Spanish Love Letters... (written to a dear blonde back home and I enjoyed writing it so much, I published it here)

Dearest Skye of Pacific Northwest,

My breath is currently of brisk Finnish air. Vikings and saunas a plenty. Blonde are the masses so you might feel at home here.

I flew just yesterday from the Catalonian capital of Barcelona.

A wondrous city indeed. With majestic architecture; Castles and giant cathedrals abound, and in between beautiful ancient stone homes from the Roman era. Not to mention the tapas - with the finest of cheeses, jámons (Spanish cured meats), incredible olives, delicatessen baguettes and sangria for lunch! It

would also seem like mojitos are the national quench on a hot summer day.

I adore the Spanish way of life!

Relaxed and Sexy.

Beauty is everywhere,

from street art, to food presentation, to stunning landscapes.

The language is smooth and the wine is flowing.

Everything about Spain I love.

I wish to live here someday.

I'd like to explore the north-small towns built unto boulders of mountain sides. A meeting of climates between desert and tropical. A nice combination- hot and green. Walls of homes hundreds of years in age, angled, slightly crooked, grape vines decorating each arch ways and a nation wide siesta time between the hours of 1-4 pm.

The country rests in the heat.

Shops close, shudders are drawn, babies are fed and hammocks are full. The country collectively sighs with a gentle grin...

the pace is intelligent.

They seem to have ignored signs to join the common wealth's common pace that is the rat race. With a 40% unemployment rate- it would seem like the country is content just 'chillin'.

And goodness, do I love it.

I wish you were here.

Even if you do not love olives yet- you will after tasting Spain's specialty.

Alas

I must be off,

Wishing you smiles in this day. Hugging you from the futuristic land of html, besos,

With love,

Aya

5 Things you didn’t know about Amsterdam

1 - Blue lights means More

in the Red light District

   In the Red Light district there are hundreds of red lit windows with sex workers displaying themselves for hire. There’s women of all types, sizes and nationalities. With the LGTB communities becoming more and more recognized around the world, its no wonder it is reflected in the party district of Amsterdam. Red lights means prostitutes, red AND blue lights means they might appear to be woman, but they are ‘packing extra’- if you know what I mean.

2 - Amsterdam is Sinking

   Literally. The city itself is built on water and every building is built on poles dug down deep into swampy soil beneath. It's common to see buildings tilting in a 'Dr Seuss" like fashion. These poles, originally wood are now made of concrete. Every house is built on of poles, usually between 5-10. The whole city is supported by over 11 million poles!

 3 - More cultural diversity per capita than anywhere else in the world.

   The world totals 192 different Nations and Amsterdam hosts 180 Nationalities. This means you could be sitting in a cafe and every single table might be talking a different language. Everywhere you look, a new a different minority is being represented. You feel you’ve been around the world in a day in Amsterdam, a true melting pot. 

       4 - Bike LIFE

   Did you know there are more bikes in this city than people? More bikes than cars, and even underground parkades made solely for bikes. The biking network in Amsterdam is un-matched from anywhere I’ve ever seen in the world. Copenhagen comes a close 2nd, and several other places in Europe have incredible bike ways but this one is the easiest+funnest city to bike in the world. I dream of living in a car free zone (maybe like the magical free city of Christiania in Denmark). Communities are alive and connected when we are not separated by big metal boxes. You get to know your neighbour, you’re more in contact with the elements and general health of a society is much greater when 90% of the population uses a bike to commute.

5 - Danmed Amstel

   Built in the 1600s, with 165 connecting canals that total over 100 km. Amsterdam has plenty of boats, canals and iconic bridges everywhere. The origins of the city name actually came about because settlers built a danm over the river Amstel back in 1220. They are constantly needing to regulate the water levels, blocking rivers from flowing so the city does flood or float away.

Looks a bit like Burning man from above. (Black Rock City)