My Spanish Car

I have been driving in Spain for the past few months which usually woudn't be a big deal. However, the typical car in Europe is a stick shift. This was a problem for me since I had only ever driven an automatic at home. Therefore, learning to drive this new car in a foreign country was quite interesting. Learning to drive with 2 legs was bad enough, but the streets here made it more of a challenge for me. I still have trouble with the hills. I hate how the car rolls back and I feel like I am going to hit the car behind me. Most road only have round-abouts with only a few stop lights here and there. Trying to naviagate these round-abouts can be quite scary. There doesn't seem to be any rules when going around them, except to not get hit or hit anyone in the process. You just kinda go when there is an opening. I have the hang of it now, I think. But I still worry sometimes. There are also many one-way streets and cobblestone roads. Sometimes the road is so small that the car can barely get through it. At what should be a four-way stop (there are hardly any stop signs), I never know who has the right of way. This makes it very frustrating because I don't know the rules. Although, I don't know how anyone could when there are no signs posted. I have been learning by trial and error which I'm not sure is good or not!! Parking is a nightmare. You have to pay for most parking on the street and there are really no parking lots. Thnakfully my car is small so it is easier to park. It is quite interesting to watch people park their car. They will be going down a street, see parking spot (mind you they are way past the spot already and the car behind you is now there) and then decide to back-up to get to this spot. It doesn't matter that there are four cars behind this person...everyone will back-up for this one car so they can have the spot. WHO does this I ask you?I like our way much better...If you miss the spot then you are SOL. I once didn't back-up fast enough for one car and it just kept on coming and I was almost hit in the process. They just do not care. Also, when you park on the street people do not leave any room in between the cars which obviously makes it difficult to get out of the spot. However, they solved this little problem by hitting the car in front and behind them. It's very simple, no room so hit other cars. Not that it's a hard hit, but I see the parked cars move quite a bit from the impact. Again, people just don't seem to care if their car is hit. I really don't understand!!

City of Light

Seine River Cruise The Louvre Museum Versaille The Eiffel Tower at night Arc De Triomphe On Top of the Arc De Triomphe This last weekend I was able to go to Paris...aka City of Light. This was also a solo trip for me, but I still had a great time. The weather was interesting. It rained the day I arrived and departed. Thankfully Saturday and Sunday was nice and sunny. I miss my CA weather!! I stayed at a little hotel by the Arc De Triomphe. When I first arrived to the city by metro I took a taxi to my hotel. I knew it was close by, but I didn't know the exact location. Well let me tell you, a 3 min ride in Paris cost me 6 Euro...welcome to Paris. This the driver happily explained was the starting rate. Can you believe that? This is one of the most expensive cities to visit I came to find out. Anyways, my hotel was really small and under construction. My room was tiny and the bathroom was even smaller. Every time you moved in the shower you hit your elbow on the wall. Thankfully, I was only there to sleep. Friday night to took a walk along the Des Champs Elysees. This is where all the high ewnd shopping takes place. I walked pass many designer names including Loius Vuitton. The most I could do was widow shop, of course. Saturday I went exploring and hit everything from the Arc De Triomphe to Notre-Dame Cathedral andeverything in between. At one point I went to Montmarte District where Moulin Rouge is located. If I was to say that Paris had a red light distict this would be it. Up and down the street all a person sees are sex shops and love stores. The city may look small on the map, but walking it is a different story. I must have walked miles that day and my feet paid for it. I got to see a lot of awesome history and buildings though. If I could try to explain the city I would have to say that it's extravagant in everyway and everything is big and in your face and I loved it. Sunday I did a moring tour to Versaille...the big Palace of the Kings. To my surprise that afternoon happened to be the finale of the Tour De France and I was able to witness it. Some Spaniard won and Lance Armstong took 3rd place. There were so many people for this event and numerous streets had to close down and police swarmed the area for security. That night I took another tour where I got to cruise the Seine River for an hour, go to the 2nd level of the Eiffel Tower and do an illimunation tour of Paris by bus. The city at night is amazing and watching the Eiffel Tower light up is spectactular. Being on top of the Eiffel Tower is so crazy. The view of the city is beautiful and you are just up so high. Luckily, all the local I asked for help were all friendly and very nice. I was a little nervous because I had heard so many stories on how the French people will either ignore you or be very rude. I'm glad I got them on a good weekend. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.