USA tour - Los Angeles and Hollywood

And there I was... in Hollywood. My main reason to land in Los Angeles was to visit the place where cinema became... and industry!

The french brothers Lumiere created the cinema... but the americans made a business out of it. Still, this stop in my USA tour would allow me to visit the major movie studios like Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures and Universal Pictures.

Before arriving to Hollywood I had my first adventure, a car adventure. Car rental in the States is more amusing than Europe. You request a car category and then it's up to you to choose any car you want from that category at the parking lot! I requested an economy car but the concept of "economic" can be weird when you look at the car sizes! :-P

After I got used to automatic gear, my GPS took me to the heart of Hollywood Boulevard. Here you find the famous Kodak Theater (where Oscar ceremony is held) and the also famous Walk of Fame... but for some reason I didn't find my star on it! eheh

On the hills it's impossible to miss the Hollywood sign. So I drove up there, almost to the top. I was taking picture on the middle of the stree when one nice lady showed me a walking path, so I could be as closer as possible. :)

If you have to visit one studio I would definitely recommend the Warner Bros tour. You can visit some sets, soundstages, take as many pictures as you want and even two museums included. On this day there were shooting the next Muppets' movie and a Beastie Boys' music video. And if you are a fan of the TV show "Friends" you also have the opportunity the visit the original set used for the Central Perk coffee house. But without Phoebe singing is not the same thing .... Smelly cat, smelly cat... :-P

At Sony Pictures you can't take pictures, at Paramount you don't enter many buildings/soundstages and Universal Pictures is a big amusement park (but hey, isn't that what movies are all about?). At least is an amusement park where the theme are the movies: The Mummy, Jaws, Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds, The Simpsons, Shrek... the rides are fun! Not like those brainwash rides at Disney such as "It's a small world!" :-P

To relax from all this Hollywood fun, I headed to Venice beach... to catch some fresh air from the Pacific Ocean ;) It's nice to walk around this time of the year... no one goes to the beach, so it's great for pictures.
But don't feel weird if you smell something else in the air besides sea wind... because in California marijuana is legal for "medical reasons". You see many many "medical centers" with "doctors" who are there to help with your "pain". Basically you just need to say you have a pain of some kind and voilá, the "doctor" will prescribe you a "painkiller"! eheheh

Before leaving I had the opportunity to meet a real movie director. It was in one evening, at a Comedy Club that I met Daniel Stamm, the director of the recent "The Last Exorcism" movie.
I just missed the opportunity to star in a movie! eheh For a next time...

USA Tour: Los Angeles and Hollywood Album

My Hollywood experience had come to an end... it was a ride of lights and action! A true destination for any movie fan! :)

Next on my horizon it was the desert... and many many miles on the road for me. Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon were calling me... and extraterrestrials too ;)

USA tour - Seattle

Did you know Seattle has some islands very close to its coastline? Well, I didn't and it was the best surprise during my stay.

Of course there's always the city center, the fish market and the world famous Space Needle tower... but I enjoyed the wild nature more than anything else.

So I went by ferry boat to explore one of the islands, Bainbridge. On this island there's a nice community, with all the necessary services. Houses here have forests as neighbors, with tall trees and hiking paths. An SUV is the ideal vehicule to go around here. :-P

After my New York cupcakes, I had my first american breakfast on this island: eggs, mashed potatoes, spinach and all the coffee I could drink! :)

Even Hollywood already used this scenic landscape for some of its movies... like the "Twilight" saga movies. I didn't find any wolves or vampires... but there are many coyotes around! ;-)

On mainland, there are attractions like the Space Needle (if you want to see Seattle from above) and the funny fish market, where clients have always a show provided by its local merchants. They sing, they throw fish around, they put funny tags on fish and their fish stands... it's a special kind of show. ;)

And for those Starbucks fans (and I'm definitely NOT one) you can find in Seattle the first store ever. From the days when they were actually just selling coffee grains (now they are just another marketing company). The funny thing in this store is that you can smell coffee!! :D

USA Tour: Seattle Album

The great California state would be my next destination. My first stop was Los Angeles and Hollywood. The movie magic was about to begin...

USA tour - Milwaukee

Mostly known for the Harley Davidson and the Miller beer (popular for the price, not the quality), Milwaukee was my third stop during my american tour.

Away from the city lights, here I was able to enjoy the typical american neighborwoods, with the classic american flag on almost every porch. Calm and quiet.
I enjoyed a typical Sunday with beer and american football on TV... but the weather didn't invite for a barbecue.

Then there was the huge Lake Michigan. When you see it you'll never guess that's a lake, because it looks like a sea with all the waves. You can't see where it ends and even ships have sunk there during lake storms!!

USA Tour: Milwaukee Album

The day was short and I had to get ready to catch my early flight to Seattle! Coming soon...

USA tour - Chicago

After a couple of days in New York, I headed to Chicago. One day only, so I tried to make the best of it. It was going to be tough, considering I only slept 2 hours the night before (yes, NY is the city that never sleeps!)

The flight was interesting. I had the opportunity to try wireless internet access on my mobile. Yes, it sounds very geek, but during a flight you don't have many interesting things to do.

Gangsters! Mafia! Al Capone! It may sound like a cliché, but that's was my first thought when I saw the "old" skyscrappers in Chicago downtown. Amazing to see all those 1910's/1920's architecture, amazing lobbies in some hotels and public buildings! If it wasn't for the modern cars on the street and the typical fast-food / franchising stores, I would say my flight went back in time! :-)

At the same time I could imagine the movie "Metropolis" or the Daily Planet building from Superman comics.
A special note to the "Union Station" for trains. You will see some pictures in my album, but do you recognize the staircase from somewhere? Well, it's the staircase used in the climatic scene in the movie "The Untouchables", where a baby carriage is caught in a shootout between Elliott Ness' G-men and Al Capone's gang.

One thing is true about Chicago: when it's cold it's REALLY cold. And usually I handle cold easily, but Chicago was a challenge!
My one day stop at Chicago was on a rainny day, so I went to the "Museum of Science and Industry". Usually museums aren't my first choice during vacations, but there was a Muppet exhibition going on! :-P

One thing I missed was the typical Chicago-style pizza, which is a deep-dish pizza, a mix between an italian pizza and a french quiche. Yes, you need a big stomach for this one! :)

USA Tour: Chicago Album

Chicago also has a waterfront to the huge Lake Michigan... but that was something I was leaving to explore on my next stop: Milwaukee! :-)

My non-stop USA tour!

I'm finally back! 3 weeks ago I was packing my stuff before starting my latest adventure: going around United States by plane, car, train and on foot! Many many many miles were made, new friends met, around 3000 pictures taken and hours of video produced... I'm tired but very satisfied with this crazy idea.

The goal was simple: during 3 weeks I wanted to visit as much as possible around the United States. Visit some of the usual places and try, really try, to visit and do different things.
To accomplish this I need to meet local people. In some cities I had friends waiting (thank you for your patience with me!), other times I met new people and made new friends through the CouchSurfing community (thank you all for accepting my challenge) and a special thank you to those who crossed my way, with a smile, always ready to help this guy who never stopped taking pictures... and never stopped talking :-)

I must confess I was positively surprised on how people were cheerful and nice. Thanks again for making this trip so great.
Lots of coffee and coke (Coca-Cola, to avoid misunderstandings) were drank to keep my engine going. And the engine never failed! :-P

New York
The Big Apple was my start and ending point. As soon as I arrived I spent two days visiting the best of the city that never sleeps. And I can garantee that I didn't sleep much :)
The astonishing Times Square, the busy Rockfeller Plaza and Wall Street, the calm and squirrels at Central Park, the Metropolitan and Natural History museums, the night view from the Empire State Building (but the view is far better from Top of The Rock Observation Deck, at Rockfeller center/GE Building), the Brooklyn Bridge and the morning cupcakes.
During my initial stay in New York I was lucky enough to see the Veteran's Day Parade... and I was even luckier by being able to walk in the parade to get the best pictures :-)
As a fan of the TV show "30 Rock" I had to visit the NBC Studios to learn more about the magic behind the small screen! ;-)

USA Tour: NY Album

My next stop was Chicago... but that's for another post... it's not easy to organize thousands of pictures :)

August, the best month to work

August is usually the month of election for vacations, but I just love to work during this month.

Why? Well, if everyone leaves for vacation, it means you won't get headaches at work, stress on public transports, no queues at public places (well, all places but the tourist ones) and, the most important, no strikes!!

Paris is almost a ghost town in August, if we compare it with the others months. We can use the subway, the bus, the train, without getting crushed and insulted! eheheh
And this is why no one goes on strike because there's no people around to impact, to disturb... basically there isn't enough people to annoy! eheheh

But if you are on vacation, take the opportunity to relax, enjoy and have fun. Maybe I'll take some days off when everyone returns to Paris from their vacations! :-P

Back from Provence...

My short week vacation is long gone... and now is back to real life! eheh Good bye beach, see you soon rosé wine, I'll miss you wonderful meals... and of course, all my friends.

It was a short week between beach, sun, swimming, wonderful Provence views... the blue lakes, the lavender fields.
And yes, there's this music concert from a group called U2! :-P Well, I'm not a real fan, but it was the first time I went to see their "show"! eheh
I was lucky enough to be real, real close to the stage... which allowed me to take great pictures! :)

But what I enjoyed the most was to revisit Nice during the summer season: enjoy a good meal with friends on the beach, drink the typical rosé wine from the region and the wonderful views.

This time I didn't visit all my friends... I owe you another one guys! :-)

I leave you with some photos, including the U2 concert! ;-)

Resting in Provence photos

U2 concert photos - 360º Tour, Nice July 2009

Ski, snowboard and friends

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a crazy dude on skis! eheheh
Now that Spring has arrived, the first rays of sunlight appear... there's nothing better than talk about snow! It was last February that I had a small break up in the mountains, in south of France.
I had 3 ideas in mind: to ski again (after a 2 years' pause), to meet some of my friends there... and, to learn snowboard! Yes, it was another resolution for this year, to learn something new! eheh

From a beginner's point of view, I thought it would be harder the first day, but at the end it wasn't that bad!
But at the end of the weekend... let's just say it was hard for me to sit down on a chair! eheh

Even with all the "bruises" and all the rush from a short weekend, I enjoyed the trip.

A special thank you to the hosts, Nuno and Rita who gave a warmful welcome (and provided a "very-low-cost" bed&breakfast formula) eheheh

As promised, here are the photos I promised you guys and girls! They arrive late as usual. eheh
It was a pleasure to see you all! And for those I didn't see this time, I promise we'll meet next time! :)

And now the photo album...

Welcome to the jungle

Finally I managed to get some time to choose some photos from my wild adventure in the Amazon forest and river!
It was one full week of walking, hiking, rowing and being bitten... by insects of course! eheheh

Now that I look back I realize the one thing that I really enjoyed: no communications with the rest of the world. It's a fact: it's possible to live without mobile phones and internet! :)
Fishermen, local villagers and simple people in general, it was amazing to exchange ideas with all of them and all the good times around a fireplace in the jungle or by the river.

But there was also the dangerous part of the trip: piranhas, tarantulas, poisonous snakes, scorpions, wild boars and weird food :P I survived all that! eheh
Sleeping in a hammock in the heart of the jungle is one of my best memories, and waking up the following morning under heavy tropical rain.

Now I'm back to the city stress, while everyone and everything still lives calmly in the Amazon, away from traffic jam, projects' deadlines, bad internet connections, and all other modern life "diseases". :P

Enjoy the photos!

Alive and kicking!

From a jungle to another! This was my thought this morning, when I was going to work. Why? Well, there isn't a big difference between a tropical rainforest and the subway in Paris, specially if there is a strike.
Try to imagine a super-crowded subway, on a hot day with everyone sweating and voilá... you have another kind of jungle! eheheh

As you can realize I managed to survive all kinds of animals and weather conditions, but I would repeat it :)
It was a very rich experience, where I had contact with local villagers, fishermen and some pseudo-indians. Of course, the gastronomy was even better and spicy.

The second part of my vacation took me closer to the beach, to popular feasts and even more food! :P
In Brazil you eat well, and that doesn't necessary means quantity.

Well, I'll post more about my vacations (with pictures)... but I still have unpacking to do! ;)

I'll be back...

I'm about to leave for vacation, hoping to survive the deep rain forest jungle ;)

Of course I promise to return, to tell everything about my experience... in one piece, preferably! eheheh

No cell phones, no internet, no blog, no nothing! :P
I'll be out of reach for two weeks (well, many of you are happy about it, I know!) :P
I just hope to carry with me enough batteries and memory cards for my camera! eheheh

Besides the Amazon forest, I'll also celebrate Saint John's day in the city of Campina Grande, where the feist is more typical and popular.
Unfortunately I won't see much of the Euro 2008 cup... but I'll support Portugal in spirit! :)

If I don't show up in two weeks, feel free to search for me using Google Maps! :D

Next stop: Amazon Rainforest

Last time I had a long vacation (for real!) was back in 2004, when I had the opportunity to visit Japan for two weeks. Since then, no more long trips neither far away adventures.

Well, after moving to France in 2006 I've been delighted to travel around this country and its "neighbours" like Italy or Switzerland.
But I'm like that Depeche Mode song from the 80's... because "I just can't get enough" :P

This year I've decided to make my premiere in the south american continent: Brazil. But don't you think that sun, sand and samba will be the highlights. Beach is not my thing, specially after living two years in Côte d'Azur ;)

Do you know when you promise yourself a treat, a special gift or a trip? Well, this year I'll offer myself one long waited trip: the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Maybe the timming was not the best one, with all those mosquitoes and yellow fever striking in some parts of Brazil. Who cares about some small insects? :P

For one week I'll be in survival mode, hiking on the jungle and travelling along the huge Amazon river, like... like.... like Indiana Jones O:)

The second part of my south american tour includes visiting some brazilian cities, with a special highlight at Campina Grande.
What's so special about this town? Well, the Saint John feast on June 2th is very typical here (here's my magic word), and I want to see the similarities and differences with my favorite Saint John's celebration: the feast and party which are held in my beloved hometown of Porto (or Oporto if you prefer). :P

I'm one month away from D-Day and now I need to check the vaccines required againt tropical diseases and weird bugs! ;)
It's important to visit the tropical rainforest while it exists, because it won't last for too long! (damn you, global warning!)

Watch out Anacondas, here I come! :D