Italy

So we've been quite busy the last couple of weeks. The updates will be a little slow, but I promise, they'll come.

First, Italy. After we left Miami, we made our way to Italy. The trip was long and tiring, but we finally made it. We first arrived in Naples where we picked up our rental car. From there, we drove towards the east of the country. The landscape was beautiful. We came across lush green mountains as well as golden hills ready for crops.

Sooo green!

Ready for veggies!

Our first stop lead us to a city built into the mountains. We made our way up the tiny winding roads....we probably only went about half way up. All around the area were homes built into the mountains. As time passed, the structures were more and more advanced, but some of the old homes still remains. I guess it was easier back then to carve into the mountain than to bring stones to build a house.

City on a hill

You can still get an idea of how the old houses use to be

Next, we made our way to the heel of the Italian boot on the east coast. This region, Puglia, is known mostly for the old farmer houses that are now protected. Some are located randoming in an open field, others are located as a group in the city.

So cute!

In the city

Some are people's homes and other are businesses

^_^

Look! So many!

The city of Locorodo

We also visited a natural cavern in the south of Italy. Pictures were only allowed in the first room, but it was quite impressive. Although we've recently walked through another natural cavern near Houston, this one is special because of the natural light it brings into the first room from the opening in the ceiling.

Look how small the people are! (all the way to the right...)

More trulli houses

Finally, the reason for our little trip in Italy.... A friend of Germain from college married an Italian girl and they decided to hold the wedding in the city she grew up. It was a very sweet wedding and it was nice to see some friends....it was just sooo hot and everything was in Italian....haha. I guess it wouldn't have been a huge difference for me if it was in French =P Nonetheless, we are all very happy for them.

The happy couple

Now we're in Cannes, almost settled, but still with no internet. Will update later on our roadtrip from Paris to Cannes!

Puglia, Italy

So we're back in Europe. But we are not yet finished with vacationing. Before I can do a detailed update of my summer vacation....here is a quick glimpse of our trip in Italy so far. I promise I'll write more later.

We are currently staying in the Alberobello, Puglia region of Italy. This region is located right at the boot of the heel of Italy. This particular area is well known for their old Trulli houses. These are little buildings with cone shaped roofs where farmers use to live. They are unique to the culture of this area, so they are protected and can not be destroyed. Many of the trulli houses are now transformed to be more modern and some are even converted into little hotel rooms for guests. Of course, Germain booked us a stay at on of the trulli hotels.

Aren't they cute?

Trying to eat healthy

So we've been trying to eat healthier. Not only because it's better for our health, but also because we know we're going to be eating horrible while in the States =P Here are a couple of things I've tried making at home:

Lettuce wraps

Ground Beef, carrots, green peppers and onions filling with some hoisin sauce

Avocado pasta with roasted tomatoes

Avocado and Tomato Salad with Basil

Roasted Veggie Pasta

But then again, who are we kidding? We're not that disciplined! We eat out too and those meals......are definitely not healthy!

Baguette burger with a side of home cut fries

Chocolate cake with a fondant center topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Hot chocolate topped with whipped cream

^_^ Oops.

Walks around Paris

Since we are moving out of Paris soon, I am trying to absorb as much of Paris as possible before we do so. There is so much to the city. Granted, I don't venture out and explore by myself too much, but there is so many areas of Paris where I haven't been before.

After grabbing lunch with a friend, we explored a little of Paris.

Yes, a scene from "Inception" was shot here

I like when trees create an arch like that

Poppy Flower

A different view of the Eiffel Tower

Interesting flower in a garden

I liked the color of this flower

Look I'm in New York!

Well......not really. =P The Statue of Liberty in New York City was actually a present from France to the United States. Being an iconic figure and representing liberty, this statue has been replicated all over the world. There are three replicas in Paris alone. One small one in the Jardin du Luxembourg, this fairly large (yet still smaller than the one in NYC) at a point in the Seine, and one in a museum that is the same size made from the mold of the original statue.

Hopefully the weather will be nice again before we leave so I can see a little more of Paris.

The Feschets are in town!

The other day, friends of ours came to Paris for a visit. Pierre is french so he was in the country visiting his family and they decided to take their 13 month old daughter for her first visit to Paris. Luckily it was a beautiful day and we were able to spend it acting like tourist.

First we took a nice stroll down the parks on the Champs-Élysées all the way to the Louvre.

The Louvre

Then we hopped onto a metro and made our way to Hotel de Ville to grab lunch. After lunch, we walked to Isle Saint Louis for some yummy Berthillon ice-cream. From there, we approached the Notre Dame from the back.....which I actually think is the more intresting side of the cathedral. 

The Feschets: Pierre, Anna and Chloe

 We rested for a little in the park behind the Notre Dame so little Chloe could eat. I always wanted to stop by that park, but never took the time. It's actually very pretty, and this time of the year, it's full of flowers too!

I'm pretty sure this is a rose, but it looks almost like a peony

Chloe. She's always smiling!

Our final toursitic activity of the day was to take a tour on the Seine by bateau mouche (the boat). It's an open top boat where they play a recording of facts for all the landmarks we passed. It was interesting prespective of the city and it was a lovely day to be outside too.

A rose window of the Notre Dame peeking through the trees

The view of the back of the Notre Dame

The Eiffel Tower

It was tiring, but kind of fun to be a tourist again, especially since we're leaving the city soon. It gave us an opportunity to revisit all the main areas of Paris.

The Legend of Zelda

For Valentines Day, I bought tickets to go see this concert in Paris. It is a concert composed of an orchestra based on the music from the video game franchise: The Legend of Zelda. It was probably Germain's favorite video game every since he was little and the music plays a huge role while playing the game.

With only three stops in Europe, we definitely took advantage of them being in our city.

While the orchestra played music from this beloved game, the back screen would play clips from the games. We were a little far, but this was more of a listening event than a seeing event anyways.

Blurry pictures of the orchestra playing.

Aux 2 Olivier

The other night we met up with some friends to grab dinner. Most of the time, Germain and I will look online before hand and book a restuarant on a specific website. By doing so, it allows us to get a special discount. Sometimes we find really good deals, others it's a miss. This particular place that we went to was just in between. We got a good amount of food for the price, but none of it was amazing. Probably won't go back. But still, it had potential.

Aux 2 Olivier:

Crème brûlée au foie gras chutney de pommes et pain d’épice toasté

A creme brulee foie gras mousse with a side of apple and onion perserves and gingerbread toast. I liked the idea; it was original. However, it was wayyy too sweet for an appetizer and I barely even tasted the foie gras.

Magret de canard purée grand-mère et sa poire au vin

Duck Breast with a side of "grandmother" style mashed potatos and a slice of wine soaked pear. Eh...it wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing. The wine sauce, I thought, was a little bitter, but other than that was typical.

On a similiar note, a Vietnamese restaurant opened in the neighborhood. It's not as cheap as NY Chinatown, but it's not too expensive and so far, it's pretty good. Will definitely grab take out a couple more times before we leave Paris.