December | 2011 | The Perpetual Passenger

Marvelous Marrakech!

December 20, 2011 · by Nikki

So the latest leg on my endless itinerary has taken me to Morocco to spend four days with colleagues in the country’s beautiful capital. Though, as is often the case, I didn’t get to spend as much time as I would have liked exploring the city, I did get to see some amazing things, and snapped a few photos on the way. For your viewing pleasure:

: My bedroom in the riad

: The landscape from the rooftop deck

: More beautiful scenery

: Not a cloud in the sky…

: A gorgeous snow peak

: The streets in a village in the Ourika Valley

: So fresh!

: Red mountains

: Another view of the village

: Wanna go for a walk?

: A willow tree and a river provide a nice eating spot

: Beautiful subject and background…

: A different kind of foliage

: Colors!

: Arabic architecture at it’s finest

: Just a typical day in the square

: Monkey business

: Snaaaaake a snaaaaake (badger, badger, badger)

: The freshest oj on the market

: More colors

Marrakech was definitely unlike any other place I’ve traveled to so far. The city was always bustling, and people seemed to overflow into the streets. The energy was about as fierce as the selling techniques found in the souk (the largest “traditional” market in Morocco), and the food was as spicy as the colors were bright. My favorite item to consume? Moroccan orange juice. As one who doesn’t typically enjoy my oj pulpy, I can tell you that even with a little texture on my tongue, this stuff was mind-blowing.

We stayed in a riad located in the Medina, and if you ever get a chance to say in Marrakech, definitely check out Riad Les Trois Palmiers. Lodging was incredible, staff was extremely accommodating, and the inside of this building is just as beautiful as the sites you’ll see when you explore this city. And when you go, tell Patrick that Nikki from Paris by way of the US says hello. 🙂

A Teaser!

December 14, 2011 · by Nikki

Guess what I’m doing this week?!

FRENCH LESSONS!

And guess what I need to post about ASAP?!

MOROCCO!

Pictures and updates to come. Hold tight 😉

Things I Learned… Recently

December 7, 2011 · by Nikki

French rugby fans are alllllllllllllmost as crazy as American football fans. Almost.
If I can eat nachos, I will.
I love throwing surprise birthday parties. Even if, on the following day, my apartment looks like Hurricane Irene was on the guest list.
When in Europe, it’s important to know the difference between a messy shirt and a Messi shirt.
It’s time for me to act like the confident, young (I can still say young, right?!) woman that I am.
I no longer find it amusing when French people tell me to “get a French boyfriend” as a solution to my language-learning woes.
A PS3 may have been one of the best investments I made in 2011.
At the moment, having a French name is a relatively large disadvantage (Living in France + French name = people assuming you speak French).
I will now start noticing Frog Prince images and references everywhere I go.
I should not challenge men to drinking contests (unless tequila is involved?).
I love Indian food way more than I initially realized.
Sometimes all you need to feel refreshed is a haircut. A manicure doesn’t hurt either.
Travel within Birmingham, UK requires a rental car. Or at least a lot of cash for taxis.
It’s hard to write good blog posts when I’m on the road.
It takes longer and longer for my body to recover after getting sick.
I tend to complicate things.
Oysters? Yes, please.
For some reason, listening to music in only one ear gives me a headache.
The beers in Munich are huge.
When people start asking me about my dog, I can’t stop talking about her. ❤
Dramamine is the best way to ensure sleep on a long flight.
Letting go of grudges is much better than holding onto them.
I have awesome friends (Okay, I definitely already knew this. But I was certainly reminded recently!).
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Even if I am vegetarian.
I like red nail polish.

The Art of Surprise

December 2, 2011 · by Nikki

2011 has been a year of many surprises.

Early in the year, my friends and former boyfriend plotted a surprise for my birthday as they all showed up to meet us in NYC. Since arriving in Paris I have been present for three surprise birthday gatherings.

With all the surprise birthday bashes happening this year, it was no trouble finding the inspiration to throw one for my Dad, who turned 50.

After teasing my Dad since his 49th birthday about his looming march to the top of the “hill,” I figured I had to follow-through with my threats to celebrate and thoroughly embarrass him. And what better theme for this momentous occasion than Hawaii 5-0? If your answer is “none,” you would be correct.

For his present I decided the best thing I could possibly get him would be a little face time. But how do you wrap that? I figured the best method of delivery was to buy some plane tickets, conveniently fail to mention that I would be coming home, and offer up this little gift at his party–in person. Needless to say, it made for a pretty awesome reaction. Here are some photos of the surprise in action:

: The moment of the big surprise!

: Happy as clams 🙂

: Decked out in our Hawaii 5-0 attire

Any other surprises planned for 2011? You’ll just have to wait and see… 😉

Six Month Check-Up

December 1, 2011 · by Nikki

Here’s some irony for you: I arrived in Paris on May 19 of this year. On the date of my six-month anniversary of living in Paris–November 19–I spent my day traveling… to the US (more about that later).

I thought I’d take a minute to put together a little recap of the things I’ve accomplished so far, as well as the things I have yet to do. In no particular order, I present to you, dear readers, my…

List of Amazing and Not-So-Amazing Accomplishments:

I have made some friends.
I have tried many wines.
I have tried some cheeses.
I have gotten my own apartment.
I have learned the places to go (and not to go) in my neighborhood for most of my needs.
I rented a bicycle and rode it across the city. Twice. (I also fell off of said bicycle-once.)
I have visited four new countries (with at least two more on the horizon before the year’s end).
I have, from afar, thrown my Dad a surprise 50th birthday party (with the help of some awesome friends and family!).
I have conducted my first international interviews as a moderator.
I have watched my first full rugby game.
I have gotten closer to some of my best friends.
I have reconnected with some old friends.
I have found a really great guy who makes me really happy and want to be a better person.
I have hosted one surprise birthday party, and one dinner/sports party.
I have put together several pieces of furniture.

Although I am proud of myself for what I’ve been able to do so far, I also have another list containing the things I have yet to do that I hope to:

SPEAK FRENCH!
Figure out where to get a decent pedicure in Paris (ladies – this is harder than you think!).
Moderate more interviews.
Keep in better touch with a few friends and family members that I haven’t been able to connect with.
Start actually learning about wine, instead of just enjoying it.
Take more pictures using my digital SLR.
Post more pictures on my blog.
Get back into tennis.
Spend some time looking at art.
Visit more new countries.
Become a better writer.
Finish making my apartment a home.
Successfully encourage more friends from home to come for a visit.
Take a vacation somewhere other than the US.
Make more friends.

All do-able, right? Now I get to look forward to May when I can see exactly how many things from this new list I will be able to cross off. 😉