DOLPHINS, FROM ITALY

Good morning! It's still morning, right? The lovely Elizabeth will be traveling the next few days with RB, making their way to their new lives in Montreal. I can't wait to see photos of the new apartment when it's all set up and get a visual for the neighbourhood. Their new neighbour happens to be a good friend of mine, so I hope he has some time to show them any secret spots they don't already know about. In the meantime, here are some Italian dolphins, from while I was in Genova. You can see more ocean-life shots (and some photos of the beautiful harbour) at anemone, honey.

BEACH BABIES

I'm almost done putting up my Barcelona photos over on anemone (and then it's on to Italy!) I only recently realized how long it has taken me to display all my trip photos -- what can I say? It's just so nice outside, it's a real pity to sit on the computer after 9am.

LADURÉE

I should show you some of the things I bought for myself while we were in Europe, but here are the little thank-yous I got for my co-workers. World famous Ladurée macarons. Of course since I was in Paris at the beginning of the trip, I waited and actually bought them from Harrods in London (same thing!) It was such a beautiful, feminine cafe -- I had to go back and buy some for myself too.

The flavours I had for myself were: lily of the valley (not shown in this one, but they were a very light green colour), chocolate, rose, coffee, orange blossom, and of course, pistachio. I would like some more s'il vous plaît.

MAL-A-GA

Malaga photos are going up this week! Alacazba today and botanical gardens to follow -- over at anemone, honey.

DISTANT LANDS

I put the first of my Morocco photos up on anemone, honey. Go check them out!
-Mary

UNDERCOVER

Okay so we don't make the best private eyes.
Liz and I had to catch some of the many law enforcement officers we saw in Europe. I only wish we had captured more photos for you, but I didn't want to risk getting yelled at by a cop -- or in the case of the Spanish (bottom photo) I didn't want to get too many dinner invites.

P.s. The Paris cops were seriously bad ass.

Update!

I'm going to hijack Mary's post to add this photo of the cop at the Eiffel Tour. He soooo knows I'm taking his picture despite my attempt to be discreet.

AT THE ZOO

"Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo / I do believe it, I do believe it's true"

Seeing Elizabeth off in Barcelona was both emotional and exhilarating. I was suddenly completely off the grid; completely anonymous and independent. Immediately after saying goodbye to Liz I needed to book my train ticket for Carcassonne, France -- surely the French rail strike would not still be dragging on, right?

Turns out the French like to strike.

Okay so I'm stranded in Barcelona and all my exit options are expiring as quickly as I can find them. What to do? Get the hell out of the party hostel, book a gorgeous hotel room (with a bit of luck and homeless wandering around the city) start making plans for an extended stay and go to the zoo.

General zoo controversy aside, the Barcelona zoo was quite nice; many of the areas were well set up for the species they housed and others were in the process of expansion. It was a chilly day and most of the animals were up and about. I was able to wander around for hours, not having to butcher Spanish for anyone. Yes, I suppose there is some irony to be found with me using my brand new freedom to visit animals in enclosures - but I was able to forget my travel worries and have a nice calm and quiet day. Just me and the animals.

EUROPEAN TOUR 2010!

And we're off! Persuasion is off to Europe this morning and we are so excited! Elizabeth will be back in 19 days to tell you the highlights of our time together (Mary will continue on for three more weeks) and we will try to post (albeit sporadically) while we are gone as well.

It turns out that there just wasn't room for the cat in the suitcase. Oh well -- next time, Ruby.

EUROPEAN STYLE

Okay, so I know you're not supposed to go and buy yourself new things right before a trip to Europe, where you will no doubt want to buy everything, but my wardrobe was pathetic and not at all acceptable for Paris or Florence or anywhere in-between. If only I could whip something up on the sewing machine like someone else I know... anyway, I feel a little more prepared now.