Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 02:44 AM
I have taken many trips during my short life to some very interesting places. However, one of my most recent trips since I have been here in Europe tops almost all of them. During the fourth weekend I was here I traveled to Paris for the trip of my life. In just 3 days I saw some of the most historic and famous sites in the entire world. When I graduated high school I was given a book entitled, "1001 Places To See Before You Die." The book is broken up into sections by country, city etc...and Paris has 134 entries, at least 25 of which I saw. Everthing from the tomb of the Napoleon Bonaparte to the Arc D'Triumphe and of course, the Effiel Tower
Rather than doing one of those steryotypical pictures where I am holding the tower or bigger than it I thought it would be good to sport my Patriots gear and make it appear as if I was coach Bill Belicheck watching a game from the sidelines, a game which was being played in Paris. In any case, I eat crepe's, and flan and tried my best to navigate the Metro system which is basically a combo between New York's system and DC's. New York because its confusing and dirty, and DC's because its called a Metro and because it can take you where you need to go. I did things that people talk about doing but never get around to, like standing 100 feet away from the Mona Lisa in the Musee de Louvre or seeing the Effiel Tower up close, actually standing under it. It made me realize how lucky I really am to be here. Next week look for my entry on Wales. Until then I am...Le blogger du mois
[ add comment ] | [ 0 trackbacks ] | permalink |
( 2.8 / 107 )Sunday, October 22, 2006, 12:38 PM
Week four was very interesting to say the least. I wrote a few papers, started into a class routine where I knew where I was going and when without having look and then during the weekend traveled to historic Edinburgh, Scotland. I spent three nights and two days in an idealic, quiet area (except for the pubs) seeing all that the historic city had to offer. The highlight of my trip was of course the castle pictured here
The castle is according to the Scots over 2000 thousand years old and it sits on a huge chunk of volcanic rock which is 500,000,000 million years old. Hence, I brought a little piece back from it for my "Old Rocks from Historic Places," collection. Besides being enthralled in the culture I visited the museums and sites where I saw among other things the Millenium Clock, the Tomb of Mary Queen of Scots & as luck would have it stumbled upon one of the most famous newer sites in the whole city by accident. I ducked into a little coffee shop to get a cup of tea as it was starting to...well not really snow, but sleet a little. Being a New Englander as I am, I am used to it however it never hurts to get a warm drink. I sat down outside at a table and all of a sudden I saw people coming up to the coffee shop to take pictures. First one, then two, then five and soon ten people were taking pictures of the shop, the tables, and...me. After they had left I discreetly asked the coffee shop manager whether it was uncommon for Americans to visit this site, and if not, what the heck was so signifigant about the shop. He told me that it was the site that JK Rowling wrote most of the first two books of the Harry Potter series and the table I was sitting at was apparently the same one where she had started the very first one. After hearing that I walked back outside only to find more people but this time sitting at the table with pen and paper in hand pretending to be Rowling while others took pictures. The whole thing was very...different to say the least and it got me thinking. If a table that JK Rowling sat at is famous now, then the piece of Rock I took from the castle must be even more famous than I had realized. Speaking of famous sites, my next entry will be about Paris. Until then, remember "Magic is real so long as you believe it is"
[ add comment ] | [ 0 trackbacks ] | permalink |
( 3 / 132 )Monday, October 16, 2006, 01:15 PM
On the third weekend, my study abroad office sponsored a trip to the famous Tower of London. The tower is the last castle standing in central london and one of the oldest castles still standing on the entire planet. Built originally by William the Conquerer in the 10th century the original building known as the White Tower still stands to this day as you can see in a picture I took from the boat ride which was part of the trip. 
The Tower for the most part was a state prison more than a castle and over the years held many famous people including several British Kings and Queens. Three Queens were executed at the tower as well as two Kings and hundreds of others until the death penalty was abolished in the UK. The Tower has survived several attacks by Scottish, Irish & German forces over the years as well as the great fire of london in the 17th century. It also served as a safe haven for people trying to escape the Blitz during WWII. Most notably the tower serves as the home for the crown jewels today. We couldn't take pictures of them but seeing them up close was incredible. For more information about the tower, its history and the crown jewels see the link attached. My next entry will feature my trip to Scotland!
[ add comment ] | [ 0 trackbacks ] | permalink | related link |
( 3.2 / 124 )Saturday, October 14, 2006, 04:44 AM
Having settled into my dorm I made my first trip to London during my second weekend here. I went on a walking tour where I saw many of the cities famous sites. Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and of course Big Ben. 
As you can see I am squinting in this picture because when we arrived at Big Ben the sun was very high in the sky (wasn't that phrase in a song by someone) and got in my eyes as a friend of mine took the photo. Oh well, other pictures of me in front of things have been better. I also took the liberty of visiting the British Museum where I saw perhaps one of the most famous archelogical finds in history; the Rosetta Stone. The Stone was discovered by Napoleon (See link) in 1799 as part of his Egyptian Campaign. The stone allowed Egyptologists to decipher Hieroglyphics. Ironically Napoleon hated the British as much as they hated him and while he was finding the stone, Admiral Horatio Nelson blew his fleet anchored off the coast to pieces. Nelson later destroyed any hopes Napoleon had of conquering England when he blew his fleet to pieces...again in 1804 at the battle of Trafalgar at the cost of his own life. Trafalgar Square is named after that battle and dedicated to his memory. Next week's entry will be about my trip to the Tower of London!
[ add comment ] | [ 0 trackbacks ] | permalink | related link |
( 3 / 134 )Wednesday, October 11, 2006, 07:14 AM
Hello everyone,
Since I am away from the simming world till December I figured I would start a blog about my study abroad trip. Every week I will be updating you guys on where I am, what I am doing etc... and will be posting pictures from my trip. I am currently in England having arrived her three weeks ago. I am situated at Royal Holloway University for the semester which near enough to London that I can take a train as easily as I take the Metro back in DC. And, I have been blessed with an awesome room and five awesome suitemates. My room is so spacious. I have a private bathroom, closet, carpeting, overhead lighting and most importantly A DOUBLE BED. This is as all of us college aged students know, a luxury on US college campuses. The campus itself is huge and is so beautiful. Here is a picture of what part of it looks like
It really reminds me of a bigger version of Harvard. So far I have been to parts of London and Scotland and have plans to go to France, Italy and Germany. I will be posting again when I have more details about my trips there. Until then I am and will be FSF BK!
[ add comment ] | [ 0 trackbacks ] | permalink |
( 3 / 149 )
