Lost & Found

Let's be honest... there is no way I am ever going to get caught up with all of my travel posts.  So I've come up with this idea: Lost & Found posts.  A glimpse of the best bits of my adventures without having to worry about order or anything else.  A random collection of hidden gems on my laptop that I never got around to sharing with the rest of the world.  Check out the first set below! And for more consistent updates follow me on instagram: sugarsprout.

 Climbed way too many stairs for this view of the Cathedral of Salamanca. (Spain)

 Dressed up for Carnival, far off to my left I could see the border of Portugal. (Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain)

 The only car I've ever wanted. (Ciudad Rodrigo)

 London street performer aka busker.  

You've got to be made of gold to set up in front of Michael Kors. (London)

Yup, I'm cool. Rocking the Gryffindor scarf.

And since I'm feeling in a Harry Potter kind of mood... A little wizard wisdom: "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends." 

Segovia 2: Details & Daydreams

The pictures above illustrate the personal details of the imaginative landscape that was Segovia.  It seemed like a never ending maze of hidden gods and goddesses.  A larger than life landscape dedicated to beauty with an undeniable touch of otherworldly mystique.  Perhaps, it has something to do with seeing the park during off season when the plants aren't quite alive yet and the fountains remain inactive.  Surely, in the full bloom of summer it is stunning, but there was a desolate slightly eerie quality to it in April.

Fall Fashion & Farewells

Gareth Pugh's Fall Collection. Images via style.com 

 The dominantly black structured shapes of this collection made it one of my favorites.  There exists an undeniable sophistication to the pieces.  Above are some of my favorites, especially the coat in the second image. 

In other news: It's hard to believe I only have 8 days left in Spain.  Home seems so close, yet unbelievably far away.  All that remains to be done here feels like formalities, despite the fact that these are supposed to be the days for emotional farewells.  The goodbye I dreaded the most was perhaps to my closest friend from Spain.  I'm happy that I got to meet such an amazing person, but that made the goodbye so much harder. Tonight is the group dinner, followed by a weekend of insane partying, then a week of finals.  After that lovely "officially friend-zone" conversation making me feel rather foolish, I am more concerned with finding a few strong drinks than reviewing my study guides. Hahaha. Bring on Thirsty Thursday!! 

Segovia

 The famous aqueduct 

 Segovia's beautiful cathedral, similar to Salamanca's and the last of its style to be built. 

 Alcázar Castle 

 Fountain detail up close at Segovia's mini version of Versailles

 Why don't my baths look this cool?

 Baby angels riding giant fish? Adorable. 

 Fountain a bit further away. 

 Reindeer? Crazy animals. 

"Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going." -Paul Theroux

I chose the quote above because I find it comforting.  The fact that there is a little less than three weeks left in my adventurous year makes it impossible not to wonder where I'll go next.  All the options and uncertainties get overwhelming.  The future is an open question.  This quote reminds me that I don't need to know exactly where my next step will lead, as long as I never stop exploring. 

xxx 

InstaUpdates

Old journal entry, with two of my favorite quotes. 

100 Montaditos- that giant Wine and Chips is only 2 euros on Sundays. Obsessed. 

Politically charged bathroom stall. 

Berry colored lipstick- new favorite. 

Amazing frozen yogurt, perfectly tart and just the right amount of sweet topped with melted dark chocolate.

Decor at Mandala, cafe with an amazing blueberry hot chocolate & green tea/cocoa/blackcurrant milkshake. 

Cucumbers and cherry tomatoes grilled and topped honey. 4 of those + entire bottle of Rose Wine for 6.50 euros. Win.