On Good Friday morning, Albert and I peeled ourselves out of bed after an ill-advised late night, rented a car, and set off for Perpignan/Perpinyà in the South of France/Catlonia North, depending on who you are. It was about a three hour drive from Barcelona, followed by lots of driving in circles looking for parking, but we made it. Most of these pictures are from the Palace of the Kings of Mallorca (clear Catalan connection!) and others are from the town centre.
Notes on the Perpignan experience:
1. My French sucks.
2. The people of Perpignan appear to be verrrry proud of their Catalan identity, as witnessed by the Catalan flags stuffed into every corner of the city. Way more than I've ever seen in Barcelona. Or perhaps they're just really proud of their rugby team, who also use the flag! On the other hand, the French seem to have done a good job of killing the language, the only Catalan I actually heard was from fellow tourists and in song.
3. French pastries are made with butter, not lard!! Observe and learn, Barcelona bakeries!
4. French customer service is "special." Because our hotel was in the middle of nowhere, Albert and I ended up having dinner in a very tacky and very overpriced restaurant next door. We decided to order the cheapest things. So, I ordered us each a slice of €18 fish and the cheapest bottle of wine, at which point the waiter looked down his nose and asked me, "Is that all?" Umm, yes thank you.
Perpignan was good fun, but the next post will show you an unbelievably cute seaside town.... : )
Ok, so I'm wearing a leopard print dress... and I've pretty much loathed leopard print since... forever. I blame Sandra, Kallie, and ebay, in no particular order! My bun was looking a bit flying-saucer after the drive, but such is the nature of being on the road, right?
The majority of photos are by Albert
Also, has anyone else arrived at that point where both toes are literally sticking through their tights but you refuse to buy more because it's APRIL? ;)
dress: vintage via ebay, sweater: thrifted, bag: vintage via Mom, shoes: Camper, sunglasses: TKMaxx
23 comments:
What beautiful photos! I've still not made it to Perpignan to my shame. But you're right, the French have pastries down to an art. Looks like you had a wonderful time.
Sometimes the nearest places take the longest to make it to! I mean, I still haven't even been to Montreal! Perpignan is nice but provincial. I do recommend it, but the surrounding villages were even nicer!
wow, lovely photo's hun. Looks like you had a great time :) and the outfit is so chic :)
http://josephine-pearl.blogspot.co.uk/
Jo. xx
I think I've said it before, but red is your color! You look smashing, lady! Maybe you should do a more in depth Catalan post as I had never heard of it until I read your blog! I'm curious of the history. Have you already done such a post??
Great pics! Sorry to hear about the "special" service, but at least it makes for a good story... right? I'm a big fan of the leopard print, too. :)
http://viennawaitsblog.blogspot.com/
Yay for jumping on the leopard bandwagon....oh how I love it ;) Perfect outfit.
And the trip sounds awesome minus the long drive and expensive food, haha
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
The French are definitely "special" when it comes to service hehe. I have so many awkward/funny encounters that I remember. The town looks so beautiful! When I took a train from Barcelona down the cote d'azur I only got small glimpses of Catalonia towns. I would have loved to explore them further, how lucky you are! Look forward to the next batch of photos x
LOvely photos.
You look as cute as a button!
Your travel posts are among my favorite on the net. Visiting your blog is like going to another country.
Nice clicks Emily. loved em all
What an interesting little town! I'm studying French at the moment, and I find it quite difficult to understand bits of the language - especially when spoken in different dialects and regions of France. Anyway, I love how you've layered a sweater over your dress. It gives your outfit a nice pop of color!
first, what lovely photos! it looks beautiful there. and, you look so lovely in red. i've always loathed leopard print, too, but you make it look so cute! second, yes. me and tights have not been friends this year. got a run in my last pair and you would think i was searching for the holy grail when i tried to just find ONE pair to tide me over till next year. hmmpf!
xo
n
Have always loved this blog! These photos are amazing. Love the red
Ive started a new blog, just testing out a few ideas at the moment. I would love if you had a chance to check it out www.studentfab.blogspot.com
Thanks
Que sitio mas bonito. Yo vivo en Mallorca y la pena es que al ser una isla no puedo ir muy lejos en coche...
Me gusta mucho que hayas usado el jersey rojo encima de el vestido.
estrellasdefebrero.blogspot.com
@Maite: Gracias! Seguro que si vives en Mallorca, tienes todo el turismo que necesitas allí! : )
Amazing photos! Your outfit is so lovely!
Lia
theperksofbeingagirlygirl.blogspot.com
I am totaaally at that point with my tights. I've been wearing tights with holes and runs because there is just no way I'm buying them now when it will be tightless weather in just a week or so.
I really love these pictures but I can't wait for the seaside town ones! I've been missing the sea so much lately.
what a jerk thing for that waiter to say! I would have been so annoyed. I hope you had better service in the seaside town :)
Well, you look gorgeous in leopard print :) Loved the story about your visit. Why I am not in Europe at this very moment is beyond me.
Can't wait to see the seaside photos!!
@Amber: Haha, we only bought ice-cream. The guy was lovely... and tried to rip me off two euros!
Si, la verdad que no me puedo quejar, playa, sitios historicos, montaña, tenemos de todo...
I've hated leopard print for forever, too, but after seeing it styled so well on countless blogs of late (now yours included!) I may be starting to change my mind. I'm really into your mix of leopard, red and black. Looking good!
I'm quite wow-ed by the Perpignan architecture. All those bricks!
I could have sworn you were in Valencia from that second picture, it looked so so familiar. That's funny about the waiter & def reminds me of some Spanish waiters. What a shame no one speaks Catalan there anymore.. and how odd, since it's such a huge part of Catalunya Spain. Does it have something to do w/ the Franco repression of anything but Spanish causing a new pride in the language and in France is just kind of faded out? Ok, totally making things up here... I've always disliked leopard print too but this looks great w/ the sweater & booties- yay for a weekend getaway w/ your lover!
http://dusanabotswana.com
Post a Comment