March 26, 2017

El Trebol (Toledo, Spain)

The day we visited Toledo was freeeezing! We had hoped that a stop for lunch at El Trebol, a trendy bar by the town square, would warm us up, but little did we know, the bar wasn't heated at all ;) My parents ordered lattes to warm themselves up, and I warmed my spirit with a photoshoot.

Note: If you're thinking about going to El Trebol yourself, keep in mind that it's a very hectic place with employees who speak almost no English at all (they're also always in a rush, making their Spanish even faster and less comprehensible!). You can sit down and eat upstairs (limited hours), or order from the bar. There was one bartender who befriended me amidst the hustle and bustle of the rush, and to this day, I'm still so grateful for his kindness!

March 22, 2017

A Snow Day at Cornell

I've had six exams over the past week and a half, but you know what made it all okay? A blizzard that gave Cornell it's first snow day since 1993.

March 19, 2017

Parc de la Ciutadella

Parc de la Ciutadella on a Sunday afternoon: it was a clear, 60 degree day, and the air smelled like spring. We walked to the fountain, la Cascada, and stumbled upon a man in a newsboy cap making giant bubbles; kids gathered around him, laughing, chasing, and popping the bubbles. To the right of them stood a gazebo full of people dancing to Spanish music - the sight was too storybook-like to believe. Everyone seemed to be having a good time with their easy smiles and relaxed swaying. Someone saw me taking photos of the dancing people, and waved me over to dance with him. A little part of me wishes I hadn't been shy enough to decline. How cool would it have been to engage in and be a part of that idyllic scene - to not only spectate local culture, but really experience it firsthand?

March 8, 2017

Barcelona's Three Kings Day Parade (Tres Reyes) and The Kindness of Spaniards

 
The first stories I told my friends when we returned from Spain were about the kindness of the Spanish people. It's one thing to enjoy the sights, food, and culture of a place, but what makes me want to return are the people. 

March 5, 2017

Taughannock Falls

Last year, I found mental and emotional relief in nature. This year, my environmental surroundings aren't as conducible to outdoor runs (though I will admit, there are individuals who walk outside during a blizzard in shorts and t-shirts), so I haven't been able to take advantage of the natural beauty around me as much. Fortunately, on what happened to be one of the coldest weeks Ithaca has experienced, my house organized a mini trip for 6 or so people to hike Taughannock Falls. What's not captured are how cold my fingers were ;), but I hope I was able to capture some of the beauty from that day:

March 1, 2017

Sacred Prism: Inside La Sagrada Familia


 
La Sagrada Familia - we almost didn't go inside; we thought that it'd be just as beautiful as the other several cathedrals we had visited. We finally caved in after mom's powerful tricks of guilting us, and once again, mom was right! If you're going to visit, make sure you purchase your tickets online, at least the day before, because they go out quickly. Your tickets will have a set hour at which you can enter - they do this to space out the crowd of tourists. We didn't think it was necessary to take a tour to the top of the cathedral, and I think we made the right choice. We just wandered in awe under the shimmering rainbow of lights, and it was perfect.