Of all the cities we explored in Europe, London felt the most like a friend. A well-mannered city wrapped in tweed -- it contains more than its sophisticated skin. Artists, immigrants, brick dipped in graffiti, and creepy trinkets at flea markets from who knows when. We said hello, but spent most of our time venturing past the known and adored sites and into the heart of what really weaves London together.  Some days we didn't do much, and just enjoyed the scattered rain and cool air while we worked in coffee shops.  The tube -- London's underground train -- carried us around town and often entertained us with drunken tales of those leaving the bar after watching the Rugby World Cup.  The camera slept most of this time, giving me a chance to be more present.

Paris was arguably my favorite city that Natasha and I went to.  I was surprised to find it much like New York in its artistic and rugged culture.  Bicyclists and cigarette butts may outnumber even the pigeons. Paris holds a key to the wonders of some of the most iconic artists in history -- from genius works at the Louvre to the stories kept alive for centuries on the cobblestone streets on which some artists were bred.  I had never been so awestruck by a work of art that I was brought to tears until I saw the Winged Victory at Samothrace at the Louvre.  It was the most stunning sculpture I'd ever seen -- I felt so overpowered, and even submissive, simply by the majestic strength that the figure exuded.  

Nestled at the cozy base of Paris's highest natural point, Montmartre is an artsy neighborhood that lives gladly away from the touristic rush of Paris's most famous areas.  Women crossing the street with fresh baguettes in hand, quaint flower shops and the best-dressed men you've ever seen riding bikes on the cobble stone streets are just a few of the things you'll be sure to see when you're in this hood.  I could feel humility and passion in each shop we went into, from chocolatiers to boutiques to bars.  Everyone knows everyone.  People seem to know how to slow down and enjoy a slower pace of life away from the rush, enjoying cigarettes and red wine knee-to-knee on the sidewalks outside of cafes.  It's a place where the waiter on the street corner becomes your person you wave to every afternoon, where you order the same brunch spread every weekend at your favorite spot, and where you can get fresh produce on the street side every day to fill your kitchen. 

The warm sea breeze welcomed us right off the plane -- a stark contrast to the cold rainy days we left behind in London.  My brain delighted in the comfort of remembering conversational Spanish, enough to carry on friendly chats in taxis, navigate through the city, and order tapas y vino a las restaurantes, la parte mas importante. Barcelona has a warm, laid-back mediterranean vibe by the water with casual bikers in every sightline.  The relaxed lifestyle in El Born (a hood rich in history and old gothic architecture -- where we stayed) is one that we easily got acclimated to and often envisioned ourselves in long term.  All the old alleyways were lined with tapas bars and specialty shops that sat just below old apartments with potted gardens flowing over the balconies.  It's a place that I didn't have enough time to get to know, so it's on my heart to go back.

My beautiful best friend moved to London this year.  She's there for just a year, so before life got out of hand, I promised I'd come visit her. After a long day of hauling around my bags through cold airports and bustling trains, I felt comforted to arrive at this cozy home in the Clapham area of London.  Natasha being there in all of her hospitable glory is what really made it feel like home.  After a few hours of unplanned sleep, I awoke to freshly appreciate this historic little flat's charm on a rainy day.  It's happily tucked in a long quiet row of identical white houses that each have a different color front door.  Natural light breathes freely throughout each spacious room, and the lush green garden warmly hugs the house, inviting what's inside to come out.  In the calm of the mornings, we drank hot tea in the natural light that softly fell through the french doors, just before we headed out to explore London or work in coffee shops.  At night, we had some of the most fun times over dinners with her multi-cultured European roommates -- dinners that usually involved floods of red wine and champagne, dance offs, and theatrical accent imitations. 

I never had a sister, but if I did, I imagine that she'd be something like Natasha.  That's what she is to me -- more than the best friend and spunky duo that people know us for. No matter where we are and who we're around, as long as we're together, it feels comfortable and we can be ourselves. We can't comprehend or tolerate any concept of a filter.  We could be cracking up uncontrollably on the tube (London's underground train) at all the crazy people that walk in around midnight, have really deep talks over red wine for hours, or sit at home and stare into space all day without saying word.  Everything is what it is, no matter how great or ugly it might be, and we love each other regardless.  It's cheesy, but I consider that one of life's greatest gifts, to have that comfort and acceptance in someone.  We have gone through the same phases and funks of life at the same times, which has made the emotional roller coaster of our 20's more tolerable.  In some ways, she's the only person who can understand some of the deepest parts about me.  Despite if we are living in the same city or across the world, she never feels that far away, because I know she'll always be there.