Start spreading the news… New York is THE city I feel I belong to the most. It’s really strange given I’ve never lived there …. and yet, something about the place speaks to me. I love it, and don’t know why…I see all its faults, cracks and limitations, quirkiness, ugliness and occasional heartlessness …and yet I truly and absolutely love it. The first time I went there I fell in Love with the city instantly and, at the time, put it down to its similarity to London, where I grew up and came of age. Yet, somehow, New York is more ME than London: less majestic, less historical, equally gritty but somehow, more alive. A recent trip to London made the comparison easier this time: whereas London is my first love….New York is the forbidden steamy affair! I just irrationally and inexplicably LOVE New York. Shopping may have something to do with it. Midtown is a shopaholic’s Nirvana and during my very brief 30 hour trip I still managed an interlude to 5th Avenue…One and a half hours later I came out with a big smile on my face, one top, one pair of nice trousers, one bag and 3 pairs of shoes…. You couldn’t have enough choice for that mad spree anywhere else… So now I am enjoying my Parisian evening listening to Sinatra and musing over how cultured, elegant Paris is my home, yet New York has my superficial materialistic heart 🙂 
Tag Archives: Sinatra
Beautiful Sintra
A small town just outside of Lisbon, Sintra houses the former summer residences of the Portuguese ex-royals. I visited the Pena Palace, but there is also a Sintra Palace.
I got there soaking wet, after walking through the torrential rain this morning (left my umbrella in the luggage back at the hotel)! But it was worth it, for the surrounding forest and the scenery are so beautiful.
On the way back to the station I also briefly visited the Moorish Castle (self-explanatory) which is really in ruins but impressive enough for the huge megalithic like stones that surround it. Reminded me of Egypt!
Finally, Sintra, a pretty little town with colourful houses and a spa like feel. This time, unfortunately, I only really saw it from the car. Next time!
Now, if you’d excuse me, my cab (which has wifi available) just arrived in front of my building. I have to dash home for the “pack and unpack” show. It’s midnight and I need to get ready for Copenhagen again! I’ll post my impressions of my trip to Portugal from the plane tomorrow! Au revoir!
Every week-end in Europe 