Saturday, September 6, 2008

Paris

After a 3 hour ride on the Chunnel, we arrived in Paris! A bit of a rainy afternoon, we relaxed and enjoyed a lunch/dinner of crepes (oh so good!). Knowing little about the city we then set out walking towards the Seine river. Passing through the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, a million Palaces and beautifully constructed buildings, museums, gardens, and quaint streets (basically everything that Paris is known for!) we arrived at the Eiffel Tower. We stood there just gazing at the tower in awe, hardly able to believe that we were actually there!

Visiting this monument, the Louvre, and just walking around the city, it was the first time it actually hit us that we're in Europe! Yes, we've been here for a few weeks, but just now we are finally entering countries where we don't speak the native language, don't know our way around (till we figure it out, of course), but where culture and history is truly different than our own. The UK was an "easy transition" to Europe because everyone speaks English there and we could always find our way around. Here, however, customs and culture, language and everyday life are unlike anything we have experienced. I am incredibly excited to be here and look forward to this next segment of our trip... in France!

Oh, and it's true, everyone in Paris is completely fashionable....
and the guys are cute? but smelly.... haha.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

London still!

Wow, so the last few days have certainly been hectic!

Visiting Stonehenge and Salisbury on Saturday and Canterbury Cathedral (where we attended service) and Dover Castle (one of the most amazing places I've ever been!) on Sunday involved a LOT of driving with our hilarious and very quirky bus driver, James. Yesterday (Monday) we had class in the morning (oh, yay), then had an incredible day traveling around London to St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, The National Gallery of London, and a few other places (including a trip down to the river). After this, a few of us went to see the Phantom of the Opera and it was.... wow. Basically all I can say about it.... wow!

I absolutely love London, like LOVE it really! The Tube is simple enough to navigate, and makes it easy to get around town.... and of course the streets gorgeous, the history fascinating, the architecture lovely, the people different, the theatre phenomenal.... and I could go on and on, but ohhh wow I just love it! Mom and dad.... um... might not be coming home.... ever? :-) Just kidding!

I love and miss you all tons!! ;-)

Oh... and new pictures too!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023589&l=09353&id=65802167

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023590&l=14c9c&id=65802167