Now that I am back home in New York - jobless for the first time in my adult life, I am actually pretty excited to take advantage of my time off by doing the NYC things I never seem to have time for.  While I am starting to think about work and what I really want to do next, I am not going to rush into it.  So I have at least a couple of weeks to be a tourist in MY city, and I put together a checklist of my top wishes.

I love summer in the city!

EAT / DRINK

• North River Lobster Company - A lobster restaurant / bar on a boat that sails around the Hudson River for 30-minutes at a time but you can stay on as long as you want!

• Grand Banks - An oyster bar / regular bar on a sailboat that stays docked on Pier 25.

• Roof at Park South Hotel - Just looks like a cool rooftop bar that I have never been to.

• The Cannibal - On east 29th, this spot features craft beer and artisanal meat with an outdoor garden.

• Ninja - Japanese restaurant with ninja theme - may be a little too kitschy but I still kind of want to see it.

• WD50 molecular gastronomy restaurant (closing its doors on November 30) & Alder cocktail bar by same owner
• Dinosaur BBQ - I've still never been to this BBQ staple in Harlem (and now Brooklyn as well).
• NYC Restaurant Week - It is more than just a week!  July 21 - August 15, many notable and expensive restaurants are featuring special and affordable three-course menus.

Tuesday, July 15 (Northern Ireland) – The northernmost tip of Northern Ireland offers an entire day's worth of activities.  I was all set to go to Giant's Causeway - the area filled with hexagonal basalt columns and formations, caused by a volcanic eruption - when my friend Helen suggested we tack on a trip across the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and sip some whiskey at the Bushmills distillery, all within a few minutes drive from each other.  So we did, and this ended up being one of the best days and a great way to come to the end of my trip!

The current carrick-a-rede bridge is a lot more secure than the rickety rope bridge that once stood in its place.  Originally built by salmon fisherman who wanted to catch salmon on their migration from the rocky island, the bridge allowed for a safe crossing from the mainland.  But after becoming more of a tourist attraction, the bridge has been renovated for safety and isn't much of a fete to cross.

For me, the best part was the scenery.  Views along the hike to the bridge as well as from the island itself are incredible.  Most people don't just cross the bridge and go back, they spend time exploring the island and taking photos of the natural beauty around them.

Ireland is filled with beautiful natural wonders, but I highly recommend a trip to Northern Ireland to see something very special:  Giant's Causeway.  The shape of the rocks in this area is so unique and it's amazing to think these rocks are the result of an ancient volcano that erupted millions of years ago.  If you listen to the audio guide that is included with the price of admission, you will learn about the legend of the area which makes it fun for kids as well as adults.  But to be honest, I was too excited to see these stones and pillars to listen to the full audio guide!

TIP:  Bring your good camera, good walking / climbing shoes and art supplies if you are a creative type - the imagery is so inspiring!

I love whiskey, but I've never really had Bushmills before, so I was excited to get a taste.  We signed up for a tour of the distillery even though it happened to be their 'silent season' where the factory workers are on holiday and there is no actual whiskey being produced.  I didn't mind because I could still see where the whiskey is made and learn about the process, but as an added bonus, the distillery offered an apology in the form of an airport-sized bottle of their newest honey whiskey!

I've been on a distillery tour before, but it was a couple of years back so I was happy to go through the tour to be re-educated.  Our tour guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and made the 40-minute tour fly by.  I wasn't allowed to take photos, but we saw the rooms where the different stages of creating the whiskey take place from mashing to bottling.  Then, we were led into the tasting room (aka the best part).  I tried the 10-year single malt which I really liked and the distillery reserve which I didn't like - it wasn't smooth enough for me.

Thursday, July 10 (Casares, Spain) – Not sure how it happened so quickly, but my final week of travel is underway.  This time next week I will be in steamy NYC with a sack of laundry and nothing but memories of the most incredible three months of my life.

How do I possibly go back to normal life after this?  I’ve had a little bit of time to reflect and I keep wavering between being extremely excited (Iced coffee!  Friends & family!  Sushi and Thai and Mexican food!) and being extremely depressed about leaving this experience.

So, I’m trying to turn this bipolar-ness I’m feeling into something constructive and positive.  I’ve narrowed my anxieties and feelings into a few categories:  taking experiences with me, finding the right work and new projects/goals.  In this post, I’m going to talk about taking experiences from my trip with me, and I will cover the other two themes in future posts.

On one hand I feel like I am the same old Stacy coming back to New York, but on the other hand, I have had so many meaningful experiences, situations and conversations that I must have changed at least a little.  I think a lot of this will unfold when I get home and perhaps do things a little differently – from the food I buy and cook to the afternoon tea or siesta I may enjoy.  But there are a few things I have done that I consciously want to take with me to JFK and beyond.

My original three goals for this trip were to gain a higher understanding of the Spanish language, to become a better photographer and to have lots of fun.  I was able to accomplish all these and want to maintain them after the trip:

• Spanish - I really love the language and the culture.  I find it fascinating how different the accent, dialect and slang can be in different parts of the country (not even including central or south America!), and I feel accomplished when I am able to communicate with someone who doesn't speak English.  I owe a lot of my learnings and confidence to the people I met on this trip throughout Spain, and I owe it to them - and to myself - to keep it up.  So if anyone wants to practice, let me know!  Otherwise you can find me reading Spanish online newspapers, listening to Spanish music or maybe even at some conversational Spanish meetups!

• Photography - While I definitely did not become an expert photographer (in fact I rarely had the time to take the settings off of 'auto' to figure out the best manual shot... or I resorted to the iPhone for quick pics), I do feel like I have a better sense of composition, and I understand the mechanics of photography better.  Since I haven't had room to buy many souvenirs (in my suitcase or in my studio apartment), photos are my true souvenirs and capturing the moment the way I want to remember it is important.  I coincidentally received an email about some upcoming photo courses in New York that aren't too pricey and could be a great way to work on my skills when I come home.  And then since I will have a bit more time, I can take that time to play with the settings so that I'm more comfortable doing that on my next trip instead of resorting to 'auto' when I'm short on time.

• Fun - Obviously I had a lot of fun on this trip, and much of it came from unexpected places.  Some of my favorite days and nights started with a friendly manicurist, the inability to drive stick shift/rent a car or passing by a club of glider enthusiasts.  I was more open to meeting people and trying things and saying 'yes' when I was in a new country all by myself, but this is something I could carry over when I go back home.  Sometimes it is easy to get sucked into the corporate world and work mindset, but it is important to step back and do things that make you smile!  Seems silly to even have to say this, but it is important and worth a bullet point in my opinion.  

Sunday, July 6 (Mallorca, Spain) – When I arrived at my hotel in Playa de Muro, Mallorca, I spoke with my concierge about finding a place to go horseback riding.  There were books with offers from different tour companies, but he told me that last summer he went on a ride at Rancho Can Picafort and that it was really nice, so I trusted him and signed up for a three-hour late afternoon ride.

I was picked up at my hotel and then we made another stop to pick up two French girls at another hotel.  When they walked towards the car, I couldn’t believe what I saw – one girl in short shorts and the other in some kind of skort…. For a three-hour horseback ride!  Ok… so when we arrived at the ranch, I was happy to see an area where guests could borrow helmets and half chaps, so I snuck a photo of the French girls in their ridiculous ‘riding’ outfits and half chaps.

So after getting situated with my gear, I realized there were five other people already there, and we were all going on this ride together.  Eight people on a three-hour ride which is supposed to be advanced… that seems like a lot.  Anyway, the owner asked if I know how to ride and of course I said yes, and that I’ve been riding for a while.  So the next thing I knew,all of the other riders on my trip were all mounted on horses that had been patiently waiting out front, but two workers were running towards me with a beautiful grey Andalusian mare trotting beside them.  A problem horse? A fancy horse?  A crazy horse needing some schooling by ‘someone who says she knows how to ride’?  

Anyway, I noticed as riding crops (whips) wre handed out to each of the riders (I have NEVER seen that on a trail ride, especially with people on a horse for their first time), but when I reached for one, I was immediately yelled at that ‘No!’ my horse does not need a whip… oh boy.

It was a little after five in the afternoon and the sun was blazing, but the horses seemed to love it and were forward, active and happy to be on the move.  We walked through some beautiful forest areas with green leaves against a bright blue sky.

Then we turned and emerged on a beautiful secluded beach.  There were only a handful of people there - clearly locals as no tourist could have found this spot.  We were then invited to gallop if we wanted and about half of the group moved up.  I am always curious about why some barns outside of the US (as American places would never risk the liability) will skip the 'canter' and instead go for a full gallop without knowing anything about the riders.  But I'm not asking questions because was SO much fun.  The first gallop was a bit scary because all of a sudden we went from a standstill to a full out gallop.  It felt like in a cartoon when the horse starts moving really fast and the rider is still in the same place as if the horse ran out underneath him.  Yup, that was me.  I soon found out why my horse was 'special'.  She not only clearly loved to run, she immediately passed all the other horses in the group (including the guide's horse) to be out in front.  I didn't feel like I was on a runaway horse, it was actually a very adjustable, comfortable gallop once she got ahead of the pack.  By the second time galloping, I knew what to expect and we went for it - SO much fun.

By now you're probably wondering about the nudist beach part of the story?  Well, you know how I said I saw a handful of locals on a secluded beach?  They were the only clothed ones I saw.  The rest of the time on the beach, the only people I saw were naked!  I tried to snap a photo but we were moving pretty past and I didn't get it.  But the images are forever in my mind.  Sorry I can't share that with you!  But here are more pictures of the amazing ride!  (Trust me, these are must more attractive pictures).

Saturday, July 5 (Mallorca, Spain) – Although I had been planning to take it easy the final month of my travels, to unpack my suitcase and spend a full week or two in a few select places, I have found myself on the move like before.  There are just so many places to see, and the more I think about going home, the more I want to pack in before I have to leave. 

However, I am spending six full days in Mallorca and I want to treat myself at the last hotel I will be staying at on my travels.  (I will be staying with cousins and then friends from my travels for the remaining week and a half after Mallorca!)  My first hotel, on the southern coast of Mallorca about 20-minutes (driving) from the city of Palma was not much of a treat.  It was fine, it was clean, it was literally on the beach.  But my room was teeny tiny, I looked into other peoples’ windows, and it didn’t quite feel like the relaxing atmosphere I had envisioned (except when I snuck into another hotel’s beautiful pool area).  The place was definitely budget-friendly, and at any other part of my trip it would have been perfect, but no.  I deserve a little bit of luxury!

So today I made a move.

Some people I have met throughout my travels recommended Alcudia to me.  It is a region in the north part of the island with incredibly beautiful beaches and a mountain range.  I did a lot of research and finally settled on the JS Alcudi Mar hotel, which is on Muro Beach.  It is only a little more than an hour away from my last accommodation, but it feels like a different country.  As I walked into my room and saw the sea through the sliding balcony door, I couldn’t stop smiling.  THIS is it, my time to relax and recharge and do all the mental rest and exercise that I have been wanting.  It will only be three days, but in Stacy’s world, that is more like a week anyway.

And it’s not as big of a splurge as you may think… For under $100 a night, I not only have a nice, clean room, I have a balcony overlooking the sea, a 2-minute walk to the most gorgeous beach, a big pool, helpful concierge, oh, and FREE breakfast AND dinner!!!  On top of that, there is a gym, a 1-Euro laundry machine, and a spa – and I am treating myself to a massage in 20 minutes (only 45 Euro for an hour!).  Yay for Alcudia!!

Oh, and I have a fridge so I picked up some provisions at the supermarket including a bottle of Spanish white wine.  Salud!

**Note:  I know I haven't posted Day 80 yet.  It is coming, I just don't want to hold up all the other days so it will just have to be a little out of order!  :)



Friday, July 4 (Mallorca, Spain) – I’m pretty sure I’m the only American on the entire island of Mallorca.  It is the 4th of July and my red, white and blue bathing suit is the only USA pride I can see.  Of course, why would an island filled with Germans and Spaniards acknowledge Independence Day!  But still, it felt weird not to be at a BBQ or watching fireworks.  (But thank you to all my friends in the states for waking me up in the middle of the night with photos and videos of fireworks... it was allllmost like I was there too... sort of.)

So since I can't celebrate my country, let's celebrate the country I am in, and specifically the island:  Mallorca (or Majorca in English).  It is a small island, but it feels big since I am not very familiar with it.  So these are some of the local delicacies that you should be able to find in any part of the island.

Tuesday, July 1 (Valencia, Spain) – Valencia is a very interesting city in Spain.  There is the cobblestoned old city, the more modern area, plentiful beaches, a river-turned-park, and an architectural haven.  There is a lot to do in this city - known for originating paella - but here are some highlights, especially if you're short on time.

EAT:  

• Paella Valenciana - the original paella, as it was originated in Valencia.  This specific type of paella has a meat such as chicken and sometimes rabbit, as well as beans and green vegetables.
• Fartones - log-shaped donuts with a funny name that are often eaten with horchata
  

DRINK:  

• Horchata - a cold, refreshing beverage made from tigernuts, water and sugar.  It tastes like a sweet milk (but there's no dairy at all).  Note:  the horchata you may have seen in Mexico is different - it is made with rice instead of tigernuts.
  

Monday, June 30 (Valencia, Spain) – One of the most unique parts of Valencia, Spain is the area called “The City of Arts & Sciences” which is a cultural complex that encompasses an opera house, science museum, aquarium, and 3D movie theater.  What makes this area so special is that the buildings have architectural nuances that makes you feel like you stepped into the age of the Jetsons!

The aquarium is said to be the largest in all of Europe, and I can’t remember the last time I visited one, so I thought it would be a fun thing to do (and so did my new Aussie friend, Wallace, who came with me).  It was a bit later in the day when I went, so the place was eerily empty, and maybe that is why I was able to cover as much ground as I did (so it didn’t seem as massive as I had thought).  

I started with the flamingo-esque bird enclosure that looks a bit like the Epcot ball.  You are able to walk inside and right up to the birds who appear to have gone through a color run where the only colors were orange and pink.

Half of the attractions are inside and the other half are outside, like the birds.  I ventured into one of the indoor enclosures and this is where I got to ‘swim’ with sharks!  There is a tunnel built into the aquarium surrounded by fish and sharks who swim leisurely by, sometimes appearing to play with the visitors.  When you look straight ahead and see a shark swimming overhead, you really feel like you are in the water with them!

We also saw some really pretty fish and guess who I found… NEMO!

Then I was ready to sit back and watch a show, so I went to the auditorium surround a big pool of dolphins.  Already I was excited just watching the dolphins jump around on their own, but when the emcee showed up, I felt like a child again.  As people were getting seated, the emcee asked if any of the kids had questions about dolphins, and I had a good test of my Spanish understanding by listening to the Q’s and A’s.  Dolphins generally live about 30 years but can live up to 50 in captivity.  They don’t sleep because they need to breathe, and they can jump up to six meters high.  That all may be false, but that is what I remember from what I heard in Spanish!

What a fun-filled afternoon at the aquarium!  The one part that I wasn’t able to capture good photos of (because of lighting and netting) was Mr. Walrus and his friends.  These guys were HUGE and so fun to watch.  I will definitely be checking them out the next time I go to an aquarium.  Anyone want to join me at the Coney Island aquarium when I’m back!?

Sunday, June 29 (Madrid, Spain) – By now you can probably tell I’m a huge fan of markets.  Whether food, crafts, clothes, or anything in between, I think markets are a great way of getting to know the culture of the city you are in.  What type of food is popular and fresh?  What kinds of fruits are endemic to this region and aren’t sold in the states?  What is a truly special souvenir that can’t be purchased in a souvenir shop?  Generally markets are also one of the few places filled with a good mix of locals and tourists.  So in Madrid, I visited three, very different markets.  

Mercado de San Miguel is the place for fresh food in the heart of the city.  From fish comparable to what I saw in Galicia, to fresh mozzarella tapas that look like pastries, to just-picked, delicious fruit, there is enough to come back every day for a month and have something new each day.  Of course you can’t forget about the ham (jamon) which Spain is known for.  I think the Spaniards have thought of every possible way to cook, cure and prepare ham, and this is the place to get it.

Dosde Market is a small crafts market in Plaza del Dos de Mayo.  I happened to go on the last day of its two-month run, so some vendors had already packed up, but there was still a variety of hand-made jewelry, art and other knick-knacks that were fun to browse.  

Although this market has closed, the area it is in is definitely worth walking through.  You can start on the popular shopping street Calle Fuencarral and then veer off on side streets like Calle Velarde for more local boutiques, unknown brand names and vintage and thrift shops.


On your way to this area, I highly recommend stopping for a snack and a coffee at La Tita Rivera.  They have a beautiful outdoor garden and a unique type of tapas - 'casis' which are little bread bowls filled with different kinds of deliciousness.  From fish to meat to vegetables to cheese, there are dozens of choices and they are tasty and fun to eat!

El Rastro is the popular Sunday market that reminds me of a typical street fair in New York.  They have clothes, pashminas, random electronic accessories, hats, and jewelry.  Nothing I saw was all that unique.  However, there are a few areas of the market that are special and worth checking out.  One street is solely for pets, primarily birds.  You can here the tweeting a block away, and when you go into the shops that spill out onto the street, you see people actually buying pet birds of all kinds, sizes and colors.  

There is also a street where artists – primarily painters – display their work.  And finally, there are two antique areas that I saw, one of which is in a small courtyard just off the main road of the market, and when you walk in, there is a quiet sense of calm that lends itself well to the type of products being sold.  

I recommend starting early and then stopping at Martina Cocina an Argentinian café, for breakfast when the crowds get to be too much for you.  The yogurt parfait is a healthier (and well-presented) option, but there are also empanadas, tostadas and pastries.

Saturday, June 28 (Madrid, Spain) – In 2005 I visited Madrid for the first time with a friend from high school.  Nearly a decade later (wow), I am back for round #2.  While I did a bunch of the main attractions the first time, I wanted to revisit some while learning more about the history and culture of the city.

So I started my time in Madrid with a free walking tour through the company Sandeman’s New Europe, which offers free tours in 18 cities!  The tour was particularly crowded (about 250 people) so multiple tour guides arrived and split us up into smaller, manageable groups.  Throughout the tour I saw a lot of the key sites with the proper context, and I learned some interesting things...

Madrid is home to the oldest restaurant in the world, Botin Restaurant, which opened in 1725 (fact)

Tapas were originated to prevent poor farm workers from getting too drunk during lunchtime to be productive in the field in the afternoon.  Since they had little money, they couldn’t afford to eat and drink at lunch, so they often chose to drink… on an empty stomach.  So a rule was set that each alcoholic beverage served must be accompanied by a small plate of food.  (legend)

The name ‘tapa’ means cover and originated because people would cover their beers with their small plates of food so that the wind would not blow dust and sand into their beverage.  (legend)

The symbol of Madrid – a bear leaning against a tree reaching for berries – was originated because bears used to roam the streets and eat the berries from this particular kind of tree (madroño tree).  The berries would ferment in the bears’ bellies, and would ultimately make them very drunk.  

Madrillenos – who love to drink wine – saw a bit of themselves in the bears, so decided to use the image in their coat of arms. (fact or legend?)

I happened to walk by the world-famous art museum, the Reina Sofia, around 1:15 in the afternoon (on Sunday), and there was a bit of a crowd growing in the massive courtyard by the entrance.  To my surprise, (TIP) the doors opened for FREE at 1:30 as they do each Sunday, saving adults eight Euro each!  I was on my way to Retiro Park, but I had a change of heart and decided to go to the museum.

The Reina Sofia is famous for its collection of work from Picasso ("Guernica" in particular) and Salvador Dali, among many others.  I started in one of the current exhibitions about Playgrounds.  It was an interesting portrayal of the evolution of public play spaces as art.  It also showcased the common struggle between the need for free time and the need to work - something I know many of us are faced with!

After being inspired by the Playgrounds exhibit, I resisted the urge to find a swing set and made my way to the museum's holy grail:  Guernica.  Although I am not an art buff by any means, I got really excited knowing I was approaching this extremely impactful and important piece of art.  I even got the chills when I finally walked into the room and saw the 25ft painting against the wall.  One of my favorite parts was actually the wall opposite Guernica, where a companion of Picasso's had taken photographs of the painting throughout its stages of being created.  It was very cool to see how he worked and get the slightest glimpse of his process.

Ok, definitely saving the best for last.  The main reason I decided to stop in Madrid on my way to the eastern coast of Spain was to visit Mr. Shaw (ok, I guess it is "Oliver" now).  Oliver was my Spanish teacher in high school - 8th or 9th grade actually - and was one of the reasons I have become so obsessed with the language.  He moved to Madrid about ten years ago, and I haven't seen him since.  After reconnecting on Facebook, he graciously invited me to stay with him in Madrid, and it was such a great reunion!  I had a blast with him and am so glad I was able to stay in a real home and neighborhood.  


I was excited but nervous to speak Spanish in front of him, but I think (hope) he was proud of my skills over a decade after taking his class!?