Our European Adventure: London, Paris & Barcelona
Back to Europe, This Time with My Wife
I have lived in London, France and Switzerland, and I have been back to Europe on a number of occasions for work and pleasure. But this trip was a first: I finally got to share it with my wife:)
The main reason for going was my global reunion with the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Barcelona. Since we were crossing the Atlantic anyway, we turned it into a three-city journey: four days in London, four days in Paris, and then Spain for the reunion. Some of these places were old friends to me. Seeing them through her eyes made them feel new again.
London: Four Days in my Old Neighborhood
A Walk Past My Old Front Door
One of my favorite moments of the whole trip was walking through Mayfair and standing in front of my old apartment. The door, the street and the neighborhood were all just as I remembered them. It was a great feeling to show my wife where I used to live.
The Royal and Historic Sights
We made the rounds of the big landmarks: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. In Parliament Square we stopped at the Churchill statue, set against a perfect blue sky.
Along the Thames
We walked to Tower Bridge and the river, then made a stop at Shakespeare's Globe, the reconstructed theatre with its thatched roof and timber frame. We also passed the Palace Theatre, where Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is playing.
Food, Cabs and Parks
Our favorite dinner was at Lobster and Burger. We rode the iconic black cabs, walked the big open spaces of Hyde Park, and simply enjoyed the streets of the city. Some of the best parts of London are the unplanned ones.
Paris: Art, Sculpture and Fashion Week
From London we took the Eurostar to Paris for four days. We happened to arrive during Fashion Week, which gave the city an extra buzz. We stayed in Saint-Germain, a neighborhood that is perfect for wandering.
Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay is my favorite museum in the world. The building is a former train station, and its huge glass-and-iron arched ceiling and giant clock are as much a draw as the art. We saw Van Gogh, and I made a beeline for my favorite piece, Antoine Bourdelle's Heracles the Archer (1909). The tension in the drawn bow and the figure's whole body is incredible in person.
The Rodin Museum
Next was the Rodin Museum, which is every bit as moving. I loved The Thinker in the garden, and The Three Shadows nearby. Inside, the sculptures of hands were a highlight, including The Secret, a pair of hands carved in marble that is astonishingly delicate. We also saw the Gates of Hell. Rodin's ability to make stone and bronze feel alive is phenomenal.
Churches, Gardens and Icons
We visited Notre-Dame, and the front of the cathedral is a masterpiece. The carved portals and the gallery of statues give you plenty to look at. At Sainte-Chapelle, the stained glass walls glow in every shade of blue, red and gold, and it is one of the most beautiful interiors I have ever seen.
We strolled the Luxembourg Gardens, where the Medici Fountain sits at the end of a long pool lined with flowers and trees. We also took in the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.
And then, of course, the Eiffel Tower. We saw it in the daytime from the Champ de Mars, and again at night when it was lit up gold against a deep blue sky. Both views are worth it.
Barcelona: Culture, Community and Our Favorite Stop
If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Spain. Barcelona had so much culture, and we loved staying right in the heart of the city.
The Thunderbird Reunion
The reason for the whole trip was the Thunderbird Global School of Management reunion, and it was amazing. I learned about board directing, heard what fellow alumni are doing around the world, and got a look at where the school is heading. It was great to reconnect with the community, and to have my wife there with me.
Sagrada Família and the Gothic Quarter
We visited the main cathedral and the Gothic Quarter, then stood beneath the spires of the Sagrada Família. Gaudí's towers rise into the sky, and no photo quite captures them.
Flamenco, Mountains and the Beach
We took in a flamenco show, and toured the city. We also got up into the mountains for the views, and enjoyed some amazing events along the beach. Barcelona gives you the whole package: history, art, nightlife, nature and the sea, all in one place.
Final Thoughts
Going back to places I once called home, and sharing them with my wife for the first time, made this trip special. London brought the memories, Paris the art, and Barcelona the energy and community. I came home with a full camera roll and a long list of reasons to return.
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