tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32222738969244716012024-03-05T06:25:11.862-05:00eat.repeatEating and exploring my way around the world. Starting in, out, and around Bloomington, Indiana.Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-43008632661547718552018-10-23T16:30:00.000-04:002018-10-23T18:33:16.300-04:00Paris - All the Steak Frites in Saint Germain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17129885783/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Boulevard Saint Germain" border="0" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7731/17129885783_8027585dfa_c.jpg" style="cursor: move;" title="Boulevard Saint Germain" width="525" /></a></div>
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This blog has been woefully neglected for past several years, I just haven't made the time for it. I do feel badly about it, mostly because I have so many unfinished posts sitting in my drafts folder! Post full of memories and photos and, I think, useful information for travelers. A friend is planning a trip to Paris this fall and her excitement reminded me of all the beautiful food and sights I want to recommend to her and, really, anyone. Said co-worker has visited Paris before and loved the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood, recommending I visit the famous <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/18065546181/">Cafe de Flore</a> which, like the Saint Benoit location of Relais de l'Entrecôte, is located in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. Maybe I'll get to that blog post too...
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The food at Relais de l'Entrecôte is very good and extremely plentiful. But more than anything, the restaurant is a fantastic spot for people watching. When the weather is nice the large windows are left open. This creates a balcony-like seating arrangement for the window seats, which overlook the narrow streets of Saint Germain. I arrived unfashionably early, just as the restaurant opened in order to snag a prime spot. And I'm glad I did. By the time I left the restaurant was packed! Bustling with locals and tourists gathering for lunch on a beautiful, sunny day.
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Meals at Relais de l'Entrecôte begin with a light salad dressed in a mustard vinaigrette and a handful of walnuts. Like the salad, the menu is simple. The one and only entree option is steak. You may request how your meat is cooked and, of course, what you would like to drink. Thin slices of contre-filet are drenched in the restaurant's signature sauce. It's a buttery affair, laden with herbs (tarragon, I believe,) wine, and a hint of liver. A generous helping of frites are heaped alongside, golden and, to my taste, slightly over-crisp. But they soften beautifully after some quality time in the dreamy sauce. Just as you finish your portion, efficient waitstaff arrive with more food, offering additional steak, extra pours of sauce, and piles of frites.
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The steak and frites were plenty but I couldn't resist ordering something sweet to finish off my meal. While the main menu is brief, the <a href="http://relaisennr.cluster011.ovh.net/?page_id=744&lang=en">selection of desserts</a> is epic. Le Relais de l'Entrecôte is renowned for their elaborate towering sundaes and piles of chocolate drenched profiteroles. I chose a slightly simpler option, sablé de fraises au citron, a buttery shortbread cookie topped with lemon curd, strawberries, and a scoop of ice cream for good measure. It was (relatively) light and all around delightful.
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After stuffing myself with enough protein to last a good 24 hours, I headed out towards the nearby Musée d'Orsay. What a beautiful space! The museum is housed in a converted train station. It's jam packed with Impressionist masterpieces alongside epic canvases from French academy artists. But if you're too full for an afternoon of art, try a peaceful visit to the <a href="https://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2016/08/paris-oysters-huiterieregis-church-saint-sulpice.html">Church of Saint-Sulpice</a>. And make sure to stop at the nearby <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2015/10/just-paris-things-pierre-herme-view-arc-de-triumphe.html">Pierre Hermé shop</a> to pick up a macaron or canelé on your way home. <br /><br />
<a href="http://relaisennr.cluster011.ovh.net/?page_id=1285&lang=en">Le Relais de L’Entrecôte</a>
- 20 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris, France
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<a href="https://www.pierreherme.com/storelocator/paris-bonaparte-en">Pierre Hermé</a> - 72 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-52336678401799232032018-06-19T16:30:00.000-04:002019-06-19T10:19:45.983-04:00Paris - All Around the Eiffel Tower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While the Eiffel Tower may be crowded, full of tourists and souvenir hawkers, it remains an absolute must see in my book. Up close the elegant metalwork of the tower is powerful. And the surrounding gardens offer peaceful green spaces that balance out the crush of visitors. I didn't go up, but I wouldn't be opposed to doing so in the future. But I would make sure to plan to visit at a slower (does that even exist?) time.
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Choosing a restaurant around the Eiffel Tower can be a daunting task. I ended up at <a href="http://www.maisonconstant.com/cafe-constant/en/">Cafe Constant</a>, a charming corner spot just a few streets away. I found it recommended frequently for its lunch prix fixe meal. I enjoyed three beautiful courses for just €18. A cold ham roulade with salad as an appetizer, crisp roasted chicken with homemade chips for the main, and a gorgeous arrangement of meringues, fruit, and custard for dessert. Run by a Michelin star chef, it's a popular spot that doesn't take reservations. I hit it at the after lunch sweet spot, when most of the crowds had cleared out. It was a lovely lunch and felt like the perfect pairing to my Eiffel Tower visit.
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-17224075328832821802017-11-10T16:00:00.000-05:002019-06-19T11:26:49.297-04:00A Day in Cordoba + More Tapas at Las Teresas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I split my Andalusian adventure up into three parts: Five days in Sevilla, a day and a half in Ronda, and three days in Granada. The extra days in Sevilla left me time to take a day trip to the beautiful city of Córdoba. The train ride is fairly short, around an hour and half. Or you can take the fast AVE train and get there in 45 minutes, but shell out a bit more money. I took the longer ride and it was just fine. I really lucked out on weather, it was a warm, sunny day with perfect blue skies.
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First up, a wander up and down the Puente Romano. The bridge crosses the Guadalquivir River punctuated by the Triumphal Arch on one side and the Torre de la Calahorra on the other. Originally built by the Romans in the 1st century, then reconstructed by the Moors in the 8th century, the bridge underwent significant restoration ten years ago. After my walk I visited the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, a stunning building brimming with history which deserves a post of its own.<br />
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My last stop was the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, or, the Castle of the Christian Monarchs, once the home of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The buildings are more in the style of a fortress than castle, but the gardens are as grand as can be. They're definitely the real draw of the property. I spent some time exploring the grounds, discovering hidden sculptures and lounging around on shaded benches.
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After a bit of a snooze at my hotel I hopped across the street for another meal of tapas at Last Teresas. I ordered my new go to drink, a tinto al limon, and settled in with a bowl of plump cured olives and a tapa of nutty hand sliced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamon_iberico">Jamón Ibérico de Bellota</a>. I chatted a bit with a nice couple from Australia who had just arrived from Granada. Once the kitchen opened up I ordered a racione (like a larger portion of tapa or a small entrée) of fried puntillitas, baby squid. The squids were lightly battered and seasoned with just salt and pepper. A lovely end to a busy day in Andalucia.<br />
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-15128406229735552452017-05-26T16:30:00.000-04:002019-06-19T11:57:35.441-04:00Amsterdam - Modern Art + A Seafood Feast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite things about Amsterdam is the Museumplein. Just a few steps from the canals that circle the center of the city, the Musuemplein is where you'll find three of the city's most iconic museums; <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2016/07/amsterdam-day-at-rijksmuseum-museumkaart.html">The Rijksmuseum</a>, Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum.
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After an epic morning at The Rijksmuseum I stopped for some much needed sustenance at the conveniently located <a href="http://www.theseafoodbar.com/en/"> Seafood Bar</a>. I wanted a little bit of everything so I chose the Fruits de Mer platter plus a side of frites for good measure. When my food arrived it was so epic that I had a brief moment of panic that I had accidentally ordered Fruits de Mer ‘Seafood bar’ a much more expensive option. But no, my order was correct, it was just a massive platter of mussels, cockles, scallop, razor clams, periwinkles, shrimp, crab, and oysters. The seafood was fresh and sweet and definitely shareable. Skip the fries, the included baguette is offers plenty of carbs.<br />
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After lunch I made my way to the <a href="https://www.stedelijk.nl/en">Stedelijk Museum</a>. The modern and contemporary art museum is sometimes referred to as "The Bathtub" for its unique architecture. Bright, airy, and calm; the museum was a nice contrast to the overcrowded madness of the Van Gogh Museum. I enjoyed my relaxed tour of the collection, especially the 360 lego room, a temporary installation.<br />
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-12229731312087478632016-11-09T10:03:00.002-05:002016-11-13T12:23:34.667-05:00Prague - Pastacaffé & Žižkov Television Tower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I bookended my visit to the lovely <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-prettiest-farmers-market-in-prague-vinohrady.html">Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad Market</a> in the Vinohrady neighborhood of Prague with breakfast at Pastacaffé and a trip to the top of the Žižkov Television Tower. If you're spending more than a few days in Prague, I highly recommend a visit out past the city's tourist center to this lovely neighborhood!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15674260421/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="David Černý's faceless baby sculptures scale the heights of the Žižkov Television Tower in Prague" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/15674260421_4df4884beb_c.jpg" title="David Černý's faceless baby sculptures scale the heights of the Žižkov Television Tower in Prague" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15679820507/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Classic Prague architecture is jazzed up with a pair of sunglasses and headphones." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/15679820507_2dace69dd6_z.jpg" title="Looking cool" width="525" /></a></div>
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Breakfast was a simple but visually elegant affair. A nicely pulled espresso with a tiny pour of cream and an even tinier cookie. To eat, a buttery croissant and two types of jam, a poached egg with toast soldiers for dipping. Plus a glass of carrot ginger citrus juice, because I needed some vitamins. Pastacaffé was just a few blocks from my guesthouse and is definitely worth a visit for breakfast. I returned for dinner later in my visit, it was just okay.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15710812676/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Morning espresso to begin breakfast at Pastacaffé in Prague." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7542/15710812676_387ca07576_z.jpg" title="Morning espresso." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15732607781/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A refreshing ginger carrot juice at Pastacaffé in Prague." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7569/15732607781_b2d5d54a54_c.jpg" title="Ginger carrot concoction." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15710816286/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An elegant breakfast at Pastacaffé in Prague." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/15710816286_35c86f4d8d_z.jpg" title="An elegant breakfast at Pastacaffé in Prague." width="525" /></a></div>
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After fueling up, I took the tram out to the <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-prettiest-farmers-market-in-prague-vinohrady.html">Vinohrady Farmer's Market, Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad</a>. I spent the morning browsing and taking photos before making my way over to the Žižkov Television Tower. Situated on top of a hill, the tower offers amazing wide angle views of Prague. You really get a sense of the city's colorful architecture and diverse topography. The stark metal tower definitely stands out amongst the Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Don't forget to look up from the base to get the best view of David Černý's amusing yet ominous faceless baby sculptures which scale the sides of the tower.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15557661734/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Comfy, modern seats at the top of the Žižkov Television Tower in Prague are a nice place to relax." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15557661734_74aa100396_z.jpg" title="Take a load off." width="525" /></a></div>
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<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-82619571494307709672016-08-16T11:00:00.000-04:002016-08-16T13:34:21.160-04:00Paris - Oysters & Churches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17922405414/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Find the Church of Saint-Sulpice in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood in the 6th arrondissement." border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/313/17922405414_f9c85dda76_z.jpg" title="Find the Church of Saint-Sulpice in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood in the 6th arrondissement." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/19653573864/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An epic platter of fresh oysters and shrimp at Huîtrerie Régis in Paris. " border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/381/19653573864_43bdd7ae2b_z.jpg" title="An epic platter of fresh oysters and shrimp at Huîtrerie Régis in Paris. " width="525" /></a></div>
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I spent a few days wandering in and around the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood in Paris. I had two fantastic meals plus some <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2015/10/just-paris-things-pierre-herme-view-arc-de-triumphe.html">extraordinary sweets</a>. Oysters were at the top of my Paris eats wishlist and, after some research, I chose <a href="http://huitrerieregis.com/">Huîtrerie Régis</a> to make it happen. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/20282127001/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A close up of the fantastics oysters you'll find at Huitrerie Régis." border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/425/20282127001_0a6ee636a2_z.jpg" title="A close up of the fantastics oysters you'll find at Huitrerie Régis." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/20282159061/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The oysters at Huitrerie Régis are delivered fresh from the famous oyster fields of Marennes-Oléron" border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/389/20282159061_bc32705ae3_z.jpg" title="The oysters at Huitrerie Régis are delivered fresh from the famous oyster fields of Marennes-Oléron" width="525" /></a></div>
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It's a tiny spot, six tables inside and a few more on the street. I arrived right after opening, around noon, and the restaurant was almost empty, just one table of three. Reviews indicate it fills up fast during prime time, so definitely come early. The menu is an exercise in minimalism, all oysters, fresh as can be. Sometimes shrimp and sea urchin are available as well, but they're essentially garnish. According to <a href="http://parisbymouth.com/huitrerie-regis/">Paris by Mouth</a>, the oysters are shipped in daily from Marennes-Oléron, a famous oyster cultivation region on the Western coast of France.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/20267954752/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oysters at Huitrerie Régisare don't need much, but they're served with plenty of lemon and a vinegar mignonette." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/20267954752_111222083c_z.jpg" title="Oysters at Huitrerie Régisare don't need much, but they're served with plenty of lemon and a vinegar mignonette." width="525" /></a></div>
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It was my first meal of the day and my eyes were certainly bigger than my stomach. I ordered a tasting platter of six Fines de Claires and six Spéciale de Claires, plus six enormous pink shrimp. I wanted to try everything! The oysters were truly the very best I have tasted, though, admittedly, my oyster oeuvre is sadly limited. I slightly preferred the Spéciale de Claires, which were plumper and sweeter than the briny, more mineral Fines. But both were excellent. I took mine plain or with a spritz of lemon, forgoing the classic mignonette.
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Unnecessary, but also delicious was the sesame studded bread with salted butter. And shrimp, too. On any other day the shrimp would have been the star of the show but in my refusal to waste any food, they left me overstuffed.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16920115283/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Church of Saint-Sulpice with its mis-matched towers." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/16920115283_04c2ed6e66_z.jpg" title="The Church of Saint-Sulpice with its mis-matched towers." width="525" /></a></div>
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Huîtrerie Régis is tucked away on a small side street off of Boulevard Saint-Germain, just a few blocks from my next destination, the Church of Saint-Sulpice. The church provided the perfect respite for my overextended stomach. Though cool, dark, and peaceful, it is very much a working church with a staff and active worshipers. It's a crumbly old building, much in need of renovations, but with an intriguing, tangible sense of history. An interesting contrast to the bustling square outside. Full of tourists, students, nannies and their charges, business people on their lunch breaks-- a great spot for people watching.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/20088125558/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Inside the Church of Saint-Sulpice, located in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood." border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/343/20088125558_d39a13e992_z.jpg" title="Inside the Church of Saint-Sulpice, located in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/19655192483/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="'Jacob Wrestling with the Angel' a mural by Delacroix fills one of the chapels at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris." border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/271/19655192483_407c68ffa8_c.jpg" title="'Jacob Wrestling with the Angel' a mural by Delacroix fills one of the chapels at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/20087909280/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The candles of worshippers are ever present at the Church of Saint-Sulpice." border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/359/20087909280_ea91e3968b_z.jpg" title="The candles of worshippers are ever present at the Church of Saint-Sulpice." width="525" /></a></div>
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<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-6701245321839259672016-07-27T08:00:00.000-04:002016-09-21T12:47:34.936-04:00Amsterdam Public Library - Wordless Wednesdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-58913090991522636052016-07-21T08:01:00.000-04:002016-07-21T10:14:50.297-04:00Amsterdam - A Day at the Rijksmuseum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15732716618/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="On the way to the Museumplein, Amsterdam's museum campus where you can find the Rijksmuseum. as well as the Stedelijk and Van Gogh Museums." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/15732716618_b9ce140eda_z.jpg" title="On the way to the Museumplein, Amsterdam's museum campus where you can find the Rijksmuseum. as well as the Stedelijk and Van Gogh Museums." width="525" /></a></div>
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There are lots of reasons to visit Amsterdam and I chose probably the nerdiest one-- the art. There dozens of world class museums within the compact city and most of them are covered by the Museumkaart, Amsterdam's Museum Card. I bought my pass at the big one - The Rijksmuseum, the first stop on my self-directed museum crawl. I spent a good four or five hours exploring the museum before taking a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15925222891/in/album-72157648829230827/">late lunch</a> and continuing on to the Stedelijk and Van Gogh museums.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16082469559/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum is a must see attraction in a city full of excellent museums. " border="0" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7516/16082469559_dbc555ec18_c.jpg" title="Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum is a must see attraction in a city full of excellent museums. " width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15918269261/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="You can bike right through the Rijksmuseum, one of several big museums on Amsterdam's Museumplein, or Museum Square, " border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/15918269261_39888962ed_z.jpg" title="You can bike right through the Rijksmuseum, one of several big museums on Amsterdam's Museumplein, or Museum Square, " width="525" /></a></div>
I had been eager to tour Amsterdam ever since I took a course on Netherlandish Art for my Art History Major. I focused my Rijksmuseum visit on the 17th century Dutch Golden Age collection where many of the paintings I once studied are held. Including priceless masterpieces by Vermeer and Rembrandt like '<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17949232062/">The Night Watch</a>,' one of the most famous paintings in the world. It draws <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17764688050/in/photostream/" target="_blank">quite the crowd</a> (I preferred the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17765929629/in/album-72157648829230827/">Vermeers</a>, which are almost like miniatures in comparison.) I also made sure to track down the gorgeous <a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/general-information/building-and-presentation/cuypers-library" target="_blank">Cuypers Library</a>. You can't browse the stacks or study without prior permission, but the view from the balcony on the 2nd floor is a pretty great consolation. Another highlight was the gallery of beautiful and intricate <a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/praktische-informatie/gebouw-en-presentatie/de-17de-eeuw-1600-1700/objecten#/BK-NM-1010,15" target="_blank">Doll Houses</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15734460057/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Do not miss the stunning Cuypers Library. " border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7496/15734460057_c1e2028421_z.jpg" title="Do not miss the stunning Cuypers Library at the Rijksmuseum." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-A-102" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The marriage of William II, Prince of Orange, age 14 and his bride, Mary Stuart, just nine years old." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8589/15297975154_b891dc2ceb_z.jpg" title="A detail of Van Dyck's portrait of the marriage between Mary Stuart and William II, Prince of Orange. Click to view the full painting at the Rijksmuseum's website." width="525" /></a></div>
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I love to visit museums when I travel solo. I can really take my time viewing the art, without worrying about keeping pace with a companion. And if I want to skip a piece, or even a whole wing of a museum, it's totally cool. Though traveling alone can be stressful, especially when things go wrong, at museums I never feel self conscious when I'm on my own. I really appreciate it when cities offer passes that make it easy to visit multiple museums or attractions. But they're an investment. You really have to do your homework to make sure the pass covers the right length of time and attractions you actually want to visit. I chose the Museumkart, but Amsterdam also offers the <a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card/what-is-included" target="_blank">Iamsterdam city pass</a> which includes public transportation and a canal boat ride, but not quite enough museums for my liking (no Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank House.)<br />
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For me, the math on the Museumkaart just made sense. Because I was spending a week in Amsterdam, I made a list of the museums I wanted to visit and researched their admission prices. Once I added the entrance fees up, I knew the €65 Museumkaart would be more than worth it. I would have spent €106 if I had bought each ticket individually. The card also encouraged me to visit smaller, less well known churches and museums like Oude Kerk (The Old Church,) Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Dear Lord in the Attic Museum,) Museum Van Loon, and FOAM Photography Museum. The <a href="https://www.museumkaart.nl/" target="_blank">Museumkaart</a> is geared towards Dutch residents so there's no English website, but I found the <a href="http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart/">Amsterdam.info</a> site to be a great resource for information about the card. It's good for a full month and gets you into museums all over Holland, nice if you're touring outside of just Amsterdam. The card must be purchased in person at one of the participating museums. If you're an art lover, history fanatic, or just spending an extended period of time in Amsterdam, then the card is an excellent value.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15300560343/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Copying the masters" border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/15300560343_426f942d6d_z.jpg" title="A student at work, copying from a portrait of Rembrandt." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15918219101/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art and artifacts on display in the 17th Century Gallery of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7524/15918219101_9cc13568e0_z.jpg" title="Art and artifacts on display in the 17th Century Gallery." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15732881160/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Night Watch Gallery will be busy no matter what time you visit the Rijksmuseum." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/15732881160_b5f1882475_z.jpg" title="The Night Watch Gallery will be busy no matter what time you visit." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15300532483/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Great Hall, or Voorhal, connects wings of the Rijksmuseum." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8640/15300532483_7ddc1d58f7_z.jpg" title="The Great Hall, or Voorhal, connects wings of the Rijksmuseum." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15918246821/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A book lover's dream - the Cuypers Library at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/15918246821_3162f17e99_c.jpg" title="A book lover's dream - the Cuypers Library at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17764598280/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="After viewing Rembrandt's massive "Night Watch," Vermeer's intricate, intimate interior paintings feel downright miniature." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7776/17764598280_728895b8da_c.jpg" title="After viewing Rembrandt's massive "Night Watch," Vermeer's intricate, intimate interior paintings feel downright miniature." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15918214771/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A foggy day in Amsterdam, perfect for a visit to one of the city's many world class museums." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/15918214771_3d107e75fd_z.jpg" title="On the way to the Museumplein" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15734208209/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Iamsterdam sign at the Rijksmuseum has become an iconic image of from the city." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7506/15734208209_f17d2f06fe_z.jpg" title="iconic" width="525" /></a></div>
<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-47058831808542679072015-11-03T12:42:00.000-05:002015-11-04T12:44:50.096-05:00Amsterdam - Spui Book Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16611933910/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Molenaa Boeken, aka Book Market, in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7637/16611933910_785775686d_z.jpg" title="The Molenaa Boeken, aka Book Market, in Amsterdam." width="525" /></a></div>
After a rainy morning where I made good use of my <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/amsterdam-rainy-day-museum-van-loon-lanskroon-cafe.html" target="_blank">Amsterdam Museum Pass</a>, I headed across town to check out the Spui Book Market (Vereniging De Boekenmarkt op het Spui). Even on a drippy autumn day the market was quite busy. No wonder, it's a short and scenic walk from <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16283485949/">Amsterdam's Dam Square</a>. Book lovers will find plenty to browse. And if you're just looking to pickup an atypical souvenir it's a nice place for that as well. I enjoyed looking through the vintage maps, records, and postcards, I'm kicking myself now for not buying a tote bag while I had the chance. Open Fridays, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. After your shopping is complete, make sure to stop for a <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2015/07/amsterdam-rainy-day-museum-van-loon-lanskroon-cafe.html">stroopwaffel and coffee at Lanskroon</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16611894078/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vintage Madonna vogues on a postcard" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7622/16611894078_1051985a28_z.jpg" title="Vintage Madonna vogues on a postcard for sale at Amsterdam's Spui Book Market." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16592020137/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book shopping at the Spui market." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8721/16592020137_06f861c44d_z.jpg" title="Book shopping at the Spui market." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16799279895/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7655/16799279895_e27f084fef_c.jpg" title="Perusing the selection at the Spui Book Market in Amsterdam." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16612106070/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7606/16612106070_b2391e7eac_z.jpg" title="Books and buyers in Amsterdam." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16179549633/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Piles of Postcards" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7636/16179549633_4d0842e512_z.jpg" title="At the Spui Book market, piles of postcards." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16613346889/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Perusing the record selection." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8735/16613346889_136353b664_z.jpg" title="Perusing the record selection at Amsterdam's Spui Book Market." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16773437026/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bikes, bikes, everywhere." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8719/16773437026_f9f8c61694_c.jpg" title="Bikes, bikes, everywhere. Amsterdam in a nutshell." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16798186152/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A rainy day at the Spui Book Market in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8683/16798186152_24f2c0f563_z.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16468780662/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A houseboat parked along an Amsterdam canal." border="0" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7318/16468780662_3ba03777ab_c.jpg" title="a house on the water" width="525" /></a></div>
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<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-27466228129430766692015-10-12T10:16:00.000-04:002015-10-12T10:16:50.207-04:00Just Paris Things - Pierre Herme & Arc de Triumphe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/18061531102/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The view of the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc de Triomphe is gorgeous." border="0" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8872/18061531102_19db9dbd32_z.jpg" title="To the south, the Eiffel Tower." width="525" /></a></div>
Quick - what are the first two things that come to mind when you think of Paris? The Eiffel Tower most likely. And, for me at least, the most Parisian of pastries, the French macaron. It's the perfect portable dessert to savor wherever your wanderings take you. May I suggest a picnic with a view? You can see the Eiffel Tower from all over the city but my favorite vantage point is from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. And once you reach the top there's no rush. Take your time, enjoy the view and your macarons.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17352757178/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A bag of delicious sweets from Pierre Hermé." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7774/17352757178_de239f59af_z.jpg" title="Doggy bag, Pierre Hermé style." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17354161059/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A massive Mogador macaron, passion fruit and milk chocolate flavor, from Pierre Hermé." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8710/17354161059_8308c9bbde_z.jpg" title="A massive Mogador macaron" width="525" /></a></div>
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I picked up my cookies at the Pierre Hermé shop in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. The elegant little macarons are made from two almond meringue like cookies which sandwich a creamy ganache or icing layer. I chose three, the Infiniment Vanille and the shimmering Pistache et Griottine, an amazing flavor combination of pistachio, ceylon cinnamon and griottine cherry. Plus an oversized mogador macaron, tart passion fruit cookies filled with decadent milk chocolate. So good. I visited twice during my trip and didn't even bother with <a href="https://instagram.com/p/2F12RtmKAb/">Ladurée</a> (Paris' other famous macaron emporium) until I got to the airport for the flight home.
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I was also eager to try another famous French pastry, the Canelé. While not a Parisian thing, Canelé are a Bordeaux specialty, one of my favorite food blogs recommended the Pierre Hermé version. And it was delightful. Edges crisp with burnt sugar with a light, vanilla scented spongy-custard interior.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17538229142/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A beautiful canelé from the famous Parisian bakery, Pierre Hermé." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/17538229142_a8e29f8cd3_z.jpg" title="The canelé." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17352772778/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="You must try a canelé from Pierre Hermé, the world famous bakery in Paris." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7777/17352772778_d9a9b85f9e_c.jpg" title="Mmmhmmm." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17352732278/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two Pierre Hermé macarons, the Infiniment Vanille and the shimmering Pistache et Griottine, an amazing flavor combination of pistachio, ceylon cinnamon and griottine cherry" border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/17352732278_aa8aa537d2_z.jpg" title="Pistache et Griottine & Infiniment Vanille" width="525" /></a></div>
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The only thing more French than the Eiffel Tower is the Arc de Triomphe. The traffic around Paris' second favorite monument is intense. A dozen boulevards, including shopping mecca, the Champs-Elysées, converge in a roundabout from hell. To get to the Arch, pedestrians take an underground tunnel that bypasses the mess at ground level. I visited in the early evening and there was no real line to speak of, but I did use my <a href="http://en.parismuseumpass.com/">Paris Museum Pass</a> to get faster access. There's no elevator and the dark, seemingly endless, spiral staircases are a bit daunting.<br />
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The view is totally worth it. There's the hustle and bustle of the Champs-Elysées to the east. Then, to the north, the hills of Montmarte and the glowing white dome of Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Looking west you'll see the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17352460798/">metropolitan business district of La Défense</a> with it's own Grande Arche, a modern counterpart to the Arch de Triumphe. And of course, to the south, you can't miss the Eiffel Tower. I recommend visiting an hour or two before sunset, when the city takes on a golden glow and and the trees cast long shadows over the wide boulevards and architecture.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/18064855785/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Arc de Triomphe casts long shadows over the hectic intersection of Champs-Élysées in Paris." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/18064855785_c87dbdc9b1_z.jpg" title="Champs-Élysées & Shadows." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17876907488/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Underneath the massive Arc de Triomphe in Paris." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/17876907488_9fa630abaf_z.jpg" title="From below." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17352671080/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="There's room to relax at the top of one of Paris' most famous monuments, the Arc de Triomphe." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7677/17352671080_10b1e36812_z.jpg" title="Up top." width="525" /></a></div>
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-61986522976356847212015-09-15T19:51:00.000-04:002015-10-07T11:40:51.489-04:00Paris in Black & White - Wordless Wednesdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-69520532132621940052015-07-22T08:07:00.000-04:002015-07-22T11:32:00.611-04:00The Prettiest Little Market in Prague<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15565464259/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A young girl ponders dessert options at a pastry stall in the Prague Farmer's Market. " border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7537/15565464259_60a0dcbcca_z.jpg" title="oh the struggle is real!" width="525" /></a></div>
Markets! <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/search/label/market">Visiting local markets</a> is one of my favorite things to do when I'm travelling. If you've visited this blog before than you might have stumbled across some of my posts on markets in <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2012/05/best-thing-i-ate-in-barcelona-el-quim.html" target="_blank">Barcelona</a>, <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2013/08/venice-rialto-market-mercato-di-rialto.html" target="_blank">Venice</a>, and <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2013/01/london-borough-market.html" target="_blank">London</a>. I visited not one, but two farmer's markets, or farmářské trhy, during my trip to Prague. The first, and my favorite, was the market in the lovely Vinohrady neighborhood.
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<a href="http://www.farmarsketrziste.cz/en/jirak-en/where-to-find-jirak">Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák</a>, is the one. The market was bustling when I visited on Halloween Eve last fall. Full of moms with toddlers, housewives shopping for their evening meal, and backpackers looking for a cheap, good lunch. And bonus - lots and lots of puppies! Though the market site is compact, the stalls are comprehensive. Beautiful bread and produce and meat and pickles! Plus plenty of ready to eat options.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15254691974/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák, Prague Farmer's Market is full of vibrant produce, like this colorful cabbage." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8632/15254691974_34d981d335_z.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15490943707/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A young child is ready to trick or treat at Prague's Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15490943707_f52c2da939_z.jpg" title="Ready to trick or treat!" width="525" /></a></div>
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The market had a distinct family friendly vibe. Early in the day there was a booth where kids could create Halloween themed crafts like <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/19057366033/">bags for trick or treating</a>. When I swung back in the late afternoon most of the market stalls were gone but there was live music and tons of people strolling around after work.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15491347480/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A patient puppy waits for his owners to finish their shopping at Prague's Jiřího z Poděbrad Farmer's Market." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15491347480_28ee7a2882_c.jpg" title="A patient puppy waits for his owners to finish their shopping." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15876950355/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beautiful fresh baked bread at Jiřího z Poděbrad Farmer's Market in Prague's Vinohrady neighborhood." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15876950355_07d50f8d86_z.jpg" title="bread and bread." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15565913628/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fresh, vibrant radishes for sale at Prague Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/15565913628_b141588e6b_z.jpg" title="Rah Rah Radishes" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15565472769/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A vendor at Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák in Prague takes a lunch break." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5602/15565472769_6323f52b39_z.jpg" title="Soup for everyone!" width="525" /></a></div>
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It seemed like <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15115596283/">everyone at the market</a> was eating a cup of vibrantly orange pumpkin soup. I figured they must be in the know and joined the longest queue for some of my own. It was good stuff. Smooth with enough body to fill you up, topped with a spoonful of crunchy seeds for texture. I bought a cup of hot pear cider to drink and now consider it the most perfect fall beverage in existence. Why don't we drink this in the US? Or do we, just not around my Midwest home base? For dessert, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15674248751/">a slice of poppyseed cheesecake</a> so dense with seeds that it was more crunch than cream. The dark, nutty taste of the poppyseed was fantastically unique but a bit intense. I saved half for an after dinner treat.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15874961441/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fresh herbs for sale at Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák in Prague." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7488/15874961441_3ebe7fd096_c.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15751350535/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lots of dogs and their humans at the Prague Farmer's Market, Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/15751350535_31b9747f24_z.jpg" title="a dog and his human" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15993993779/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sausage and other meats at the butcher's stall in the Vinohrady Farmer's Market in Prague, Czech Republic. " border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15993993779_8eaf04eebf_z.jpg" title="so much meat!" width="525" /></a></div>
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The market is super simple to find in Prague 3. It's walkable, but you can easily take the metro or tram. I took the tram over then, after a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15491380030">trip up the Žižkov Television Tower</a>, walked leisurely back to my hotel in the city center. Overall, I found Prague's public transportation very simple to navigate (just remember to validate your ticket when you enter.) Vinohrady is a really beautiful area with tons to see, nice architecture, shopping, and restaurants to explore. If you have more than a few days in Prague I would highly recommend venturing out from Old Town Square and spending some time in the neighborhood. The market is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m through mid afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15549688430/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A wine bar near Jiřího z Poděbrad square and farmer's market in Prague." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7499/15549688430_dd9b4a3b30_c.jpg" title="A wine bar!" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15056801123/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A delightful cup of fresh pair cider at the Vinohrady Famer's Market in Prague. " border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15056801123_eea88b0a12_c.jpg" title="My new favorite fall beverage, fresh pair cider." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15490967957/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Must try at the Prague Farmer's Market, poppyseed cheesecake at Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15490967957_67133a9834_z.jpg" title="A slice of poppyseed cheesecake, all the poppyseeds." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16180044575/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fresh flats of eggs on sale at the Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák, Prague Farmer's Market." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8667/16180044575_2cfdfcea83_z.jpg" title="plenty of eggs" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15711276756/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A vendor at the Prague Farmer's Market in Vinohrady serves up some autumnal pumpkin soup." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15711276756_e47ea5aa2e_z.jpg" title="that soup." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15115596283/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Delicious pumpkin soup at a farmer's market in Prague, Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3955/15115596283_ba0e344233_z.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/19057438893/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pickles and fermented vegetables ready to go at Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák, a farmer's market in Prague, Czech Republic." border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/521/19057438893_792e913712_z.jpg" title="and pickles too" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/19671250312/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bulk pickles for sale at the Vinohrady neighborhood Farmer's Market in Prague, Czech Republic." border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/421/19671250312_45658497a4_z.jpg" title="Fermented pickles in their cloudy brine" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/19490294020/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lots of beautiful buildings in Prague's Vinohrady neighborhood." border="0" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/289/19490294020_9e40c9b642_c.jpg" title="pretty buildings to go with the pretty food." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15566535810/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Brussels Sprouts and carrots for sale at Prague's Vinohrady Farmer's Market." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7545/15566535810_caeefca400_z.jpg" title="bulk brussels" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15114702054/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák, Farmer's Market in Prague's Vinohrady neighborhood can be found on a beautiful open square, easily accessible by public transport." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3944/15114702054_4ac3c2c69d_z.jpg" title="And a pretty square too." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15560250583/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lots of produce available at the Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, or Jiřák, Vinohrady Farmer's Market in Prague, Czech Republic." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7534/15560250583_8a01b0a455_z.jpg" title="all the veg." width="525" /></a></div>
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-36966359754869419532015-07-01T08:00:00.000-04:002015-07-02T13:57:17.609-04:00Amsterdam - Museum Van Loon & Café Lanskroon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15731194748/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A portrait in one of the bedrooms of the canal house, Museum Van Loon, in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7479/15731194748_f7ba1f49fc_z.jpg" title="Who knows who." width="525" /></a></div>
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It rains and it's okay. That's my new travel mantra. Inclement weather can be such a bother when you're exploring a new place. I always hope for blue skies and moderate temperatures when I set out on a trip and, for the most part, I've been extraordinarily lucky weather-wise. My luck caught up to me last fall in Amsterdam where I had several chilly, rainy, generally miserable to be outside kinda days. Ultimately the rain slowed me down some, but it also gave me the opportunity to put my <a href="http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart/">Amsterdam Museumkaart</a> to good use. In just one day I visited three small museums that I probably would have missed otherwise.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15892811576/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A rainy view into the lovely gardens of Museum Van Loon in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7512/15892811576_4e1056db22_z.jpg" title="A rainy garden." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15731172988/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An elegant, light-filled sitting room in Amsterdam's Museum Van Loon." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8637/15731172988_24820a3372_c.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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My first stop was the seriously lovely <a href="http://www.museumvanloon.nl/museum/huis">Museum Van Loon</a>. This well preserved Canal House was built in 1672 by William Van Loon, one of the founders of the Dutch East-India Company. It's a gorgeous home full of period furniture and lots of tall windows that fill each room with light, even on a gray day. Conveniently, the Van Loon house sits on the Keizersgracht, or the Emperor’s Canal. It's one of the widest canals in Amsterdam and houses several Museumkart eligible museums.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15296344394/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/15296344394_c09e73b2dc_z.jpg" title="Dining Room" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15296401524/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One of many beautiful rooms at the Museum Van Loon in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/15296401524_360ce30fc8_c.jpg" title="my favorite room, can't resist that toille." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15296439244/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A rainy day in Amsterdam is the perfect excuse to explore some of the city's smaller museums, like Museum Van Loon. " border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7513/15296439244_8596a72660_z.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15732671769/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A statue marks the year 1578 in the garden of Museum Van Loon." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8675/15732671769_9c10b7ec95_c.jpg" title="old things in amsterdam" width="525" /></a></div>
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After Museum Van Loon I stopped into another historical Canal House, <a href="http://www.geelvinck.nl/english/">Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis</a>. It's not quite as charming as the airy Van Loon complex, but still a nice way to spend an hour. The home has a beautiful little library and very nice gardens. There was a couple taking <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16400144988/">wedding photos</a> inside, which made touring a few of the rooms a bit awkward.
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My last museum stop of the morning was <a href="http://www.foam.org/">FOAM</a>, Photography Museum Amsterdam. I almost didn't visit -- I was starting to get a little hungry. But I'm so glad I decided to stop and tour the collection. I was thrilled to learn that FOAM had just opened the traveling exhibit, <i>Vivian Maier: Street Photographer</i>. If you're not familiar with Maier's work and story I encourage you to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15546873608/in/album-72157648570229458/">check her out</a>.
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In a nutshell, <a href="http://www.vivianmaier.com/">Vivian Maier</a> worked as a nanny for most of her life while producing an astonishing output (100,000 to 150,000 negatives!) of street photography in her free time. She was extremely secretive about her work which was only recently discovered by a third party. In 2007 John Maloof won a haul of negatives in a storage unit auction and has worked since then to develop, curate, and promote Maier's photographs. After enjoying the exhibit I was delighted to discover Maloof's documentary <i>Finding Vivian Maier</i> was available on demand to watch on my flight home.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16288953526/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The perfect afternoon pick me up in Amsterdam, an espresso and stroopwaffel at Lanskroon." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/16288953526_35906c0caa_z.jpg" title="What a treat." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16127331928/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One of the cafe's resident cats patrols Lanskroon in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/16127331928_f08a6eaf43_c.jpg" title="a furry friend " width="525" /></a></div>
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After museum hopping all morning, plus a stop at the Spui Book Market, I needed a pick-me-up. Pint size cafe <a href="http://www.lanskroon.nl/">Lanskroon</a> was just the place. I had a to wait a few minutes for a seat, and my treats, before I settling in to warm up. The cozy shop offers a wide variety of sweets, including pies and cakes, but I chose a traditional Dutch treat, the stroopwaffel. Roughly translated to syrup waffle, a stroopwaffel is two thin, wafer-y cookies that sandwich a layer of syrup or some other sweet gooey substance. I ordered the coffee caramel stroopwaffel (they also have a honey-filled option) which was oh so nice paired with an espresso. If I did it all over again (and I would, happily) I might get a latte and do like the Dutch, setting my cookie on top of the coffee to warm up the filling.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16313099181/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An espresso pick-me-up at Lanskroon in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8574/16313099181_6ed1d1cee1_z.jpg" title="An espresso pick-me-up at Lanskroon in Amsterdam." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16313094501/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A special treat on a rainy day, coffee caramel stroopwaffel from Amsterdam's Lanskroon cafe." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/16313094501_fd0ce21ab5_z.jpg" title="A special treat on a rainy day, coffee caramel stroopwaffel from Amsterdam's Lanskroon cafe." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15692456734/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Entrance to the lovely Lanskroon cafe found right in the heart of Amsterdam's city center." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7539/15692456734_c233a30fe3_c.jpg" title="Enter here." width="525" /></a></div>
<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-73306281717486040242015-05-20T18:15:00.000-04:002015-05-20T18:17:50.869-04:00Paris in Instagram - Wordless Wednesdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16804217774/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunset at the I.M. Pei's glass pyramid at the Louvre." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8727/16804217774_4bfc34f0de_z.jpg" title="Sunset at the I.M. Pei's glass pyramid at the Louvre." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17238598878/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Eat these. Macarons at Pierre Herme. " border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7683/17238598878_7aea1f9e65_z.jpg" title="Eat these. Macarons at Pierre Herme. " width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17423614682/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stunning stained glass at chapel Sainte-Chapelle." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8791/17423614682_abddf47c51_z.jpg" title="Stunning stained glass at chapel Sainte-Chapelle." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17400874856/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My first baguette in Paris, conveniently purchased from the boulangerie across the street from my airbnb." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8716/17400874856_d14fe795d7_z.jpg" title="My first baguette in Paris." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16804059494/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paris parks are very dusty." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/16804059494_f805e5962d_z.jpg" title="Paris parks are very dusty." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16804310414/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ping Pong Party at the Pompidou Centre. " border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/16804310414_94131e2e12_z.jpg" title="Ping Pong Party at the Pompidou Centre. " width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17424218785/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bats in the opera, gorgeous ceilings at Palais Garnier." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7677/17424218785_64c7e7a1eb_z.jpg" title="Bats in the opera, gorgeous ceilings at Palais Garnier." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17244604889/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Church of Saint-Ambroise, plus a metro stop, just steps from my Airbnb apartment." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7779/17244604889_91968acb90_z.jpg" title="Church of Saint-Ambroise, plus a metro stop, just steps from my Airbnb apartment." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/17422892212/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Always look up, especially in the Louvre." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8878/17422892212_0f6586abe8_z.jpg" title="Always look up, especially in the Louvre." width="525" /></a></div>
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<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-44150182095734583162015-05-14T08:00:00.000-04:002015-05-14T23:19:04.311-04:00Prague - Cafe de Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15700633392/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A walk through the colorful streets of Prague." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15700633392_3433e3d84d_z.jpg" title="A walk through the colorful streets of Prague." width="525" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I feel like I'll never get caught up blogging about my travels. I love being able to share my photos and experiences, especially as processing the images and writing about what I did allows me live it all over again. Still, I have never been a fast writer, putting words to paper (or web page) will probably always be slow going for me. What I'm trying to say is that the events pictured here happened a while ago. I was in Prague last fall and I'm just now back from 12 days in Paris. I ate and enjoyed steak frites in both cities. First at Cafe de Paris in Prague, then at Le Relais de l'Entrecôte in Paris.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15524429748/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A foggy view up a fall hill in Prague. " border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15524429748_4f610bed2b_z.jpg" title="A foggy view up a fall hill in Prague. " width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15513180439/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Through a shop window. " border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/15513180439_3c7d6b1154_c.jpg" title="Art prints seen through a shop window in Prague, Czech Republic." width="525" /></a></div>
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At <a href="http://www.cafedeparis.cz/en/">Cafe de Paris</a> there's only one thing to order, Steak Entrecôte. You can start with some foie gras or onion soup, but the set menu of salad, bread, steak, and fries is more than enough for the average human. Out first is a generous salad, nicely dressed in a mustard-y vinaigrette, a small plate of sliced baguette on the side. Then, in no time at all, two platters arrive. Steak and fries served in abundance. Your waiter will portion both precisely onto your plate.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15514199050/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Interior" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7542/15514199050_ba91aa06b7_z.jpg" title="The dining room at Cafe de Paris in Prague, Czech Republic." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15513137809/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A very pretty salad." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15513137809_6456870dc0_z.jpg" title="First course at Cafe de Paris, a lovely salad dressed in a mustardy vinaigrette." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15513159139/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steak Entrecôte and Frites" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/15513159139_239249574f_z.jpg" title="Steak Entrecôte and Frites, the signature dish at Prague's Cafe de Paris." width="525" /></a></div>
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Periodically he'll swing by to refill your plate with more steak, more fries, and most importantly, more sauce. It's a lot of food. The beef and fries are good, not great-the beef just a touch chewy, the fries a bit too crisp. Their real task is to serve as vehicles for the secret (as my waiter made sure to inform me) sauce. Rich with butter and loaded with shallots and herbs, it could make an old shoe palatable.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15675291186/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A bubbly bottle of cranberry juice to go with my meal." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/15675291186_f5665808a5_z.jpg" title="A bubbly bottle of cranberry juice to go with my meal." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15513806877/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I bet I know what they'll order." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15513806877_110c0d1f9a_c.jpg" title="Diners peruse the menu at Cafe de Paris in Prague." width="525" /></a></div>
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It's a comfortable little restaurant. The dining room is intimate yet modern with smartly dressed waiters in waist coats and bow ties. I arrived to an empty restaurant just after opening, around noon, but the small space filled up quickly. By the time I was done every table was full and there was a group waiting. Bring cash! I had read that it was a cash only restaurant during my research, but it completely slipped my mind until I arrived and, thankfully, saw the sign on the door. So I wandered around for a good twenty minutes hunting down an atm to fund my meal. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15697112591/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mmmm saucey steak and frites" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/15697112591_9a631247b1_z.jpg" title="Steak Entrecôte and Frites, the signature dish at Prague's Cafe de Paris." width="525" /></a></div>
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Stuffed and happy I headed back out into a foggy Prague to check out the view and library at Strahov Monastery. A few photos for now, I'll leave the rest for a future entry.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15700640672/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A tram in Prague." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15700640672_e5c47b9319_c.jpg" title="A tram in Prague." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16300458844/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Good morning." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8703/16300458844_1aa8634fb2_z.jpg" title="A view of the Charles Bridge on a foggy morning in Prague." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15816846312/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Books in Strahov Monastery's Theological Hall" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/15816846312_aa65c5fd0a_z.jpg" title="A view of the Theological Hall at Strahov Monastery in Prague." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15813465391/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The grand Philosophical Hall at the Strahov Monastery" border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/15813465391_241544973b_c.jpg" title="The grand Philosophical Hall at the Strahov Monastery in Prague." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16397850621/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The epic view from Strahov Monastery, hindered a bit by the fog." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/16397850621_a1b71f5718_z.jpg" title="The epic view from Strahov Monastery, hindered a bit by the fog." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16373609386/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="From the top of the hill." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/16373609386_af8ec11dca_z.jpg" title="A foggy Prague, viewed from above, at the Strahov Monastery." width="525" /></a></div>
<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-82965881479752247562015-04-08T17:35:00.000-04:002015-04-08T17:35:00.105-04:00Amsterdam in B&W - Wordless Wednesdays<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15965216694/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Visitors swarm the I Amsterdam sign on the Museumplein." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/15965216694_24e7c9881a_z.jpg" title="Visitors swarm the I Amsterdam sign on the Museumplein." width="525" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16400144988/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wedding photos at the Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/16400144988_b559dfe571_z.jpg" title="I stumbled onto a couple taking their wedding photos at Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16561376556/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Rijksmuseum's beautiful Bibliotheek, make sure to peek inside if you visit the museum." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/16561376556_0e2c7df9a2_c.jpg" title="The beautiful Bibliotheek at the Rijksmuseum." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16266772681/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A nighttime canal view in Amsterdam." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7506/16266772681_58df4782d5_z.jpg" title="canals at night" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16401477899/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="So many parked bikes near Amsterdam's Central Library." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/16401477899_f2a2fb3179_z.jpg" title="bikes and bikes and bikes!" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15646159584/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Visitors at Amsterdam's Modern Art museum, the Stedelijk." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8631/15646159584_222f0bb597_z.jpg" title="Visiting the Stedelijk, Amsterdam's Modern Art Museum." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15965201104/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bikes parked along one of Amsterdam's many canals on a foggy morning." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/15965201104_d0bd605fb3_z.jpg" title="black & white bikes & bokeh" width="525" /></a></div>
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-17647228731056450132015-03-09T19:22:00.000-04:002016-07-21T11:35:50.141-04:00Catedral de Sevilla + Casa Roman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/12166573465/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Still green Seville oranges frame the city's massive gothic Cathedral." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/12166573465_f94d2f4194_z.jpg" title="Still green Seville oranges frame the city's massive gothic Cathedral." width="525" /></a></div>
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You can't miss the Cathedral of Sevilla. The Cathedral's massive size and presence dominates the skyline of Sevilla's old quarter. La Giralda, a former minaret converted into a bell tower, stands so tall over the city's old quarter that I often used it like a compass to find my way home after a day of exploring. Reflecting Spain's Golden Age of discovery, the basilica is dominated by immense columns, elaborately tiled floor, and a soaring, ornately carved ceiling. After my visit I was un-surprised to learn that it is the largest Gothic church in the world. It's pretty epic.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/12166845493/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Giralda towers over Barrio Santa Cruz in Seville, Spain." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/12166845493_15d018245c_c.jpg" title="La Giralda towers over Barrio Santa Cruz in Seville, Spain." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/11301491815/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A statue of Christopher Columbus at the massive Cathedral of Seville." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/11301491815_89b668c64b_z.jpg" title="Christopher Columbus holds the world in his hand." width="525" /></a></div>
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A <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/383">UNESCO World Heritage site</a>, the cathedral was built over the Great Mosque the 1400s. Only the minaret and interior garden survived Christianization. The basilica also houses the (<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/12871458/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/dna-verifies-columbus-remains-spain/">alleged</a>) remains of Christopher Columbus. But good luck finding the monument, there's so much to see and so many tombs. I was distracted by the way that the stained glass windows filtered colored rays of light throughout the massive space. A few extra euro buys you a ticket to climb up La Giralda for a grand view of Sevilla. I skipped this in favor of a trip to the top of the Metropol Parasol later in the day. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/11301535526/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dramatic baroque tiles cover the floor of the Seville Cathedral in Spain." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/11301535526_ba6711d30e_c.jpg" title="Drama!" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/11301757495/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The epic vaulted ceilings at Seville Cathedral." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/11301757495_05996095ce_z.jpg" title="Super high ceilings" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/11301630536/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tree trunk like columns dominate the space at Seville Cathedral." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/11301630536_2e8074a834_c.jpg" title="Columns like tree trunks" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/11301606834/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An ornate alter to the Virgin Mary at the Cathedral of Seville." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/11301606834_d4f858e758_z.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/11302760425/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The ornate interior of the Seville Cathedral in Spain." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/11302760425_06570c4939_z.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/12167287476/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A sunny day in the center of Sevilla - Barrio Santa Cruz." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/12167287476_8f0429120a_z.jpg" title="a sunny day" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/12166861663/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/12166861663_c6c5aeb36a_b.jpg" title="Barrio Santa Cruz" width="525" /></a></div>
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And it was time for lunch. I stumbled my way to Casa Roman, <a href="http://azahar-sevilla.com/">another restaurant recommended by Shawn Hennessey</a>, and had an incredibly simple, perfectly delicious meal. Like <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2014/04/snapshots-spain-tapas-las-teresas-sevilla.html">Las Teresas</a>, Casa Roman has a lot of traditional Spanish charm.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13683659794/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Interior of the ultra charming Casa Roman in Seville, Spain" border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/13683659794_ee8169c3f0_z.jpg" title="So charming, Casa Roman." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/10770187496/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An appetizer of grilled zucchini and a tinto at Casa Roman in Seville, Spain" border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/10770187496_e5d3e6ce22_c.jpg" title="tinto + veg" width="525" /></a></div>
Along with my now customary tinto, I decided I needed something green (I ate a lot of pork and potatoes in Spain). So a tapa of grilled zucchini seemed like just the thing. As is typical of many Spanish vegetable preparations, the zucchini was smothered in olive oil, rendering the flesh smooth and silky. Served cold like an antipasto, it was lovely.The main course was even better. I had the Grilled Presa Iberica, tender little strips of ibérico pork charred just so and liberally seasoned with coarse salt. A bed of fries below soaked up all the meaty juices.<br />
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After ending the meal with a coffee, my tired feet and full belly decided it was time for a siesta. I searched the skyline for La Giralda then followed it home to my hotel. A short rest later and I was ready for an <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2014/05/sevilla-sunset-at-las-setas-la-azotea.html" target="_blank">evening adventure at Las Setas and another lovely meal at La Azotea</a>.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/10770426723/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A delicious plate of grilled pork at Casa Roman. " border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/10770426723_f717623988_z.jpg" title="pork + potatoes" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/10770234594/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="High quality jamon hangs from the rafters of Sevilla's Casa Roman." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/10770234594_7aef23dbed_z.jpg" title="High quality jamon" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13683619644/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dining on jamon at Casa Roman in Seville, Spain" border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/13683619644_a23b7c0eca_z.jpg" title="jamon + beer" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/10770166605/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A cortado to finish the meal at Casa Roman." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/10770166605_476798f6fc_z.jpg" title="end of the meal coffee" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/10770415943/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grilled Presa Iberica at the traditional Spanish spot, Casa Roman." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/10770415943_35afbfbf8b_c.jpg" title="Grilled Presa Iberica" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/12166626995/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Green Seville Orange trees line a path towards la Giralda and the Seville Cathedral right in the heart of Barrio Santa Cruz." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/12166626995_a5561d7890_c.jpg" title="Beautiful Seville." width="525" /></a></div>
<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-4848886470813020522015-02-25T13:55:00.000-05:002015-02-25T14:59:30.538-05:00Good Morning, Prague<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16022641731/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunrise over the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic" border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/16022641731_c8886a22d8_z.jpg" title="Sunrise over the Vltava" width="525" /></a></div>
My first full day in Prague started with a misty early morning walk across the Vltava. The fog felt so appropriate, shrouding the Art Nouveau facades and pastel exteriors in a bit of mystery. The subtle beauty of the city revealed slowly, quietly the closer I explored.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15871315022/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An elegant breakfast at Cafe Savoy in Prague." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/15871315022_ddbe638000_z.jpg" title="an elegant beginning to the day." width="525" /></a></div>
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I stopped for breakfast at the lovely <a href="http://cafesavoy.ambi.cz/en/">Cafe Savoy</a>. All of the servers wear smart white collars, black vests, and bow ties lending an instant elegance to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15846123056/">already stunning interior</a>. Soft boiled eggs are never on the menu in my part of the world. But I wish they were. There's something so satisfying in process of their consumption. Toast soldiers to dip, then a tiny spoon to scoop.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15252295073/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cafe Savoy houses its own patisserie, check it out downstairs." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/15252295073_eaa736bc6e_z.jpg" title="All the breads" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15684432308/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The generous bread basket at Cafe Savoy." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7462/15684432308_46612cfe4e_z.jpg" title="a most generous bread basket" width="525" /></a></div>
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Alongside the egg there was sliced cheese and prague ham, plus a barely sweet wedge of nutty marble cake. And a generous bread basket with butter and two jams. And hot chocolate. How could I forget about the hot chocolate? All supplemented by an espresso served in the most beautiful little china cup. In Prague, espressos are often served with a miniature pitcher of steamed milk and a glass of water, it's such a thoughtful touch. Make sure to take a bathroom break before you leave, if only to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15871961995/">peek into the pâtisserie</a> where the pastries and breads are made each day.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/16024596995/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A misty morning over the Vltava River in Prague." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/16024596995_1864644af7_z.jpg" title="a Vltava view from the Legion Bridge" width="525" /></a></div>
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-54957751474558357942014-12-10T08:00:00.000-05:002014-12-10T09:18:05.162-05:00Prague in Instagram - Wordless Wednesdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/15036739053/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prague's iconic Charles Bridge on a misty morning in the Czech Republic." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/15036739053_1a1335760f.jpg" title="Prague's iconic Charles Bridge on a misty morning in the Czech Republic." width="500" /></a></div>
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<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-32417143656308658882014-09-03T22:30:00.000-04:002014-09-03T22:30:12.724-04:00Wordless Wednesdays - Sunny Barcelona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-17903147146362735792014-08-31T09:01:00.000-04:002014-08-31T12:10:28.617-04:00Lisbon - A Day in Belém<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On my second day in Lisbon I took the train out to Belém, a neighborhood in the southwesternmost corner of the city known for its Age of Discovery monuments. Located right on the River Tagus, Belém was often the departure spot for Portuguese explorers leaving to "discover" new lands. Between the Tower of Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery, and some great local eats, a trip to Belém is a beautiful way to spend a day in Lisbon.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8718395065/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The most famous pastry shop in Lisbon, Fábrica de Pasteis de Belém, don't miss their amazing egg pastry." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/8718395065_338c51e5c3_z.jpg" title="Fábrica de Pasteis de Belém" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8718408715/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Perfect Pastel de Belém, fabulous flaky pastry filled with egg custard and a burnished top." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/8718408715_3a003f3578_z.jpg" title="So delicious, Pastel de Belém." width="525" /></a></div>
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Before starting my sightseeing I stopped for breakfast at the famous Fábrica de Pasteis de Belém. It's an absolute Lisbon must. It was here that Portugal's signature egg tarts originated and it's the only sweet shop in the world that can officially call their pastries 'Pastel de Belém' (elsewhere they are pastel de nata.) Don't let the perpetual chaos inside deter you from a sugary treat. Get in line at the cash register to place your order, then hand your receipt to the servers at the counter who will deliver your food. The kitchen sends out wave after wave of pastry to fill demand, guaranteeing your order will be fresh and warm. <br />
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I sampled many Pasteis de Nata around the city, and all were good, but none came close to the perfection of Pasteis de Belém. Paper thin layers of buttery crisp pastry are filled with a rich, yet balanced, custard of sugar and egg. The pastry tops blister in high heat adding a toasty hint of caramel to the flavor profile. Powdered sugar and cinnamon are offered to sprinkle onto your pastry, I prefer the cinnamon. When the heat of the tart warms the cinnamon, the most irresistible fragrance of sugar and spice is released. And don't forget a coffee, an espresso or cafe con leche amounts to an ideal breakfast.<br />
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After breakfast I walked a ways down the main street of Belém, past the Jerónimos Monastery and on to the iconic Torre de Belém. My Lisboa card included entrance and allowed me to skip the rather lengthy queue. The tower is a beautiful structure in an incredibly picturesque setting. But there's not a ton to see inside. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower, but my fear of heights and mild claustrophobia kicked in, so I settled for a few photos on the main level. My favorite part was the people watching. During my visit the sandy moat was filled with children playing, while locals fished from the tower's rocky base.<br />
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Coming soon, a walk along the Tagus, delicious lunch at the restaurant Os Jerónimos, and a tour of the Jerónimos Monastery.
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Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-57414109777753858792014-07-30T07:57:00.000-04:002014-09-07T10:17:28.241-04:00Wordless Wednesdays - A Sunset Stroll in London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-86900674356663725112014-07-21T21:01:00.000-04:002014-07-21T21:01:16.961-04:00Lisbon - St. George's Castle & Piri Piri Chicken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8730712548/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Castelo de São Jorge, or St. George's Castle, looks out over red roofed Lisbon." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/8730712548_90171993ea_z.jpg" title="Castelo de São Jorge, or St. George's Castle, looks out over red roofed Lisbon." width="525" /></a></div>
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After <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2014/05/lisbon-windy-beginning.html" target="_blank">breakfast and a ride on Tram 28</a>, my next stop in Lisbon was Castelo de São Jorge, or St. George's Castle. Situated high in the hills, the Moorish castle offers epic views of the city's red roofed buildings and the bordering River Tagus. With such great sight lines it's no wonder the location was chosen to guard the city.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8720823001/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An ancient, gnarled tree stands on the grounds of St. George's Castle." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/8720823001_0db02a8cca_c.jpg" title="An ancient, gnarled tree stands on the grounds of St. George's Castle." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14084644449/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heavily fortified St. George's Castle holds a few surprises, can you spot the peacock?" border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5160/14084644449_5d6a449c69_z.jpg" title="Heavily fortified St. George's Castle holds a few surprises, can you spot the peacock?" width="525" /></a></div>
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Originally built by the Moors in the 11th century, the castle served as a luxurious refuge for Portuguese Royalty. In the 1500s the castle was fortified, taking on an increased military purpose. By the twentieth century, following a massive earthquake in 1755 and lots of military action, the royal palace and much of the castle was in ruins, necessitating extensive restoration work. Today, while the scale is grand, the castle feels very much like a fortress. Very little of the structure's former splendor remains.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8721941424/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A retired canon guards St. George's Castle and offers a great city view of Lisbon." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/8721941424_e028469846_c.jpg" title="A retired canon guards St. George's Castle and offers a great city view of Lisbon." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8716293222/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reflections of Lisbon in the window of a cafe at St. George's Castle." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/8716293222_42c020a426_z.jpg" title="Reflections of Lisbon in the window of a cafe at St. George's Castle." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8715164797/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A view of the River Tagus from high in the hills of Lisbon, at St. George's Castle." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/8715164797_c98d019796_z.jpg" title="A view of the River Tagus from high in the hills of Lisbon, at St. George's Castle." width="525" /></a></div>
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My favorite part of St. George's Castle was the animal life. Within the confines of the castle cats and peacocks roam free. The cats were pretty ambivalent towards humans. Most hung out along the edges of the fortress walls, while <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14291554213/in/set-72157633396184073">a few scavenged near the outdoor dining areas</a>. The peacocks seemed to pop up in unexpected spots (can you spot the peacock in <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14084644449/">this photo</a>?) but were a colorful addition to the somewhat drab stone castle. I had a bit of a laugh as one peacock was quite content to block the entrance to the women's restroom, intimidating several young ladies in need of the facilities.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14084717829/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Along with dozens of cats, proud peacocks roam the grounds of Lisbon's St. George Castle." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/14084717829_de91abc40f_c.jpg" title="Along with dozens of cats, proud peacocks roam the grounds of Lisbon's St. George Castle." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14084627259/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One of the many cats at St. George Castle in Lisbon." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/14084627259_dc72324755_z.jpg" title="One of the many cats at St. George Castle in Lisbon." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8715167093/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A peacock guards the restrooms at St. George's Castle in Lisbon, Portugal." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/8715167093_cc77e7a8ea_z.jpg" title="A peacock guards the restrooms at St. George's Castle in Lisbon, Portugal." width="525" /></a></div>
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The views are the biggest draw at the castle. I'm not sure it's a must see attraction unless you are a military or history buff. I enjoyed my visit but you can also get great views from many of the miradors scattered around Lisbon. Entry is discounted if you have purchased a <a href="http://www.golisbon.com/Lisboa-Card/">Lisboa Card</a> from the tourism center, otherwise the castle costs 7,50 euros for an adult. I visited in the early afternoon on a Monday and the entrance queue was quite long.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14084814167/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Climb the old stone steps to get the best views at Lisbon's St. George's Castle." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/14084814167_41529a6dae_c.jpg" title="Climb the old stone steps to get the best views at St. George's Castle." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14084698209/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Red roofs peak through the fortifications of St. George Castle in Lisbon, Portugal." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5239/14084698209_8807432dc0_z.jpg" title="Lots of red roofs." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8716285152/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A fantastic view of hilly Lisbon from the top of St. George's Castle." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/8716285152_a471a4be88_c.jpg" title="" width="525" /></a></div>
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I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Lisbon, hopping on and off the tram to take photos. Conveniently, Tram 28 ran right past my guesthouse with stops just a block away in both directions. Also steps away was Casa da India, where I sampled one of Lisbon's many signature dishes, piri-piri chicken.<br />
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Spit roasted and served with tangy pepper sauce, Casa da India's half chicken was pretty good. The white meat was a little dry (but the dark drumstick was great) and the french fries merely average. Both were greatly improved by the addition of spicy chili oil. The best thing on the plate might have been the rice, which was speckled with carrots and greens, and (best of all) absorbed some of the salty chicken drippings. Factor in a mini bottle of Vinho Verde, and dinner was a success.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8706431385/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A half chicken with rice and french fries at Casa da India in Lisbon, Portugal." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8706431385_3b4dbea172_z.jpg" title="A half chicken with rice and french fries at Casa da India ." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8707550486/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Make sure to request some Piri Piri sauce to accompany your chicken at Casa da India in Lisbon." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/8707550486_c135fbec12_z.jpg" title="Make sure to request some Piri Piri sauce to accompany your chicken at Casa da India" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14248277136/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I didn't have any trouble, but keep an eye out for pick pockets on Lisbon's Tram 28." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5199/14248277136_082b2be934_c.jpg" title="I didn't have any trouble, but keep an eye out for pick pockets on Lisbon's Tram 28." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8706437471/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The view from the balcony at my guesthouse in Lisbon, Portugal." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8706437471_09dd98f981_z.jpg" title="The view from the balcony at my guesthouse in Lisbon, Portugal." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/8706435363/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chicken is grilled at Casa da India in Lisbon's Chiado neighborhood." border="0" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8706435363_2759e31be3_z.jpg" title="Chicken is grilled at Casa da India in Lisbon's Chiado neighborhood." width="525" /></a></div>
Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-90446628987661931362014-07-09T10:25:00.000-04:002014-07-09T10:25:52.822-04:00Wordless Wednesdays - Granada in Black & White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14356719047/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A statue of Neptune welcomes visitors to Granada's Plaza Bib-Rambla near the city's grand Cathedral." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/14356719047_12fce19b9d_z.jpg" title="A statue of Neptune welcomes visitors to Granada's Plaza Bib-Rambla near the city's grand Cathedral." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14492042062/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Decorative bottles line a restaurant window in Granada, Spain." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/14492042062_46301f006d_z.jpg" title="Decorative bottles line a restaurant window in Granada, Spain." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14330586029/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunlight glows through detailed Moorish carvings inside the Nasrid Palaces at the Alhambra in Granada." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/14330586029_f40ed4d301_c.jpg" title="Sunlight glows through detailed Moorish carvings inside the Nasrid Palaces at the Alhambra in Granada." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14520054656/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Alhambra's Alcazaba Fortress offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14520054656_bb2ab2e9e4_z.jpg" title="Epic views from the Alcazaba Fortress at the Alhambra in Granada." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14330739617/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A sunny day means great views at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/14330739617_d9ac2e5fbf_z.jpg" title="sunny silhouette" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14330733877/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sunlight shines through carvings in the ceiling of the Alhambra's old bath house. " border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2915/14330733877_cde451c541_c.jpg" title="Sunlight shines through carvings in the ceiling of the Alhambra's old bath house. " width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14541702114/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A lion stands guard at the Generalife Gardens part of the Alhambra complex in Granada, Spain." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/14541702114_c9bc5f7b0a_z.jpg" title="A lion at the Alhambra's Generalife Gardens." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14541690294/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An empty room at the Nasrid Palace inside the Alhambra." border="0" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/14541690294_fd0565c45b_z.jpg" title="An empty room at the Nasrid Palace inside the Alhambra." width="525" /></a></div>
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<br />Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3222273896924471601.post-87472703315169064412014-06-30T23:43:00.001-04:002015-02-01T23:17:36.940-05:00London - Tourists & Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14119831395/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="London's Trafalgar Square, from the base of the massive National Gallery." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/14119831395_23980753b2_z.jpg" title="London's Trafalgar Square, from the base of the massive National Gallery." width="525" /></a></div>
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When I'm planning a trip I often have an internal debate, should I spend my time in one city to really get a feel for it or squeeze in as many destinations as possible? With a major city like London it's a no brainer. My friend Katy and I spent a (mostly) leisurely ten days in the city. We were able to take our time exploring London and took a lovely <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2013/04/oxford-england-bigbang-daytrip-christchurch.html">day trip to Oxford</a>. But even with well over a week to sight see, our last day crept up on us. Suddenly we had a handful of places to see and things to do, all within a span of 12 hours.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933217828/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A sunny view of Buckingham Palace in London, England." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/13933217828_d612d31417_z.jpg" title="Buckingham Palace" width="525" /></a></div>
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We started our day at the massive National Gallery. It's free (!!!) and full of masterpieces essential to the canon of Art History. It's also huge and kind of exhausting to navigate. And we didn't even attempt to conquer the National <i>Portrait</i> Gallery. There's so much great art in London that it can be a little overwhelming. For a slightly more manageable art experience, <a href="http://eatrepeat.blogspot.com/2014/03/london-courtald-gallery-somerset-house.html" target="_blank">make sure to visit the lovely Courtauld Gallery</a>, which houses many important Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces.
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But back to The National Gallery, here's <a href="http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/explore-the-paintings/30-highlight-paintings/" target="_blank">a list of paintings</a> that you should make certain to view during your visit. As a former Art History major, I was thrilled to see so many of the pieces I had once studied, like 'Madonna of the Rocks' by da Vinci, Manet's 'Music in the Tuileries Gardens' and, especially, 'The Arnolfini Portrait' by van Eyck. In person, the latter was much smaller than I expected. But that just made the level of detail involved all the more impressive.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933198658/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nelson's Column marks the middle of Trafalgar Square in London." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/13933198658_428be264dd_c.jpg" title="Nelson's Column marks the middle of Trafalgar Square in London." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933202668/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An iconic red telephone box in the heart of London, England." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/13933202668_da773befae_z.jpg" title="An iconic red telephone box in the heart of London, England." width="525" /></a></div>
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After a few hours immersed in the museum, we found a wonderfully sunny London waiting outside. We paused for some photos at Trafalgar Square then looped around Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and, finally, Buckingham Palace. We didn't stay for the changing of the guard, just stopped for a peak before heading to <a href="http://www.fortnumandmason.com/" target="_blank">posh tea emporium, Fortnum & Mason</a>. The multi-storied Piccadilly location is enormous, with a floor full of teas and treats, one for china, and <a href="http://www.afternoontealadies.com/2012/12/review-fortnum-and-mason.html">their own tea room</a> (next time!)
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We spent entirely too much time ogling the hundreds of teas, jam, and sweets, then debating which to take home as gifts and souvenirs. I left with two tins of cream biscuits (lemon marmalade and chocolate covered orange,) two jars of preserves (amazing lemon curd and gooseberry & elderflower) plus a box of Countess Gray tea, a delightful smoky citrus blend that I have been carefully doling out since the trip. All that shopping for tea had us ready to try some, so we set off for our final London indulgence, the most British of pastimes, afternoon tea.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14116534951/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="London's massive Gothic church, Westminster Abbey." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14116534951_85fbfe90c2_z.jpg" title="Westminster Abbey" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14139918483/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A tower of tea treats at Brown's Hotel in London." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/14139918483_7c4ee84f62_b.jpg" title="A tower of tea treats at Brown's Hotel in London." width="525" /></a></div>
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There are tons of options when it comes to traditional afternoon tea in London and, after a little research, we chose Brown's Hotel in Mayfair. Doing my homework, I learned that afternoon tea and high tea are <a href="http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/information/what-is-high-tea/">not interchangeable terms</a>. Traditionally, afternoon tea was more of a luxury for the upper classes, a sustaining bridge between midday and a late evening meals. While High Tea was a full, heavier meal, served around 6pm, to hungry members of the working class after a long day. Tea at Brown's falls firmly in the luxury category and it's evident as soon as you step into the hotel. Our coats were quickly whisked away and we were settled onto plush, low couches. Afternoon tea is an experience, an expensive, fancy experience.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933170627/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A perfect cup of tea at Brown's Hotel in London, England." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7408/13933170627_22992117c6_z.jpg" title="cuppa" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14116799992/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Afternoon Tea at Brown's Hotel in London is served with real silver." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/14116799992_ffddabb204_z.jpg" title="Afternoon Tea at Brown's Hotel in London is served with real silver." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933198849/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What's afternoon tea without scones paired with clotted cream and jam?" border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/13933198849_2d669b56cf_z.jpg" title="What's afternoon tea without scones paired with clotted cream and jam?" width="525" /></a></div>
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The menu at Brown's features around 17 teas and I wish I could recall which I ordered. I do remember that both Katy and I were pleased with our selections. Our teas were delivered promptly followed by an elegant tower of delicious things. You absolutely won't leave hungry. Knowing that tea would be both pricey and filling, we prepared by eating breakfast then smartly abstaining until our reservation. From top to bottom, all treats are continually replenished on request. Including the perfectly trimmed and filled finger sandwiches. From left to right: cucumber, smoked salmon, roast beef, egg salad, and chicken salad. I enjoyed all, but my favorites were the salads, chicken and egg.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933205399/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Warm cream and currant scones at Brown's Hotel in London." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/13933205399_12cd2ce6be_z.jpg" title="Warm cream and currant scones" width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933227500/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A selection of perfectly trimmed sandwiches served at afternoon tea at Brown's Hotel." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/13933227500_51e5a426ea_z.jpg" title="A selection of perfectly trimmed sandwiches." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14119870475/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A fresh scone gets the clotted cream treatment at the Brown's Hotel." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/14119870475_edfa483e44_z.jpg" title="A fresh scone gets the clotted cream treatment." width="525" /></a></div>
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If you've never been lucky enough to try clotted cream, you should get on that asap. Though the name is kind of terrible, clotted cream in fact tastes like pure, unsweetened whipped cream with a thick, almost sticky texture. Paired with loosely set strawberry jam on top of a tender scone, it's basically heaven. Brown's petite scones are delivered separately from the rest of the tea tower, so they're fresh and warm from the oven.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14116810022/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A light chicken and watercress sandwich at Brown's Hotel afternoon tea." border="0" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14116810022_2fda5c9832_z.jpg" title="A light chicken and watercress sandwich." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14139945823/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our table neighbors just nibbled a bit on their Afternoon Tea before leaving quickly." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/14139945823_e646a5732c_z.jpg" title="Our table neighbors just nibbled a bit on their Afternoon Tea before leaving quickly." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933239200/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The desert plate for afternoon tea at Brown's Hotel." border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/13933239200_497b37fcb3_z.jpg" title="The desert plate." width="525" /></a></div>
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At the top of the tea tower is a plate of sweets, varieties change seasonally. We were served a cup of chocolate moose, a darling pistachio eclair, a raspberry filled tea cake, an oversized macaron, and a two-bite fruit tart. I admit that I filled up on scones and sandwiches so I don't remember much about these, especially after a trolley came around, delivering slices of chocolate cream and vanilla strawberry cake.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14119873725/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="And it's not over, a cart swings by with freshly sliced cake at Brown's Hotel." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/14119873725_c0e49a0ffd_z.jpg" title="And it's not over, a cart swings by with freshly sliced cake." width="525" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/14139953793/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The aftermath of endless tea at Brown's Hotel." border="0" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/14139953793_e067c1e48a_z.jpg" title="The aftermath of endless tea at Brown's Hotel." width="525" /></a></div>
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Although the setting and service was quite formal, we never felt uncomfortable. In fact, it was quite fun to observe the visitors surrounding us. A clearly affluent couple to our left breezed in for some champagne and tea then left after just a few bites from their tower of food. Meanwhile, to our right, a pair of girls were clearly making a day of it, having arrived before us and still there as we took our leave. We too made the most of our time, taking seconds of sandwiches and scones along with several refills of hot water for our tea.<br />
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Booking ahead at Brown's is recommended. It's <a href="https://browns.skchase.com/252076">super easy to do online</a>, just a few clicks and a credit card and we had our reservation. We were a little early for our seating, but it was no problem. Tables are reserved for 90 minutes but we were never rushed in any way, perhaps it would be a different story during prime weekend hours. Spending a leisurely afternoon at Brown's was a wonderful way to end our trip to London. Even if it was a bit of a budget buster it was one of the most memorable experiences of the visit.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aubrey_rose/13933184369/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/13933184369_0ea15e900e_z.jpg" width="525" /></a></div>Aubrey Dunnuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14836916317137799292noreply@blogger.com0