Bye, Bye London

After wrapping up London with a photo at platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station ala Harry Potter and a visit to the British Library we took the Eurostar to France. Paris is a completely different experience from London so far. A trip to the Eiffel Tower at night proved a good learning experience in the safety of this city. I was almost run down by a thief (?) escaping the police. The finally grabbed him, but not before my legs had turned to jello. I'm afraid I don't handle these things well as I have already been told. This is exactly the type of thing Max was worried about. The police are all over the Eiffel Tower, however, and handled the situation extremely well in the midst of all the tourists standing around.


This one is for you, mom!

At the Eiffel Tower

Going up the Eiffel Tower

Like a kid again

Today is the last day in London. ARGH! A fine wrap-up, however, as I got to play in the Diana Princess of Whales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens. Adults (without a child) are only allowed to "play" between 9:30-10am, so this was a rare occasion. As you can see Ms. Penny is helping me stear the ship. See, she's alive and well-not baked in a pie.


I decided to be captain of the ship!

After walking through Kensington and Hyde parks I went to Harrod's which blew me away with their food court and toy store. I bought my little cousin her very own Paddington Bear traveler edition so she can hopefully be inspired to escape Detroit like cousin Heather.

I'm very sad to leave London. I've really grown accustom to the politeness and character of the city. I've been without the restraint of televisions or cell phones for two weeks and do not miss it one bit. Adaption usually comes very fast for me, but I have a tendency to develop a sort of reverse-homesickness when I leave Europe. I'm fully prepared for the depression that will set in when I get back home. Max and Early will snap me out of it. I do miss them so!!!

Flowers don't suck

Walking through Regent's Park was so beautiful. I must have walked 7 miles today. We walked all the way to Primrose Hill where I flew a kite (ala Mary Poppins)! I haven't done that for 25 years since my dad used to take me. We got the kite up very high...much better than today's attempt. :) Thanks dad! Anyway, my Mr. Frog kite barely got up and when it did it dive bombed innocent people beneath. I felt it was better if I just wached everyone else for the good of the public.

Relaxing at Regent's Park

The calm of this pretty white flower before the storm. It cleared up quickly though!

At 3 Abbey Road, former studio of the Beatles and site of the famous album cover. Yes, I have a semi-recreation of the photo like a good little tourist.

Whee! Kite flying!!!

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Tourist traps

July 4th passed like any other day here in London of course. It was my mom's birthday though and that is very special!

Today I met up with the girls at the Tower of London and walked to the London Dungeon tour. Pretty much a huge tourist trap, but fun none-the-less. The tour takes you through underground "caverns" where an actor tells of the history in full character. One room illustrates torture devices, another shows the story of Jack the Ripper while another simulates what it was like to be hung (sans the noose). Photos were prohibited but I recorded audio which I will be using for a podcast to follow.

I did get a nice shot of the restrooms which gives you an idea of the touristiness of the place. The other photo is an employee relaxing outside the dungeon.



I did have a bit of a scare as I was waiting outside the Tower of London for the girls. A huge amount of smoke began billowing from afar and I started thinking of the worst. Turned out to be just a regular fire I'm assuming.

History, oh wonderful history!

Jen and I took the tube to the Tower of London which was really great if you are into Henry VIII. I saw a wonderful exhibit called "Dressed to Kill" (no, not the Eddie Izzard version). The exhibit showcased the Kings armory and weaponry. The striking issue was the large "codpiece" that was fitted into his battle armor (sorry, photos were prohibited).
Photos of me at The Tower of London enjoying morbid things.

I really didn't observe much of British culture today as I spent my time doing purely "touristy" things. I finished the day at The British Museum which, of course, is spectacular. Don't judge, but I did not see the Rosetta Stone. I almost wanted to just take a picture of the duplicate at the gift shop.
My favorite object so far at The British Museum.

Well, I am really missing my puppy "Early" and Max (as mentioned in my first post). I can't believe it's over a week so far. Not feeling "homesick" per say, but just wish I could at least talk easier as 9 hrs. is a big time difference to hit.

Dear Costa Mesa planning committee

Dear Costa Mesa, CA planning committee:
Please endear our great city with parks where the residence are free to smile, play and enjoy life without the assault of police questioning or drug pushing. The end.

That is what I thought of as Jen, Merle and I spent a pleasant evening in the Russell Square park. Kids splash in fountains while lovers embrace, athletes prance and co-workers lazily mingle on the lawn. That was the end to another wonderful day of seeing sites I could only dream to see in a lifetime (let alone condensed into 14 short days).

Today went from seeing a hockey game in Trafalgar Square to the geometric staircase of St. Paul's Cathedral as shown in Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Askaban. Finally topped off with a relaxing evening in the park as aforementioned.

All the while I tried to focus on the photo project at hand which was to capture motion of transportation. I hope to warn all pedistrians who dare to cross against the red man with this. Yes kids, the invisible man will run you down with his sports car if you don't look left.

Is anyone else's head going to hit the keyboard?

Just got back from Wicked which was amazing! So tired, but so worth it. I noticed quite a difference between Central London and the Bloomsbury district that we are staying in. There is a distinct lack of fashionable women in their cute dresses the girls and I keep trying to find. (Camden Market seems best btw). I'm assuming this difference comes from the much more dense tourist population that exists around Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, etc.

This is my favorite photo of the day by the way. It's of a courtyard at Westminster Abbey
I must say.


I had a memorable experience with a waitress coined by Nate as "The Sandwich Nazi". I've never been so scared in all my life as a restaurant patron. She actually yelled at me for putting my fingers on a sandwich she served me that was the wrong order. Literally, "You put your fingers on it!". The ironic part is I watched her grab all our utensils and put them back to be recycled by the next patron. Also, the glasses we were served still had the ice cube in it from the previous patron. Fingers crossed and downing Airborne. :)

Here are some more of my favorite photos from the day. You can see The London Eye in the background of the first. I took a photo of London (see Parliament at the Thames River banks) to the right atop The London Eye.

Coach tour=busy day!

Incredibly jammed packed day as usual. :) We had another great tour hosted by Hugh (of yesterday's Historical walking tour) on a coach. The tour of Central London included St. Paul's Cathedral, a walk by the Thames with a nice view of the Parliament, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus and much more. The highlight was definitely seeing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.




The latter half of the day I shopped around Camden Market which was one of the key things I wanted to do while I was here. I found a nice mascot which I call, "Ms. Penny". Here is a pic of her touring Camden Market.

London, wonderful London

I'm hear after a very pleasant flight. For those of you that know me I am terrified of flying, so you know it was a really wonderful flight; baggage at the end is always a plus ;).

My flat mates are awesome and I feel really lucky to have met such wonderful people right from the start. We go out in groups often so I haven't had a chance to meet any of the locals which I'm looking forward to doing. The itenerary for class is fantastic and I'm so excited that I get to go to Stonehenge June 30th!!! Although I CANNOT get the Spinal Tap song out of my head. I shall have to wear my t-shirt that shows my insides on the outside (those of you familiar with the film will get that).

Of course my first meal was fish n' chips. Again, those of you who know me know I love to take photos of food. Rest assured the moment was captured in all it's greasy glory! Other than eating the local dishes I've just walked around London, getting my barings and enjoying this beautiful city. I took a historical tour of my neighborhood today which was excellent because I got to see the Ministry of Information which is the model for the Ministry of Truth in Orwell's 1984 (my fav book). My area reminds me of Georgetown, D.C (go figure) which is one of my favorite U.S. cities. I'm staying in the Bloomsbury district of London which is ripe with the same type of brick archetecture and wrought iron fencing.

Of course, well all know the real news...here is a pic of me ruminating the death...