PERSONAL | heading home..

I haven't been back to Los Angeles since I { packed my bags } back in 2014 and left for Hong Kong. I've always had mixed feelings about returning to the city I've called home the majority of my teenage years. In some ways, those were some of the hardest, most painful years of my life due to family dramas and my struggle with mental illness. In other ways, those were the days I made some of my best memories with some of the best people I've ever had the good fortune to know.

So much has changed since 2014, to name a few my little sister (the superstar of the family), is now fulfilling her dream of working in the animation industry, some friends are getting engaged or in serious relationships, and other friends I've lost and miss dearly. It's funny to see everyone so grown up.

Here are a few impression from that short but fruitful trip.

TRAVEL | postcards from paris

Paris in late summer and early fall is the best, the summer crowds have gone and the temperature is nice and cool. This was my first time in Paris with Roman and I've always wanted to show him around one of my favourite cities.

I found a tiny airbnb near Strasbourg - Saint-Denis. After staying in Montmartre on my last few visits to Paris I've always wanted to try staying in the 10th arrondissement. We also hit a lucky break as our place was only a 3 minute walk away from what is hands-down the { best breakfast spot } ever. Their lines are known to stretch all the way down the street so we really benefited from living right around the corner (we were 2nd in line on a Monday morning).

I also loved that we were within walking distance from Canal Saint-Martin. It's perfect place to sit under the sun.

I think in the four days we walked a total of almost 30km and cycled just as many. As Roman is a big cycler, we rarely visit a city without renting a bike. Paris by far as one of the worst bike sharing we've ever encountered though, nor is it the easiliest way to get around. Driving through Île de la Cité was an absolute nightmare I wouldn't recommend it.

I also visited a another friend from SCAD while I was in town. She moved to Paris from Hong Kong not long before I left left as well. It was nice to catch up over some coffee and beers.

--

After every trip to Paris I tell myself that maybe its time to put it aside so I can spend my savings traveling to places I haven't been before. But once I get home I immediately start planning for my next trip there. Looking to go in the Spring, and next time I'm going to bring a better lens :P

TRAVEL | amsterdam

Some vignettes from a quick but very necessary weekend away in Amsterdam back in September.

I met with a friend Hanna, a fellow SCAD grad, who has recently moved to Germany as well. We walked around a lot, visited the photography museum, and grabbed more than a couple beers. I and as Hannah is vegan, we also tried a few vegan restaurants around the city. The { Dutch Weed Burger } was particularly interested. I was skeptical of the green fishy-smelling bun at first, but turns out the whole thing was rather tasty.

I'd like to make visits to Amsterdam a yearly thing.

 

TRAVEL | collioure & cadaqués

I learned in art history that Collioure was the birthplace of Fauvism. I, as well as the Fauvists I reckon, was struck dumb by this tiny town's colourful facades. Just take a look at Matisse's Open Window or Les toits de Collioure--the crazy thing was that the colours in the painting were only little exaggerated.

The graphic designer in me was loving all the pinks, greens, and blues. My only regret is that I didn't take enough photos for "research". ;)







The next morning we bid France farewell and Roman drove us back to Spain and down the coast to Cadaqués. Before this holiday, I never thought I'd enjoy spending time at seaside towns so much. I always thought I was a city girl through-and-through, but now I have go have a think about my whole identity.

Cadaqués was not a easy town to get to. The one thing I couldn't stand about driving around in Spain was the endless winding roads. While Roman enjoyed all those hours on the road, I on the other hand always got a bit car sick...