Back in town...

Holidays can't last forever and I'm back to work after 3 weeks spent out of Bordeaux.
My holidays have been quite quiet this year as I spent most of the time in my parents' house. There I could spend time with my friend Perrine who is pregnant (by the way it shouldn't be long now before the baby discovers the world :-D) and help my father a bit with the painting in the living-room and the preparation of plum jam (enthusiastic activities, arent' they? :-D).

After a long suspense I finally decided to go and spend a week in Barcelona, where a friend of mine (Gonzalo) lives. My flight left from Paris, so it was a good opportunity to stop 2 days there and see some of my friends.
With Cécile and Claire, we went to the castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte (http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/) : very nice, especially its gardens designed by Lenôtre, but a bit expensive...

After this brief stop in Paris, I went to Barcelona where I stayed 5 days. I had never been to the capital of Catalunya and I've been thinking of discovering it for a long time. On the first day I must say that I was quite disappointed, probably because I was comparing it with Madrid... And it has nothing to do with Madrid : much more modern, international and trendy than the Spanish capital! That's what makes most of its charm, but that's also what makes me prefer the authenticity and "Spanish atmosphere" of Madrid ;-)
But as days were passing, I really liked this city. The nearness of the sea makes it really pleasant (it must be great to live and work in a city where you can also find beaches!) and Barcelona has amazing parks. For instance the Guëll Park is really worth a visit : located on a hill, with its palm trees and Gaudi monuments and banks, it is just beautiful!
I'm not very fond of Modern and Contemporary Art, so I prefered not to go to museums and exhibitions ( for those who like it, Barcelona is definitely THE place for that). However I enjoyed a lot the architecture by or inspired by Gaudi, especially his great project 'la Sagrada Familia". It is so original and modern... really impressive...
This trip to Barcelona also aimed to see my friends Nayra and Gonzalo (it was so nice to see them again), and to renew with the Spanish way of life (mucha fiesta :-D) and the Spanish food (mmmm, los pimientos rellenos :-D).

Now, what's up in the city of wine??? Hum, much work I guess : since Monday, Bordeaux has entered in an electoral period so... no time to rest in the coming month!