When I was in Monte Carlo, Monaco this past summer, in June of 2011, I came across this sign attached to a light pole.

No, it’s not edited to look that way.  Considering French is the native language of Monaco, and since this sign reads “LOVE” in English, it took me by huge surprise.

Apparently these signs actually do exist, unedited.  

For those of you who have ever been to Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, WY, you’ll know exactly what I am talking about here.  From concerts, to the rodeo, to the carnival, to the food…Cheyenne Frontier Days is a little slice of heaven for country fans.  Annually, in July, “CFD” is put on and attracts people from all over.  Last year, I was lucky enough to see Toby Keith, Eric Church, and Zac Brown Band at CFD. 

2012 CFD Lineup: 

Friday, July 20: Zac Brown Band
Saturday, July 21: Brad Paisley with The Band Perry
Sunday, July 22: Merle Haggard with Chancey Williams and the Younger Brother Band
Monday, July 23: CBR World Championship
Tuesday, July 24: CBR World Championship
Wednesday, July 25: REBA with special guests Rodney Atkins and Hunter Hayes
Thursday, July 26: Journey
Friday, July 27: Hank Williams Jr. with special guest Chris Young
Saturday, July 28: Blake Shelton

Did I get your attention yet?  Yeah, thought so.

I thought I’d go ahead and share some pictures from last year’s CFD trip.  I was still with my ex, Andrew, at the time, and he and I had a lot of fun.  We ended up camping in a tent on a campground (which had a shuttle to-and-from the fairgrounds…which was perfect!) and met the people who were staying in the tent next to us.  They were from Montana, and went to MSU…needless to say, we became fast friends.

Some of the girls and I right before Toby Keith & Eric Church.

Andrew and I before Zac Brown Band.

The clan tailgating before Zac Brown Band.

With a bunch of my friends studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain this semester, I felt it’d be highly appropriate to share my experiences there.  

DAY ONE

June 10th, 2011, my family and I arrived in Barcelona, Spain in the late afternoon.  We went to the marina and had some dinner.

Squid-ink paella.  DELICIOUS.

Sangria.

DAY TWO

June 11, 2011, we did a lot of sight-seeing, utilizing the subway to hop around town.  

The architecture was amazing, and extensive in the crafting of the buildings.

La Sagrada Familia.  They were doing construction and upkeep on it which we were there.  This is my brother and I.

The surrounding gardens of La Sagrada Familia.  

For lunch, we ate at Los Caracoles, a restaurant recommended to us by a friend prior to our departure.

The chicken was cooked to perfection, and was absolutely to die for.

The interior to the restaurant was unlike any I have ever seen.  Dried meats hung from the ceiling, the bar area was extensive, and you had to walk through the kitchen in order to be seated.  

Unfortunately, we were only there for two days (we left on a 2 week cruise of the Mediterranean the following day).   Overall, Barcelona was beautiful, and their seafood was to DIE for.  It is a must-see in Europe, and has a lot of great history attached to the city.  Although I am unsure of the nightlife, Barcelona seems to have a lot to offer travelers and study abroad-ers alike!