A Day At The Market

I took this photo while walking through the street market in Wiesbaden, Germany.  Random photography has always been a favorite hobby of mine.  When you photograph something, it gives you a different perspective on life.  My photography has no hidden meanings or reasoning.... it's just everyday life and that's why I love it.

How to live like a Parisian

To tell you the truth... I didn't expect to like Paris as much as I did.  I was excited to see the city but I had no idea what the city has to offer.  Here is my list of Paris "Must Do's":

1. Take advantage of the Metro system - it's WAY cheap and WAY fun/dirty/hilarious, especially when intoxicated. I think I danced through a good ten train stops one night.

2. Go to the Louvre!  Even if you just to run in and see the Mona Lisa. You kind of have to push your way to the front but I didn't want anyone in my picture.

3. Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, not just halfway, but the whole way!  Also, be young and fun by doing a photo shoot at the bottom of the tower.  I have so many dumb pictures of me jumping/cartwheels in front of Eiffel.  Great memories.

4. Moulin Rouge- Red Light District!  SO pretty at night.  It's really scandalous but I felt completely safe.  (See picture of me above).

5. Champs-Élysées - Great to see all of the designer shops but take advantage of the small boutiques has to offer.  Buy an outfit you can't find in the states!  Who cares about a Louis bag?

6. The Arc de Triomphe is beautiful. 

7. Notre Dame- Beautiful and historic!

8. Disneyland Paris- It's about 45 minutes outside of the city by train but so much fun!  I maybe a Disney kid at heart but I think everyone is.  I had a great time and we only went for a few hours.

9. Cimetière du Père-Lachaise - It's where Jim Morrison, Chopin, Oscar Wilde and a ton of others are buried! It's free, and it's the most beautiful and scary graveyard you'll ever see! the tombstones are bigger than cars and some date back to the 1700's!

10.Tour Maine-Montparnasse- tall skyscraper that overlooks Paris.  Great view, cheap, and you can take fun pictures on the rooftop looking at the Eiffel Tower.

11. Fall in love.  Find a Parisian boy or girl and go on a date!  You may think it's edgy/crazy but it was the best time ever!

I was only in Paris for five days so of course I didn't get to do everything!  Plus, I want to have a reason to go back :)  Here are a few things for my next trip:

1. The tunnel where Princess Diana was killed - it's called Pont d'alma.  I think I drove through the tunnel at night but it was after a late night excursion and I couldn't tell you if I did.

2. Okay I didn't go to the top of the Eiffel Tower- The line was too long but I will next time.

Prettiest Place I've Ever Been.... Luxembourg

This is me taking full opportunity for a photo-op.  Luxembourg now tops my prettiest places to visit list.  I'm definitely planning another trip solely for Luxembourg.  Below is the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg... Gorgeous.

Autobahn: Wow! What an experience

I did something yesterday that I've wanted to do ever since I was a little boy.... I drove on the Autobahn!  It's a surreal experience to drive 120 mph and be going right along with traffic.   This is me at a gas station break in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Never Never Netherlands

While driving throughout The Netherlands I came across these amazing windmills.  It is amazing to see hundreds of windmills on the hillsides.  It's almost breathtaking.

Vegas with Miss Kellie and The Gang

On Saturday I flew down to Vegas to see Kellie Pickler and Rascal Flatts.  The whole time was amazing!  Kellie has the best voice live and sounds phenomenal.    If you don't have her C.D. I suggest to buy it now.  During her concert she talked about why she loved country music so much.... and she said, "Because it's real.  It's about life."  I couldn't agree more and that's why her album and songs are so easy to relate to.  Here's a fun picture of the concert:

On Sunday we decided to hit The Forum Shops for some shopping.  Kellie is my favorite "type" of style to shop for..... the flashier the better.  It's always fun to shop with a cute girl with great taste.  Another one of my favorites to shop with is Jessica McDougall. 

Something you have to see

The Pantheon in Rome is amazing.  It's over 2000 years old and contains a ton of history!  Wars, sacrifices, burial site for several Italian kings, etc.  A funny fact: the word pantheon literally translates "to honor all gods" but ironically The Pantheon is owned by the Catholic Church.

Want to visit Europe?

Now is the time!  Lufthansa Airlines is having a Seattle based sale!  Roundtrip airfare is between $330 and $458 (excluding taxes) with 10 destinations to choose from.  I purchased my roundtrip ticket from Seattle to Frankfurt, Germany for $360 total!  Click here to view flights and deals.  You have to be flexible to gain the best deal but try it out.  You may be going to Europe in the next month!

Catching up with friends this past weekend...

Great friendships are always fun!  Last weekend Jessica was in town and we got to hangout a couple of nights.

In the spirit of great friends I decided to generate a list of fun things to do with friends:

• Kidnap some friends/family and go out for breakfast in your pajamas
• Laser tag
• Sneak your friends into a drive-in movie (high school memories)
• Take one hundred dollars each out of the bank and spend it on each other
• Taking digital pictures of your friends and adding funny captions to them 
  
• Talk among friends about your favorite childhood injuries
• Write a story with a friend, doing a chapter each (you write chapter one, he or she writes chapter two)
• Go roller skating (my favorite)

Some things you can do for your friends:

• Make an audio tape letter and send to a friend
• Write a long letter to an old friend
• Write a short letter to a new friend
• Write five postcards to friends even if you are not on vacation
• Make a futuristic mixed tape
• Buy them flowers
• Write a thank you card

City of Sin

Las Vegas is an ever-changing city with lots to see and do.  I love Vegas because you can never accomplish everything.  I'll be heading to Vegas this Saturday to see Kellie Pickler and Rascall Flatts play at Mandalay Bay Theater.  

And in other Vegas news, I received this e-mail from Carrie in AZ:

 

 You mentioned you have great travel tips...of which I'm ALWAYS up for hearing. 

 I'll be headed to Vegas for a weekend trip and love to hear some pointers :o)

I can never stand Las Vegas for more than a few days so I'm usually in and out of that town as fast as possible but here is my Vegas guide:

 • See a Cirque du Solei show (Love, Mystere, or Zumanity)

 • Go shopping (Forum shops at Caesars Hotel, Fashion Show Mall, or The Wynn and Bellagio for higher end goods)

 • Grand Lux Cafe in The Venetian- Same company as The Cheesecake  Factory so there is tons to choose from (great for groups)

 • Hard Rock Hotel Pool

 • Night clubs (LAX, Pure, TRYST, JET, Ghost Bar, Rain, Tao- all equally fun)

 • Piano Bar in New York, New York Hotel (my favorite LV attraction)

 • Any concert- always better in Vegas (Check Pollstar)

 • If you want a buffet... only go to Rio's it's constantly fresh (otherwise skip  out on that Vegas tradition) 

 • Free- Carnival Court outside of Harrah's (Great if you like live music and  amazing bartenders  with cool tricks)

 • Free- The Sirens in front of Treasure Island- showings are at 7pm, 8:30pm,  10pm and 11:30pm

 • Free- Bellagio Fountains- For showings on Saturdays, Sundays and  Holidays between 12pm-8pm every 1/2 hour and between 8pm and 12am  the show is every 15 mintutes

If you have any questions or concerns about my recommendations for Las Vegas, please feel free to comment or email me.  

Caio!

A simple thank you...

Appreciate the people around you by writing a simple thank you card.  The $ cost is minimal and it's the best investment you can make.  So write your boss or your best friend a thank you card today and tell them why you're thankful for them!  If you're not quite sure what to say.... here is a great article.  Here is a great e-card website for free!

Andy Warhol Bags

Andy Warhol has been a huge impact on American society for years and now his beautiful artwork can be found on various totes and messenger bags found here.

Purple

Another must do in Seattle is to visit the restaurant Purple.  Last night I ate there with my friends Jessica, Rebekah, and Adam.  I was craving a filet mignon and it was the first thing I saw on the menu!  It was delicious and came with the best mashed potatoes.  The service isn't bad but it isn't exceptional.  Everything at Purple is grand (large ceiling, huge doors, staircase), but the waiters are just ordinary.  The taste of the food overshadows the service and so I consider Purple a "must do" Seattle.

Baby Colton (my soon to be nephew)

Family is a huge deal to me and with an additional family member coming along I am quite ecstatic!  I was shopping near Pike Place Market the other day and found this i'Pood onesie for my nephew.  I have found a few variations of the onesie online but I think the one I purchased is best.  You can find it online here.

Olympic Sculpture Park

In  keeping with the theme of my favorite things to do in Seattle.... I visited Olympic Sculpture Park yesterday where I took this picture of a metal tree.  I think a smaller version of this tree would be amazing in the front yard of a modern home.  A perfect modern touch that would be quite unique.

What is there to do in Seattle?

Must do:

• Snoqualmie Falls (Its 30 minutes from Seattle but if there is anyway you can get there... go! It's beautiful)
  
• Pike Place Market
  
• Pike Place Market Starbucks (1st Starbucks ever)
  
• Nordstrom on 6th and Pine (Flagship store/corporate upstairs)
  
• Alki Beach (you have to make this one a huge priority!!!)
  
• Space Needle on a clear day
  
• EMP (If you're into music... it's the weird looking building below the Space Needle)
  
• The Monorail (It connects downtown-Nordstrom with City Center-Space Needle)
  
• Fremont Troll- Under Aurora Bridge (Fremont district has a lot of small cute clothing boutiques)
  
• Take a ferry ride.... fun and beautiful.  I recommend either the ferry to Bainbridge or Bremerton.
• Pioneer Square- GO ONLY DURING THE DAY! It can be a dangerous neighborhood sometimes but is gorgeous and the oldest part of Seattle.  Take a bus down there to see some of the art shops or our two sports Stadiums- Safeco and Qwest Feilds.
  
• Olympic Sculpture Park- Go if you like art.... it's free and has amazing views.  Also go if you want to have a nice walk.
  
• Kelly Park- Located on Queen Anne... an essential part of a Seattle Day
  
• Ballard Locks- Fun, chill and great scenery- also amazing to watch the water
  
• Piers- Fun place to take a walk (Right by Olympic Sculpture Park)
  
• Ivars- Amazing clam chowder and its cheap (at like Pier 56 or something)
  
• Joeys Restaurant- everyone is good looking (on lake Union- take the new street car from outside of Nordstrom... its like 7 minutes)
  
• Alibi Room (quiet, straight, hidden bar below Pike Place Market... its in an alley- you have to ask for it)
  
• Purple- On 4TH and Union... really nice restaurant/great wine selection
  
• Teatro ZinZanni- Dinner/ Cirque Du Solei like show.  It's about $100 per ticket but it's an amazing show.  

Skip: Seattle is awesome so there isn't much to skip but here are my recommendations...

• Bellevue (people call it the Eastside... not worth it on your first trip)
  
• Westlake Mall-except to get on the Monorail