heartyspoonful

If you know me, or if you've followed my previous adventures, you're aware that I love to travel on my own. A lone, but happy wolf. Sure, I travel with my family, but my adventurous trips have always been on my own (or with a friend or two). But this year, after the heartache my family went through, it seemed like a brilliant idea to travel together and see a place through three different  sunglasses (I do mean this quite literally, ha!). 

Croatia! It was the first time in a long time my mum, brother and I agreed on something. It might've been the only decision we've ever made that didn't require copious amounts of tears and arguments. (But seriously, there's always a row even when we're just deciding which film to see.) We deemed this pain-free decision as a sign from the heavens that this trip would be clear skies and laughter-filled. And off to Croatia we went! 

I won't get into the details of the trip planning because I will tell you this now, five days in a country as beautiful as Croatia will leave you with many, many options.

The City

Maybe it's strange, but I have a thing for visiting a country's capital city first. The only time this never applied was for U.S.A. because let's be honest here, Washington D.C. isn't really on top of anyone's American dream travel city list (what a mouthful). Croatia has many beautiful coastal cities and we definitely could've easily rented a car and drive from one town to another, but I had to drag my travel mates to Zagreb. 

No regrets on my part (my brother disagrees) because there's so much history in this city and I'm a big fan of history. There was a stillness in the air, the beautiful kind. The city was homey, even at its busiest. The cars and trams and bicycles everywhere were all so beautifully placed. There's no fear in walking and getting lost. And it's a walkable city! Though there were zig zaggy roads, it wasn't difficult to get your sense of direction. But I did keep my map close, just in case. 

It was the first time we went with no particular itinerary in mind. We'll get through what we can get through and if we don't get to something, then tant pis. (This kind of travel mentality is actually very freeing!)

We stayed a few steps from the Katedrala Marijina Uznesenja, which is a Gothic cathedral right on Kaptol and there's always a slew of tourists any time of day. There are benches near the cathedral and oftentimes, you'll find tourists and locals alike eating their lunches here, enjoying the nice weather. Right across the cathedral, there's the Holy Mary Monument with it's beautiful gold statues and pigeon friends. We found ourselves sitting by the fountain a lot before heading back to our AirBnb after a day of exploring. You just feel this calmness at the end of the day. 

Early mornings were the best, only because the Dolac Market was a few minutes away from us and that was our daily ritual. I grabbed my bag, some money, my camera and headed to the colourful stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables. There were figs, grapes, the sweetest berries and lots more. I tried my best to read the Croatian words for the fruits I wanted for breakfast. Unfortunately, I retained nothing. A little ways down you'll find the Ban Jelacic Square, which is the central square. You'll find stalls selling roasted and steamed corn, Croatian handcrafts, and flowers. There are always kids playing around the Mandusavac fountain and tourists taking photos of the statue of Josip Jelacic. 

After getting lost trying to find a particular vegan cafe, we found ourselves facing a funicular. With the choice of either taking the funicular or climbing flights of stairs, we opted for the stairs... because we want buns of steel. Duh. Kidding aside, it wasn't a steep climb or a long one at that, so take the stairs, people. There were also some pretty cool graffiti on the wall so there's that. Once on top, we were welcomed by such a lovely view of the city. Definitely very nostalgic at this point (similar to Prague, Lisbon, Florence, any European city that allows you to see the city from up high). The fun doesn't stop there. 

A few minutes of walking led us towards St. Mark's Church with its colourful rooftop. It was a little difficult to capture this spot in a single photo. It was just too beautiful! I couldn't get over the wonderful creativity that was displayed. After turning my head, a sign caught my eye. Voila! There's the Museum of Broken Relationships. During lunch, I saw two girls with a paper bag with the "Museum of Broken Relationships" printed on it. I was intrigued and there we were! There were some laughs, a few sad ones (especially when it came to familial relationships), and some head scratches (Girl, you knew he was bad for you!). All in all, a worthwhile climb. 

There were so many parks, too, I can't quite recall their names. I can point them out to you on a map or even lead you there. There's a succession of parks in the city, Park Zrinjevac then Park Josipa Jurja Strossmayera that will then lead you to towards the Art Pavilion. This last park is reminiscent of Parisian parks. It must be the trees and graveled paths. A few blocks away you'll find the Botanical Garden and it's free to visit! (I'm from Montreal, the botanical garden isn't free.) We had lots of fun naming the tropical plants and trees that are able to thrive there (hello, Banana!) and even marvel at the small animals that were hiding (the frogs, the turtles, the storks). It was like being a kid again with our mum laughing at our antics. 

Because I'm such an avid walker who wanted to drag everyone to do the same, we walked some 45 minutes to Maksimir Park. We didn't wake up early enough to catch the bus to Plitvice (very, very unfortunate), so in the end we settled for this big park. There were old men fishing, lots of cyclists that day, and what seemed to be a national celebration with people wearing the Croatian national costume. All well worth the walk! 

Other Attractions

Obviously there was an extensive research before we headed to Croatia for vegan restaurants, or at least for vegan-friendly options in Croatia. Let's just say there wasn't much choice, but I don't hold a grudge against Croatia for this. Seafood is fresh, which is great for anyone who eats seafood. (Please don't, it's bad for the environment.)

The vegan restaurant we visited often was Nishta and we were lucky at how close it was to where we were staying. Some dishes fare better than others. We all liked the pakora, the Asian noodle stir-fry with tofu, the falafel pita and this creamy potato and mushroom dish. We didn't like the burrito or the other Mexican-style dishes (too much cinnamon for some reason). The food, overall, was average. There are definitely much better vegan restaurants in other cities, but for Zagreb, it wasn't too bad so I won't complain. I ate the food and I was satisfied. We didn't try any of the desserts because the servings were generous. Best place to eat after lots of walking. 

For breakfast, I usually went to one of the bakeries near the Dolac Market and would get myself fresh bread (my brother went crazy for their spinach pastries). I bought a lot of fresh fruits and we feasted like vegan fairies every morning. 

Green Point was also one of our stops. We bought smoothies and didn't try the veggie burgers. The location is very central so if you want something quick, head here. 

All in all, my best bet was to buy fresh ingredients and prepare my own food. There were a few organic supermarkets around that offered good selections and a farmer's market so I was all set. 

What We Observed

We run and eat and read.

New York, New York, how I never tire of you, but I suppose, you'd easily just swallow me alive and throw me up. Through it all, the dirty streets and loud noises, my inability to easily fall asleep and the constant need to be "doing something," I still love to return to this city. 

If you've browsed through this blog, you probably would've already stumbled upon my post on my vegan NYC guide. I visit this city at least once a year. I tell myself it's because I want to hang out with my friends, but really, it's mostly because I want to try out more vegan spots. Sshh, don't tell them that. 

Run Your Heart Out

This year, I return to New York with the goal of completing a half marathon. Without any expectations, I joined the half marathon lottery and I was surprised to receive an e-mail stating that I was selected. Boy, oh boy, that was in December, and with the cold winter months, I wasn't quite sure how my training would go. 

To make a rather long story short, there barely was any training involved. Sure, I continued to run at least 3 times a week in January, but because of the snow, I only managed to do at least 7km to 10 km each time. My longest run was 11 km, just half the total distance I needed to run in New York. February was a total disaster, where I only covered 31 km in total. Yes, it was bloody frigid and the roads were covered in ice. Why not run on the treadmill?, you ask. Eh, I couldn't because of my knees that felt more inflamed than normal when I force myself to run on that machine. Three weeks before the half, I worked on my speed and I guess that helped, too. 

I was not at all in my best running shape when my Mama and I landed in NYC. My right knee was a bit painful a few days before we left Montreal and I was concerned. But, miraculously, the pain went away and didn't show its ugly head during my run. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to push myself past 11 km. Perhaps because of experience and also pride, I was able to push through.

The first half wasn't so bad at all. I ran 10 km in 50 minutes, but by the 16th km, something went wrong. My left foot was in so much pain, it felt like the Hulk about to rip its clothes apart. My toes were ready to burst out of my Mizunos. I had to slow down by a lot and I already knew my goal of 1h55 was out the window. I had to stop twice to fix my shoe and even walked a bit of the last kilometre to gain some feel back on my left foot. Seeing that 400 metre banner was a huge sign of relief. Finally, it's  almost over and I can freeze the pain away. But hey, it's done and I'm glad I didn't abandon at all. 

Did I also mention how cold it was that morning? Waiting in our corral, a few of us were shivering. We tired dancing to feel a bit of warm, do butt kicks and walk around a bit, but all to disappointment. It was windy and cold. I had to buy a thicker long sleeves running top to have some warmth. I wore two layers of long sleeves and a vest, but it was still cold. Bravo to those runners in shorts and short sleeves. Warriors, you are. I managed to lose my gloves along the way. The dryness of my hands was no joke at all and my upper lip bled as well. Small price to pay, I say. 

Were there any other fun stuff during the half? Sure. A man didn't expect the water to be so cold, he ended up throwing the paper cup full of water and accidentally hitting another running, who was not amused. Hmm, you're right, that's not so funny. A spectator kept on taking my photo, mistaking me for her friend. At least I smiled. A man beside me kept on muttering, "Three more miles. Three more to go. Just three. Come on. Cooommmeeee onnnnn." This other guy also told himself numerous times, "You did it, you did it. It's done. Oh my God, you actually finished it." One man, I actually thought, was having a heart attack. He wasn't breathing well and the sounds were weird and quite scary. He was fine, though. An old lady kept on following me after the run and when I finally asked her what's up, she told me she was following me to the subway. (I didn't take the subway. She wasted her time.) One of the photographers at the finished line told me to come back because she wanted to take my photo. Girl, I really needed water and the blood out of my mouth.

All in all, it was a great experience and I'm glad I talked myself into it. As with any experience that proves to be physically uncomfortable, our minds would surely try to persuade us to stop and turn around. It's all about getting passed that and proving to yourself that you can do it. It feels heavenly to cross that finish line.

Get In My Belly

Of course a trip to New York isn't complete without food. The vegan foodie in me needed about 6 stomachs to be able to consume everything that's available. But since I was traveling with my Mama, who wasn't necessarily as much of a walker as I was (and she really has a hate/hate relationship with NYC subway), I had to take into consideration all the locations of the restaurants.


First stop was one of my favourite breakfast and brunch place, The Butcher's Daughter. Sure, it's pricey for what it is, but you always leave satisfied. The food is healthy and rather tasty. The ambience is on point as well. My Mama felt quite "hip" and comfortable when we headed there for a late breakfast but too early to call brunch. In her own words, it was "exactly what [she] need[s] after an hour of sitting in traffic." No joke, all the road works made what should've been a 20-minute cab ride into an hour long waiting game. No wonder we were both exhausted and hungry.

My mum isn't vegan, so she ordered a bagel sandwich with eggs and an orange and carrot juice whilst I chose my favourite coconut yoghurt with fruits and granola. I think I had to tell myself to take deep breaths to slow down. I guess that's what happens when you've been awake since 3 am to catch your 6 am flight and all you've had that morning was a big cup of coffee. If you've never been to The Butcher's Daughter, please do yourself a favour and head there right away! No regrets.


We didn't really have an itinerary. My Mama and I went with the flow and the turn of weather to guide us with what we should be doing in the day. Since it was rather chilly, we spent a lot of time indoors, mostly in small cafes, drinking coffee or tea. I've done a bit of research, too, for vegetarian/vegan restaurants that I haven't tried before. Terri was one of them. I think there's a few locations in Manhattan, but we stopped by the Chelsea location. We were both so tired so it was rather sad when we found out there wasn't really a place to sit and eat our food. I had our wraps on take away and we headed to the nearest cafe we could find. It's fun sneaking in "outside" food and trying to not get caught. Is it just me?

Mama chose the Thai "chicken" wrap, which was actually very delicious and I highly recommend it. If you want to die of happiness hummus overload, choose the hummus and avocado wrap. I fell in love! We ate slowly, telling ourselves along the way there's no way we'll finish it all. But when you've walked 15 km already and it's only 2 pm, you know you're bound to eat anything in sight. And so that's what we did.


By now you should know that thought I love my city, I do contemplate on moving to another city that has Whole Foods. I'm serious. I can handle the snow, all the bipolar weather, terrible roads, and all that jazz. But the fact that there's no Whole Foods close to me makes my heart break. So I happily dragged my mum to Whole Foods when Lovely Day told us there was an hour wait for the next available table. (My tummy waits for no one...) Obviously, we went crazy. My Mama and I bought fresh fruits like banana, oranges, strawberries and blueberries, we grabbed some coconut yoghurt, and then we ran straight to the salad bar.

I think we ate at Whole Foods three times. There was one close to where we stayed so it was easy to be lazy and skip the other vegan restaurants to head here instead and be creative. I usually always take baby spinach and top it off with everything I find savoury. Tofu is always a must. I'll add some couscous or quinoa. Maybe some roasted potatoes because, come on, I'm on vacation and calories don't count. Right? Not the biggest fan of their falafels, but heck, I'll take some, too. I just loads up on a lot of their roasted veggies like sweet potato, squash, courgette and broccoli. Yum!


When you're wandering around East Village, you'd think the next food stop is a Ukrainian institution. But alas, no, Angelica Kitchen, or as I like to nickname it "Heaven," is a favourite spot of mine. The food is just like home. The portions are pretty big, too so we always have a doggie back whenever we visit. It's the first time I ate here for brunch and since 1) I missed having pancakes and 2) I was telling myself I'm carboloading before my half marathon, I ordered the buckwheat pancakes and tried to be sensible so I added some roasted veggies, too. Mama went for their brunch special of huevos rancheros. (She highly recommends this!)

Let me tell you something, I thought I'm an experienced pancake eater. But, nay, I was slaughtered by those pancakes. I think I ate one and a half and asked our server to pack the rest. I didn't skimp on the maple syrup though because YOLO. Then, after cleansing our tummies a bit with green tea, Mama and I shared what I must say was one of my favourite cakes ever, their Tres Leches cake. I still dream about that cake. I swear, if I do get married, I would like that as my wedding cake. The groom has no say.


After my half marathon, I wanted a nice sit-down lunch so I can just stretch my legs under the table. But since my actual stretching took a long time, our original plan to have lunch at Blossom had to be rethought. (FYI, it closes at 2:45 and reopens at 5 pm). Since Mama and I were at Chelsea anyway, we decided to head to Blossom Du Jour instead, which is their take on fast food. You know what? I think it was a happy ending.

We got there, exhausted and hungry. Mama knew right away what she wanted: a cold, sweet shake and their beet burger. It took a while for me to decide. Should I go with a salad? The burrito? Or that quinoa burger? The latter ultimately won, and we threw in onion rings for good measure. Comfort food at it's finest without make you feel like you need to do a 2-hour workout right after. Sure, I did run a half marathon that morning, but I definitely would eat all this even if I just sat on my bum. The only downside is, if you're quite thirsty, which I was, best to bring your own bottle of water or order a full drink. That cup of water just made me thirstier. But hey, I still dream about those darn onion rings.

We visited a few more places and even had some vegan baked goods from Union Square Park. I do think that if you're vegan, you do have a lot of options. Had we stayed another day, I definitely would've dedicated that day to food.

If you've reached this part of the post, then oh my goodness, you're a trooper. Here's to more running and food adventures for us all!

xx

Just another lone traveler in a city of colour and sun. No biggie.

"Italy has great food and Barcelona has great energy."
- Stefon Harris

When I planned my trip last year, my mother had asked me countless times why on Earth I was heading to Barcelona. Logistically, it just didn't make sense to her (or to most of my friends, to be honest with you) because I was already very certain that Prague and Copenhagen were my first stops. "Barcelona? Why on Earth can you not stick to one side of Europe?," she asked. I don't know, Mother, I think I just needed some sun, sand and seafood. (Clearly, I'm joking here. I just needed to stick to s-words.)

After a few days of rain in both Prague and Copenhagen, boy, was I glad I headed to Barcelona. After spending five beautiful days in that city, I was tanned and looking healthy again. I missed the beach, I missed the carefree me that I haven't seen in years, I missed long walks under the sun and just enjoying the architecture. I just missed feeling like my old self again. 

It's not to say that Prague and Copenhagen weren't enjoyable or that these two cities weighed me down. But, I think, both these cities served a different purpose. Prague served to help me step out of my bubble and to not fear the unknown. There I was in a foreign city with a foreign language and culture I didn't understand. It felt refreshing to really feel like a tourist and to see the city through as if through a child's eye: I was amazed and curious. Copenhagen was a city of self-discovery. Sure, I barely understood the language, but practically everyone spoke English. Their ways weren't so foreign to me. But within that city, I was discovering the proximity of my comfort zone and I pushed myself to dig into new experiences that I suppose I wasn't too keen in doing in my day-to-day life in Montreal. I partied with exchange students (I barely approach strangers). I had drinks with random "neighbours" and felt quite at home with them. I practically gate crashed a house party (I was invited by a friend of a friend... of a friend?). 

I wanted more of that carefree self and Barcelona was the perfect place to be. Really. Not that I was letting my guard down necessarily, but that I didn't judge myself too much. I didn't give myself too many restrictions, which I tend to do on normal days. There was just something magical about the air in Barcelona (although I must say, I got bitten by way too many mosquitoes during my stay) that makes you feel alive and ready to party. 

Traveling alone, even to a party town, means some anxiety for me. Honestly, I love traveling solo, but sometimes, I do wonder if I'm enjoying the city was much as I could. Because, you know, it's not always fun to go to a beach party alone. You ponder on the plausibility of you meeting people to hang out with, etc. etc. But then I just go and have a raging time with some good people. (Some questionable personalities, but these types are always everywhere anyway.)

Here's a list of things that I did in Barcelona that I don't normally do (or am afraid to do): 

• Sat on the bar of a (vegan) restaurant, dined alone and chatted with two nice girls, who became my night buddies for a few days;
• Went to a carnival and rode rides on my own, like that big Ferris wheel and I was in the cabin with a couple, who either made out each other or took selfies of them being lovey dovey #foreveralone;
• Didn't feel guilty for all the vegan junk food that my belly and taste buds enjoyed (hello, vegan burgers and fries and donuts all day, every day);
• Parked myself at the beach, swam the cold waters, enjoyed some paddle boarding (I was rather bruised afterwards), wore flip flops like there's no tomorrow, felt comfortable wearing a bikini (YOLO), chatted with fellow beach goers, joined people who were playing volleyball (I still suck even today); 
• Chatted with guys at bars even though it was clear they're only trying to score and then I bid them Bye, Felicia;
• Ran early in the morning and headed straight to the beach to swim (yep, I had my bikini on underneath my runner gear) and then ran back home dripping with ocean water; 
• Had an alcoholic drink before 5pm and felt no guilt (I need a lot of urging if you want me to drink even a mimosa at brunch); 
• Fought with a rude lady in Spanish (I don't recommend this to anyone, best to keep your cool); 
• Beach. Dance. Party. 
• Checked out some tourist spots with fellow lone travelers (hello buddies from London, Switzerland and India!);
• Watched fireworks and without a hint of embarrassment, squealed like an excited little kid;
• ... and I suppose there's more, but I'll keep it short(ish). 

And off to my foodventures. Barcelona really developed its vegan scene from years ago. After a disastrous vegan experience in Madrid 2 years ago, I was also skeptical about having enough vegan options in Barcelona. Boy, was I not to be disappointed. What a wonderful surprise that there were just so many options to choose from! I had planned to visit most of the vegan restaurants during my stay, but I suppose once I tried one or two that I really loved, I just kept on coming back for more. There's always next time, right?

La Boqueria
Website: La Boqueria
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8m to 8:30pm
Address: Rambla, 91


La Boqueria is like a foodie heaven for anyone who loves food, especially fresh produce that are just too enticing. From the moment you take a step into this market, your eyes are first welcomed by the stalls selling fresh fruits served in small containers, ready to go with you to the beaches. That's what I usually did. If I was spending an afternoon at the beach, I simply headed there and bought myself different fruits that I hungrily ate under the sun. Fresh fruit juices and smoothies are also for sale. The Medjool dates that I bought from here were just big and delicious. There are also beautiful stalls that showoff colourful fruit jellies and other candies, and spices. As you go further into the market, there are ore diverse offerings for non-vegan foodies that include fish, meat, and cheese. But, basically, I just wanted to buy all the fresh vegetables and make a salad and a stir-fry. It was just that tempting.

I also got some gifts for family from here, like spices, dried fruit and candied nuts. There was a stall that offered what seemed to be rather fancy oils and balsamic vinegar. I didn't quite trust myself to carry bottles with me on my way home. All in all, it's a good idea to spend some time walking around La Boqueria, especially when you're hungry. No regrets.

Teresa Carles
Website: Teresa Carles Healthy Foods
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9am to 1am
Address: Carrer de Jovellanos, 2


Teresa Carles has been on a great journey in Barcelona. I think this was the first restaurant whose reviews enticed me to right there right away once I landed. I got lost getting to the restaurant on my first day so instead of having dinner here, I ended up visiting another spot (included below), which was also a great surprise. The winding streets of Barcelona can be rather tricky.

But off to the restaurant. Firstly, let me say that the vibe was just awesome. The decor was great and I an totally see it as a date spot. By the way, it totally was that day I visited. Couples everywhere. My server asked if I was waiting for my boyfriend. Really, not my friend, but my boyfriend. It was funny anyway. It took a while for me to decide what to order. There were just so many delightful dishes. However, I must say that Teresa Carles is a lot friendlier to vegetarians. (But now, they are offering vegan options for most dishes, so it's a win!) After much thought and headache and after a sip of that strong Carajillo (coffee with a shot of rum), I decided it would be best if I stick to salad and then order dessert. Balance. I ordered their pumpkin and crispy tempeh salad, which was the bomb! I tell you, it was just perfection in a salad bowl. The dressing was so creamy thanks to the soy yoghurt and though I don't quite like soy yoghurt, I'm happy to say that it didn't taste like soy at all. The tempeh was crispy indeed and all the vegetables complement each other. Delicious! For dessert, I timidly ordered the Everybody's Fav Choco Cake! (I kid you not, this is the name on the menu) and I was sold! After quietly spying the dessert on the table next to mind, sweetly devoured by this couple from Indonesia, I took the dive and ate that piece of cake on my own. No shame, all sweetness.

Here are other delicious options from the menu that were enjoyed by the people I met:

• Vegetable tempura;
• Happy Coca (pizza);
• Salmon tofu;
• Vegan mille feuille

Flax&Kale
Website: Flax&Kale
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10am to 11:30pm
Address: Carrer dels Tallers, 74


Be still, my heart. Flax&Kale is still the best brunch place in my heart. Seriously. Every time I think about all the food I consumed in this restaurant, my mouth still waters. Flax&Kale is one of the other related restaurants of Teresa Carles so you know that the food will be fresh and the menu, exciting. It was also such a joy that this restaurant was only a 15-minute walk away from my flat. My walk there at 11:30am (because, you know, on most days I do end up waking up only at 11am) are undeniably sprints to the finish line, i.e. a sunny spot at Flax&Kale.

It was raining one night and I didn't want to venture further for dinner so though Flax&Kale was really busy that time, I asked the staff to please find me a table or even a bar stool so I can just please eat. It was already 9:00pm (i you know me, I like to eat dinner early) and my only other meal that day was brunch and some fruits at the beach. I was starving.

Once handed the menu, I quickly scanned through the pages. What to get? It was a bit difficult to understand the menu. You have to read the guidelines on the first few pages to know what anything means (i.e. PB - plantbased, OF - oily fish, etc.). I decided to just stick to what I know that night and that simple meals usually are the ones that are memorable, and this was one heck of a plate: roasted carrots and avocado salad. You don't understand just how savoury and perfect this meal was. My tummy rejoiced and I couldn't wait for the next bite. But maybe that was the glass of Cava? I don't know. On another night I had dinner here, I ordered No Digas Tacos because why not? The guacamole was divine and I was surprised at how much I liked the shiitake mushrooms in a taco.


Flax&Kale is definitely more for flexitarians. There are a lot of fish and cheese on the menu so be careful when placing your order. I got excited for one item on the menu (a pasta dish, I believe) and I was rather sad to see that there was ricotta in the dish. Tsk tsk. But if you eat cheese and fish, this is definitely heaven. What I do love about Flax&Kale is the diversity of the menu. There's a different menu for breakfast, lunch & dinner, merienda (from 5pm to 7pm) and weekend brunch. I definitely urge you to try breakfast and weekend brunch.

I ate breakfast here at least twice during my stay and I would've gone more often had I decided to explore only that area of Barcelona. For breakfast, I definitely loved the market fruit salad, which is a fruit platter of seasonal fruits - simple but delicious. The avocado toast I had here was probably one of the best I've ever had and I've had quite a platefuls of avocado toast in my day. Pew pew. The acai bowl was also just heavenly! Such a refreshing breakfast after a morning of thirst and sun. It felt like I was having dessert for breakfast. I also highly recommend their chia flax bagel, which satiated my hunger post-run. It has plant-based cheese, tempeh, lettuce, tomato and vegan cream cheese. What more do you want?


Other delicious things on the menu:

• Grilled smoked tofu wrap (for breakfast);
• Spaghettini PBGF (for lunch/dinner);
• Veggie panang red curry (for lunch/dinner);

Oh and may I add, gotta love the washroom of this place. Selfie-worthy, imo.


Gopal 
Website: Gopal Barcelona
Hours: Monday to Sunday from noon to 11pm (Friday and Saturday - open until midnight)
Address: Carrer dels Escudellers, 42


Gopal a.k.a. my vegan burger lover. This place was also so hard to find. I got lost once, but that was because I turned the wrong way. All worth it though. Be prepared to eat elsewhere because Gopal is more like a hole-in-the-wall type of eatery. I was lucky enough to get a spot during all my visits to this place. Also another pro: the staff is very friendly!

There were a few choices for the vegan burgers. I don't quite remember what I got, but I think I tried 3 overall. The bread was so delicious, the sauce just amazing and the fries, don't even get me started. I left not a single crumb on my plate. I really forced myself to slow down because I definitely could've finished that burger in two seconds. You can't really blame me.


You also have the option of skipping the burger buns and just topping the burger on a salad, which I did on that one occasion because, you know, I also decided to have their chocolate doughnut. Again, balance. Their doughnuts and other desserts are also a must! Everything on the menu is simply delicious. If I remember correctly, I think there were also veggie dogs or sausages. My mind just went blank here. I think I'm forgetting my name. That's how delicious the burgers here were!


Cat Bar CAT
Website: CatBarCAT
Hours: Mon-Wed from 6:30pm to 11:30 pm and Thu-Sat from 12:30pm to 11:30pm
Address: Boria, 17


Possibly the chillest place I went to in Barcelona. There were no Yummy Mummy squads here (which you will find a lot at Teresa Carles and Flax&Kale). There are no children, but just lots of really interesting and mostly young(ish) people (at least when I visited). The first time someone mentioned Cat Bar to me, I genuinely thought it is literally a bar with cats, which are becoming a trend at the moment. But nay, for all of you crazy cats who suffer from allergies due to cats (including yours truly), you can rest assured that I didn't see any actual cats here (just some catty personalities after a few pints of beer).

My only regret was that I only went here once, which definitely wasn't enough because all the vegan burgers looked legit! Seriously. I'm pretty sure there were other items on the menu other than the burgers, but hot damn, I just can't remember. I was so fixated on the burger selections that I just didn't give a flying F to look at anything else.

Be warned though that the space is pretty small, but cozy. The vibe was pretty great, too, at least my twenty-something self thinks so. It was rather easy to make friends as well. I shared a long table with this other guy who was took a random trip to Barcelona from Sweden after a bad breakup with his girlfriend. He was super nice, but I can't quite recall his name (but I swear he was a decent human). It actually felt nice to just eat a big burger with someone without caring how messy your face might look.

I settled for this spicy burger that had mushrooms in it (I think it might have been the "Champion" burger). And fries! I swear to the moon and beyond that those fries took my breath away. They were crispy with just enough salt and pepper. The burger bun was toasted to perfection (at least in my humble opinion) and the vegan burger was juicy and seasoned well. I didn't prepare myself for that last bite. It was like parting with your boyfriend and you know you won't be able to see him for a year.

I went on a Thursday night and being the North American that I am, I went for happy hour mode. Hey, artisan beers? Sign me up. (Actually, I lie. I don't really drink much and beer isn't my first drink of choice if I do drink, but hey, when in Rome...). My dinner companion had much more experience with beer so I let him listen to the nice staff who explained the different local craft beers. No, I don't remember which one on tap I ordered, but I remember I finished the glass. That's what matters, right?

Would I eat here again? Absolutely. Would I probably try to taste all of their vegan burgers on the menu? Oh, hell yea! Ok, let me daydream now.

Veggie Garden
Website: Veggie Garden
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12:30pm to 11:30pm
Address: Carrer dels Angels, 3


After a rather confusing, but hilarious discussion about veganism and vegetarianism with two Argentine guys, I ended up at Veggie Garden unexpectedly on my first night in Barcelona. I was heading to Teresa Carles (their top recommendation), but got lost on my walk, but was so relieved that Veggie Garden (another recommendation) was just around the corner.

I wasn't particularly hungry that night and though there were a lot of yummy options. If you want a dish that has rice, they have that. If you want veggie burgers, just look at the menu. If you're craving Thali, bam, right there. Or, if you were like me, I ended up ordering a roasted veggie salad that was yes, delicious, but two people definitely could've eaten that! Needless to say, I was sad to have wasted food because there was just too much salad. Those bloody capers were so huge, too. But I like capers, so I just won't complain. The couple dining beside me had the Thali and a veggie burger and they were both raving about it. I really felt like the third wheel. If you're visiting this restaurant, I advice you to skip the salads because that would be such a waste.

Not totally satisfied from my last visit, I went back again after visiting Casa Batllo because, you know, Gaudi's art makes me hungry. This time around, I visited another location and ordered their daily special that came with a soup, a main, a dessert and a drink. I didn't actually realise that dessert was also included until the server ran after me with a little bag that had a vegan apple cake inside (I snacked on it later that day). The soup that day was beetroot soup (my tongue turned purple, but that's fine). The main was this large calzone with lots of courgette, mushrooms, onions and tomato sauce. I definitely burned off all the calories from walking and dancing that night. Living the life.

I think Veggie Garden is the best place in Barcelona from some not so pricey vegan fare, especially if you're looking for more than just veggie burgers and want something else to excite your palate. Definitely didn't break the budget!

Now, plan your next trip to Barcelona!

Enjoy! xx

 

 Prague. My first stop. Another city of winding streets. A city that holds the many secrets and wishes of visitors who don't want to leave. A city that holds such rich history, yet isn't as popular. A city that is old, but is still new. Prague was a surprise, but what a great one it was. 

I touched down late at night, after a delay in Montreal and then a full day spent in London. Let's just say I didn't expect anything worthwhile on my first night. I just wanted to get to my flat, change clothes and perhaps find a still open market to buy some snacks. And that, I did. 

My flat was located just a brush away from Charles Bridge - it was busy from 9am to 10pm. On my first night, there were pedestrians buzzing with energy at 9pm, musicians who were entertaining everyone who would listen and there I was, in my third floor room with the window open, enjoying the scene and "La vie en rose" being played down below. But I was also rather exhausted, thank goodness for ear plugs to muffle away the sound of fun. 

Day 1:

My legs were feeling quite strong when I woke up, but I really wasn't aware of my surroundings. Apart from Charles Bridge, I couldn't pinpoint where any other monument was. It had rained overnight. I could see the wet cobblestones from my window and I cautioned myself during my run. No one wants to spend their two-week holiday on crutches. After lacing on my runners, I headed down and decided to take advantage of the almost empty Charles Bridge. I found parks quite randomly and after 5km, I thought my poor knees had had enough of the slippery streets. I was also already quite hungry. 

Just getting started on Petrin Hill

The owner of my flat, Jakub, was very funny and kind. He's also vegetarian (except when his grandmother makes traditional Czech feast during Christmastime - he feels guilty saying no). He suggested little (and big) gems of the city, and I was quite happy to my much of the work be done by my little feet. First stop, as it was rather close to the flat, was Petrin Hill. That was one heck of a butt workout, I tell you! My legs were so sore, climbing the steep walkways and then somehow, getting lost in a wooded area. But it was just so beautiful! The view was breathtaking and if you climb long enough (well, take the funicular up), you'll end up at the Observation Tower, which is fashioned as a mini Eiffel Tower. It was mostly couples who were with me all morning, young and old. That was rather lonely! 

After some time, I decided to walk about some more and explore Mala Strana. I loved the little passageways and the streets that curved, as if they're hiding secrets left and right. I checked out the little shops and since it rained just a bit, I ducked into a puppet shop and met a lovely elderly couple, Andrew and Liz, from Arizona. I decided to start early on my gift shopping and bought a tiny puppet for my cousin. It seems to me Prague was a city for lovers! Tant pis. 

I had done my research, as any sensible vegan would, very early on for vegan restaurants in Prague. There weren't many choices and some did seem interesting, but were a bit out of the way. Poor little tourist. There was, however, LoVeg, located in Mala Strana and pretty close to where I was staying. More uphill walk, I see.  There was a bit of a climb to get up to LoVeg, staircase-wise, but definitely worth it. The restaurant takes up two floors and there's a magnificent view if you're lucky enough to get a spot on the terrace. There are some offering of traditional Czech cuisine, typical Thai and Mexican dishes plus salads. On this first visit, I decided to go with something light. Travelling always makes me want to eat lots of veggies. I tried the vegan quesadilla with lots of grilled veggies, cashew cheese, soy-based sour cream and a side salad. No heavy sauces and potatoes for now. This dish was exactly what I needed - no pretensions, just a simple and tasty fare. Tummy was well satisfied!

Then, I went up to the Prague Castle of course. You can actually see it up LoVeg so I figured, well, there I was already, so why not just go right ahead. After taking a crazy amount of photos of buildings and facades and food I couldn't eat, I managed to climb up the grounds. The view was simply fantastic! I went about and followed the crowd. There were even newlyweds taking photos on the Old Castle Steps. It was rather funny seeing the brides change into Toms shoes, quite a necessity if you ask me. I just toured the outside grounds and gardens. My drowsy self felt too tired to walk about royal rooms. I needed to take caution lest I actually drop to the ground and hit something priceless. My favourite part is definitely the side garden with a lookout. It wasn't cold enough yet so the flowers were still in bloom. And it just looked like a garden from a fairytale! I could just imagine how splendid it would've been, late at night, during a fete, with some lights and lots of laughter. But, my jetlag finally got the best of me. I went back to my flat and took a nap. 

My kind of view

The sun was still up when I finally woke up. The happy chatter down the street was my alarm clock. Ah, more people crossing the Charles Bridge. I freshened myself up and decided to walk about around. It was almost time for dinner. I headed to the John Lennon Wall. I was quite lucky it was very close to where I was staying. It was definitely the most colour I've seen in Prague. It's the one place where a selfie is a must, I think. I spent a few minutes taking a photo of the wall and having my photo taken. It would prove to be one of the very few photos of me whilst in Prague. I also spent some time listening to the lovely musician who was singing John Lennon's songs and Beatles' medley. It was rather a pickmeup! 

Sshhh... The singer was actually pretty cute.

Lehka Hlava was my stop for dinner. I got confused with the directions a bit and it's easy to be! This vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant is located in a small alleyway so it's easy to miss. But I was very pleased when I finally got there. However, is it just me or are Prague restaurants more prone to dim lights? My advice is to make a reservation here! It's very busy, but since I was dining alone, I managed to have the last free table that was outside of the main dining area and more out in the hallway. It was lovely. There are a few vegan options and I was a bit disappointed that the tastier options weren't vegan (like their famous beet burger). So I settled for this gigantic Asian salad with seaweed, crunchy tofu and tofu dressing. What a salad! It was sweet, savoury and just plain delicious. But I got so full with the salad that I didn't even bother with dessert. I would have sweet dreams, I knew. 

I headed to the famous town square, it was just around the corner. There were people gathering close to the Astronomical Clock, the hour was about to strike. I followed the flock. It was beautiful and what a great creation! Everyone was applauding when it was over. The town square was so dreamy that night, with musicians playing and avoiding all the people on Segways. I walked around a bit and stumbled upon some twenty-somethings, looking for a small cafe or bar. And that's how we spent that night, drinking to our health with tea and beer. Not bad at all.

 Day 2:

Another day, another run. This time, we ran across the bridges! There was light rain and my fear of slipping on cobblestones wasn't great enough to deter me. There were so many other runners, some running for their lives in speed, others who were more cautious. But breakfast was all I was looking forward to. 

A few minutes down my flat is a bakeshop called The Bakeshop. Then, there's the Little Bakery of the Bakeshop, where you can order green smoothies! I was properly excited. I ordered their traditional green smoothie and though it was good, I knew a bigger lunch was in order. Cutest little corner by the way! And the server was totally awesome. If you're not vegan, I was told by the other customers that their cakes are yummy. 

I had a proper walk across Charles Bridge, avoiding the packet of fellow tourists who either took excessive photos of all the statues and the view or of themselves enjoying the view. Let's be honest, you'll walk down Charles Bridge more than once during your visit to Prague. Old Town and New Town were my destinations this day. I wanted to just sit down and enjoy a glass of beer whilst reading under the sun. But I headed to the Mucha Museum first. It was tiny! But very educational. I love Mucha's work. There's such sensuality, yet such sincerity in his works. How amazing that his oeuvres were used for advertising, from plays to biscuit tins!

I got lost, obviously. And somehow, I ended up in a shopping area, but that was a welcome mistake. I found a Pandora store and one more charm to my collection added. I reckon I just walked past all the landmarks, took a photo of them and then went on my way. I was in such a hurry to go back to Lehka Hlava - I just couldn't seem to have enough. But this time around, after a meagre breakfast, I wanted something heavier. So after much internal debating, I settled for the vegan bulgur rissoto with sundried tomato pesto and tempeh. Tastebuds were very, very happy, I have to tell you that. I did have to eat slowly though because the pesto was on the salty side, but overall, this dish was ze bombbbb and the consistency was incredible!

Taste explosion

I decided to see some more greenery and headed down Kampa Park, but there was rain that was threatening. But finally, when the sun said hello and seemed like it would last, I took a boat tour and the breeze felt so nice. I was beginning to feel a love affair with Prague brewing. Ah, just what I needed, another city to love. I went back to Old Town Square and instead of getting a bottle of water, I decided to go for beer! Because, you know, do as the Romans do or something like that. Funny thing though is that the strap of my bag always unbuttoned half of my shirt so for some time already, my bra was out there for the world to see. No wonder I kept on getting free beer. Or how easily it was to meet new people. Thank God I'm no alcoholic. 

Then, I headed back to my flat to rest my poor feet. I actually covered a lot of ground, but that's what I loved about Prague. Everything in proximity. Just don't be lazy with walking, you see more of the city that way. After a short nap (yes, Prague was my city of naps), I headed back to LoVeg. This was to be my last dinner in Prague. My flight to Copenhagen was just around dinnertime the following day. I, at least, had some time to explore the city a bit more the following day. This time around for dinner, I went BIG because calories don't mean much to me when I know I burn them all with my long walks. So the vegan burger it was with a side of fries for me. Plus, this decadent beetroot chocolate cake. Heavenly! When you decide to (somewhat) join a pubcrawl that night, you gotta have enough food in your belly, am I right?

P.S. Don't tell my mother, a few friends I've met and I headed to the Prague Sex Machines Museum for a laugh. Funniest commentaries I ever did hear (and give) when we were viewing this silent porn film. Totally hilarious! 100% questionable. ("Why is he just... flopping about like a fish out of water?")

Day 3:

To sum it up, I spent the entire morning working around the Jewish quarter. All the buildings were so beautiful and I visited some synagogue. I got tangled with a group of students from German. I accidentally greeted them in German and the professor thought I was one of her students. Definitely not. My German is not good at all! But I digress. The sun finally decided to say hello. I felt very overdressed with my jacket and nylons, but I figured, I've got Copenhagen to look forward to. It was rainy. 

My first stop, however, as the Bakeshop for another smoothie and this time around, a bagel also. Carbs are a girl's best friend. Well, at least this girl. I didn't do much shopping and there was still a bit of space in my luggage so I thought, hey why not, let's go for it. So sad when everything I liked was in the higher end shops and it would be cheaper if I buy them in North America. C'est la vie. Needless to say, my last half day in Prague was very quiet and relaxing, just what I needed. I spent a few good minutes on Charles Bridge, immobile, looking out the horizon. It felt so quiet, even though everyone around me was chatting and laughing. The prospects of a new city were giving me excitement, but also a bit of anxiety. As always. But in that moment, Prague felt like home. I had gotten used to its slipper cobblestones and winding streets. Nothing linear, always a sweet surprise in every turn. 

Vegan Restaurants:

LoVeg

Address: Nerudova 221/36, 118 00 Praha 1

Website: www.loveg.cz

Lehka Hlava

Address: Boršov 280/2, 110 00 Praha 1

Website: www.lehkahlava.cz

Copenhagen. The city of bikes. Of long legs and blond hair and blue eyes. Of simplicity. Of wide roads and bike lanes. Of funny antics on the bikes. And off it. Of the brightest flowers I ever did see. Of the sweetest smiles that ever met me. I still long for thee. 

Friends who travelled to Copenagen told me their stories, their opinions, their expectations, all the highs and lows. I'm not sure I'm surprised that each and every one of my friends told me the Danes are apples to the eye, not very good with small talk, and fun after a few glasses. I was giddy with excitement. 

Arrival: 

I landed in Copenhagen later than usual, after a flight delay, which wasn't surprising. There were heavy rains in Copenhagen. It was dark and cold when I landed - not a very positive sign. A little discouraging, even. My brain didn't seem to function properly, I was in the wrong line for train tickets to central station. Finally, I managed to figure it out and I was increasingly eager to arrive to my flat and get under the covers. I missed the bus and with the rain pouring down, I decided to take a cab. Always funny when the driver asks you for directions. Hello, sir, I'm clearly a tourist and rather clueless. And then, we arrived and I just ran up the stairs with my luggage, ready for bed. 

Day 1:

I got up bright and early to go for a run. It was dark and grey outside, as if the clouds were threatening us mere mortals. I didn't know the neighbourhood at all, but I followed this bike/walk path and finally saw some fellow runners. Let's just say, it was rather nice to start the day with some runner eye candies. *wink wink*

That morning, I went on at a leisurely pace. I ate my breakfast whilst planning my activities for the rest of the day. Assistens Kirkegård was close enough so I went for a walk, searching mainly for Hans Christian Andersen's grave. I read the map wrong and I was there for more than an hour along with some other tourists. I think the most fun bit of my visit there was me making babies laugh. I didn't realise I had that in me. Then off I went to walk towards the centre from Nørrebro. Did. Not. Realise. It. Was. That. Far. But I didn't mind, you see, I'm a walker and Copenhagen was proving to be a worthy city. I reached the Lakes and decided to go around them. Like my run that morning wasn't enough. It was so lovely, the sun decided to say hello, the wind was gentle, the swans were having the time of their life. Just after, I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and headed straight to the botanical garden. What a lovely little haven in the middle of the city! The lily pond was magical, I even decided to sit on the little dock and read. What a fairytale! 

But of course, after all that walking, my tummy began to protest. Thank goodness Torvehallerne was closeby - foodie heaven! Of course, if you're open to try everything under the sun, it's going to be a fun rollercoaster ride. There are some stalls that I considered vegan paradise, such as Fresh Market, which offers freshly cut fruit, salads and juices as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. I bought some juices, cut fruits and salads to go, but I found the fresh fruits and vegetables to be a little too pricey. So off I went outside, where there was a veggie and fruit stall. I bought myself some bananas and the ripest figs I ever did! I was rather tempted to buy fresh flowers, too, but I restrained myself. I couldn't be bothered with such a luxury. 

I sat outdoors and ate my fruits - best snack ever. I had great conversations with some locals, who had confused me for a local (if that were true, I'd definitely be in the minority). Ha! Always funny when people think I'm local. We conversed about our travels, films, what we're reading and veganism. I soon got hit on by a married man. Oy vey. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking around, visiting shops and buying gifts for my family and friends back home. I learned a few Danish words that day and I think I managed to fake the simple conversations with shopkeepers. With the mistake of saying "Hej hej" when I first meet someone. 

It was rather chilly by the end of the day and so I decided to head on home to warm up a bit. I had planned to eat a vegan restaurant for dinner that night, but my salad from Fresh Market proved to be too enticing so I stayed in for dinner. No regrets. That was one big salad, so filling but all worth it! I definitely need to recreate it for my meals back home, sans le concombre. I got tired of my own company soon after. I don't mind travelling alone at all, but for some reason, that night, I craved company. And off I went to a neighbourhood bar (where I met the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on). As I've already said, no regrets. 

A more than satisfying first day in Copenhagen, if you ask me. 

Day 2:

Another day, another run. This time around, since I was more familiar with the city, I headed farther for my run. The Lakes are definitely amazing when you're a long distance runner. Not boring at all! And as I mentioned above, eye candies everywhere. It was so inspiring to see so many active individuals on a work day. Something that gets lost in North America. I was famished by the time I got back to my flat. Can you blame me? More than 10km in the bag. Breakfast that day was a juice from Fresh Market and the bananas and figs that I got from Torvehallerne. It was love at first bite. 

My itinerary for that day included Nyhavn because I needed colour! Copenhagen, I love you and all, but you're very neutral. (If you're the type of individual who wears bright colours all the time, mind that you will stand out in this city. I faded in the background. Obvs.) After this fairtytale-like promenade around Nyhavn, I headed straight to Kastellet, looked for the Little Mermaid (you tiny little creature) and decided to brave the strong winds and walked uphill. I had to sit down since I was rather afraid I'd end up falling down the moat. Tiny girl + very strong winds = not a very good mix. Then it was time for lunch, after all that walking. I went back near Rosenborg Castle (lovely garden!) where I noticed a little sign indicating juice and vegan options. So in I went Big Apple, a juicery that offers some warm sandwiches as well. I ordered a vegan sandwich with hummus, olives, spinach and red capsicum plus their "reloader" juice. Hunger satiated. Here I also met a rather young Dane, who thought I was an exchange student and who offered to accompany me if I had classes in the afternoon. Sorry, buddy, you're cute, but you're younger than my brother (even if age of consent in Denmark is apparently 15 years old). 

For my next activity, I explored Strøget and obviously was very tempted to purchase everything in site. I managed to restrain myself and settled with a dress and a lipstick. Good job. It's easy when you're too short and the smallest size still makes you seem like a dwarf. My wallet was happy. I heard a couple of other tourists talking about visiting Carlsberg brewery and I decided to tag along (without them knowing). I seem to like beer when I travel. On my way back, I passed by Tivoli Gardens and the sound of laughter and fun screaming enticed me to head there. It was Friday night of course and I needed to do something a bit adventurous. To save money, I bought a multi-ride pass and I tell you, it was exhilirating! I rode the cute ferris wheel, played with bumper cars, braved the rollercoaster and the ride called Golden Tower that drops you down like it's hot. I rode the Spinning Top, too, a little reminder of my childhood. After all that excitement, my tummy was giving me a temper tantrum. 

It was time to visit 42Raw. I've heard such wonderful reviews about this little restaurant that I knew I would end up there multiple times (and I did).  I suppose the rides made my tummy a bit unsettled, but I was also rather hungry so I ordered a raw Thai noodle dish (spicy spicy), matcha latte and a chocolate muffin. I needed some dessert on a Friday night. I can't repeat just how delicious everything was! I was already planning my breakfast for the next morning. Since it was Friday, everyone was in a party mood and so was I. Some exchange students (don't be surprised) hugged me on the street, shouting that I was one of them and that we all should party together. Second time in one day that university students tried to flirt with me. Bah, I decided to head to a bar with them anyway, they were all good kids. The night ended with one of them bringing me back to my flat in a bike that had that cart in front. It even had a seatbelt. Glad to hear I could still pass as 20 years old. 

My 25 year-old self was happy to be in bed at the sensible hour of 2 am. 

Day 3:

I had to take advantage, this was my last full day in Copenhagen. I had originally decided to spend the Saturday on a day trip, but decided against it as I wanted to try out more vegan restaurants on my last day. And also to visit some galleries/museums and take advantage of the sunny weather gracing the city. Plus, I really needed to go to the Pandora store. Excuses, excuses. 

As I promised myself, 42Raw was my breakfast spot that day. I needed that acai bowl in my belly and quickly! HEAVENLY! Possibly the best thing I ate in Copenhagen to be honest. That granola, hmmmm. After breakfast, I went back to Strøget to search for a Pandora store (I went with the mermaid charm). I didn't shop a lot, just for little knickknacks because Copenhagen is expensive. I spent the rest of the day visting museums and headed to Christiana as well. It was a lovely, slow afternoon. Exactly what I needed that day. 

For lunch, I didn't miss the opportunity to visit SimpleRaw. I went big obviously, ordering their raw veggie sushi and an avocado toast. Two thumbs up definitely for the toast, whilst I didn't enjoy the veggie sushi that much. I'd eat it again though, but I probably would just make it myself. I reckon there are other more worthy specials on the menu. 

The rest of the day went on like that, quite leisurely. The sun felt amazing and I decided to lay on the grass and read. Life was beautiful at that moment, realising it's the simple pleasures that make life well worth it. I spent some time in a tiny coffee shop after to rest my tired feet, sipping some hot tea to ease my tummy. I managed to catch up on my reading and some of you might think that's rather boring, but it's amazig to me. It's important for me to set aside time to devour books, even during vacation. My luggage suffers because of this. Ha! 

I needed a quick dinner that night as I was meeting up with some locals I met. It was such a novelty, my diet. Sorry, chaps, I don't eat pork. Botaniq caught my eye when I first went to Torvehallerne. I had the pita with falafels because, you know, you gotta falafel once in a while. My only comment about this place is you have to set aside time to eat here. There was only one personnel on hand so my food cam after a bit of a wait. I guess the falafel pita made it worth it anyway. I had the raw pumpkin square for dessert and I found it a bit sweet. Another patron advised me that the cheesecake was a better choice. And soon after dinner, it was time to live it up in Copenagen one last time. Did not disappoint in that regard. 

Tears threatened me when I realised it was almost time to say good bye. Parting hurts.  

Day 4:

Spent half a day in Copenhagen before flying to Barcelona. Since it was Sunday, there were no breakfast places closeby that were open early. Thank goodness I still have some fruits in the kitchen. Figs for life, y'all. I went for a brief stroll to stretch out my legs, knowing that I would have to endure a few hours of uncomfortable bent knees situation in the plane. What a miracle that I managed to pack up after spending the night out. Packing my luggage at dawn, not a new thing, really. 

That ride to the central station tugged at my heart. I wanted to stay another day. Or week. Or month. Or a year. I began this love affair with Copenhagen and I wasn't ready to part ways. Another heartbreak I had to endure. But don't you worry, I'll come back to you soon enough. 

There were more happy moments in Copenhagen, funny little incidents and turns of fate that made me believe it's possible to be overwhelmingly happy. Sure, the Danes are not the most outwardly happy people, but get to know then and you'll know what I mean. This is the city where I witnessed a couple riding the same bike, the guy pedalling and the girl kissing him. This is the city where I caught the eye of the nicest, cleverest and very handsome man. This is the city where I felt very different yet very much at home. And for that, I'm grateful. Vi ses, København!

 

Vegan Eating:

42Raw