Last day In Paris

Okay..we are finally at the end. I go home in just over 12 hours. I am tired and sore and very homesick. This has been a really long trip for me. Much more so than others because absolutely everything is foreign here. Today, we got up and since the strike is over, we went to Versailles. Its an absolutely huge palace outside of Paris. I thought the palaces in Holland, and then England were large. They were country houses next to this. The palace is just beautiful. There is beautifully colored marble, pink, gray, green, black...all around. Gold leaf is on all the walls. every room has paintings on walls and ceilings... It's just breathtaking (easier if it weren't so huge)




We walked through the garden, stopping for lunch at a cafe on the grounds. then headed to the back where the petit and grand trinon are located. This is where the queen lived to get away from the court. More huge buildings. These are not so lavishly decorated, but still were beautiful. Lots more walking in and out of rooms and gardens. Again..another place where we barely scratched the surface. Guess they want you to come back again. ;-)




Came home to what else on my last dinner in Paris???? Chez Mc Donald!!!! :) Diet Coke and fries and grilled chicken sandwich.. :-)



See you all at home!!! I can't wait

Strike day in Paris

So...A strike in Paris (for my list) means 24 hours in the middle of tourist season, you can't leave the city (no trains), it's hit or miss if the museum is open...Louvre was not, Rodin was and you better not be claustrophobic if you are taking the trains. Also, better allow LOTS more time. Today we did find some metro trains running, so we took them to Montemarre and a beautiful church at the top of the mountain. We got there during service and heard the nun's choir sing...much better than they did in Sister Act(Btw). We walked around some market like streets with shops and vendors all along all the streets. IT was pretty cool actually. Went to the area Toulouse LaTreche used to live in.




Took the train on the off chance that the Rodin museum would be open...it was so we spent the afternoon in and out of the garden sculptures and in the house. The Thinker is there..not sure what he is thinking about, but it's pretty deep because he never moves. :) I also like the Dances and lovers hands. Very romantic.







Finally after dinner, we took a river cruise on the Seine at dusk, and saw the Eiffel tower all lit up. On our way home it started to twinkle. I took a movie..it was really spectacular. Since it is so late, the strike is over, and we can go to Versailles tomorrow, I'm headed to bed. Sorry for the short blog, but I'm really tired. Tomorrows the last day..then I'm headed home. Hope you have enjoyed these little moments. I know I have.

Museum Day

So...we've been hearing rumblings of a strike all week..and on the way home..had our first taste...the metro was packed even at 8pm..and there were police at the main change station when we got off. And the desk says..no Versailles for us tomorrow...it will be closed...one can only hope its a one day strike...so we hit 3 museums, including two stops in the Louvre today. The art was amazing. Did the highlights tour because as the guide said..if you spend 2 min. on each piece, it would take 4 years of 8 hour days to see it all. So ...we saw what we could in about 5 hours....which is really..nada...but I did post some highlights...





On the Museum d' Orsey and the Orangry. Really..I can't spell French words.. We couldn't take pictures in Orsey..it's all Impressionists and such. Beautiful museum. Modern inside and traditional outside..quite a contrast. walked past a statue of Thomas Jefferson and then on the Organry. It has two full rooms of huge water little paintings. Since yesterday i was at the actual garden, it was pretty amazing to see them. I was able to photograph up close which was also quite wonderful.





Went back to Louvre...it's open late and did a couple more halls...and then food court dinner and home...i'm tired.. We can't go to versaille tomorrow, so maybe I'll get a rest day finally.... One can be ever hopeful. Then Fri is my last day in Paris...and coming home..

See you all soon .....

Day Three in Paris now

Day started a bit later (thankfully), as we took the train to the Arch de Triumphe and the Avenue de Champs-Elysees. Please no one ask me to say that..I've heard so many different pronunciations today..I'll never get it. However, one note..there are 2 Mc Donalds within 3 blocks on the left side. We talked down by the two palaces and to the statues of the great heroes of WWII. Then back, with a stop at Fourquet for a tart and Coke light (we are back to that). On the way back to the hotel, we got on the wrong train. With the help of a decent metro map, we were able to get enough transfers to find out way to the hotel with time to spare.



THen we took a small van out to Claude Monet's house in Giverny. It has two beautiful gardens and a cute little house (though by those days standards, i'm sure it's huge). There is an impressionist museum there as well. Then home to a quiet dinner and work for me.



Now just a bit of my own observations about yesterday..it's been bothering me for quite awhile today. Yesterday in the Notre Dame Cathedral, I saw signs that asked people to not take Flash Pictures and to observe the sanctity of the church and speak quietly, or be silent and not to interfere with the function of the building as a church. Yet all over the church I saw flash bulbs going off, and people speaking loudly, yelling and sitting down talking next to people who were obviously praying. Now, I'm not Catholic..yet I respect the function of this building as a house of worship for those in it. All my pictures were taking without the use of a flash, and I tried to stay out of the way of those trying to worship in their own ways. Yet, those I noticed in the highest numbers come from cultures who to a one nearly demand that their cultures and traditions are regarded and respected above others. And yet, in this place that was not their culture, they openly disregarded posted signs and decent rules of etiquette. If they are unwilling to afford another person their culture and worship, why should they expect, even demand that others afford it to them?

Okay...Eiffel Tower Day

So..its the first full day in Paris. Seems like a year since I left home. I have figured out how to call home...and make my laptop work when I want it to, so at least I still have the connections I want. I am going to say that of the three, Paris is my least favorite so far. I am feeling very much like a fish out of water. The people have not been helpful or friendly for the most part, I can't read or even start to understand the language..and I am more tired here than in the beginning. I will be very ready to go home on Sat. Today..we started the day on a sightseeing bus tour. It's good because you see all the sights at once, but not enough to say you were really there. We ended that though at the Eiffel Tower and went to the second level. Mom wanted to go to the top, so we didn't get back on the bus and went to the top on our own. One side was sunny with no wind and beautiful, the rest was chilly...like all of this trip has been so far. We walked down from levels 2 to 1 via steps...man are my legs going to be in shape at the end of this trip. Lunch along the way back to the hotel Ham and Cheese baguette and Diet coke.



The afternoon trip was to the Notre Dame Cathedral. It has the most amazing windows. the mood inside though is completely different than in Westminster Abby London. While both are working churches with services, in France, people did not seem to respect the church at all. Flash bulbs were going off all the time, even with signs saying no flash, people were talking loudly, even while sitting next to others praying. It was very disconcerting to me. Even though I am not Catholic, I believe in the right of others to worship as they choose and tried hard not to interfere with them. I was just very sad at what I was seeing.





After that, we went to the Sainte-Chapelle Chapel (I think it's called). It's a little chapel next to the ministry of justice. I got picked for 5euro..it was my own fault though..had it in my hand, not in my wallet. It's a little chapel with amazing windows, and two narrow long winding staircases. The ceiling is 20m high and the windows were wonderful. Its a very sobering thought that things can survive from the 1200's and we can't get something to last for a year.



After the hotel fixed the shower...it was only giving us cold water...we headed out to find dinner. A little bistro a few blocks away was having live music for the summer solstice, so we had a lovely dinner to a cute band singing on the streets. I had a grilled steak and mom had roast chicken. At least I'm eating well here. Off to the Arch and the french countryside tomorrow....Night all..

Bon Jour
Dormez bien

Travel Day and First day in Paris

Got up early again...whoever says vaca's are for rest...never ever went on a guided tour of London or Paris. Headed for the train station..and I am sad...NO STAMP going into France. Just one leaving London...so my passport just has 4 stamps in it. I am really hoping to get one as I leave France, but who knows...guess they don't mind strangers coming in. The train ride was uneventful and I dozed..a lot...On the bus ride in, the guide didn't say much, so I guess we didn't pass anything important. I did get a great view of the Eiffel tower as we made our way to the hotel.





MOm and I walked around the Seine for a bit...looking for a good view of the tower. Saw a bride and groom getting pictures taken in front of the tower on this little bridge and a model doing a photo shoot as well. Finally found something I can't spell and they had a huge screen erected and were watching the world cup..of course..what else would they be watching. Italy didn't do so well against those pesky New Zealanders.



Then we walked around the tower a bit...did some souvenir looking and found a great little restaurant for dinner. The waitress was sweet and took our pics. I had spaghetti bouillabaisse..cause I've NO idea how to spell that...and mom had something akin to beef Stew....another recipe for Howard. Then I got a pretty good handle on all the wireless nonsense around here...cause all the TV stations are in french with no subtitles...won't be doing much of TV watching here... Time for bed soon..



Hugs all

Last day In London

Well...I got here 5 days ago..and tomorrow..we leave VERY early for Paris. Wasn't sure what we were going to do today..was hoping to meet up with a friend, but the best laid plans of mice and men they say. We decided to take the tour of Windsor Castle sponsored by the tour group. They pick you up at the door, no tube, and we were hoping no stairs...well..this is London..so not so lucky on the no stairs thing. The Castle is huge and the Queen was in da' house.




Got a chance to see a great doll house and the state apartments. I was bummed we couldn't shop more in the town around the castle, but it was great afternoon and didn't rain...just froze...lord no shorts the entire week here for me.

The Castle is immense and then there is St. George's chapel..which makes my hometown church look like a cottage.



Finally, we passed by a huge brewery...so for all my beer drinking buds...this one's for you...


On to Paris....Chunneltime is coming soon!!

Fifth Day in London

So..it was the fifth day in London..only one more to go. I did sleep in some and got a reasonable breakfast time. Mom and I met up with Annie in the hotel lobby and took the tube down to the British Museum. It was amazing and you could actually spend a week there. I was in the middle of this blog and lost the internet, so am going to finish it now in my morning. It's been chilly and raining here a few days, and they are expecting more rain today. Not sure of the plans, we are still debating. Yesterday consisted of tubes and stairs and lots and lots and lots of walking. The Queensway Tube station lift (elevator) is broken, so it's 123 steps up. They of course, don't tell you that until AFTER you have gotten off the tube, and even those steps were tame in comparison to our day. The running joke by the end of the day was MORE STAIRS?

The British museum is huge and full of antiquites. The most notable is the Roesetta stone.

There are 3 floors of exhibits and it would take forever. We did most of the first 2 floors, but of course reading everything was just out of the question.

After the museum, we found a nice pub (my first) to eat at for lunch. Annie, Mom and I all had great food in a small place for about 20. It was terrific....then on to walking..and walking...and walking. We missed Covent Garden at least twice, going the really long way around til we finally found it. Note to self..make sure Map of London is IN the bag before you go. Covent Garden is a 180 years old now..and I got to sign the birthday card. The street vendors and entertainers were everywhere. It was amazing and loads of fun



Finally we of course..walked...to the London Eye..climbed MORE STAIRS to the bridge and took a ride. It started to rain at the top of the eye, the view though was spectacular anway. The trip takes about 1/2 hour and it's very smooth and you hardly know you are on a Ferris wheel. After a nice dinner on High Street, we headed back to the hotel rather tired and not ever wanting to see another stair for a week. The hotel room keeper has a great sense of humor and smiled when we headed into the room...seems google bear is in charge of the remote while we are gone. :-)

Day Four in London

Okay..so I finally get to sleep in..and don't wake up til 9am....didn't think I'd ever see that happening. Had a later breakfast and head off toward the station to go to Westminster....but we've forgotten the opera glasses for tonight, so we go back the other way and head to this huge mall called Westfield. Mom want's to find black pants..and I'd like a new sweatshirt..mine are getting a bit used...And we are going to stop back at the hotel and then go to Westminster. We find a few places and I get some new things, but no sweatshirt. I did find a cool shirt.

Train to Westminster next...ate a nice Jacket potato at Wesley's Cafe (as in John Wesley) and then went to the Abby. Ben is rather tall these days...and very ornate



The Abby is amazing. It's absolutely huge. We got to get close to the altar, and sit where the choir sits. We saw the Royal Stall (where the queen/King sit for service) and the hall of Knights. No pictures inside..they are pretty strict about it...but the outside is equally impressive.!



After the Abby, it's on to Trafalgar Square and nelson's column. We were looking for Charing Cross, but didn't make it. Finally took the Tube back to victoria for dinner and Billy Elliot. It was an amazing play with the most wonderful child dancer I have seen in a long time. Terrific play and back to the hotel for this tired lady with sore legs. Am hoping all this walking will make it easier later..and i won't be quite so store.

Day Three in London

Okay...so again...no sleeping in on this vacation. 6am was the alarm today. Breakfast and brisk walk to the tube. Meeting Nick in Surrey for a trip to Stonehenge. Mom and he pick right back up..and I fall asleep sort of in the back seat. It's about an hour to the site, but well worth it. I even see one of the horses carved into the mountain. it's hugs. But nothing compares with the size of Stonehenge. You can't get close, but my camera sure can. The rocks are massive and you can't help but wonder what, who and why???



after a lot of walking in that area, we headed off for lunch. Stopped in Berwick at the Boot Inn. decided to take a little walk first down the quaint village. Met Roy..he suggested we bypass the boot for the Pelican Inn in Stapleford. He was right and it was amazing. Had a great garden with roosters and chickens wandering about. Had a wonderful lunch.




Then we went to the Henge at avebury. The area where the stones is is probably 4x as big as Stonehenge and a small village is set inside. It's beautiful country and wonderful walking. Had tea at 4..just like we're supposed to. I had strawberry shortcake...but the cream isn't sweet and the cake are really cookies....more for my list!!!



So..took awhile to get back..and my legs are feeling a bit like jelly..more walking tomorrow I'm sure as we are going to see Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace theater. Maybe I'll get to sleep in though..since there are NO early morning dates.

Night all...hugs

Second day in London

Okay..so I always thought when you were on vacation, the pace was slower and you got to sleep in! WRONG!!! Alarm went off at 7am...and we had to be at breakfast 1/2 hour later. Why do you ask? well, they wanted us on the tour bus. So..we get on this big bus with great big windows for a 4 hour tour ride all over london. Guess it's supposed to give you a taste, so you go back. We stopped at St. Pauls Cathedral and watching the Changing of the guard. Now not at the palace mind you...they marched right next to me.. I could have touched them.


Then we get back to hotel and after eating left over chinese from the day before...we head back to the Tube to go to the Tower of London. Mind you it's after 2..and the place closes at 5:30. We have a great guide though..and see most of it..and all the crown jewels. Guess diamonds are a monarchs best friend.



Guides were hilarious both in morning and in the afternoon. Had cool things to talk about and loved telling stories. Best line of the day... talking to Americans in the crowd: "liking all this history? It could have been yours if you had paid your taxes." We finished in the white tower and ran out of time in the rest...maybe later in the week.

Then walked along the Thames to Dixon Inn for an awesome dinner overlooking St. Katherine's pier on the balcony. Then up onto The Tower Bridge..over and back...and back to the Tube for a ride home. It's on to Stonehenge tomorrow.



This tired cookie is heading to bed very soon.

:)

Travel day for me!

So...Its on to London for me. Time to meet up with mom and start the "touring". Not sure what i've been doing so far, but hey! Bertie took me to the airport after a rather stressful evening of trying to figure out if I even had a flight to London. I never got a confirmation number from the website we ordered the ticket. everything was in dutch..which of course I don't speak. And Bertie doesn't fly much, so wasn't sure what I wanted him to find. Finally called the airline, but they couldn't give me the number either, as they didn't have any info about me from the airline. They did confirm I had a ticket though..so I slept well and got up VERY early to make sure there were no issues. Bertie and I had coffee and mini pancakes at the airport, which is really small mall, and he left me to go in. I had a BLAST with little brother Bertie and love him as much as i did before. Thank you my friend for everything...you are the best...even if you DO make me ride 10km before I leave your town.



Took a plane to London City airport and got onto the "Tube" to get to Hyde park. I was given the wrong station to get on though, so ended up on the wrong side. it's kind of like being on the west side of central park when you need to be on the east side. Add to that my bag...and I was a tired camper.



Got to the hotel after a cabbie ride (his daughter is going to be a teacher too), and found room and mom. She wants to go out. Great...so we go out. Wander and find food for her and then stroll in Kensington Park. Nevermind that 10KM bike ride i did yesterday or the three trains I had to ride today...we're strolling the park.



Ended up at kensington palace where they are having an exhibit called "the enchanted palace". They talk about different princesses in turns of art and fashion. It was amazing. They wouldn't let me take pictures, but I did find a couple online. Tomorrow we start the tours of London proper...can't wait.

More tomorrow all.

Last Day in Holland

So..Bertie wanted to make sure that I went out with a bang...took me to a museum that is also a national park. It has a huge collection of Van Gogh paintings. It's about a 1/2 hour drive...and another hour walk...so instead of walking...I could choose to ride a bike the 5+km to the park/museum. Gotta love those big tired one speed bikes...



We stopped and had some lunch..i had a roll and ham and cheese. It was pretty cool, I picked out the bread and the meat was on a plate wrapped up. I felt like I was not at home for sure.



The Museum was great, however, I must say I didn't get it much of the time. We had a great time wandering around. The way in a huge sculpture garden with large and small sculptures all over. I liked the ones called rocky lumps. They looked like big marshmallows to me.



After a 3 hour stroll through the museum gardens and buildings...we then had that 5+ bike ride back, and of course, we chose the long way back...so now my bum hurts just a bit..and my legs are going to be mad in the morning. I'm getting up really early to get to the airport and on to London. I can't wait and am meeting mom for the next leg of the journey. I hope you all are enjoying this. I am. :-)

goedenavond Zwolle...I had a blast!!!!!