We were able to spend 2 hours at the Louvre. I wish we had had more time there, I guess maybe one day I'll have to come back.
Lunch was absolutely wonderful and the server delightful.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
It's like Times Square!
Piccadilly Circus was like being at Times Square. I looked everywhere for my girlfriends and 'The Naked Cowboy'.
European Adventure Day 5
Yesterday was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. I'm happy that it is over and today was much better. I decided I should give Paris another chance before I say I don't like it here.
This morning we got an early start with a 1 hour taxi ride to the embassy to get my sister's passport replaced after a pick pocket took her wallet yesterday. The driver was a very friendly young man and we chatted about various things during the drive. I asked if drivers here ever get angry because at home there would have been horns blowing and hand gestures flying around in the traffic I witnessed. He said that was a rare thing. I told him about "road rage" and he thought the phrase was very funny. The traffic in Paris is very heavy for nearly 3 hours beginning at 6:20 every morning. It was 4 lanes, bumper to bumper with motorcycles driving between the cars in the two left hand lanes and scooters are permitted to drive any where.
Everyone at the embassy was very nice and so helpful. We were there less than an hour, left with her new passport in hand and caught up with the tour group just in time to go to Versailles.
This morning we got an early start with a 1 hour taxi ride to the embassy to get my sister's passport replaced after a pick pocket took her wallet yesterday. The driver was a very friendly young man and we chatted about various things during the drive. I asked if drivers here ever get angry because at home there would have been horns blowing and hand gestures flying around in the traffic I witnessed. He said that was a rare thing. I told him about "road rage" and he thought the phrase was very funny. The traffic in Paris is very heavy for nearly 3 hours beginning at 6:20 every morning. It was 4 lanes, bumper to bumper with motorcycles driving between the cars in the two left hand lanes and scooters are permitted to drive any where.
Everyone at the embassy was very nice and so helpful. We were there less than an hour, left with her new passport in hand and caught up with the tour group just in time to go to Versailles.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
European Adventure Day 4
Traveled to Paris via the Eurostar train, we dropped the luggage at the hotel then took the Metro subway to Montmartre to visit Sacre-Coure, which was so very beautiful. I was very uncomfortable having to be suspicious that everyone passing was there to Pick my pocket. I did not like people coming up to me to distract me. One guy reached out and grabbed my arm wanting to make a friendship bracelet. There wasn't just one or two of these guys, they were everywhere I turned.
My first impression of Paris is not a good one. Everything I saw today was filthy, some people are very rude and I was very uncomfortable all afternoon. Many of my friends have told me how much they love Paris. Maybe I was expecting too much, but today Paris was a huge disappointment for me.
Oh, do you want to know one more thing? We took a river cruise after dinner and the top section of the boat filled up right away. They had said no one could stand in the aisle so we went to the lower deck to choose our seats near a large clean window for a nice view. The next thing we hear was loud voices of many children. There was apparently a school field trip for the world's loudest, rudest intermediate age kids. Twice a lady, perhaps a teacher, said "sh-sh-sh" to them, which was totally ignored. They did get in their seats and stayed there, but the loud voices didn't quiet. The guide on the boat told them twice to be silent and for one moment they were.
I really don't want to ride on the Metro, the filthiest place I've ever seen, again and would be ready to go home in the morning if that option were offered.
My first impression of Paris is not a good one. Everything I saw today was filthy, some people are very rude and I was very uncomfortable all afternoon. Many of my friends have told me how much they love Paris. Maybe I was expecting too much, but today Paris was a huge disappointment for me.
Oh, do you want to know one more thing? We took a river cruise after dinner and the top section of the boat filled up right away. They had said no one could stand in the aisle so we went to the lower deck to choose our seats near a large clean window for a nice view. The next thing we hear was loud voices of many children. There was apparently a school field trip for the world's loudest, rudest intermediate age kids. Twice a lady, perhaps a teacher, said "sh-sh-sh" to them, which was totally ignored. They did get in their seats and stayed there, but the loud voices didn't quiet. The guide on the boat told them twice to be silent and for one moment they were.
I really don't want to ride on the Metro, the filthiest place I've ever seen, again and would be ready to go home in the morning if that option were offered.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
European Adventure Day 3
The weather in London has been perfect for our adventure. Sunny skies and temps in the low 60s. We began the day with a short trip on the Tube, London's subway. We were met by our awesome tour guide, Keith. He educated & entertained us this morning as we visited St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, St. John's, Westminster Abbey & Buckingham Palace.
Following our tour / history lesson, Kith took us to Piccadilly Circus where he turned us loose on London for about 2 hours.
The other group landed in London about 1:30, I think. Miriam our tour leader and Cheryl went to meet them while the rest of us toured the Tower of London where we saw the Crown Jewels. I wish I could have taken photos there, but you know that isn't permitted.
Dinner tonight was near the Tower of London at a place called Wagamama. Noodle Bar. The food was delicious.
Following dinner we split into 3 groups, the first was the people who missed the sights of London, so Miriam took them around the city. There was a group who wanted to do a Jack the Ripper walking tour and I had considered doing that. Instead I was asked to go with a small group who wanted to go see Harrod's Department Store. Five floors and the basement full of beautiful things! I was invited to go with this group so I could navigate the Tube. I was a little nervous being in charge, but we made the trip there and back to the hotel without a problem, except the last train terminated just two stops before our destination. We got on the next train in less than a minute.
And now we're safe in our hotel where we must prepare to leave in the morning at 6:00. So while you gentle folk at home in Kentucky are fast asleep at midnight, we will be rising to begin our 4th day of adventure, traveling to Paris via the EuroStar Train. I'm looking forward to it.
I think if I came back to London soon, I could be a decent guide with a map and the Tube. I would be happy to return and stay longer.
Following our tour / history lesson, Kith took us to Piccadilly Circus where he turned us loose on London for about 2 hours.
The other group landed in London about 1:30, I think. Miriam our tour leader and Cheryl went to meet them while the rest of us toured the Tower of London where we saw the Crown Jewels. I wish I could have taken photos there, but you know that isn't permitted.
Dinner tonight was near the Tower of London at a place called Wagamama. Noodle Bar. The food was delicious.
Following dinner we split into 3 groups, the first was the people who missed the sights of London, so Miriam took them around the city. There was a group who wanted to do a Jack the Ripper walking tour and I had considered doing that. Instead I was asked to go with a small group who wanted to go see Harrod's Department Store. Five floors and the basement full of beautiful things! I was invited to go with this group so I could navigate the Tube. I was a little nervous being in charge, but we made the trip there and back to the hotel without a problem, except the last train terminated just two stops before our destination. We got on the next train in less than a minute.
And now we're safe in our hotel where we must prepare to leave in the morning at 6:00. So while you gentle folk at home in Kentucky are fast asleep at midnight, we will be rising to begin our 4th day of adventure, traveling to Paris via the EuroStar Train. I'm looking forward to it.
I think if I came back to London soon, I could be a decent guide with a map and the Tube. I would be happy to return and stay longer.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Our European Adventure Day 2
This has been a real adventure! I am part of a 34 member tour group which was too large for the airline to accommodate all of us on the same flight. Yes, you guessed it, we were divided into two groups and I am in group A which left Nashville very early Monday morning. Group B left Nashville around 5:30 Monday afternoon.
As you know from yesterday's posts we had a small snafu when our flight was delayed a couple of hours in New York. The rest of our flight was pretty typical... nothing extraordinary to report.
Group B left Chicago on time (I think), but had to make an emergency landing in Newfoundland for an ill passenger. Following that interruption there was electrical problems that made it necessary to land again in Ireland, where they will remain tonight. The plan is for them to arrive in London early in the morning to join us on the tour.
I learned today that London has way too many people living here, 80 million! A very large number of them ride the Tube, as it is known here. I can take the Tube and even change trains after spending today riding and connecting.
The first sightseeing location took us to Westminster and to Covent Garden for food and shopping. Our evening ended at Young's Prince William Henry for an authentic fish and chips dinner.
Since we didn't sleep very much on board the plane last night everyone was tired and ready for a peaceful night's sleep.
Tomorrow we'll all be rested and ready for another exciting day touring London.
As you know from yesterday's posts we had a small snafu when our flight was delayed a couple of hours in New York. The rest of our flight was pretty typical... nothing extraordinary to report.
Group B left Chicago on time (I think), but had to make an emergency landing in Newfoundland for an ill passenger. Following that interruption there was electrical problems that made it necessary to land again in Ireland, where they will remain tonight. The plan is for them to arrive in London early in the morning to join us on the tour.
I learned today that London has way too many people living here, 80 million! A very large number of them ride the Tube, as it is known here. I can take the Tube and even change trains after spending today riding and connecting.
The first sightseeing location took us to Westminster and to Covent Garden for food and shopping. Our evening ended at Young's Prince William Henry for an authentic fish and chips dinner.
Since we didn't sleep very much on board the plane last night everyone was tired and ready for a peaceful night's sleep.
Tomorrow we'll all be rested and ready for another exciting day touring London.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Our European Adventure Day 1
6:00 a.m. Waiting in the rain for everyone to arrive at North Marshall Middle School.
9:30 a.m. We made it through security! We have plenty of time before our flight, so now we wait until 11:05 for flight 4197.
2:45 p.m. Our pilot, Cliff Webb, made a beautiful landing at JFK. We hardly realized when the wheels touched down. Our next flight is still more than 5 hours away.
Photos: Waiting to board in Nashville & descending at JFK
6:00 p.m. Flight is delayed. We were told a few minutes ago that maintenance is on board the plane now. Oops!
6:10 p.m. Flight has been rescheduled for 6:45 p.m.
7:45 p.m. Boarded flight AA100 from JFK To Heathrow. This should be the last post until tomorrow.
9:30 a.m. We made it through security! We have plenty of time before our flight, so now we wait until 11:05 for flight 4197.
2:45 p.m. Our pilot, Cliff Webb, made a beautiful landing at JFK. We hardly realized when the wheels touched down. Our next flight is still more than 5 hours away.
Photos: Waiting to board in Nashville & descending at JFK
6:00 p.m. Flight is delayed. We were told a few minutes ago that maintenance is on board the plane now. Oops!
6:10 p.m. Flight has been rescheduled for 6:45 p.m.
7:45 p.m. Boarded flight AA100 from JFK To Heathrow. This should be the last post until tomorrow.
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