Milano

Versace, Versace, 

Medusa head on me like I'm 'Luminati

                                         I know that you like it, Versace, 

my neck and my wrist is so sloppy

Versace, Versace, I love it,

 Versace the top of my Audi

My plug, he John Gotti, he give me the ducks, 

I know that they're mighty

                                                                        - Migos, Versace

“Umm, I think it’s this way”

                         “Where are we?”

“Where do we want to go?”

                                     “I got it, no, no I don’t”

“Let’s go back to there and work it out”

                                      “Let’s ask at the hotel”

“Excellent, Gracia!”

                                    “Where is the park”

“Let’s ask him?”

                                                            “How did we get it so wrong”

“Ok, I found it”  

“The walking tour left 20 minutes ago”

Milan – we were left to fend for ourselves, but we conquered it!

We began with our own walking tour – this meant walking which ever way looked pretty and making up a story to go with the site.

Like the invaders who were covered with quick drying cement by the Milan citizens and then left as a warning to all other invaders. 

As we continued our walk around the city we explored the beautiful streets and the crazy random art. We LOVED it!

During our time in Milano they was an expo about Feeding The Planet – Food for Life.

I was looking for my double...the fat man filled with chocolate and pasta but he didn't exist. 

The Milan architecture was stunning. It was a nice day just walking around and seeing the sites.

That night we went out an enjoyed cocktails

 antipasto 

and 4 different types of pasta:

 bolognaise,   pistachio, 

cheese ravioli and sea-food. 

It was all so delicious and such a good introduction to Italian cuisine!

It was a wonderful day in Milan. 

The perfect amount of time to see everything and do everything.

I really enjoyed the city and had a great friend and shopping partner in Tamara too!   

Two big Italiano kisses for you – X X,

                                                               Joey!

Madrid

I'm chasing the sun

I'm chasing the sun

Don't miss out on the fun

Gotta get it while our hearts are young

I'm chasing the sun

                                                        - Hilary Duff, Chasing The Sun

 

Leaving the bulls and the coast behind us Ally and I headed to Madrid to see more of the City life of Spain. 

We began our first day with a walking tour around Madrid. Madrid really is a beautiful city with lovely buildings, architecture and statues. However, there is nothing WOW about Madrid either. No one fountain, statue or building that is breathe taking like you find in most Major Cities. 

On our walking tour however, we did go to the oldest restaurant still open. 

Sobrino De Botin opened in 1725 and has yet to close it doors.

 We saw the large and extravagant palace of the Spanish royalty. 

And even the suicide bridge. 

Now it has tall pieces of glass surrounding it to discourage suicide. There is a famous traditional Spanish story about this bridge. A young girl who fell in love with a man but was not allowed to marry him climbed the bridge to jump it. As she jumped off however, the large layers of her dress were lifted by the wind and acted as a parachute landing her safely on the ground. When her family realised she was willing to kill herself rather than be without her love they let her marry the man. Kind of a 'Disney' version of Romeo and Juliet.

That night Ally and I did a Tapas crawl around Madrid.

We learnt how to pour Spanish Cider like a pro...

and we even tried black pudding!

It was a fun night! 

The next day Ally flew back to London as I continued to explore Madrid. 

The Egyptians gave the Spanish an ancient temple as a sign of appreciation for their support during excavation. I loved visiting it!!!!

It was like being in Egypt without all the current danger! :) 

Though, I would say they was nothing particularly outstanding in Madrid I still really enjoyed the city and it's vibe. It may not be as historical and beautiful as Granada but it is a lovely city and the weather is perfection!

All my love, 

Joey!!!!! 

Running With The Bulls!

Run, run, runaway, runaway, baby
Before I put my spell on you
You better get, get, get away, get away, darling
'Cause everything you heard is true

                                                              - Runaway Baby, Bruno Mars

Who is ready for a run?!?!?

Welcome to the most controversial festival I have ever been apart of. Love it or hate it Pamplona's Running of the Bulls is a festival everyone speaks about and everyone holds their breathe for. History and tradition or just a act of animal cruelty yet to be stopped - either way it is an amazing atmosphere. 

The party in Pamplona doesn't stop during the festival! 24 hours a day you can find people in and around the streets drinking, feasting and celebrating the victories! 

The opening ceremony begins the day before the first race. Everyone packs into the small streets of Pamplona from 8am dressed in white clothing.

Loaded and ready to fire is their Spanish sack filled with Sangria. You spend the morning splashing, pouring, squeezing and soaking those around you in the sweet redness. Having a few sips yourself every now and then. You are both drunk and sticky by late morning. 

Not that we were complaining. :) 

During the Bulls Runs we stayed in the beautiful city of San Sebastian. Unfortunately, it did rain most days but we made it for a nice sunny walk around one of the days. 

It is a beautiful and picturesque place. 

and a great place for a few drinks in the evenings...SANGRIA!!!

The Bull Runs were amazing! These bulls who weighed between 500 - 800kg running along the streets  beside you until you make it into the safety of the stadium unharmed! 

Well until they let out the little bulls who chase after you and buck you with their protected antlers. 

And then it's time to drink too much, dance too much and wake up too early to watch it all again...

Had an amazing group of people on this tour and had the best time. If the bulls would have been forgettable, this group most certainly was not. 

Till the next adventure, 

Joey! 

xx