Rome Sweet Rome

This city truly does not require an introduction. It is one of the most popular cities in the world that attracts millions of tourists every year.

I felt like I was walking down the streets of Ancient Rome and it felt like I would bump into people in their togas.

The Pantheon, the famous temple dedicated to all the gods of Ancient Rome.

The tomb of one of the most well-achieved men in history, Julius Caesar.

The Gate of Death inside the Colosseum which led to Spoliarium where the corpses of the gladiators who were mercilessly killed in the arena were stripped of their armour and weapons.

The legendary Trevi fountain. This picture simply does not do justice to this 85 feet Baroque fountain. It is located at the conjunction of three roads, hence its name Trevi (tre vie meaning three roads). The local myth holds that if you throw a coin in the fountain, you are guaranteed to return to Rome.

I dare say Colosseum is the symbol of Italy just like the Eiffel tower is the symbol of France. It was a place of entertainment in the ancient Rome where thousands of people watched gladiators as they fought animals and other gladiator.

Vatican City

The legendary Vatican guards!

Spanish steps: The first time I heard of this place was on America’s Next Top Model. Without a doubt, this place was a central place for fashion designers and models. Right across from the steps was a row of top notch designer stores such as Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Bvoulgari, Louis Vuitton and many more.

I even saw some girls dressed up in nice designer clothes, heels, and sunglasses, waiting to be discovered by potential agents. This small area was very full of life and I hope to shop here next time I come back!

Our last destination in Rome was not a very well known one. Cappucine monks were a group of friars in the 16^th century whose skeletons got turned into a funeral art. This is where the name of the coffee “cappuccino” originated from, possibly referring to the colours of their habits and their white heads surrounded by a ring of brown hair.

I still remember a motto written on one of the tomb stones placed alongside with a skeleton with skin still attached to it: “What you are now we used to be, what we are now you will be.” It gave me a surge of body chills. Sometimes I feel like I am too caught up in working towards my goal that I overlook the beauty and joy of living everyday life. Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!)

Critique Musicale: Yelle

L’artiste de mon choix pour cette critique est Yelle de son patronyme Julie Budet. Elle est née le 17 janvier 1983, à Saint-Brieuc, en France. Quand elle était une étudiante, elle a suivi des cours en « Arts et Spectacle », mais elle préfèrait passer son temps libre à faire de la musique avec son compagnon.

Yelle est une chanteuse découverte grâce à MySpace. Son premier album, « Je veux te voir », a reçu plus de 125 000 cliques et écoutes. Son succès sur MySpace avec cet album a permis à Yelle de se faire découvrir par Michael Youn. Son deuxième album, « À Cause des garçons » devient vite très populaire. Ses chansons reposent sur les musiques de la Tecktonik, qui est un type de danse moderne très populaire en France. Le principal genre de la plupart de ses chansons est la musique club, la Tecktonik, la musique moderne et le pop. Les thèmes qui sont présents dans ses chansons sont le rapport entre les amoureux et sexe.


Personnellement, je ne suis pas d'accord avec les paroles de ses chansons. C’est très superficiel et sexuellement dégradant. Mais j’aime le rythme et aussi j’aime le fait qu’elle n’ait pas peur de chanter à propos de choses comme ça avec confiance.

Ce qui différencie Yelle des autres musiciens français, c’est le fait qu’elle est très libre et qu'elle parle librement à propos du sexe, du jogging, des garçons ou de sa meilleure amie. Elle est très confidente et crispée. Ce n'est pas typique des chanteuses français de son temps.

Pour conclure, j’aime beaucoup les chansons de Yelle à que j’ai commencé à écouter il y a onze mois. J’ai remarqué que beaucoup de clubs ici jouent ses chansons et son courage et sa personnalité sont bien représentés dans ses chansons.

Allez ici pour écouter à « Je veux te voir »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsrN3qxX2Yw

London in Twenty Snapshots

The first city I landed in was London. From Day 1 I walked around the city, visiting museums and parks since I only had a several days in this metropolitan city. Anyways here goes my first post about Europe!

The British Museum is the oldest public museum in the world. It was established in 1753 by Sir Hans Sloane and it contains collections from all over the world. Admission is free for everyone, as requested by the collector.

Cool ceiling design inside the British Museum.

Little fountain in Russell Square Park where I wrote my very first column for Imprint :)
(check it out http://imprint.uwaterloo.ca/2010/may/7/features/europe-101/)


A hotel right across the street from the hotel I stayed at. (Royal National Hotel)

It wouldn't be England without these red telephone booths

The British Library is the biggest library in London. It was almost like another museum: it contains the original manuscript of Jane Eyre, Tess of the D'urbevilles, Alice in Wonderland, and the Book of Sir Thomas Moore by Shakespeare.



There are so many theatres in London but unfortunately I was too rushed for time to watch a musical.

The National Gallery contains hundreds of paintings by famous artists like Botticelli, Ruben, Hogarth, Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso.

Street signs to major attractiosn in London.

I randomly came across the Canadian Embassy as I was looking for souvenir shops.

This is the famous Big Bus Tour in London, also knwon as the "double-decker." For just 25 euros, you can get unlimited access to these buses as well as a live guided tour, river cruise, 3 walking tours, and discount tickets to many other attractions.

London Eye is the highest Ferris wheel in the world and it is located above the Thames river, showing the best view of the city.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London home. Unfortunately, the royal family's private rooms are not oipen to the public but the palace tour takes visitors up the grand staircase and through the state rooms.

The second day I was in London, there was a huge group of people tented outside the Parliament building protesting against sending British troops to Afghanistan.

Big Ben is a clock tower dominating the seats of the government. It holds a 14-ton bell and its chimes are broadcasted daily on BBC radio.

This is the Parliament building in London. Houses of Parliament in England is divided into two: House of Commons and House of Lords, just like in Canada.

This is the top of the House of Parliament building in London. Notice the English flag is up: this means the Queen is in town. Downtown London was crazy this day because it was the Queen's first official speech since the new British government got elected.

This bird is called the Tower of London raven, according to my guide book. I saw it while I was sitting on a bench writing this article in front of the Parliament building.

This is the back entrance to Westminster Abbey. This church is where the coronation of Kings and Queens has been taking place for hundreds of years, including that of Queen Elizabeth the Second. I got a chance to go in for a Evening Song, which was a choir/prayer service and it was without a doubt London's oldest and most important church.

If you have been to London, you will have noticed that British cars are right hand drive. When I first landed in London I always looked the wrong way when crossing the streets. I would have for sure gotten hit by a car if it wasn't for this kindly written instruction on the road..

I wish I could have stayed in London for longer because there were places I still had yet to visit: the Tower of London, Jack the Ripper street (where the story of "Sweeney Todd" actually happened), and many more. But I will be back here for sure in the near future so no regrets :)