 I was in Madrid 4 years ago, to freeze my eggs, a new city for me that I discovered with pleasure and great curiosity. Another milestone in my life, after My Solo Wedding in Santorini. Freezing my eggs was a thoughtful decision, however the process was longer and more emotionally painful than I’d have thought ... But I’ve already told you all this in detail: Faith is what has helped me, the one I have in God, in the Universe but also faith in myself and in my choices, the way I react to hardships, and how I constantly challenge myself to become a better me day after day. Without wanting to, this article is timely because this week I’ve been greatly tested on that side, staying on course towards your dreams while the path seems to be giving way beneath your feet… To be silent and to learn to listen to oneself, this is the main principle of meditation but also of prayer. And in fact, in 2018, I was going to the sumptuous Almudena Cathedral every day to calm my mind... After the grandiose and opulent Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral located just opposite can’t be missed. Built in the heart of the city, near the Plaza Mayor, its neoclassical style and multiple huge entrances make it one of the main attractions. Its baroque dome and its columns inevitably recall the Pantheon in Paris which I talked about during my Honeymoon 2. Begun in 1883, it wasn’t completed until 110 years later, for lack of money, and of political and religious wars. Finally, in 1993 Pope John Paul II consecrated it, and a statue in effigy adorns one of the main entrances ... It’s equally majestic in the evening, bringing out other details of its incredible architecture ... 102m (335ft) long and 82m (269ft) high, this cathedral is very impressive with its 4,800 m2 (52,000 sq ft). But its originality lies in the duality of its architectural style: neoclassical on the outside (like the Royal Palace), but Gothic on the inside with modern and contemporary artworks. Very different to the Reims Cathedral (France), that I’ve showed you already. The wedding of King Felipe VI and Letizia Ortiz was celebrated in this cathedral in 2004. This cathedral is a true incarnation of several eras dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena who sits in its centre. And many people flock every day to approach the statue erected on a magnificent platform. The Virgin of Almudena is the patron saint of Madrid, she’d have appeared several times in the past, near a wall built when the city was an ancient Muslim medina called Almudena. Celebrated on November 9 with many processions, religious services, the entrance is completely covered with flowers, it’s a very important day for Madrid inhabitants. I had the chance to attend once and it’s fascinating. Besides, I strongly encourage you to visit the Cathedral Museum, which exhibits the Virgin's ceremonial outfits and accessories, and also tells the story of the Diocese of Madrid (unfortunately no photos allowed). Especially, the entrance to the museum will give you access to the Dome of the cathedral at 70m (230ft) high, surrounded by the 12 apostles. And to admire the city, you don't need a helicopter like in my last article In the Air 3, the view from the roof is breathtaking! The absolutely sumptuous neo-Romanesque crypt opened to the public in 1911 ... Madrid is a city I like a lot, with its rich history, architecture, culture, there’s a lot to discover in this city. Read my previous articles about Madrid: Have a lovely week everyone! Love & Joy, L.
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After my article last week on My Solo Wedding Fireworks in Santorini, I decided to keep my head in the sky. I’ve shown you in the past how much I love spending time in the air: Today I'm taking you to the other side of the planet, to visit an incomparable place from the sky: Sydney! An Australian city discovered by James Cook in 1770 - who to get there largely used the navigation instruments mentioned in my article The Greenwich Meridian, moreover certain objects and documents of the navigator are exposed in the museum of the Royal Observatory of Greenwich - Sydney is a unique city in many ways and it can be visited by land, sea and air… The helicopter is a great way to discover its architecture and landscape from a different and grandiose perspective, as it covers 12,300 km2 (4,750 sq. miles)!! In comparison, London covers 1,572km2 ... Thus, we can easily admire its magnificent opera house, the Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Anzac Bridge, the Olympic facilities, but also its numerous beaches ... I’ll tell you more about this city in a future article. Re-read my articles about Australia:  For brave people, you can also climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge, after 1,332 steps you reach a height of 49m (161ft.), 3 hours of journey in total. Quite honestly, I’m not brave enough to do it but I have no doubt that it’s an incredible experience to live ...  However, I’ve been to the top of the Sydney Tower at 260 metres (853ft) high to admire the city at dusk. Everything becomes magical with the lights ... Sydney by helicopter is one of my fondest memories, I’m happy to have shared it with you and I hope I’ve made you travel in the air ... Have a great week! Love & Joy, L.  Since in my last article Happy New Year 2021, I’ve talked about fireworks, I thought it was time to tell you about mine ... It was one of the things planned initially with my fiancé and, in my grief, it had become something that I was looking forward to, no way to cancel it for my Solo Wedding in Santorini. It’s one of the highlights of my wedding, I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world. How happy I am to have lived this moment, forever etched on my memory. Even in a dark sky, you can see colours, don’t give up on the stars and the sparks. Self-love is the paintbrush and you are the painter. I created a masterpiece from the most dramatic event of my life, don’t let anyone destroy your light, you’re precious to this world…  Obviously, I say a lot about it in my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini and for you, here’s a new excerpt: "The fireworks were launched below the terrace, along the cliff, which made the rockets explode almost before our eyes, it was just magical and so private. It is like going to a concert in a very small venue. We are so close to the stage that we could touch the artist. Three minutes of pure happiness accompanied by a song that I love.  More excerpts on the page dedicated to my book: here. But I give you the list of all my articles with an extract from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini (you can click on it to access them directly):  I’m never tired of talking and re-talking about my Solo Wedding in Santorini! In my last video, I mentioned how proud I was of what I had accomplished over the past 20 years. Obviously, my marriage is my greatest pride. Keep shining and enjoy life!! Have an amazing week everyone! Love & Joy, L.  Youhouhhhh!! Finally, here it is 2021, a new decade begins, with new expectations, hopes, dreams and interaction to come ... I wish you all a magical, bright & wonderful year!! I hope you had a great holiday season. I spent NYE with my parents, and last time was in 2015. They came to see me in Australia, and we were outside the Sydney Opera House for the gigantic fireworks. An absolutely unforgettable memory. I put the full video of this year's Sydney fireworks at the end of the article 😊 What a year 2020! We’ve been through a lot, definitely a very interesting and demanding period. It drove us into a corner and pushed us to question ourselves about the meaning of our lives. In my articles Happy New Year 2020 and 2019 to 2020, I said, among other things: My resolutions for 2020: to sustain my momentum, not to plan anything and to live driven by opportunities, new people, and of course to continue to realise old dreams and create new ones.  I definitely had a good intuition by not planning anything, I was unable to travel abroad in 2020, but I took you with me on my previous adventures: However, in 2020, I had a wonderful Honeymoon 2 in the most beautiful city in the world: And I still have a lot to tell you ... In 2020, I talked a lot about myself again lol: My quarantine articles obviously:
I hope you’ll keep some good habits like dancing every day!!  I did my best to inspire you more this year:
I couldn't attend any new ballet, but I did watch some on the internet! This period definitely made me more interested in the options available online, then I met incredible people and attended some amazing world conferences ... My Resolutions for 2021: Recently a friend told me why stop something that is working? So, let's continue: the blog, the videos, my social media... And if there’s anything you want me to talk about or improve, please tell me: here. Obviously, publishing my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini, or How It Saved My Life is still relevant today, but I'm also working on the next one: After… My Solo Wedding in Santorini, or How My Healing Became A Mission… I promise to tell you more soon ... However, this year, I intend to travel, find where to put my bags for good and may be even find love ... 😊 “I was born to inspire people to be themselves! "L.  And thank you again for your support & unconditional love, I wouldn't have so much fun creating and writing without you! No article next week, I'll be busy writing my greetings cards & meditating to charge my energy for the New Year. Take the opportunity to catch up with the articles you haven't read 😉 And don't worry, I’ll stay active on social media: Happy New Year again, I believe in you and your magic, and as I said on my photo at the beginning: leave sparkles wherever you go ... Be confident, be yourself and shine like a thousand fireworks! Love & Joy, L. |
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