Okay, so I know I promised to be a better blogger but I have an excuse this time... I've been travelling!
I know it's no excuse really, but at least I'm back to fill you in on all the details!
For those of you who don't know, I'm currently studying Architecture at UOW, London. As part of the second year programme we get to travel to a new city and explore, the architecture, the culture, the place. Most of the studios travelled to a city and spent some time there, but as my tutor is probably one of the best people in the world he arranged for us to go to Madrid, Tangier, Fez and even stop off at Brussels on the way home! Add that to the fact that three of my best friends are in my studio, it was pretty much geared up to be possibly the best field trip that ever existed... and it didn't disappoint!
Madrid was fascinating. We stayed at an amazing hotel chain called chic&simple which was exactly that, though we hardly spent much time there at all. A city all about culture, its a place of verbs, seeing, doing, being, living. Madrid is busy busy busy and has such an electricity that you feel just being there you have to experience it all, NOW. We did so much, visit churches, museums, saw fantastic art and architecture, spent time wandering all over the city and exploring every day life; all whilst eating as much tapas as we could and enjoying one too many cool and exotic "gratis" cocktails.
Morocco by contrast is a place that is steeped in tradition, everything there feels natural and pure, though its busy and loud and boisterous the way of life there is simple. They understand that quality takes time, and have spent hundreds of years perfecting the crafts they carry out so well today. We stayed at the Riad Tizwa which was nothing short of palace like, and whilst we spent our days trekking up the mountains, visiting mosques, haggling in the medinas and getting lost in many of their 9000 streets, our nights were spent drinking hot tea and home made cake curled up by the fire.
I won't ramble on about my adventures because after what seems like an eternity of walking and walking and walking and walking and walking, I'm far too tired too. But I can show you a sneaky peak into my photo album, but be warned; sleepless nights and 8am starts are not kind to me!
Our hotel room at Chic&Basic
Wandering around CaixaForum
Delicious treats at San Miguel Market
People watching in Plaza Major
Outside Alcala De Henares
First sight of Tangier
Hills of Fez
Our hotel room at Riad Tizwa
Up in the mountains
Squares of the Medinas
Moroccan gardens
On the way to Brussels
Although travelling is great its so nice to be back home and have some time to think about everything that's been happening lately. Can't wait to fill you all in and check out what's been going on with you all.
