The weekend before St. Patrick's day nearly the whole crowd headed off to Ireland for the weekend. Unfortunatly, I was not able to follow because I was sick. However, a weekend in London is not small consolation prize!
On Saturday, I managed to go ramble around the British Museum for a bit and I checked out the Lewis chessmen. Sounds lame, but they are really neat! The set was discovered as part of a hoard of treasures found in Scotland. The set is one of the oldest found! They are a pretty big deal and I had to wait for the crowd to move over so that I could have a look. While at the museum, another student in my program rang me and I went to go meet him and his girlfriend for a walk around Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Starting at Buckingham Palace, I walked over to the park, around the Serpentine, and checked out the Peter Pan statue and the Prince Albert Memorial. After that, it was back to bed for me! The weather was great and it did feel pretty good to get out and walk around. I certainly slept well that night!
Sunday I was feeling a little better and had enought energy to make the journey over to Hampstead Heath, which is at the border of London. I walked around for hours! I kept going in the wrong direction and was pretty lost. It's not hard to get lost in the Heath. The place is unreal! When inside, it felt like I was in the middle of nowhere miles away, not even close to London. My main goal was to find Parliament Hill, also known as Kite Hill. Famour for its view of the city and kite flying, the hill is one of the key features of the park. Ironically, I couldn't find it for the longest time! It is this huge, famous hill and yet I almost had to give up my search. One would think that it should be easy to find! I guess that shows you just how big the Heath is. It was worth the search! I found a bench and just checked out the view for a bit before heading back into central London.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Stonehenge and Bath
On Friday 3 March our program took a group trip to Stonehenge and Bath! Because of a UNC alum, we were able to go inside the ropes. This meant we had to arrive at 8am, leaving our flats at 5:30!! It was worth it...
I have absolutely no idea what those rocks were used for, but it certainly does make you wonder. I goofed off with my classmates and took lots of pictures. It was nic to just walk around and take it all in and funny to hear what people thought the purpose of Stonehenge might be. Our guide was great; very enthusiastic and knowledgeale. His guesses were far less farfetched than some of ours. After about an hour, our time was up. I am very gratefuly for our UNC alum because I think that the experience of walking around the stones really made the experience special.
Back on the bus, we decided to head to Bath to round out our day. It was great that we had our own private bus and had the flexiblility to decide where to ask our guide to take us. It was just the ten of us plus our program leader and his wife. Our guide talked a lot about the history of the area and then set us free just outside the Roman Baths.
Bath is BEAUTIFUL. If you ever find yourself in England, definitely make the trip. I understand why so many people vacationed here back in the day and I kind of wish that I were one of them! We only had a short while to spend in town because of our goal return time to London. Me and a few others decided to tour the Roman Baths which took over an hour because there is so much to see and read about. Actually, I don't think I even read it all. I am excited to be returning with my Mom later on in the month to do some further exploring. After grabbing some seriously good fish and chips, it was back to London. All in all, a day well spent :)
I have absolutely no idea what those rocks were used for, but it certainly does make you wonder. I goofed off with my classmates and took lots of pictures. It was nic to just walk around and take it all in and funny to hear what people thought the purpose of Stonehenge might be. Our guide was great; very enthusiastic and knowledgeale. His guesses were far less farfetched than some of ours. After about an hour, our time was up. I am very gratefuly for our UNC alum because I think that the experience of walking around the stones really made the experience special.
Back on the bus, we decided to head to Bath to round out our day. It was great that we had our own private bus and had the flexiblility to decide where to ask our guide to take us. It was just the ten of us plus our program leader and his wife. Our guide talked a lot about the history of the area and then set us free just outside the Roman Baths.
Bath is BEAUTIFUL. If you ever find yourself in England, definitely make the trip. I understand why so many people vacationed here back in the day and I kind of wish that I were one of them! We only had a short while to spend in town because of our goal return time to London. Me and a few others decided to tour the Roman Baths which took over an hour because there is so much to see and read about. Actually, I don't think I even read it all. I am excited to be returning with my Mom later on in the month to do some further exploring. After grabbing some seriously good fish and chips, it was back to London. All in all, a day well spent :)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Au Revoir! - Paris Day 4
On Monday, the weather was back to being perfect. It was like Paris wanted to make it as hard as possible for me to leave. I was up earlier than the rest because I wanted to use up as much of the day as I could. Molly felt the same way, so we made an early start.
For breakfeast I ate a croissant and sipped orangina while looking at the Eiffel Tower from a bench on Pont Neuf. Sounds like a fairy tale doesn't it? What a great start to the day!
The rest of the day was spent wandering. After walking along the banks of the Seine, I went back in to Notre Dame to see the windows with sunlight shining through them. Next up was the Marai neighborhood where I saw Sainte Chapelle and then wandered over to La Bastille and Victor Hugo's old house. We found the best patisserie of my LIFE. We got a snack there and then doubled back later for lunch! The lady there chuckled at us for coming back so soon bu I would bet that happens often. I will most certainly make it back there whenever I get back to Paris!
Next up I headed over to Montmarte to see Moulin Rouge and walk around the area. It's the red light districk, so I definitely felt out of place but it was cool to see such a different part of Paris.
Next (did I mention that it was a full day?!) I went and saw Monet's water lillies at L'Orangerie. Absolutely perfect! I think I would have stayed longer if I wasn't trying to get as much in that day as possible. After being wowed by Monet, it was time to shop. Now, shopping in Paris could be a full time job. It is unreal and I found myself wishing Ginna were there to take it all in with me. I went to Rue Honore where every designer you can think of has one (often 2) stores. I wandered through the area and ended up standing outside the president's house. I noticed that a crowd was gathered, there was extra security, and streets had been closed. The next thing I knew, President Sarkozy is waving to the crowd from his car. Not a bad note to leave Paris! I have a picture of him waving on my camera and Molly got a video. I couldn't believe my good timing...
Sadly, this is the end of my Paris adventure. I am already thinking about my next trip there....
For breakfeast I ate a croissant and sipped orangina while looking at the Eiffel Tower from a bench on Pont Neuf. Sounds like a fairy tale doesn't it? What a great start to the day!
The rest of the day was spent wandering. After walking along the banks of the Seine, I went back in to Notre Dame to see the windows with sunlight shining through them. Next up was the Marai neighborhood where I saw Sainte Chapelle and then wandered over to La Bastille and Victor Hugo's old house. We found the best patisserie of my LIFE. We got a snack there and then doubled back later for lunch! The lady there chuckled at us for coming back so soon bu I would bet that happens often. I will most certainly make it back there whenever I get back to Paris!
Next up I headed over to Montmarte to see Moulin Rouge and walk around the area. It's the red light districk, so I definitely felt out of place but it was cool to see such a different part of Paris.
Next (did I mention that it was a full day?!) I went and saw Monet's water lillies at L'Orangerie. Absolutely perfect! I think I would have stayed longer if I wasn't trying to get as much in that day as possible. After being wowed by Monet, it was time to shop. Now, shopping in Paris could be a full time job. It is unreal and I found myself wishing Ginna were there to take it all in with me. I went to Rue Honore where every designer you can think of has one (often 2) stores. I wandered through the area and ended up standing outside the president's house. I noticed that a crowd was gathered, there was extra security, and streets had been closed. The next thing I knew, President Sarkozy is waving to the crowd from his car. Not a bad note to leave Paris! I have a picture of him waving on my camera and Molly got a video. I couldn't believe my good timing...
Sadly, this is the end of my Paris adventure. I am already thinking about my next trip there....
Oh la la! - Paris Day 3
Sunday's weather was less than ideal. However, I made the most of it! Though we got off to a frustratingly late start, I managed to have another adventurous day! First, we went inside la cathedrale Notre Dame. Since it was a Sunday, I had the opportunity to walk around the cathedral while mass was being held. While the priests were praying and the organ was playing I got to walk around one of the most famous and beautiful churches in the world! Have I mentioned lately how lucky I feel? I have seen pictures of the stained glass in books, but seeing it in person took the words right out of my mouth.
After lunch, we got on a train to Versailles. What an overwhelming place! It's impossible to imagine that people actually lived there. The fact that I stood where Marie Antoinette once stood was a really difficult concept to grasp. My favorite part was most certainly the Hall of Mirrors. Glass is everywhere with chandeliers hanging every few feet and mirrors lining the left wall, reflecting the beautiful views of the gardens from the windows that line the right wall. THe hall was used for many important occasions, including royal weddings. Versailles is beautiful and I would love to return in the summer to wander through the gardens when it is warmer and greener.
Upon our return to the city, Molly and I got off the train at the Eiffel Tower to catch a boat tour down the Seine at night! All of the lights were beautiful ad the Seine offers a view of Paris that is hard to beat! I wish I had done that cruise every night. I am glad that the weather cooperated!
After lunch, we got on a train to Versailles. What an overwhelming place! It's impossible to imagine that people actually lived there. The fact that I stood where Marie Antoinette once stood was a really difficult concept to grasp. My favorite part was most certainly the Hall of Mirrors. Glass is everywhere with chandeliers hanging every few feet and mirrors lining the left wall, reflecting the beautiful views of the gardens from the windows that line the right wall. THe hall was used for many important occasions, including royal weddings. Versailles is beautiful and I would love to return in the summer to wander through the gardens when it is warmer and greener.
Upon our return to the city, Molly and I got off the train at the Eiffel Tower to catch a boat tour down the Seine at night! All of the lights were beautiful ad the Seine offers a view of Paris that is hard to beat! I wish I had done that cruise every night. I am glad that the weather cooperated!
J'adore Paris - Day 2
Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day! At 11:00, we went on a three hour walking tour. Sandeman's Tour was great...and free! Our guide, Jacq, was absolutely hilarious. Between her Aussie accent, crazy sense of humor, and the amazing sites we saw, time flew by! I could only tell how long I had been walking around by the soreness of my feet.
We walked from Fontaine St. Michel to Notre Dame, past the Palais Justice, along the Seine, under Pont Neuf, past the Academie Francaise, through the pyramids at le Louvre, down to Place de la Concorde, and through les Jardine Tulieres. Whew! I get tired just writing it all down. I learned a lot! One of my favorite tid bits is about Pont Neuf. Along the lingin of the bridge, there are many plaster heads making crazy faces. Henri IV had these faces made in the likeness of his courtiers after a particularly crazy party. He was so amused by the party that he ran out in the middle of the night to get artists to paint portraits recording the night. After laughing over the portraits, he commissioned sculptors to permanently display the crazy faces of his friends on the bridge. Jacq called it "the first-ever facebook."
After the tour ended, our crowd walked to the Eiffel Tower! We took the obligatory pictures and then walked around the park for a while. Then, as the sun started to set, up the tower we went! We climbed up halfway, stopping at levels 1 and 2 to take in the view. At halfway up, we got onto the lifts and scooted up to the very top! After taking another zillion pictures, I watched as the sun disappeared and the lights turned on. Paris is called the City of Lights and I can gather why! I didn't want to leave, but eventually it was pitch black and time to head down to find some dinner.
Though I had to tear myself away from the Eiffel Tower, dinner more than made up for it! Me and 10 others ventured out using my guide book to a tiny restaurant called Bistrot Le P'tit Trouquet. Because our group was so large, we had our own private room in the back! My friend and I shared each of our courses so I got a substantial taste of the menu. And yes, I ate les escargots and they were great! French cuisine is unreal...I will remember that night's dinner, and food in Paris in general, forever. It makes going back to London food all the more tragic. Though I have become uncommonly fond of fish and chips!
We walked from Fontaine St. Michel to Notre Dame, past the Palais Justice, along the Seine, under Pont Neuf, past the Academie Francaise, through the pyramids at le Louvre, down to Place de la Concorde, and through les Jardine Tulieres. Whew! I get tired just writing it all down. I learned a lot! One of my favorite tid bits is about Pont Neuf. Along the lingin of the bridge, there are many plaster heads making crazy faces. Henri IV had these faces made in the likeness of his courtiers after a particularly crazy party. He was so amused by the party that he ran out in the middle of the night to get artists to paint portraits recording the night. After laughing over the portraits, he commissioned sculptors to permanently display the crazy faces of his friends on the bridge. Jacq called it "the first-ever facebook."
After the tour ended, our crowd walked to the Eiffel Tower! We took the obligatory pictures and then walked around the park for a while. Then, as the sun started to set, up the tower we went! We climbed up halfway, stopping at levels 1 and 2 to take in the view. At halfway up, we got onto the lifts and scooted up to the very top! After taking another zillion pictures, I watched as the sun disappeared and the lights turned on. Paris is called the City of Lights and I can gather why! I didn't want to leave, but eventually it was pitch black and time to head down to find some dinner.
Though I had to tear myself away from the Eiffel Tower, dinner more than made up for it! Me and 10 others ventured out using my guide book to a tiny restaurant called Bistrot Le P'tit Trouquet. Because our group was so large, we had our own private room in the back! My friend and I shared each of our courses so I got a substantial taste of the menu. And yes, I ate les escargots and they were great! French cuisine is unreal...I will remember that night's dinner, and food in Paris in general, forever. It makes going back to London food all the more tragic. Though I have become uncommonly fond of fish and chips!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
La Vie en Rose - Paris day 1
On the morning of Friday the 26th of February, I saw Paris for the first time! After settling into our Hostel and grabbing a sandwich, it was on le metro and off to see some sites!! Our stop was at the Lovre and we walked from there all the way down through L'Arc de Triomphe Carousel, les Jardins Tulieries, La Place de la Concorde, les Champs-Elysees, and L'Arc de Triomphe! Yes, it is as long of a walk as it sounds, but totally worth the sore feet! I remember thinkng over and over again that I wished that I lived in Paris. I TRULY hope to spend much more time here throughout my life. The sooner the better (don't worry Mom and Dad, I will be coming home in April).
Once we reached l'Arc de Triomphe, some of us decidd to climb up to the top and take in the view of the city. Walky up, on, and around a hugely famous monument that was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in the middle of Paris...I constantly feel that I must be the luckiest girl alive.
Next, it was all the way back up Champs-Elysee to go explore the Louvre. On Fridays after 18:30, it is free for people under 26 years old to enter until the museum closes at 22:00. The Louvre is such an overwhelming place! Before I even walked into the door I was intimidated. The building is bigger than a palace and the entrance is through the famous pyramids in the middle of the square (think Da Vinci code!). Inside, I walked through the Greek, Roman, and Etruscan sculptures and saw Venus de Milo! Next, I headed to the Italian painters and saw da Vinci's Mona Lisa. I've seen so much of what I have studied or read about that I can hardly believe it. So many people told me that I would be underwhelmed by the Mona Lisa, but I was astonished by it. After talking to Momi and trying to draw, I know how hard mouths are and da Vinci blew me away!
At 22:00 I was dead on my feet and headed back to the hostel where I slept like a rock and rested up for another long and adventurous day!
Once we reached l'Arc de Triomphe, some of us decidd to climb up to the top and take in the view of the city. Walky up, on, and around a hugely famous monument that was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in the middle of Paris...I constantly feel that I must be the luckiest girl alive.
Next, it was all the way back up Champs-Elysee to go explore the Louvre. On Fridays after 18:30, it is free for people under 26 years old to enter until the museum closes at 22:00. The Louvre is such an overwhelming place! Before I even walked into the door I was intimidated. The building is bigger than a palace and the entrance is through the famous pyramids in the middle of the square (think Da Vinci code!). Inside, I walked through the Greek, Roman, and Etruscan sculptures and saw Venus de Milo! Next, I headed to the Italian painters and saw da Vinci's Mona Lisa. I've seen so much of what I have studied or read about that I can hardly believe it. So many people told me that I would be underwhelmed by the Mona Lisa, but I was astonished by it. After talking to Momi and trying to draw, I know how hard mouths are and da Vinci blew me away!
At 22:00 I was dead on my feet and headed back to the hostel where I slept like a rock and rested up for another long and adventurous day!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
From cats to fairies: London theatre experience so far
As part of our London Experience course and Shakespeare class, we get the great opportunity to see a lot of theatre. In addition to War Horse, I have seen Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with James Earl Jones, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream with Dame Judi Dench, and I have more to come!
The shows have all been absolutely FANTASTIC! James Earl Jones made me cry (not just a tear rolling down my face, but seriously cry) during his performance. I didn't like Car on a Hot Tin Roof the two times that I read it before I saw this play. After seeing the performance, I would say that it is one of my favorites. Also in the show were several other big names, including Phylicia Rashad, aka Mrs. Huckstable from the Cosby Show and directed by Debbie Allen.
The Shakespeare that I have seen has also been great. London theatre is amazing! Last night was A Midsummer Night's Dream out in Kingston. We missed our train on the way out there and ended up running to the theater. We made it just in time! Dame Judi Dench is so powerful on stage! I couldn't believe that we were actually in the same room. I felt the same way about James Earl Jones. She played Tatania and was hilarious when she was in love with Bottom. It was very strange to see her act like a fool...which made it all the more entertaining. The actor that played Bottom was fabulous and he had me crying from laughing so hard. London theatre certainly does make me tear up!
Tomorrow we are going to see 'Measure for Measure.' I will be very well aquainted with Shakespeare by the end of my trip! I also just booked tickets to go and see 'The Misanthrope' (Keira Knightley is in the cast) on Monday with a friend. I can't wait!
Next update should be about Paris...get ready! I absolutely fell in love with the place and have much to say and many stories to tell!
The shows have all been absolutely FANTASTIC! James Earl Jones made me cry (not just a tear rolling down my face, but seriously cry) during his performance. I didn't like Car on a Hot Tin Roof the two times that I read it before I saw this play. After seeing the performance, I would say that it is one of my favorites. Also in the show were several other big names, including Phylicia Rashad, aka Mrs. Huckstable from the Cosby Show and directed by Debbie Allen.
The Shakespeare that I have seen has also been great. London theatre is amazing! Last night was A Midsummer Night's Dream out in Kingston. We missed our train on the way out there and ended up running to the theater. We made it just in time! Dame Judi Dench is so powerful on stage! I couldn't believe that we were actually in the same room. I felt the same way about James Earl Jones. She played Tatania and was hilarious when she was in love with Bottom. It was very strange to see her act like a fool...which made it all the more entertaining. The actor that played Bottom was fabulous and he had me crying from laughing so hard. London theatre certainly does make me tear up!
Tomorrow we are going to see 'Measure for Measure.' I will be very well aquainted with Shakespeare by the end of my trip! I also just booked tickets to go and see 'The Misanthrope' (Keira Knightley is in the cast) on Monday with a friend. I can't wait!
Next update should be about Paris...get ready! I absolutely fell in love with the place and have much to say and many stories to tell!
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