I had to get one with me at the Victoria Tube station before we left. One of my favorite accomplishments of the whole trip was mastering the London and Paris underground systems and being able to get everywhere we needed to go. I love travelling in big cities because it is so convenient, even if it is smelly, crowded, and hot.
So on our first day in London we saw the British Museum, the National Gallery, Trafalger Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and Wicked. That last one wasn't a tourist attraction, but a show on the West End at a discounted student price! My favorite was Westminster Abbey because of all the amazing history there. Above is a pic from when we stopped for lunch (sandwiches) in Russell Square by the British Museum. 
The next day we went to the Victoria and Albert Museum, Hyde Park, Kenzington Gardens, Kenzington Palace, St. Paul's, the Tower of London, and the Tate Modern. I love modern art. While some of it may be a bit graphic and difficult to look at, I think the really good stuff gives you a new way to look a beauty and the world. I don't have a very trained eye, so I just like what looks pretty, or interesting. I liked this pic above because we caught one of the red double-deckers in the background.I am so glad that we didn't do a double-decker tour. While it is a nice way to see everything, I hate being immediately labeled as a tourist and staying in the tourist bubble while travelling around. I didn't exactly venture away from the tourist sites (due to lack of time), but at least I wasn't surrounded my Americans the entire time.
This bus was our home for eight hours. We travelled from London to Paris through the chunnel tunnel. A lot of the time was spent collecting passports and waiting for passage on to the chunnel, but we also got to see a bit of the French countryside. It really didn't impress me after being in Ireland with the green, rolling hills for two months.
In Paris we stayed at an actual TWO STAR HOTEL!!! We had a bed and a bathroom and everything. We came back to the hotel exhausted every night so this was a definite plus. The food in Paris made me very, very happy. It was good that we did a lot of walking to compensate for the pastries and crepes. Here are a series of pictures of some of my favorite foods:
This was on the window of the bakery we went to. I still don't understand why there is a sexy dear trying to sell anything. But hey, it's France, so who knows?
Here are some favorite shots from Paris:
We started with a touristy bike ride through the main Parisian sites. It was really nice to have a break from walking for a bit, but I still don't like really organized tourist affairs.
We even stopped at a cute, but expensive outdoor cafe. I had a chocolate crepe, of course.
Notre Dame
Jardin de Luxembourg
Our dirty feet
Arc de Triomphe
Me (sunburned) on top of the Arc de Triomphe
Mona Lisa
Crowd around the Mona Lisa (I really don't get it, I think there are many other amazing works of art)
The inverted pyramid!
Henri Mattisse painting at the Pompidu
Well, I have many more pictures and stories, but I feel that this blog post is getting way too long. I will update soon.
Tori, I can't wait to hold you in my arms. Please tell me I can borrow your clothes. I am SO happy you had a good time on your viaje! Love love love and sweet honey kisses. xoxo d
dianita said...
July 4, 2008 at 1:28 PM
I love the food in Paris... I have many fond memories =]
And I can't believe you only spent 2 days in London!!! I lived there for four months and still don't feel like I saw everything... But you saw the good stuff!
~Ashley
Ashley said...
July 5, 2008 at 10:41 PM
I'm so jealous, but so glad that you're loving Europe and that you got to see so many beautiful pieces of art!! And nobody really gets the Mona Lisa. My professor said the it's the first painting to actually use cast and form shadows properly, so maybe that's it.
Leslie said...
July 7, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Tori,
If anything, you didn't post enough. How wonderful that you got to visit London and Paris. I can't describe the feelings your pictures brought back to me. Lately, I've been having the strongest yearning for London. I want to visit again. I love hearing about your adventures. It looks like you're having a wonderful time. Though it looks like you already understand this concept, I'll tell you anyways. Always do as much as you can because when you get back you'll be saying "I had enough time, I should've seen 'X' instead of taking that nap." It's good to hear what you're up to.
Much love,
Emily Wilcock
Emily said...
July 7, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Tori!!! How are you? What was your fav place or what was the best part of your excursion? Hey, pretty cool that you saw me, though.:) I'm glad you're livin it up!
Love, Lisa
Lisa Grace said...
July 11, 2008 at 10:31 PM
How much junk is in the trunk now? Jorge is engaged and moving to Chile.
k.d j.p n.l
Kim said...
July 12, 2008 at 6:52 PM