HAPPY 2010

Wow, major hiatus from blogging...Christmas Holidays you know! :)

last night I realized that I have all these random blog entries from random places with random things and I think an introduction and blog overhaul is in order!

A little background info...I am a city mouse at heart...grew up in the Philippines, moved to the wonderful city of Vancouver to finish University...first 20 something years of my life

Ever since I remember, I have always loved to travel...cities especially...there is something about the air, the restaurants, the way of life...

...six months ago, my life took a major turn for the lucky and I got the opportunity to go and live in Madrid, Spain for about a year...and that's what I did.. :)

So here I am in Spain with the countries of Europe in the palm of my hand, and it is amazing...

This blog is really to share my travels and discoveries with you! Hotels, restaurants, stores and everything else the city can offer you...Hey, maybe you can find some of this stuff useful when you city hop yourself! Enjoy!

OH! And pictures...lots of pictures!

My first trip to Paris in Summer 2009...you will see a few Paris entries here

...haven't been back yet but I intend to very soon..

MAMA SHELTER-PARIS

LE MARAIS, PARIS, 2009

" A DESIRE. A CITY. PARIS. THE WORLD CAPITAL OF TOURISM. PARIS. A PLACE OF REFUGE. EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

THE 20TH ARRONDISEMENT IS NOT ONE OF PARIS' BEST LOVED CORNERS AND YET IT IS THE HOME OF ONE OF IT'S HIPPEST SPOTS.

mamaSHELTER

paris

A FORMER CARPARK THAT HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO A STYLISH AND INNOVATIVE NEW HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND BAR

DESIGNED BY NO OTHER THAN PHILIPPE STARCK

109 rue de bagnolet

PARIS, 75020

theNEIGHBORHOOD

SAINT BLAISE; 2Oth arrondisement

"...REBEL CHARACTER AND CITY LIFE AT A COUNTRY PACE...MAMA SHELTER:THE KEY TO A CITY. MAMA, YOUR MAMA, OUR MAMA, EVERYONE'S MAMA. THIS IS YOUR SHELTER, OUR

SHELTER. A SHELTER FOR EVERYONE.."

THE ENTIRE GROUND FLOOR IS GIVEN OVER TO THE WINING AND DINING SIDE OF THE OPERATION. THERE IS A LARGE ISLAND BAR SURROUNDED BY SOFAS

DJ DECKS ARE TUCKED IN THE CORNER (which come into play later in the night) AND THERE IS A MORE FORMAL DINING AREA WITH PREDICTABLE QUIRKY AND COLORFUL CHAIRS.

AND HOW MUCH DO WE LOVE THE CHALKBOARD FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS?

...VERY MUCH...

WHILE THE DESIGN IS VERY MUCH AT THE HEART OF THE SET UP, THE FOOD AND DRINK DON'T LAG FAR BEHIND. THE MENU IS SIMPLER THAN THE MORE CUTTING EDGE ELEMENTS ELSEWHERE WOULD SUGGEST. BUT THIS IS NO COMPLAINT AS EVERYTHING IS DONE SIMPLY BUT VERY WELL INDEED. THERE IS ALSO AN EXCITING WINELIST AND CHEESE PLATE IS PARTICULARLY EXCELLENT (well this is Paris after all). THE BARTENDERS ARE ALSO HIGHLY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CAN MIX A KILLER COCKTAIL.

BONNUITMESAMIS!