Desert Adventures

January may bring a lot of things but at home... it only means Dakar time. We watch the daily summary every day and sometimes even twice (first in the catalan channel and then in the spanish one). This year it was specially exciting to see Nani Roma and Peterhansel fighting for the 1st place and Laia Sanz standing out among the other riders. After two weeks of sand, dust and sacrifice were very very happy to see two catalans as the winners, Coma and Roma.

All this reminded me of the days I spent in Tunisia with my father for the Desert Raid. As I told you some posts ago my parents have a big 4x4 and we all love driving it off road and of course through the desert. The Desert Raid is a competition organized by a catalan 4x4 Club that takes place in the Sahara Desert (Tunisia). I think it was my 4th time in a car trip to the desert, but it was my first time in the Desert Raid. It's a real competition but you know, very far from what the Dakar is: not as hard, long and famous as it is. But hey once you're there you do find it pretty hard indeed!

The adventure started in Marseille where we took a ferry to Tunis and then we spend a day driving to Matmata, where the desert "starts".

There is a motorbike on that car. A motorbike!

And yes, there is a cow on that pick-up... 
As you can see a road trip through Tunisia is rather entertaining! And road safety rules a bit more relaxed than here...

Sadly, my Mum could not come to that trip... But it was also very good to spend some time with Dad only. We're a good team! :)

Let's get it started! 

Okay, my collaboration that time was more an emotional support than a real physical help... I can only laugh when I see myself alone up there with arms on hips just staring at them.

A set table ready for dinner after long hours driving! Is that a mirage? It's not! There are no "regular" hotels in there but there are some companies that organize a camp for your group. Haimas and meals under the stars and then stories and anecdotes of other adventures by the campfire. That is for sure one of the best parts of the trip.

More in the next post!!

Ski days in Andorra

I've been away from the blog for a week! A strange week... happy and sad. Happy to start a New Year and think about all I want to do and places I want to visit (I have two special things in mind, hope I can make it). Sad to be stuck again in my weekly routine of lectures, work to do, more lectures and more papers to hand in... but on top of all, sad because today I said goodbye to a friend of mine who's leaving. She's going to the States for a year! A whole year! I think I've (finally) persuaded her to start a blog so she can tell us all her adventures. We'll really miss you :)

Today's post is about the days I spent in Andorra, last days of 2013. Skiing is for sure my favorite sport and that's why every year I really look forward to this little family trip to the mountains. Last year we discovered this beautiful hotel and last summer we had already booked it for this winter! The main advantages are the wonderful SPA and that you can leave the hotel almost with your skis on. 

The evening of our arrival I was excited to see all that snow in the streets, that could only mean that the ski slopes had to be perfect!

When you open your suitcase full of ski clothes... you're very happy to see there's a whole dressing room for you (well, and for boyfriend too).

All skiers know which is the worst part of the day...boots on right after breakfast! 

But then, we're ready!! 

All empty, all for us!!!! This year the snow was absolutely amazing :D

The best skier in the world. I'm so thankful I could learn from him. 

After 7 hours of non-stop skiing, a SPA session feels like heaven. I don't have pictures to document that part because there were other customers and it was a bit too private for cameras haha

Afternoons were about drinks, walks outside and Monopoly. I insisted more and more until we finally gave it a go and then I was the first one to lose all the money... not fair.

I wouldn't mind if that was my daily routine from now on (and not the one I'm now in...) but I'll have to wait until next December, only 11 months left :D

Random Paris

Last May I received an amazing birthday gift from my boyfriend: a weekend in Paris. We had a lovely time there, specially because it was our first time together in the city. Soon I'll post the main pictures of the trip but first I wanted to share these special ones. I think they describe precisely what Paris is, what it means, it's essence. 

The story starts with these soft, colorful and delicious little macaroons...

I have to say... that... couldn't avoid taking a couple of them home with me! And are now hanging in my bedroom wall.

I would love to live in one of those attics..who wouldn't?

Probably my favorite flowers, peonies. 

These charming ice-creams were made with love by a friend of mine who's currently living in Paris, and we walked and walked until we found the ice-cream shop she's working in. By the way, they were super delicious, J! :)

Romantic movie moment!! Can you find ours?

The crazy thing is that there are people selling the padlocks in the bridge, all types and shapes. And after buying, they even lend you the marker: black, red or blue, your choice. Astonishing commercial vision, huh?

Magnets! All those who have been at my place know that the fridge is covered with magnets from all over the world! We've been kind of collecting them from everywhere we've travelled. It started unintentionally when I was a child but it's pretty serious now: literally, all covered. Maybe our fridge deserves a post.. could be funny, I'll do it!

And the little tour ends with cute macaroons too. :)