Day 365 - The End!

I guess this is it. I took a photo every day for the past 365 days. When I decided to do this project, I never imagined I would end up in Europe at the end of the year. It's strange how much one can happen in a year. I look back and it's so much easier to recall particular events, memories, and locations.

I remember before I started this I was inspired by others who did these Project 365s and everyday their photos were consistently magnificent. At some point while I was in the middle of this, I remember being very upset with myself because I was unhappy with the quality of my photos and it seemed I was always rushing for a photo. I see now that it wasn't entirely about the photography, but the whole experience.

I'm happy I did this. It will be strange tomorrow when I don't have to hunt for a photo of the day.

Day 364 - Today in Toulouse

I am currently in Toulouse, France. We spent the majority of the day on trains.

We found this fountain outside our hotel after we went for a quick swim in the hotel pool.

Day 363 - Pigeons of St. Mark's Square

I took this today while we were at St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy. If I were a pigeon, I would probably go to Venice too. I would never be lonely there. In fact, pigeons seem to be very common everywhere in Europe. I am currently waiting at a train station in Milan, Italy and we're heading to Toulouse, France and then back to Pamplona, Spain again.

It will be nice to not be constantly moving again. I've noticed I have been a little slow in English lately. Languages are really confusing me right now. I have been hearing Spanish, French, Italian, and English and I am mixing words up all over.

Day 362 - Venice, Italy

I am in Venice! It's kind of hard to get free internet here. We actually ended up paying to use internet, and that's why I didn't end up writing a description yesterday. It's been pretty hectic. We have been on train after train trying to get to our destinations.

Venice is a very pretty city. I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked to but I still have quite a selection to go through. We ate pretty well today too. I had my lasagna, speghetti and tomorrow I will definitely have Italian pizza!

Day 361 - Hurry Up!

I only had fifteen minutes of internet and an iPod Touch. Quality was not really an option.

Day 360 - View of the Mediterranean Sea in Nice

I am currently in Nice, France. There was a free elevator that took you to the top of the city and there was such a nice view of the city. I have never seen such blue water before, especially not on a beach. We went swimming in the Mediterranean Sea and it was really refreshing. However, we did not expect it to be that salty. The water was probably the most saltiest thing I have ever tasted. Salt and vinegar chips do not even compare.

We're off to Venice, Italy tomorrow!

Day 359 - Here Lies a Story

I am currently in Paris waiting to board a train in Nice, Paris. I will not have access to Internet tonight as we are taking a night train, so I am uploading an early iPod Touch photo.

We went up the Eiffel Tower today and I have so many photos of the Eiffel Tower now it's almost scary. I will probably upload those when I get back home.

While walking around Paris today we saw these shoes on a bench. I wonder what the story is behind these shoes.

Day 358 - Love Locks in Paris

Paris is lovely. We started our day visiting the Louvre. I'm not surprised that we got lost in there a few times. The Louvre is huge. We saw the famous Mona Lisa and other artworks from Egypt, Greece, France, and Rome to name a few. I was surprised they allowed photography in the Louvre.

We also saw the Notre Dame and a few other landmarks. We did a bit of window shopping, ate crepes and pastries, had dinner and saw the Eiffel Tower. Tomorrow, we'll actually go inside that symbolic building.

We also went to Laduree, a luxury cakes and pastries brand based in Paris, France. It is known as the inventor of the double-decker macaron. They are still one of the best known makers of macarons in the world. I was told that this is one place in Paris I must visit. It was quite expensive (as everything seems to be here) but it was worth it.

The photo I have here is a photo of a bridge with love locks on it. According to Wikipedia, "Love Locks are a custom by which padlocks are affixed to a fence, gate, bridge or similar public fixture and most often affixed by sweethearts to symbolize their everlasting love" I thought they were neat.

On a somewhat crazy note. I ran into Wayne today! It's a small world after all.

Day 357 - Bonjour Tout Le Monde!

Salut! Maintenant, je suis à Paris, France! I have a lot of brushing up to do on my French but hopefully the little knowledge I do have of the language will come in handy. We spent most of today (8 hours) on a train today getting to Paris. The train ride was very scenic (I'm not surprised, Europe is very visually appealing in general) and there were lots of farm animals.

Tomorrow, we're getting up very early to try and explore Paris as much as we can!

Day 356 - La Sagrada Familia

I would say that today was a down day. We spent half the day travelling the city trying to figure out how we wanted to get to Paris, France. We went to the airport to look for a flight, we boarded a train that we thought would take us to the train station but it didn't. We took a bus from the airport to the train station only to find that the Eurail pass we wanted to buy was in another train station so we had to take the subway to the other train station. We waited in several lines until finally we were able to buy our train ticket to Paris, France. We're heading there tomorrow.

We visited La Sagrada Familia today. It was designed by Antoni Gaudi and construction started in 1882 but it is still not finished today. The expected completion is in 2026. This is pretty old.

Day 355 - Busy Barcelona

It's scorching hot in Barcelona. I am not used to this 40 degree weather. We booked a hotel in Barcelona without air conditioning. We're not sure if we want to stay in this hotel again tomorrow but we already paid. I guess we'll figure it out.

We went to the Barcelona Aquarium today. I thought the entrance fee was kind of pricey but I guess I must splurge on tourist-y things every once in a while. We also gave the beach a visit but we did not go swimming as we had all our stuff with us.

Then there was the Barcelona Magic Fountain of Montjuic. They say that "The magic fountain is a spectacular display of colour, light, motion, music and water acrobatics - if you mix all these elements together in just the right combinations, you end up with pure magic!" and it's really quite true. It was indeed very pretty.

It's so hot that I can barely think. We haven't been planning so well so we're not sure where we're off to next but we'll see.

Day 354 - Puppy by Jeff Koons

We went on a day trip to Bilbao, Spain today. The drive up to Bilbao was absolutely stunning. There were such beautiful mountains and we were so close to the border of France, but that will be for another day. We visited the Guggenheim Musuem in Bilbao and then we went on a funicular to see the city from the very top. I have so many photos to upload when I get back.

This is a photo of a puppy sculture that is made out of flowers! Jeff Koons is the artist of this very fascinating landmark.

There was also a parade but I'm not entirely sure what the parade was about. People were marching about with instruments and while they were going through the streets people were dumping water on the marchers (in a friendly way of course). I had to put it away the camera but the experience was very exciting and it felt very European.

Tomorrow we're heading back to Barcelona, Spain.

Day 353 - Noain, Spain

I slept for 14 hours last night. It is definitely an understatement to say that I was tired. We spent the rest of the day finishing errands and confirmed the apartment that my friend rented. This photo was taken in Noain, Spain while we were on the search for food. We ended up giving up and just going back to our hotel in Pamplona, Spain and ordered food from room service. Tomorrow, we are heading off to Bilbao, Spain.

Day 352 - Road to Pamplona

I took this while we were on our way to Pamplona, Spain. The view is quite scenic. It has been pretty crazy so far and I feel like I am always in a rush but it is quite an experience. I must admit it is quite expensive here but it is worth it!

Day 351 - Big Ben

I am finally in Europe! It was a super long day today. We walked around London for a few hours and explored until our feet hurt. I'm currently in Lleida, Spain right now. So much has already happened but my battery is running out so I shall have to expand later.

Day 350 - Last Minute

Today is my last full day in Canada for the month of August. I have packed all my things and the whole house looks really empty now.

I have had my laptop with me almost every day for the past 11 months. I'm not bringing it with me to Europe since I do not want to lose it or carry it. It will feel so strange though. I have grown to be so dependent on my laptop.

Day 348 - Bikes at DC

I'm at school mooching off the internet again. I hate to admit this, but I think I'm a lot more productive when I don't have internet. I cannot believe that I will be on a plane tomorrow. I will begin putting my stuff in storage today. I have so much stuff it's ridiculous. I don't know how I have accumulated so many things through these years.

I was thinking about how I would finish this project while on my trip. Last year when I begun this project, it had not even crossed my mind that I would be in a different continent when this was over. I think I'll still try to keep it going but I may post a little later.

I'm so excited (and a little nervous too).

Day 348 - Tree Trail

I went on a bike ride today and found a really nice trail that lead to a very forested area. I kind of thought I was in a Harry Potter film for a second. I think I'll visit again at some point.

I'm currently at the mall leeching internet again because we no longer have internet at the house. I'm the only person left at our house unit and it's a little eerie. I've been doing a lot of packing but it's nice to get out of the house so that I can be around other humans.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but I'm going to Europe for three weeks. I'll be leaving Tuesday. It's so surreal. I have not been on a plane since I was two years old.

Day 347 - Just Another Room

This is where I have been living for the past year. It's kind of small, but it's cozy. As a nomadic co-op student, this is just one of many rooms that I will take shelter in.

Day 346 - Packing Begins

I have finished my last exam! I have begun packing. Tuesday is coming so soon.

Day 345 - Branches and Leaves

I went on a walk outside today because I needed a break from studying. For some reason, I'm having a lot of trouble concentrating on this last final. I keep falling asleep.

Day 344 - This is what exhaustion looks like

I'm so exhausted. I'm looking forward to Friday because that is the date of my last exam, but I'm also dreading it because I am so unprepared for it.

Day 343 - Another Headband

I only have one final left. I'm so tired.

Day 342 - Ghost Polaroid

My roommate is done her exams and moved out today. We took a few roommate photos and I took out my Polaroid camera. I can't tell if it's because of the film or the camera that the ghostly effect happens, but it's kind of neat. I have two more exams to go.

Day 341 - Back Tattoo

I had two coffees today and I probably shouldn't have done that. I'm not very coherent right now and I'm terrified I won't perform on my final tomorrow. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Day 340 - Baked Penne Bolognese

We went to East Side Mario's today for my friend birthday. It was very delicious. Afterwards, we sang at karaoke. I must study now.

Day 339 - Bronze Slipper

My friend has a really cute charm necklace and this was one of the charms. I might end up taking a photo for every charm if I run out of ideas.

Day 338 - Water Bottle Condensation

This is my water bottle when I put cold water in it and condensation happens.

Day 337 - Hey Groundhog

I took this photo from my bedroom window so it's a little blurry. This is the groundhog that has dug a hole underneath our doorsteps. I don't see him or her often, so I was pretty happy when he or she came out of his or her hole today.

Day 336 - Starry Blanket

Let the lazy photos begin! Exam on August 5, 6, 8, 9 and 12. I can do this.

Day 335 - Great Timing

I'm back from my family mini trip and it's back to reality again. I have officially started studying and I try to give my breaks every once in a while. During one of these breaks, I was walking around my room with my camera in hand looking for something to take a photo of. I turned to my desk and suddenly, this moth just dropped onto my desk. It was so random and normally I would have freaked out, but I decided to take a deep breath and try to take a photo of it.

After taking the photo, I spent a few minutes just staring at the moth. I didn't want to kill it since it was such a good model but it still scared me. I ended up using a small cardboard box to trap it and release it outside.