Brugge, Belgium

Last week saw a wicked cold snap and a snow storm in Belguim but still I decided to press on with my plan of visiting Brugge, while on a layover in Brussels. The snow stopped falling by the time I had hopped on the train at Centraal Station. The train ride was just under an hour and the views of the snow covered fields helped make it seem even less. We arrived at Brugge station and headed into the Central Market where vendors galore were selling handmade scarfs, hats, Christmas trinkets, waffels, glühwein, cheese, and beer all under the stunning and imposing architechure of the Bell Tower.  Even though it was bitterly cold, I manged to stay warm with the help of frequent stops for Glühwein. Anyway, enough of my yammering... here are the pics!

Montserrat, Spain

 There are some times in my job that I literally feel like a ping pong ball being volleyed back and forth across an ocean, and it it seems like an endless struggle with time zones, jet lag, irate passengers, holidays spent alone, turbulence, etc. One of the quick fix remedies for that feeling is a wonderful layover in which I am slapped with the reality that, at times, my job is pretty fucking cool. I was just given one of those layovers, 48 hours in Barcelona. I have been to Barcelona before many times and have posted some other photos on here, but this time I left the city and headed north, well northwest if you want to be technical, to Montserrat. It lies about 50 KMs from Barcelona, and the abridged vesion of the story is that in an ancient village on top of the mountain an image of the Virgin Mary was found in cave after some locals had experienced visions that they believed were signs from God. That statue, the 'Black Madonna' is on display at a Monestary perched on the side of the mountain, but you can also go further up the mountain to see the ruins of the village and the cave itself. Dont worry if the Catholic part doesn't interest you because the cable car that whisks you up to the top, and the view looking down over surrounding Catalonia is worth your 22 Euros, and then some. 

Rome 2

My love affair continues. Here are some new photos from my trip to Italy last week. I put an on my iPod with a playist of the Italian pop trifecta of Eros Ramazotti, Elisa and Tiziano Ferro and headed down to Castel Sant Angelo. For those of you who need more incentive then the view and the history that this structure affords... there is also a bar at the top! It was a blustery and rainy day (so blustery that my umbrella became a causuality), but just as I got to the terrace the rain subsided and the sun poked her head out to shine over the Tiber. 

New York City 2: Williamsburg

I crossed the Bridge for a walk around Williamsburg Brooklyn. Spent a few hours in the afternoon, had a coffee at Verb and strolled along Bedford Avenue before walking down to the Brooklyn Brewery (It was closed, sadly) and then walked down along the East River, before heading back over.

New York City

I try and take advantage of NYC as best I can. I have lived in many wonderful places, and may again at some point live away from this amazing city, so I try and get out and really enjoy it. Here are just a few random shots of Gotham, but not to worry there will certainly be more of NYC to come.

Telephone

Another leak from Gaga. This is apparently the second single to be released from 'The Fame Monster'. kinda hot, I think... oh right, and it features Beyonce!

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance Music Video

Ridiculous. Brilliant. Insane. Lady Gaga has landed, and given us an epic video that has actually gotten me interested in music videos again. Debate looms as to whether or not she is the 'New Madonna'. I have yet to jump on one side of that debate, but one thing is for sure: Bad Romance has tipped the scales a bit. She has changed the game since her release last year and it is clear she will keep changing it with the release of 'The Fame Monster' on 11/23. Pop music is going to get really interesting as a result, and I cant wait to listen.

ROME

Rome. There are many things I could write about regarding my love of this city, but I would be a fool to attempt to compete with people who have already awarded the world with far better love letters than I could ever dream of writing. There are many reasons why this city is special to me and why it makes me long to return to it even before I have left. I suspect that you may have gathered already that I would prefer to explain things as I see them with pictures, so here are some that I have taken over the years. 

Feel free to let me know what you think of these photos, send this link to Twitter/Digg/FaceBook/your friends and family, etcetera,  share a link that others might like or just share a story about this city or any other that inspires you.