True, the title is self explanatory... and I have the feeling that none of you is going to disagree with me... but since this is the last post before my break -and no, it is not going to be a very long one, just enough to get more "better than shoes" experiences to share with you- I will elaborate a bit...
So, we all made it through the long, cold and dark winter, we made it through the last weeks before the break when magically about a billion things to take care of appeared out of nowhere, we made it through the (unfortunately unavoidable...) diet and exhausting workouts in order to fit in that swim suit again (if ever...), we made it through that period when colleagues and friends are already on holidays and we are still working (and there is almost no one to have lunch with...) and after all that, our time has finally come!
And we got the suitcase out of the closet and we packed our favorite flat, embellished sandals and our jeans and all (but, really, ALL) our T-shirts along with lots of sun screen and we are ready to go! And no, not everything is finished work wise -we knew it would not be, who are we kidding- and no, we did not manage really to lose weight -did we??- but who cares?? Soon we will be under the sun, preferably by the blue sea without a worry in the world, preferably near great food and drinks and, above all, good friends! And this will charge the batteries until the next break...
Holidays are better than shoes and they combine very well with them... I hope you all enjoy yours, shoes and holidays that is, and that you remember to always look for things that tickle your fancy and make you put on a smile :)
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Day trip by train!
I love travelling! This is not a secret and I have shared with you my travelling "better than shoes" experiences more than once :) After all, if finding the things that are better than shoes in life is my quest, I better get moving! Sitting on a sofa all the time does not get you very far when it comes to experiences... So, yes, I love travelling and I have the privilege of being able to do it very often... well, according to my mum too often!
Though taking a plane and going to a far away place is magical and exciting and a great pleasure for me, I have another, smaller but very significant, pleasure too... train trips! Some time ago, I decided to go and spend the day in Antwerp! This Belgian city is a gem! Not only is has a market which a lot of world capitals would be envious of, and yes, you can find almost everything there as well as red sole masterpieces, but it also offers a great variety of cafés, restaurants and cultural events! So, in out "neighbourhood", Antwerp is a definite must to visit! On top of it, it's just an hour and a half away by train!
So, Saturday morning, sun shinning up above (yes, I will be praising the summer and write about it as often as it allows me... for when it is over, it will be a looooooooong, cold and dark time before it comes back...) and I rushed to the train station. Got my ticket and my magazine, had my breakfast and my morning ciggy (I, too, have bad habits, what did you think?...) and when the train arrived I made myself comfy in my seat and read the latest shoe news while listening to music... Just perfect!! Arrived in Antwerp at about noon, walked around, did a bit of shopping (because train trips are not only better than shoes, they bring you closer to them too!!) and then headed back...
The trip back home was even more pleasant! Tired from the day, I dozed off while listening to my iPod and took a nap... mmm... I could not have asked for anything more! The soft sound of the engine was like a lullaby and the afternoon sun was warming me and making me relax and feel so sleepy... Overall, a true "better than shoes" experience!! And, truth be told, the best part of the trip was the train part, I kid you not!!!
Though taking a plane and going to a far away place is magical and exciting and a great pleasure for me, I have another, smaller but very significant, pleasure too... train trips! Some time ago, I decided to go and spend the day in Antwerp! This Belgian city is a gem! Not only is has a market which a lot of world capitals would be envious of, and yes, you can find almost everything there as well as red sole masterpieces, but it also offers a great variety of cafés, restaurants and cultural events! So, in out "neighbourhood", Antwerp is a definite must to visit! On top of it, it's just an hour and a half away by train!
So, Saturday morning, sun shinning up above (yes, I will be praising the summer and write about it as often as it allows me... for when it is over, it will be a looooooooong, cold and dark time before it comes back...) and I rushed to the train station. Got my ticket and my magazine, had my breakfast and my morning ciggy (I, too, have bad habits, what did you think?...) and when the train arrived I made myself comfy in my seat and read the latest shoe news while listening to music... Just perfect!! Arrived in Antwerp at about noon, walked around, did a bit of shopping (because train trips are not only better than shoes, they bring you closer to them too!!) and then headed back...
The trip back home was even more pleasant! Tired from the day, I dozed off while listening to my iPod and took a nap... mmm... I could not have asked for anything more! The soft sound of the engine was like a lullaby and the afternoon sun was warming me and making me relax and feel so sleepy... Overall, a true "better than shoes" experience!! And, truth be told, the best part of the trip was the train part, I kid you not!!!
Monday, 28 June 2010
summer full moon...
Summer is my favourite time of the year... partly, I guess, because it is the season I was born in... Though back home the heat can be (and often is...) unbearable, I have always found that I feel at least 20% happier in the summer than in any other season... ok, except for the Christmas season that is always beyond competition! Now, living in The Netherlands for the last 10 years (goodness me!!!) I have learned that summer is a rare commodity... and as I have written before, I have learned not only to appreciate it more but also not to overlook it when it comes!
So, a few night ago and while in a lovely summery weather, I when out with my friends for a dinner by the marina! We sat outside and enjoyed some good sea food and an even better bottle of wine (or three of them but who's counting...) as well as the early evening sun and a great view to the boats... and though I hate being on them as I get ridiculously panicked, just the view of them is very relaxing!! After dinner I took the bus home... no, I never drink and drive in case you are wondering... So I got on the bus, found a great seat at the front, practically next to the driver and I got lost in my thoughts... until the bus took a turn... and then I saw it!!!
The biggest, fullest, prettiest moon I have seen all year!! Was it the most beautiful I have seen in my life?... no... I come from the land of the Parthenon and the Aegean and I have also travelled all the way to the "end of the world"... in my wanderings I have had the luck to gaze at the moon while being surrounded by the prettiest earthly sceneries... and that does make a difference... But, comparisons aside, just the full moon by itself provided an amazing picture!!
It was like it was lighting out way, low above the buildings and the trees and as thought he road we were on was going all the way up to it!! The man on it was smiling as always, a bit of a melancholic smile but comforting to see it as I remembered it... Living in a mostly clouded country we forget that the moon is always up there as most often we just don't see it... But that night, oh, it certainly was there and it certainly was impossible not to see it!! The view was breathtaking and the beauty of it put a smile on my face! Now, if that to you is not better than shoes, combine that beauty with the warm summer night, after a great dinner with good friends and see if that works ;)
So, a few night ago and while in a lovely summery weather, I when out with my friends for a dinner by the marina! We sat outside and enjoyed some good sea food and an even better bottle of wine (or three of them but who's counting...) as well as the early evening sun and a great view to the boats... and though I hate being on them as I get ridiculously panicked, just the view of them is very relaxing!! After dinner I took the bus home... no, I never drink and drive in case you are wondering... So I got on the bus, found a great seat at the front, practically next to the driver and I got lost in my thoughts... until the bus took a turn... and then I saw it!!!
The biggest, fullest, prettiest moon I have seen all year!! Was it the most beautiful I have seen in my life?... no... I come from the land of the Parthenon and the Aegean and I have also travelled all the way to the "end of the world"... in my wanderings I have had the luck to gaze at the moon while being surrounded by the prettiest earthly sceneries... and that does make a difference... But, comparisons aside, just the full moon by itself provided an amazing picture!!
It was like it was lighting out way, low above the buildings and the trees and as thought he road we were on was going all the way up to it!! The man on it was smiling as always, a bit of a melancholic smile but comforting to see it as I remembered it... Living in a mostly clouded country we forget that the moon is always up there as most often we just don't see it... But that night, oh, it certainly was there and it certainly was impossible not to see it!! The view was breathtaking and the beauty of it put a smile on my face! Now, if that to you is not better than shoes, combine that beauty with the warm summer night, after a great dinner with good friends and see if that works ;)
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