Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Paris
I have a lot to say and not a lot of time to say it-this has been the most incredible week of my life and there is too much to write at this time-I am headed to Barcelona in a few hours and from there will hopefully have more time to record what has been happening so stay tuned, there is a great entry coming soon that will make you buy a ticket to Paris before you even finish reading it!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
London
Well, I have just completed 3 JAM PACKED days in London and I don't even know where to start. Much of what I saw and experienced cannot be put into words. I had no idea what awaited me in this city and I am in awe of what I have learned and witnessed.
First of all-I love London. The city is amazing and it is classy and cultured in a way I didn't know a city could be. Everyone here automatically seems more refined and well educated because of that fantastic accent. I even feel dumb when talking to children here-they just sound smarter. Their manners are of a higher class as well. Christy and I went for pizza the other night and I looked around after I began eating and realized that everyone else was eating their pizza in small bites with a fork and knife. I carefully observed them and tried to mimick but I was self conscious the whole time thinking they could see right through my fake manners and know that I was not an authentic fork and knife pizza eater.
The city has more history on one block than I knew was possible and it has been all we could do to run around seeing the major things there are to see. I feel like we have seen all I wanted to see but I know I could easily fill several more days with other museums, parks, shopping and buildings.
We started on Thursday by going to the National Gallery where I saw paintings dating back to the 1500's and even earlier from some of the most amazing artists-Monet, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Renoir, Carravagio and the list goes on and on. I was in awe but little did I know that was just the beginning. We then walked around for hours viewing Big Ben, the Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Thames river and St. James Park at dusk. That night we went on the London Eye which takes you higher than any building in the city and you can see for 30 miles in every direction. How can you top that day?
Well, we did. Friday was pretty much one of the best days of my life for so many reasons. I feel like I have earned a first class education from all of what I have seen and learned here. We spent hours that morning in the Tower of London-built in the early 1100's and home to all of the Royal family and many of their political and religious prisoners as well up until the 1700's. We heard story after story of their courage, religious pursuits, dishonesty, scandals, and everything in between. There is so much more I want to know about those families. When I get back I know what I will be studying. It was amazing to be in the places where they stood and to witness what they built. Their history is fascinating. Of course we couldn't live the Tower before viewing the crown jewels. Um, I have NEVER witness anything in my life like that-it is one of the greatest collections of anything anywhere in the world and the cool thing is that the Royal family still wears them on special occasions-what would it be like to have the biggest diamond in the world on your head?
As we took a river boat on the Thames from the tower to Big Ben, I thought that it couldn't get any better than that, but I was wrong. Unfortunately the House of Lords wasn't open to view but that allowed us more time to spend in the Abbey. We went to Westminster Abbey where many of the tombs of Kings and Queens and famous English figures are housed. The beauty and ornate detail of the Abbey is beyond description but seeing those tombs there and learning of the stories behind them means that much more. We spent 3 hours there just walking around listening to the tour guide and trying to take it all in. I just hope I really remember it the way it deserves to be captured in my memory.
To finish off the day we went to the Lion King which was on Broadway for a long time but I never got to see it. The costumes and the masterminds that went into the design of that show are incredible-it was so amazing. The whole day I kept thinking of what to say or how to describe the day and I don't think I can put it into words. Therefore I apologize because this is such a second class description of a first class experience.
We finished off the tour today by spending the whole morning in the British Museum where some of the most extensive collections of Greek, Roman, Chinese, Mesopotamian, and other ancient cultures artifacts are housed. We saw Egyptian mummies, pieces of the Parthenon, and so much more. I just don't have time (or money-this internet stuff here is a rip off-8 dollars an hour!) to list all I learned.
To sum it all up, if that is even possible, I guess what I learned is that there is so much to learn. I have so many things I now want to study. I want to know about the people that lived here and all that they went through. The impression I kept feeling was that these people have stories to tell and I for whatever reasons have a desire to hear them. It has opened my mind just being here to see that there are so many people that have lived on this earth that I know nothing about and yet I feel a strange connection to them like somehow I should get to know them. They were in some ways just like me and in other ways completely different and yet their lives were just as real as mine. What interests me most is how different people fulfilled their roles as leaders. Some kings and queens were very good and honest and others were completely corrupt. For the most part they had the power thrust upon them without a choice of whether they would like the power or not and some handled it with honor and with great sense of responsibility to the people and others completely destroyed the country during their reign. It is all so fascinating and I can't wait to learn more.
Life is amazing and I am so grateful I have had this opportunity to see how other people lived their lives.
Paris next-what could await me there?
First of all-I love London. The city is amazing and it is classy and cultured in a way I didn't know a city could be. Everyone here automatically seems more refined and well educated because of that fantastic accent. I even feel dumb when talking to children here-they just sound smarter. Their manners are of a higher class as well. Christy and I went for pizza the other night and I looked around after I began eating and realized that everyone else was eating their pizza in small bites with a fork and knife. I carefully observed them and tried to mimick but I was self conscious the whole time thinking they could see right through my fake manners and know that I was not an authentic fork and knife pizza eater.
The city has more history on one block than I knew was possible and it has been all we could do to run around seeing the major things there are to see. I feel like we have seen all I wanted to see but I know I could easily fill several more days with other museums, parks, shopping and buildings.
We started on Thursday by going to the National Gallery where I saw paintings dating back to the 1500's and even earlier from some of the most amazing artists-Monet, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Renoir, Carravagio and the list goes on and on. I was in awe but little did I know that was just the beginning. We then walked around for hours viewing Big Ben, the Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Thames river and St. James Park at dusk. That night we went on the London Eye which takes you higher than any building in the city and you can see for 30 miles in every direction. How can you top that day?
Well, we did. Friday was pretty much one of the best days of my life for so many reasons. I feel like I have earned a first class education from all of what I have seen and learned here. We spent hours that morning in the Tower of London-built in the early 1100's and home to all of the Royal family and many of their political and religious prisoners as well up until the 1700's. We heard story after story of their courage, religious pursuits, dishonesty, scandals, and everything in between. There is so much more I want to know about those families. When I get back I know what I will be studying. It was amazing to be in the places where they stood and to witness what they built. Their history is fascinating. Of course we couldn't live the Tower before viewing the crown jewels. Um, I have NEVER witness anything in my life like that-it is one of the greatest collections of anything anywhere in the world and the cool thing is that the Royal family still wears them on special occasions-what would it be like to have the biggest diamond in the world on your head?
As we took a river boat on the Thames from the tower to Big Ben, I thought that it couldn't get any better than that, but I was wrong. Unfortunately the House of Lords wasn't open to view but that allowed us more time to spend in the Abbey. We went to Westminster Abbey where many of the tombs of Kings and Queens and famous English figures are housed. The beauty and ornate detail of the Abbey is beyond description but seeing those tombs there and learning of the stories behind them means that much more. We spent 3 hours there just walking around listening to the tour guide and trying to take it all in. I just hope I really remember it the way it deserves to be captured in my memory.
To finish off the day we went to the Lion King which was on Broadway for a long time but I never got to see it. The costumes and the masterminds that went into the design of that show are incredible-it was so amazing. The whole day I kept thinking of what to say or how to describe the day and I don't think I can put it into words. Therefore I apologize because this is such a second class description of a first class experience.
We finished off the tour today by spending the whole morning in the British Museum where some of the most extensive collections of Greek, Roman, Chinese, Mesopotamian, and other ancient cultures artifacts are housed. We saw Egyptian mummies, pieces of the Parthenon, and so much more. I just don't have time (or money-this internet stuff here is a rip off-8 dollars an hour!) to list all I learned.
To sum it all up, if that is even possible, I guess what I learned is that there is so much to learn. I have so many things I now want to study. I want to know about the people that lived here and all that they went through. The impression I kept feeling was that these people have stories to tell and I for whatever reasons have a desire to hear them. It has opened my mind just being here to see that there are so many people that have lived on this earth that I know nothing about and yet I feel a strange connection to them like somehow I should get to know them. They were in some ways just like me and in other ways completely different and yet their lives were just as real as mine. What interests me most is how different people fulfilled their roles as leaders. Some kings and queens were very good and honest and others were completely corrupt. For the most part they had the power thrust upon them without a choice of whether they would like the power or not and some handled it with honor and with great sense of responsibility to the people and others completely destroyed the country during their reign. It is all so fascinating and I can't wait to learn more.
Life is amazing and I am so grateful I have had this opportunity to see how other people lived their lives.
Paris next-what could await me there?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Bath:Beverly Hills, UK
Okay, so here is the history of Bath in a nutshell. Who knows who first discovered it, but the Romans were the first to capitolize on its assets. There are a series of hot springs here that were built around to make one large spa. It is incredibly well preserved and when it was rediscovered in the 17th century by the English they decided to capitolize on it as well. It was amazing to walk around the Roman Bath and Spa because some of their designs and creations were ingenious. The spa was also a great temple to worship the water Goddess Minerva. She was the divine power behind these hot springs and the reason for their special powers. It was said that these waters could heal anything from infertility to leprosy. I wonder if they could even cure singleness...?
Although the British did not worship here as the Romans did, they still believed these waters to be healing. Because it took money to come here, Bath in the 17th and 18th century became a
resort town for the wealthy and privileged. Anyone who was anyone had a vacation home here and rank and status were a determining factor on whether or not you were accepted in this city.
It was one big soap opera with scandals and gossip galore-after hearing many of the stories it sounds like a big highschool popularity contest.
With such emphasis on looks and fashion you would think that what they wore would be glamorous and extravagant. They had balls and parties almost every night and they would parade up and down the streets just to show off their latest style. However, when I toured the fashion museum I was extremely disappointed. I don't know if it was just a poor representation of what people wore or not but I am beginning to think that the English do not really have a great sense of style. Not that I am a fashion example myself but some of the dresses they wore were hideous. And I kind of think things haven't changed today...they dress nicer but often they don't match. I mean even I know that checkers and floral patterns do not an outfit make. The fabrics were often very drab and lifeless-much like the weather. The one redeeming era in the whole museum was the 80's disply which, if it is possible, was even more tacky than it was in the U.S. I think the 80's have lingered here though because I see an awful lot of leggings being worn and even an occasional oversized sweater off the shoulder look. Maybe they are making a comeback...
Whatever they lacked in sense of fashion they made up for in spades with the architecture. It is a perfectly planned and laid out city surrounded by hills and water. The best word to use is lovely. Everything in Bath and the surrounding area epitomizes its definition-it may have been why the word was created in the first place. We went on a walking tour for 3 hours around the city and the Royal Crescent on the top of the hill is breathtaking. It is the only elliptical crescent building complex of its kind and it is fantastic. Nicolaus Cage actually just bought one of the apartments there for 14 million so some are still available if any are interested.
The funny thing is this place seems like one big museum to me and yet people still live and work in these historical masterpieces. I guess I should get used to it-I'm going to see buildings older than this-but this stuff has been around for so long and it's still here!
Anyway, I have enjoyed Bath immensely, it really has been a lovely introduction to England and all it has to offer. In a few hours we are off to London to see what the city life is like. Maybe they will have a little more to offer in the way of fashion...we'll see.
Although the British did not worship here as the Romans did, they still believed these waters to be healing. Because it took money to come here, Bath in the 17th and 18th century became a
resort town for the wealthy and privileged. Anyone who was anyone had a vacation home here and rank and status were a determining factor on whether or not you were accepted in this city.
It was one big soap opera with scandals and gossip galore-after hearing many of the stories it sounds like a big highschool popularity contest.
With such emphasis on looks and fashion you would think that what they wore would be glamorous and extravagant. They had balls and parties almost every night and they would parade up and down the streets just to show off their latest style. However, when I toured the fashion museum I was extremely disappointed. I don't know if it was just a poor representation of what people wore or not but I am beginning to think that the English do not really have a great sense of style. Not that I am a fashion example myself but some of the dresses they wore were hideous. And I kind of think things haven't changed today...they dress nicer but often they don't match. I mean even I know that checkers and floral patterns do not an outfit make. The fabrics were often very drab and lifeless-much like the weather. The one redeeming era in the whole museum was the 80's disply which, if it is possible, was even more tacky than it was in the U.S. I think the 80's have lingered here though because I see an awful lot of leggings being worn and even an occasional oversized sweater off the shoulder look. Maybe they are making a comeback...
Whatever they lacked in sense of fashion they made up for in spades with the architecture. It is a perfectly planned and laid out city surrounded by hills and water. The best word to use is lovely. Everything in Bath and the surrounding area epitomizes its definition-it may have been why the word was created in the first place. We went on a walking tour for 3 hours around the city and the Royal Crescent on the top of the hill is breathtaking. It is the only elliptical crescent building complex of its kind and it is fantastic. Nicolaus Cage actually just bought one of the apartments there for 14 million so some are still available if any are interested.
The funny thing is this place seems like one big museum to me and yet people still live and work in these historical masterpieces. I guess I should get used to it-I'm going to see buildings older than this-but this stuff has been around for so long and it's still here!
Anyway, I have enjoyed Bath immensely, it really has been a lovely introduction to England and all it has to offer. In a few hours we are off to London to see what the city life is like. Maybe they will have a little more to offer in the way of fashion...we'll see.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Day One
I guess day one is actually day two but since I have not yet slept, it is all one day to me. Because of that reason this will be somewhat brief but I had to atleast let everyone (meaning mom) know that I arrived safe and sound without any major problems.
So, I took off at 5:30 pm Chicago time and landed 6:30 am London time-only a 6.5 hour flight. Normally 6 hours would be more than enough time to fly but for this flight we each had personal tv screens and about 40 movies to choose from-I barely even scratched the surface when they announced our final descent! Besides being tired when we landed, the flight went off without a hitch. Getting off the plane was exciting-I was finally here!
However, my excitement was premature because I still had to get through customs. The UK Border security was not as pleasant as the flight. When I approached the desk a young and very mean looking man started asking me all kinds of questions that I really wasn't prepared for like "what is the address of where you are staying while you are here?" and "what is your profession?" He didn't like my answer of "um, I don't really know" very much. I tried to answer his questions as best I could but I was really tired and my head was fuzzy and besides that he was making me nervous with his interrogation. I felt like I was guilty of something and that he was going to find me out even though I had no idea what I had done wrong. I knew I was a gonner when he asked what I wanted to see while I was in London and the only thing I could think of was the London Eye. My mind went completely blank. Of course I know what I want to see while I am in London, I have been studying this for 4 months! And yet all I could say was that I had it written down somewhere and could show him if he wanted. He gave me a "you are such a dumb American" smirk and eventually put me out of my misery by letting me pass but I felt like I failed a test. It seemed like I had just told him a bunch of lies but when I went through all of my answers I realized I told the complete truth but I sure sounded like an idiot-way to represent your country Monique. Oh well, they let me pass and that was the goal-although I have noticed a strange man following me all day long...
From the airport I took a coach directly to Bath and met my travelling companion Christy here. I had to use sheer will power to keep my eyes open during the drive but it was so incredibly beautiful that sleep was just going to have to wait. It is incredibly green with rolling hills and random groups of cattle strewn about the countryside. My arrival in Bath was greeted by a downpour which is awesome because I got to wear my new rain coat-I think this is the first time I have had a real raincoat and I took great pleasure in putting it on. Christy and I have kind of just wandered around this afternoon looking in shops and walking down the cobbled streets seeing what this place is all about. We had a delightful conversation with an Englishman at the small cafe we went to for dinner-he talked for over an hour about life here in Bath and his travels abroad and found his company just what we needed to make our first day a success. We're already in with the locals! Just kidding, I don't think I will ever be accepted here until I burn the tennis shoes and jeans and start to say "cheerio" but one thing at a time-I'm still just happy I got through that stupid border security.
Tomorrow is our first official sight seeing day so I will have more to tell then. Right now I am off to bed so cheerio! (is that even an appropriate use of the word?)
So, I took off at 5:30 pm Chicago time and landed 6:30 am London time-only a 6.5 hour flight. Normally 6 hours would be more than enough time to fly but for this flight we each had personal tv screens and about 40 movies to choose from-I barely even scratched the surface when they announced our final descent! Besides being tired when we landed, the flight went off without a hitch. Getting off the plane was exciting-I was finally here!
However, my excitement was premature because I still had to get through customs. The UK Border security was not as pleasant as the flight. When I approached the desk a young and very mean looking man started asking me all kinds of questions that I really wasn't prepared for like "what is the address of where you are staying while you are here?" and "what is your profession?" He didn't like my answer of "um, I don't really know" very much. I tried to answer his questions as best I could but I was really tired and my head was fuzzy and besides that he was making me nervous with his interrogation. I felt like I was guilty of something and that he was going to find me out even though I had no idea what I had done wrong. I knew I was a gonner when he asked what I wanted to see while I was in London and the only thing I could think of was the London Eye. My mind went completely blank. Of course I know what I want to see while I am in London, I have been studying this for 4 months! And yet all I could say was that I had it written down somewhere and could show him if he wanted. He gave me a "you are such a dumb American" smirk and eventually put me out of my misery by letting me pass but I felt like I failed a test. It seemed like I had just told him a bunch of lies but when I went through all of my answers I realized I told the complete truth but I sure sounded like an idiot-way to represent your country Monique. Oh well, they let me pass and that was the goal-although I have noticed a strange man following me all day long...
From the airport I took a coach directly to Bath and met my travelling companion Christy here. I had to use sheer will power to keep my eyes open during the drive but it was so incredibly beautiful that sleep was just going to have to wait. It is incredibly green with rolling hills and random groups of cattle strewn about the countryside. My arrival in Bath was greeted by a downpour which is awesome because I got to wear my new rain coat-I think this is the first time I have had a real raincoat and I took great pleasure in putting it on. Christy and I have kind of just wandered around this afternoon looking in shops and walking down the cobbled streets seeing what this place is all about. We had a delightful conversation with an Englishman at the small cafe we went to for dinner-he talked for over an hour about life here in Bath and his travels abroad and found his company just what we needed to make our first day a success. We're already in with the locals! Just kidding, I don't think I will ever be accepted here until I burn the tennis shoes and jeans and start to say "cheerio" but one thing at a time-I'm still just happy I got through that stupid border security.
Tomorrow is our first official sight seeing day so I will have more to tell then. Right now I am off to bed so cheerio! (is that even an appropriate use of the word?)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Europe Eve...
Okay, so I leave tomorrow and I'm trying to get ready to go. So far my packing experience is not nearly as effortless as I thought it would be.
Over the last several months, I have taken the time to do my research about my trip to Europe. I have read oodles of articles, tips and travel guides about what I will and will not need and they basically all say the same thing: don't bring anything and it will all fit in your backpack just fine. They then proceed to list all of the things you must have even though they just told you not to bring anything. Well, I got exactly what they said, which in my mind really is nothing, and now I am mad because what do you know, it doesn't fit!
At the beginning of my packing experience I must say I was extremely confident, and even downright cocky, because they led me to believe that my preparation would make my packing experience a joy. Well, it is not a joy and now I am wondering which of the "nothings" on my floor can be left home. The debate right now is between the toothbrush and deoderant because if I take both then it won't leave room for my ipod. Which would you choose?
Over the last several months, I have taken the time to do my research about my trip to Europe. I have read oodles of articles, tips and travel guides about what I will and will not need and they basically all say the same thing: don't bring anything and it will all fit in your backpack just fine. They then proceed to list all of the things you must have even though they just told you not to bring anything. Well, I got exactly what they said, which in my mind really is nothing, and now I am mad because what do you know, it doesn't fit!
At the beginning of my packing experience I must say I was extremely confident, and even downright cocky, because they led me to believe that my preparation would make my packing experience a joy. Well, it is not a joy and now I am wondering which of the "nothings" on my floor can be left home. The debate right now is between the toothbrush and deoderant because if I take both then it won't leave room for my ipod. Which would you choose?
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