what happenned in Paris affected me more than what I had initially thought, and I spent the better part of the last week a little down, missing something familiar and kinda wanting routine again. I was almost bitching about being here by myself (ok so I was actually bitching about it, to myself..), and then I told myself to snap out of it, everything will be fine- this is my dream trip that I am doing right now, and I am in BARCELONA- so start taking in the sights and live the moment and everything else will work itself out.. so that is what I did, and a couple of hours later I was at a table in the hostel, having dinner and playing cards with about 10 new friends.. Went out last night with a couple of my new friends and danced for about 4 hours-- I cant really move today..:)


Its a funny thing that happends when you start taking your own advice-- I always say that complaining about any situation does absolutely nothing and gets you nowhere near a solution, so stop it right now and realize that this whole thing is your own doing and your choice- you can change your mind and take a different path any time. And when I actually listenned to that- everything got better..

About the photos- Im gonna wait until I get back home to upload them, just because it takes forever to do it and other people need these computers as well. So right now there are about 17 pictures from London only.. many more to come I promise. I love you all for loving me and checking in on what Im up to!!! 4 more days here and off to ITALY!! 
Right now though- Im here and loving it!!

Paris- Recap

It's been an interesting week.

From being sick again the first couple days, to dealing with not knowing the language, then getting my stuff stolen and all the bummer that came with that (Mom fedexed me my other passport, should arrive tomorrow just before I leave for Barcelona). All the while I'm in this beautiful city, seeing places and buildings that I've known of all my life.

Paris is the kind of city that you know so much about it before you even start to learn what you want to do- it's in every movie, tv show, pictures all over the world. And suddenly you're here- and you see it all, and it's almost like if you don't fall in love with it right away- something's wrong with you. Yes- it's beautiful, so many little place to see, little cobblestone streets and hidden gems everywhere you turn, I'm not in love though..
Again- what makes a place are the people, not the buildings or sights. I was lucky enough to meet a couple of people in my hostel room a couple of nights ago, one of them got all of her things stolen in Barcelona. We hugged it out and spent the evening together, and I started to feel a lot better about being here.
Anna- thanks for the hug and the talk.
I'm leaving this city without seeing the Louvre, Versaille, Rodin museum and many other "must see" places. I want to come back one day. When I do, it will be with someone who's very important in my life, in the spring or summer.
I'm very excited about Barcelona, simply because everyone tells me how much I'm gonna love it, and because I don't know that much about the city so I'm leaving a lot to the element of surprise. I'm also looking forward to warmer weather and leaving my coat in my bag for a while.
I love you all, and I miss you all very much. Naomi

This is a picture from the Rodin gardens. I'm uploading ALL my pictures onto facebook..

The downside of travelling..

As I was sitting here writing you all last night about the lovely day I've had, someone stole my backpack..

It was on the floor next to my leg, one moment it was there, the next it was gone. With the help of the security team and the security camera there's a good shot of who the asshole is and what time exactly he took my bag. It was my day backpack, with my passport, ipod, phone, sketchbook and other little things that I kept there. The first moment was shock and fear. Then I got calm for some reason, thinking that I still have my money and credit cards, I have a copy of my passport on email and everything will be fine.
However, I spent most of the night dreaming about this, thinking that maybe my bag will somehow appear and everything will be fine. Well I woke up and it hadn't, and I spent the day at the police station and at the Israeli Embassy, trying to figure out my next move. The good news- my camera was with me, so all my photo memories are safe!!
I'll be honest with you guys, not everything is as great as I write these days. I don't know the language which is really affecting me, I'm in this beautiful city by myself and I haven't really met fellow travellers that have made the last few days more familiar. In times like these you want to be hugged by someone you know, and that's not something I have these days.
I had considered for a moment to pack up my things and end the trip here, go back home. I'm in need of a break from walking, sightseeing, packing and unpacking. I think today is about staying indoors, reading my Jane Austen book (Mansfield Park) amd feeling a little sorry for myself. Hopefully I'll get over this state really soon and wake up tomorrow with renewed energy. Bottom line, I know that dwelling on the "what ifs" won't do me any good, and maybe I just need to give myself an hour of self pitty before I leave this whole thing behind me.
I will end with a quote- "yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift- that's why it is called Present".

A classic French day.. or at least what we all think it's supposed to be..

I've spent the last 2 days walking. The skies have been grey and unfriendly, and very cold, but walking helps fight that. I've seen so many little things that I want to share with you all. First of all, the cliches are true- the cheese shop is right next to the bakery/patisserie, right next to that is the chocolate shop, then the wine shop, then the little fruit and veggie market. This run of shops repeats itself over and over and over in this city, and every shop is full of people. Then we've got the crepe shop (I've eaten crepes for lunch for the past 2 days- sweet and savory- yummy). I've learned that this city is pretty small and you could easy walk it all in a day. I spent some time in the 6th district getting a little lost in chocolate and speciality stores, trying all sorts of yummy treats and seeking shelter from the rain.
I moved out of the couch sirfing state, left the lovely brothers who were so kind to me, and moved into a huge hostel. Not as homey as the one I stayed at in Edinburgh, but really nice and clean. I spent the day walking in the montmartre district- ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! Old cobble stones, going up to highest point in Paris (not including the Eiffel of course- I'm not going up that!). There's a square on the top with street artists selling painting of the city, or offering to draw your portrait. A lovely Italian painter wanted to draw me, and I agreed, and we ended up talking for an hour and he gave me my drawing as a gift (it's a caricature, looks nothing like me- but nice all the same). I saw some really good ice cream, but it was just too cold- but I promise to have some before I leave..
Over and over again I learn that I don't really like the huge tourist attractions (I've decided not to go into the Louvre, and I walked around and Eiffel, trying to avoid the crowds), I like walking in neighboorhoods, see where the people live and how they live.
Tomorrow is about touring Versailles (because if I don't Mom would never forgive me..), and I kind of want to walk along the seine and see where I feel like going after that. The only 2 museums I plan on seeing is the Rodin and Musee D'Orsay.
I have to admit to you guys- being in Paris solo is probably not as nice as being here with someone you really care about, which only means that next time I come here better be with a boyfriend (whoever you are..). Not to worry about that now- I'm here and I plan to make the most out of it.
I love you all for wanting to know what I'm up to and following me..

Paris, the little I've seen in the last 2 days..

So like I said before I was kind of bummed to leave Edinburgh. I had some anxiety about coming to a country who's primary language I don't speak; and I had already met a few people in Edinburgh and I started to feel comfortable with the city. And the thought of learning a new city was more fear causing than excitement.
But then I got out at the Metro station, waiting to meet Matt; a friend of a good SF friend (Fred I love you and thank you so much) who agreed to host me for a few nights, and I realized- Holy shit!! I started the day in Scotland and ended it in France!! And suddenly I got excited at seeing a new city and figuring it out.
As it turns out, Matt is one of the nicest guys one could ever meet, and he reqlly took care of me, made me feel at home. However, I woke up in the morning and realized I wasn't done with the cold, it followed me from London. Im sure that getting drenched on that highland "wee walk" didn't help, nor did going to a club the night before in Edinburgh (on another pub crawl) and having to scream in peoples' ears for a couple of hours. So I spent my first day in Paris in bed, coughing.
Today I ventured out finally and started walking. I can't deny it- this is a beautiful city!!! All the movies, stories and pictures are completely true. Tomorrow is going to be a "get lost in the city" kind of day (if the weather is nice). Right now I'm not exactly taken back by the city, but I'm giving myself a couple more days to fall in love with it.
More to come in a couple of days..

Edinburgh- Recap..

I'm leaving this amazing city in just a couple of hours, and I need to take a moment and reflect on all that I've done and seen this week, and of course mention some important people who've made this city better for me.
Edinburgh itself is pretty small compared to HUGE London, and it makes it feel kind of like a little neighboorhood- which I love. I have loved walking the hills, stairs and stone streets of Old town, everywhere I looked there's history looking back. After my 3 day trip I was blessed to have the sun shining for the rest of my time here, which made walking the city much more fun. And even when I wasn't in a walking/sightseeing mood, this place is very mellow, and sitting around sketching was still so much fun. I've even learned to like the hostel world and I'm looking forward to the next hostel in Paris..
I have no doubt that I will be back soon, and truth be told- if I hadn't already booked my flight to Paris back when I was in London, I would have stayed here longer. On the other hand- it's good to leave while still wanting more..
Thank you Colleen and Ellie- for joining me on my very first pub crawl. Thank you Jessee, Dina, Ashley and Anna- my fellow macbackers. You made the trip so much better, made me laugh when I really didn't feel like it and made me feel a little like home. Owen- for convincing me to come on the crawl, for introducing me to Haggis- thanks to you I can absolutely say that I've tasted Scotland.
On to Paris and the next adventure. My big wish is that each week/city only surpasses the previous. That's deffinetly where I am now. Love you all for reading and wanting to know what I'm up to, and I LOVE reading your comments- so please write in..

Outside Edinburgh..

I've been outside beautiful Edinburgh these last couple of days, seeing the Highlands and learning that the great scottish people invented many of the great things we have in the world today.. I went on a 3 day tour with 25 other people. It was very wet, cold most of the time, but a bonding experience for the group. On the second day we went on a "wee walk" (or "little walk"..) that was supposed to be the highlight of the whole trip, amazing views and a great was to spend the afternoon. As it turns out- it didn't stop raining the entire time we were up on this mountain, at times coming sideways with some really strong winds. I slipped and fell 3 times during the day, did not have the proper shoes on and was pretty scared at times that something bad was going to happen.
Eventually I got out of my head and told myself 2 things: 1. You ran a frickin' marathon- you can do this!!!  2. Your feet know where to go. Once I got into a better mental space things got a lot better. By the end of this "wee walk" we were completely drenched from head to toe, shivering and tired. BUT-- no broken bones, no falls, everyone came out alive and well. Out guide helped us celebrate by passing a bottle of Whiskey around the bus, and that warmed us all up very fast. All in all it was a bonding experience for us, and now I can say that I've gone on an extreme hike- completely unplanned and unprepared, but I did it all the same!!! and I'm proud!!
Now I'm back in Edinburgh for a couple more days, and I plan on simply enjoying the city and sunshine.
More to follow!! Naomi