"Ride baby, ride...."

Ok, so today was supposed to be a chill day? Just ride, ride, ride those trains to Venice…I think not. It was quite an adventurous day if I do say so myself! We caught our first train to Zurich. No big deal. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Then this is where it gets fun. We then have to make an extra connection to GET TO our train connection to Milan or Milano. Luckily for us a nice southern Swiss girl said we could follow her. We then connect on the Milan train to Venice. BY RUNNING. No freaking joke. We had to run to catch that train. My sister’s face was priceless! I had been calm the whole day but this freaked me out. Haha. Finally we were on our way to Venice. Let even more fun begin. We are on the train and find out our hotel has been switched so we’ve been upgraded to another hotel on the mainland. Our pick-up wasn’t at the train station…so we wait like an hour or so. I was fine, calm, cool, collected. No big deal, we would get to a hotel regardless. We get in touch with our travel agent and our mom and reschedule some things. We then STOW AWAY on the train back to Mestre. Yes, you heard/read that correctly, stow aways. Oh and did I mention that we got on the train after the doors closed? Yea, that too. There are some kind people out there who opened the door and helped us get our luggage up. (Once again, pack light) We rode back and some kind people made sure we got off on the right stop and showed us where the taxi was. We got to our hotel and almost thought we didn’t have reservations but they were under a different name. So we are safe and can now say we can maneuver the train system, stow away, and find a taxi. So after all those wonderful adventures a few notes about today:

-I’m gonna have to live in Switzerland one day…one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen. I don’t see how people get stuff done because I wouldn’t because I would just sit there in awe of the majesty and vastness of the mountains and landscape. We rode by a bunch on the train and I couldn’t help but stare and feel very small but peaceful. The water was smooth as glass and made me want to go sailing or jet skiing!

-There was this crazy man on the connection train from Zurich to the train to get to Milan. CRAZY. Dressed all biker like, Mohawk, fat, unpleasant looking, and a foul mouth. Thank goodness he got off real quick.

-My iPod battery is awesome…it lasted all day on the trains like 9 hours or more plus I’ve already used it on the plane ride over and such.

That’s all for now. From what I saw at the St. Lucia train station (before we had to go back the other way to Mestre) it was awesome and I can’t wait to see it in the daylight and the night too because with all the lights from the buildings reflecting off the water and such. Ahh so awesome.

So until tomorrow, goodnight!

"Makin' my way downtown, walkin' fast, faces pass..."

Day two in Paris started early…we have covered so much! We started off at the Louvre. And in line, we were in front of these two Japanese ladies. So sweet, they said we were pretty and seemed really nice. It made my day and reminded me of my FuHsing kids of course. I wish they spoke Chinese, but they were Japanese. Oh well, still Asian. :) Anyway, we made our way in before it got crowded and good thing we did because we walked by a window and the line to get in was SOO long. And we got to see the Monna Lisa before that got crowded which was good so we could get a nice picture…wait. We saw the freakin’ Monna Lisa. What!?! Crazy. No joke. Still can’t believe it. The Louvre was absolutely amazing and I figured out why someone would murder someone there because there are so many rooms that it would be easy to get lost like in the Da Vinci Code. We saw the Pyramids which was so cool. The architecture was amazing as well as the art. It was like culture and art threw up on you; it was hard to take it all in. We then headed to the Arc de Triumph. It was a colossal arch symbolizing the men who came home in war with victory as a monument to success. We climbed the 284 stairs or so which wasn’t so bad. All you girls on 4^th String will understand…stairs is no problem for us. I was thankful for climbing those four flights several times a day by stair 100. The view was awesome. We could see so far and it had a great view of the Eiffel Tower. Once we got down we just walked the streets. We found Chanel and Long Champ after a few metro rides. Too bad no TOMS stores, I have walked so much in these shoes and I am happy to say they have held up. I hope they continue but they are great shoes. Ok, sorry for the plug but really. They were awesome. After a little shopping…we all needed a break. We have covered so much history and culture in like a 5 day span between London and Paris, we all needed a little down time. We headed back to the hotel and rested for a while. We then took the metro to Montmartre, where it was a hustle and bustle of activity. It was slightly overwhelming. If we all hadn’t been so tired and worn out; we probably would have enjoyed it a bit more. But if I ever come back to Paris I am definitely going to spend like a day or so there: sitting on the hill, enjoying the sunshine, people watch, etc…I definitely would love to come back to any of these towns and be able to settle and just immerse myself in the culture. Tonight we ate dinner a café near our hotel which was quite good! We leave tomorrow on the train for Venice! Paris has been a crazy ride of ups and downs and my advice if you come here…learn the metro really fast, visit Versailles, visit Montmartre, check out the Louvre/Notre Dame/the Arc/Pantheon, and just people watch. :)

Until Venice!  

Just a Sampling of Photos...no big deal.

Here are a few photos from the trip so far...Double Decker Bus, Big Ben/Parliament, Trafalgar Square, London Olympics Countdown, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Hall of Mirrors at Versailles,Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Pantheon, and my favorite...Michel Foucault. Enjoy :)

“If I was from Paris, I would say Oooh la la la la lala..”

Well, if Toms could talk…wow. Would they have a lot to say. I was a little nervous about Paris at first, seeing only a part of it when we first got here, but Paris sure did bring out the big guns today. We woke up fairly early, around 6:45 so we could get ready and catch one of the first trains to Versailles. Check. Oh how amazing it was. It was just so grand and well, wow. The palace was so detailed and intricate. But my favorite part had to have been the gardens. I love being outside and they were so expansive and green that you couldn’t help but stare and take in the bright sunshine. We had an absolutely gorgeous day  too! Also, one of my favorites was the music playing in the gardens. It was really nice to hear play while walking around. If I had the time I would have picked a secluded place and just sat there, soaking it all in. So that was by far my favorite part of the day. But don’t think the rest of the day was a bust. Our plan was to go to the Louvre today but fortunately for us, we met some nice Ohio-ians on the train back who informed us it was closed on Tuesday and gave us some tips about where to go and how to get there. They were awesome. And they were on a sister trip too! Small world. Anyway, my sisters and I regroup and decide to go to the Eiffel Tower. Second favorite of the day. The view was AMAZING. I can’t even describe in words. I trip to the top is worth it though you can still sooo much from the second level. I love stuff like that, so it was right up my alley. We head to the Notre Dame next which had beautiful stained glass. The things in Paris aren’t plain in the slightest, but detailed and beautiful to look at. It’s hard to take it all in at once. We then go off the find the Pantheon and on our way…what should I find but….MICHEL FOUCAULT. WHAT?!? I was really happy since I just spent the whole semester studying him. He had a little park square beside the College of France. The Pantheon was another huge building that just took your breath away. I couldn’t get over the large columns and artwork. We finally decided to make our way back. Umm, which way? We walk up and down the same street probably four times looking for the metro. Asked directions twice, thanks to those kind people on the street by the way. Finally found it. We have never been happier to see the underground. On our way back, we stop at a little café in the train station and pick up some sandwiches. What a day. It was a good day and Paris showed us its good side. I hope tomorrow is just as beautiful and I’m sure it will be!

For now, Paris Day 1 is over but we have just begun. For now au revoir!

With Love, London

Well, a few notes on London/Arrival in Paris:

- I really like the Mark’s & Spencer’s in London…kind of like a Whole Foods, but not really

-On the day we left London…we explored the city around where we were (Earl’s Court) and walked around a BUNCH. We had coffee at COSTA and lunch at Nando’s (Bojangles…but not really. Still good, but NOTHING can compare to Boj’s). Highlight of Sarah’s day…walking in some graveyard…IT WAS HUGE. It was beautiful thought. All the stone crosses and mausoleums with overgrown grass and bunches and ivy was really pretty. However…the people that were walking through there made me thing of some movie where they turn into zombies or something and you don’t make it out of the graveyard alive. Kind of creepy. Sarah loved it. Haha. Next time I go, I’m taking like 5 or 6 of my guy friends that way I can take pictures and feel safe. Haha. Oh it didn’t help along the main pathway that we walked had messages like “you’re on your way to your death” or something like that. Sketch. We then head to King’s Cross where the EuroStar is. (HARRY POTTER ANYONE!??)

-Next note: I am sad to report to all my HP fans out there…I did not make it to Platform 9 and ¾. We almost missed our train to Paris because we read the time wrong so we didn’t have time. I know, sadness. BUT it gives me a reason to back because there were things we missed though we saw SOOO much.

-Chips=French fries. Crisps= well, chips.
-I have the accent, not them. What’s new?

Anyway…just a few thoughts. I know I am forgetting something but there has been so much I can’t remember…if I think of it and it’s interesting enough…I’ll post!
 

-Arrival in Paris, quick thoughts: Let’s just say it was hectic carrying our suitcases…NOTE TO ANYONE PLANNING TO TRAVEL…PACK LIGHT! We were told time and again but do we listen? Of course not, live and learn. We almost get scammed at the metro trying to get tickets but got out of that quick, fast, and in a hurry. We got our tickets for 3 days and found where we needed to go. This language thing is gonna be a challenge. That’s ok, we like challenges. Finally there. We walk around for a bit…interesting city so far…can’t wait to see the rest of it!

“Got a whole crew by my side cars beep beep when they pass us by, ready to get down to business…”

I don’t about my sisters but it feels like I’ve been in London for quite some time. I know I scream tourist but I really don’t have time to worry about that as I’m bookin’ it to all the sites. And we woke up and did that Sunday morning and did just that. We made our way to the Underground…”mind the gap” would become a common phrase and I got an ornament to say just that. Because it was Sunday, some of the lines weren’t working so we had to finagle our way on different tubes to get where we wanted to go. We ended up a station to far which was Liverpool but that was ok! We saw the station where the kids during World War II left their families to various parts of the country and continent. Can anyone say Chronicles of Narnia?? Also on the tube for all the HP fans…little boy on the tube had a wand. And he timed his spells to the opening and closing of the doors. Soulmate? I think so. Too bad he was 10 years younger than me. We ended up walking to The Tower of London and explored there for quite some bit. We got to see the Crown Jewels which were really interesting. One thing I learned was that a diamond on the scepter called the Star of Africa is the largest in the world and there are 8 more like it (but smaller). The crowns also weigh a ton…over 5 pounds! And the coronation robe? Over 20 pounds! Good heavens, I wouldn’t want to wear that. And it hit me while we were walking through and reading about these things...the people who wear them are just like us…just royal. Why the big fuss? But it’s the novelty of it just like the mugs with Will and Kate on them. We can’t help but be fascinated by it all wishing we were them but at the same time glad we are not. Anyway, we made our way to the London Eye saw all of London…and took lots of pictures of Big Ben/Parliament. Yay. Just kidding, it was exciting, I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Ha.

On another note, typing all of this up I realize just how long ago all of this seems. We have done so much in just a short amount of time; everything seems distant when it was only just this morning. It just is going to make me appreciate Prague all the more because I’ll be able to settle and immerse myself in that culture.

After all of this we saw Buckingham Palace and Westminster, took the usual photos. We saw where Kate and Will kissed…got a picture. Ha. With all of this done, we made our way to the hotel where we then met up with Elizabeth’s cousin who told us about London (she has lived here for a couple of years) and had dinner at a local restaurant. I had the typical Fish and Chips…quite good. Just fried fish and French fries though. No big deal. I can get that at home but there is something about it that just makes it cooler in London.

London has been fun…saw the sites…had some fish and chips…experienced the public transit…minded the gap…and ooo-ed & ahhh-ed at the Crown jewels...Success? I think yes.

“Woke up in London yesterday found myself in a city next to Picadilly…”

Goodbye Raleigh, hello London! Well, at least that’s what my sisters and I thought. Friday the 13^th (Show me those Spirit Fours 2013!) proved to be unlucky and lucky. Our first flight from Raleigh to Boston was delayed slightly because of weather but we still got to Boston with plenty of time to spare. We boarded our jet plane and were off. Unfortunately I was deaf because my ears wouldn’t pop. The finally leveled out once we got up to like 30,000 feet (from where we were on the last flight) but still wouldn’t pop when we got back on the ground. But a small price to pay for everything we are doing. On the plane…let’s just say I took full advantage of all that was provided. I started the movie King’s Speech (didn’t finish due to I needed to sleep at some point), watched an episode of The Big Bang Theory, and listened to music (such songs as The Call, You Lie, and Rolling in the Deep…trivial but they remind me of home and my friends and family there). We were able to track our flight the whole way…which was so awesome in my eyes. The small things amuse me I know. Oh, and maybe I was just really hungry but I DEVOURED the food they gave us for dinner (at midnight?) and breakfast. Dinner was pasta and salad. My sisters barely touched theirs and I wiped my plate clean but then again I’ve never been a picky eater. Then…we landed…wait. What!?!? We are in London, England!?!? Really!?!? Yes, you can freak out now. It was so surreal. We got through customs and baggage claim, met our car and were off to explore the city of London. Our driver was quiet, kind of awkward…but we got to our hotel! Mowbray Court Hotel was where we would spend 2 nights in London. It wasn’t quite what we expected….but it was in a more residential area and apartment area of London which made it seem more authentic. On one end you had a Subway and Burger King and on the other, restaurants and stores typical of England. We found the tube…which was so easy. And let me make a comment out the subway, tube, whatever you want to call it: I LOVE IT. It is the easiest thing ever and I wish Raleigh had one. I could sit and ride the tube all day and people watch. No joke. I was first introduced to this in Boston and it was part of the reason I fell in love with Boston. It’s not crazy hectic like one would expect but it’s just…awesome. So we figure that out and we are off on our adventures. Where do we decide to go first? McDonald’s for lunch and I am happy to report…it tastes the same here as it does at home. Whew, I was worried for a while there. Ha. We then found a place to buy our Original Double Decker Tour Bus tickets…and then we have to discover where to board the dang bus…

Find it! We board the tour and take off. We spend about 2 hours on the bus just riding around London, seeing everything from the bridges to Trafalgar Square. We take tons of pictures…duh. Next thing we want to do…find the legendary Harrod’s. And that we do after a ride on the tube again. This is a HUGE store. I’m like where do I start?!? We roam the 5 floors, taking it all in, wishing we were the Queen of England so we could afford the place!

By this time, we are starving since our lunch was small. The first restaurant we go to we have no clue how to order so we go to La Pappardella…an Italian restaurant. Why we pick somewhere Italian when we will be there in a few days. But it sure was good. I ate a whole Hawaiian pizza myself and it was delicious! We stop by Mark&Spencer’s on the way back to the room, get dessert, and call it a night. Day one down.