This is a journal where I chronicle the life of me. A girl who is constantly dreaming of the next thing, but who realizes she is blessed by the life she has.
Asking me to select my favorite travel destination is kind of like asking someone to pick their favorite child, it is so hard for me to choose. Is it London? Brussels?Amsterdam? Breckenridge? Charleston? San Francisco? So many great cities and so many great adventures. However, if I were forced to pick, I believe London takes the cake.
I'm not sure if it's the deep history, beautiful buildings or the fact that it was my first true travel adventure without my family, but London has a special place in my heart. The ties to the literature I love (remember I am an English major with a huge focus on the British Novel and British Children's Literature) creep up on every corner, the history of the world, the pubs and the people who frequent them, the fact that royalty still exists. It is all so exciting.
As most of you know my first adventure in London happened in May 2006, when my best friend Lindsey and I decided to go on our own to London. We were excited, young (I was 20, Linzi was 19) and eager for an adventure. London was a safe choice, we spoke the language, the culture was similar to our own and there was plenty to see in a week period. And see and experience things we did, we had (despite me sporting a major fever/bronchitis most of the trip) the perfect adventure. One that I still think about with a huge smile and which planted my traveling seed.
I have been to London two more times, in 2007 I took part in a study abroad program and took a British Children's Literature Class, and then over New Years I spent two days in London with four of my best friends. Every time I go to London I find something new, try something new, and find something new I want to do.Another famous Sameul Jonson quote is “By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show," Jonson had it right. London has so much to offer and so much to show, and this is my top 10 list of things you MUST do when in London.
1. Visit Westminster Abbey - see where Prince William and many other royalty was married. Visit Poet's Corner and the graves/tombs of some of the world's greatest thinkers. After you explore this wonderful place which there is no other place like it one Earth take a break in the yard outside. Sit in the grass and watch the people walk by, enjoy the people watching and the cool weather and the sunny day (okay so maybe it won't be sunny), From your view you can see Parliament, Big Ben and West Minster Abbey. Take it all in. Love it. Enjoy it. (Pictured below Pictures of West Minister Abbey and Lindsey and I in 2006 enjoying laying around in the park.
2. Take a Thames River Cruise. Start off at Parliament (or the Westminster Bridge?) and go alllll the way to Greenwich. On the river cruise you will see some of the most famous sites in London and some you didn't even know existed. You'll learn all about the OXO building and Cleopatra's Needle and everything in between. Once you get off in Greenwich you can go see the Prime Meridian and walk around the quaint little village and then hope back on the boat or on the underground and head back up to Parliament. I suggest going back via boat where you can learn even more history and maybe get a better view of Shakespeare's old pub or of The Globe Theater. The Thames River Cruise is a must in my book. (Below views from the river and me and some of the girls from study abroad 2007).
3. Sit in a pub, and eat a plowman's lunch or fish and chips and drink really good beer. I think this explains itself. Ooo sticky toffee pudding is also a must.Oh and singing karaoke in London is much more fun, they don't judge you for singing badly! They encourage it!ooo and definitely have a Pimms drink if you are there in the summer! (The Cheshire
Cheese is great and apparently it was Dicken's haunt!) Picture below: an awesome pub, awesome pub drinks, karaoke, and great friends circa summer 2007.
4. A proper English Tea. Now this I for some reason do not have any photos of. But you must have a scone and you must have clotted cream and you must miss it preserves and you must eat it as often as possible. It is delicious and impossible to find good clotted cream here in the states. Trust me I've tried.
5. Visit Oxford - hop on the train and get out of town! Go into Oxford and you'll see where Harry Potter was filmed and if you take a tour of the dining hall you can see the Alice WIndow. It's a stained glass window with some of the Alice in Wonderland pictures hidden in. If you do go to Oxford make sure you explore it and that you check out the garden where Alice Liddel (the girl who inspired Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) used to play. I believe this garden is usually marked private but my Children's Lit Class and I managed to sneak in. While you're in Oxford you might as well check out the Eagle and Child pub it's known for it's interesting literary connections. J.R.R. Tolkein, Lewis Carroll as well as other literary figures started a group called the INklings and used to meet. They nicknamed the pub The Bird & THe Baby, and it is said great ideas were discussed there.
6. Explore Camden Town. Camden Town is an eccentric neighborhood located in Northwest London. Known for it's market and musical connections it is never a dull spot. Known for its Alternative lifestyle, famous people such as Dylan Thomas, Amy Winehouse, and the headquarters of MTV Europe and known for bands such as The Clash getting their start Camden Town is exciting. The Market is an Open Air Market with hookah stops, art, clothes and accessories. If you are in Camden Town you have to check out the Original Doc Martin Store where you can buy special one of a kind shoes, as well as famous record stores. Go there, check it out and be amazed.
7. Explore Kensington Gardens - so much to do so little time to do it! Kensington Palace is here, as well as the Peter Pan statue, Albert Memorial, the Italian Garden's and my favorite the Diana Memorial Playground. This playground is designed to be just like Neverland in Peter Pan, take note that if you don't have a child the only way to see this playground is only open to you from 9:30-10:00!
8. Visit the Harrod's Department Store. AMAZING Food Hall, unbelievable luxury in anything you can imagine. Want to see how the other side lives or find something fabulous and unique? Hit up Harrods. You must check out the Food Hall, especially the chocolate, cupcakes and cheeses! So amazing! Oh, and check out the Princess Diana Memorial!
9. If you're a Harry Potter Fan you must check out Platform 9 & 3/4's at King's Cross Station! Who knows maybe you can catch a ride to Hogwarts! (At Platform 9 3/4's London 2007).
10. Choose your own adventure. Do what you wish. Take a bus or the underground and get out somewhere random. Do something random. This city is your oyster. Do whatever it is you want to do. Check out the Imperial War Museum which (though I hate war) has an amazing Children at War exhibit, do anything and everything. Take a photo in the phone booth, try to make a palace guard giggle. Do something completely touristy or spend the day laying in the park watching the locals play soccer. Do something, research what you love about a city and pursue it. London can be one of the greatest places on Earth, take advantage of it.
There are soooo many things that make London my favorite travel destination. Go and find out why it might be yours.
With my trip exactly a week away (at this time I'll hopefully be snoozing over the Atlantic, I figurd I'd share some of my photos from my prevous trips to London and Paris. I hope you enjoy them as take a short trip down Memory Lane.
Originally given as a token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II,
the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947. This tree is gorgeous and I think will make a nice background to my lion photo!
[Second Photo-Paris]
- Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris , even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws
more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. I NEVER made it to Geleries Lafayette last time, but knowing that THAT tree is there....I can't help but make it a priority!
As we all know Prince William is off the market! Prince William is set to wed Kate Middleton on April 29th at one of my favorite places in the world - Westminster Abbey (see:[Link]http://confessionsofachronicwanderluster.blogspot.com/2010/11/favorite-travel-memories.html). Anways, The wedding date has been set and London tourism has never been so hott! According to CNN.com, hotels are offering what they are calling "Kate Rates," for the two weeks in April surrounding the wedding. While many hotels are already full, and most are overcharging no one has reported price gouging and many officials and travel experts are saying everyone should be able to get a room --- for the right price. Many of these rooms will have to be outside of London, and then they will have to travel into London for the actual wedding.
Something else the report mentioned is how many people hire private venues in which to watch the wedding. People essential rent a hall, room, restaurant, etc. and invite people to watch the wedding on t.v.....this seems to be akin to going to a restaurant to watch the Super Bowl, I assume but very different. Can you imagine if a political wedding caused this much attention? The closest thing we've had to a royal wedding recently I assume would have to be Chelsea Clinton - or one of the Bush twin's who actually married while her Father was serving...and while photos were taken and released it was not a state affair - it wasn't televised....and really no one cared.
Now, before you say hey...wait a minute, this is totally different. I must agree. Our political weddings do not dictate royalty or determine the future of our country. Weddings this country in general aren't a huge public affair, is it because we're bitter? Don't care? I feel like we're more likely to celebrate the newest release in technology, stand in line for the newest iPhone or video game....but would we even watch a wedding on tv? I doubt it. It's crazy to me how different we are from our British counterpart.
However, I will be watching the royal wedding, and I know a lot of people who will as well. But what makes a British wedding so different from an American one? Tradition?
**okay I realize this is totally off topic and random, and it started off as a travelish post and ended with a rant on weddings....but hey, that's me.....off-topic, yoyo and random**
Anyways, number 2 on the list is our very first stop and one of my favorite cities: LONDON! Mostly it talks about the amazing shopping on Oxford Street, and the twinkly Christmas Lights - and I believe all of that will still be in place come our arrival the morning of the 28th (thought once again I must be honest - I can't afford to shop). You can even take a Christmas Carol walking tour in which you explore Charles Dickens haunt's and visit the settings of the story.
So this weekend my mom cleaned out my car for my Birthday (thanks Mom!). Trust me it was a HUGE job and I am sooo greatful. Let’s put it this way, I drive a four door Ford Focus, and it was almost impossible for me to have one passenger in the car. MUCHO cleaning out was needed.
Example:
However, my mother cleaned it out for my Birthday and she found all my travel writing books! Woohoo! I have a ton of travel writing books from when I took my travel writing class in college. I look forward to reading, learning and seeing what the heck I can figure out!
The books:
*Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe. This collection of short stories by Bill Bryson are humorous accounts of Europe and everything Europe has to offer. I especially look forward to reading about Brussels!
*Paris in Mind- Is a collection of stories from writers that span many decades and even centuries and just focus on Paris.
*The Best American Travel Writing 2009. These are the best travel writing stories from 2009. I’m stoked!
I have few other travel writting books I'm getting into, but any suggestions out there?
With my trip now being 45 days away I have decided to countdown my favorite travel memories of all time. I'm not complaining they are the best things that have ever happened to me on a trip, but they are things that when I reflect back on them I cannot help but smile. Some are stupid, some are fun, and some are crazy….and some have just stuck with me throughout my 24 (almost 25!) years, for who knows what reason.
10. Sliding down the shark slide at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas.
It was my senior year of high school and my best friends 17th Birthday weekend, and we were in the Bahamas. It was an amazingly beautiful day and a day we had decided to use to explore the busier side of the resort. We were after the side of the resort where the slides, tourist and cruise people seemed to congregate. As Melissa, Lindsey and I sipped our virgin strawberry daiquiris and giggled over the fact that we had packed a Birthday cake in Tupperware and iced it with our hands for Lindsey's Birthday we prepared to stand in line to go down the slide. The slide was meant to be used with a tube and ended with you going through an almost lazy type river that went through a shark tank. AMAZING right? Not so much if you spent the last week of summer watching Shark Week and are terrified of anything that has a fin. I thought I could handle it, I mean I only got a little bit nervous while walking through the tunnels at Sea World, shooting through on a tube would be easy, right? Not so much. After shooting down the steep part of the slide I slowed to an almost crawl as I traveled through the shark tank. It was then that my fear of sharks and claustrophobia started to make itself known. As I slowed to an almost stop I noticed a shark (who in my mind was a Great White) LAYING on the tube. LAYING ON IT. In my mind there was no way that this could possibly be safe. With my butt still firmly wedged in the tube I stood up, bent over double and RAN out. I noticed Lindsey and Melissa watching me through the glass laughing to death as I ran for my life. When I finally reached the end of the tube I jumped for freedom into the plunge pool. Looking back I realize I was never in danger, but looking back I realize I would never put myself in that position again. My near-death experience in the tunnel was enough. Because even if that tube wouldn't crack and kill me I have a feeling a heart attack would.
9. Hiking in California.
To start off, I have no idea where this took place. I know we were outside of Los Angeles and were hiking along a river. I know I was in 4th or 5th grade and we were in the woods, up a mountain walking along a stream. I know that it was my brother, my dad, my mom and I. I also know it was around Spring Break because the Oscar's were going on while we were in California. This being said, as my brother, dad and I climbed across a slow moving stream to a giant rock to pose with our Dad for a picture we were just smiling, waving and enjoying the beautiful, crisp day. Everything was going fine until we had to climb across the river back to the bank. It was then that my dad slipped and fell and scrapped his knee/shin…it was then that he shit his pants. I guess he wasn't feeling well that morning and had the runs, and the fall, combined with his upset stomach made holding it in not an option. However, this is not the best part of the story…or the most memorable. Of course after my dad informed us of his predicament we got into the car to drive into civilization. My dad requested that we never share this story (SORRY DAD), and was of course grumpy about the whole thing, while my mother, brother and I attempted to hold in our giggles. It was then that the commercial came on. I have noooo idea what the radio commercial was promoting but I remember exactly how it began. "Do you have dirty underwear?" This of course caused Johnny, my mom and I to burst into giggles at the fact that our Dad was currently navigating our car to the closest bathroom to rid himself of his dirty underwear. And this is a family vacation memory that will forever stick with me.
8. Cama, Cama, Cama, Chameleon The Westin Hotel, St. John Island – U.S. Virgin Islands
To set the stage it was May 2008, and I had just officially graduated from the College of Charleston. My best friend Carolyn had received a week stay at any Westin Resort for a graduation present and Derek, Caitie, Carolyn and I traveled to St. John Island in the Virgin Islands to celebrate our accomplishment. We had packed our best friend dresses, and were ready for an adventure and adventure is what we got. It was our last night in St. John and we were feeling no pain. I had to leave earlier than the others so I was trying to contain myself. However, Derek was not exactly following my lead. We had spent a long evening at Woody's partying with the locals and enjoying our time. Anyways the time has come to leave and we catch a shuttle back to our hotel. At this point and time Carolyn, Caitie and I are literally carrying Derek. Now, I must explain to you something about these taxi/shuttles, they don't really have any doors, they are open on the side kind of like a jeep but they have multiple rows, like the parking shuttles at Disney. We get Derek up into the taxi and he promptly collapses to the floor of the shuttle and remains there for the entire ride back to the Westin. We get to the Westin, pull Derek out only have to him collapse on the lawn in front of the Westin, a lawn which is home to many HUGE iguanas that the Virgin Islands are famous for. Derek opens one bleary blue eye and is starring at a iguana which is inches from his face….it is then that Derek in his most hilarious state begins singing "cama, cama, cama, cama, cama chameleon" I to this day don't know the real words or if those are the real words, but I know the song and I know the tune and Derek's perfect timing and crazy self happened to say it right then, and this is a travel memory that I will never ever forget.
7. The Giant Chocolate Bar- Hershey Park, Pennsylvania
I don't know what year this happened in. I'm thinking around the time I was in 8th grade. My family and I traveled to Pittsburg to pickup my Grandma Marcy and Grandaddy and go on an adventure to Hershey Park, Pennsylvania and Gettysburg. We rent a HUGE Church van in which everyone in my family had their own row and we took off. The trip was amazing but the best memory of the trip was my chocolate bar. See, I have always loved dessert and my grandfather had mentioned before that he loved watching me eat dessert went I was little. My eyes would light up, I'd smile and laugh and just be the happiest little girl. Well, things haven't changed much I still love chocolate and at this point and time I was on a mission get the biggest chocolate bar possible. Well we found a 5lb chocolate bar at Hershey Park, and I didn't want to open it. My grandfather found it and bought it for me, I hugged it to my chest and walked around like it was my biggest pride and joy…and I never opened it. Well I can't say never, but I one day came home from swim practice find my dad had opened it L. However, I still have the wrapper and the memory of our trip around Pennsylvania.
6. Snowmobiling the Continental Divide – Colorado Christmas 2003.
It was the coldest Christmas ever, Christmas in Breckenridge, Colorado. It was also the most packed Christmas ever. My aunt, uncle, mom, dad, brother and I were saying in a two bedroom 1 bathroom loft and my grandparents were staying in their motor home in a campground a few miles away….meaning it was usually 8 of us in the tiny condo. It was freezing cold and wonderful on the slopes, but only my dad, mom, uncle, aunt and I could enjoy the slopes so one day we went snowmobiling. We all had our own snow mobiles (except my grandmother rode on the back of my Big Johns) and we zipped across the frozen landscape. Snow was deep and we were warned to stay on the paths or else we risk tipping or sinking. Unfortunately I did tip my snowboard once, and my dad ended up sinking when we took a break and he went to the bathroom and ended up sinking his snow up to his armpits! Anyways, the trip was beautiful and the weather was perfect, and as we climbed up the Rockies I realized we were slowly eclipsing the tree line. As we continued to climb the trees began to disappear and the air got the thinner. It was then that we reached the top and my whole family was perched on the top of the continental divide. I wish I could explain the feeling of gazing out and seeing all of Colorado, of the way it felt when my family came together and linked arms and stared down out and over the winter wonderland. It was an amazing site and an amazing feeling that actually warmed me inside and out.
4. Monument Valley, Summer 2006.
It was my brother's first time on a horse. My first time in Monument Valley, and my families first experience with a drunk Native American. It was the Summer I decided to live with my aunt and uncle in Arizona and Colorado and work for them, and it was when my brother came out to visit. We decided to take a trip to the Grand Canyon and to go horseback riding in Monument Valley. My Aunt and Uncle had done it before and had sworn by the experience. You had a Native American guide, he would take you on a tour of Monument Valley and show you the terrain tell you stories, folk tales and traditions and you'd get to see the unbelievable sites. Sounded awesome! We woke up early, left for the meeting point and waited, and waited, and waited. Thinking we were in the wrong spot, we took off looked around and waited some more. Finally our guide stumbled up reeking of alcohol and said he would be our tour guide. Obviously still drunk the night before, he saddled up our horses and climbed bareback on to his and off we went. As we were slowly going up a narrow ridge on the side of a mountain my Indian guide was turning around and flirting with me! I was worried about the fact that we were literally on a path that was about 2 feet wide and he was flirting! Our guide was leading, and I was right behind him followed by my brother, my Uncle Tom, and my Aunt Lisa who is quite good with horses and used to race them was bringing up the rear. It was then the guide told me "I can even ride my horse lying down with my eye closed sleeping." With this being said he laid down, closed his eyes and promptly FELL OFF HIS HORSE! Fell off! On to a tee tiny ledge that led to a rocky ravine below! My horse slammed to a stop and avoided stomping him by the narrowest of margins. Our guide seemed embarrassed and ended up trading horses with my Aunt, I guess hangovers/being drunk effect how long you can ride bareback. My Aunt ended up riding bareback and the guide took over her horse. That day we saw some beautiful sites, some old Native American caves and homes, and we saw our guide fall of a horse piss ass drunk. It was amazing, hilarious and my first travel adventure gone wacky!
3. Christmas in Charleston I am guessing it was 1991.
It was Christmas time in Charleston, South Carolina, a beautiful city that was blustery and cold and filled with hope. My whole family had arrived to Charleston in order to celebrate Christmas and to spend time with my Great-Grandaddy gene. Grandaddy Gene was in the hospital battling brain cancer and our family was there to spend Christmas close to him. It had been a long day of hospital visits any my brother who was four and I who had just turned six was a little to young to understand the full gravity of the situation. We knew our Grandaddy Gene was sick and we knew that we were spending Christmas in Charleston to be close to him. The family was a little down but my Great-Grandmother,Grandmother, Grandfather, Great Aunt, Aunt, Uncle, and parents were all there. It was late one night after we had left the hospital and decided to go to dinner. I don't know the name of the place we went but it was very fancy, and was dimly lit. My family was places at a large round table with a white table cloth and candles and we were enjoying each others company and laughing after a long day. To be honest most of the dinner is a blur but I remember feeling, happy, warm and safe, and ordering pecan pie (that was not as good as Grandma Orenes). It was here that some how my family got on the subject of attempting to touch our tongues to our nose. This of course caused everyone to be giggly and forget our problems for awhile as we all attempted to get our tongue to touch the tip of our nose, and of course only my mom succeeded. Finally after dessert we all calmed down and stopped trying to do it, when we looked over and noticed a fussy looking older company attempt to do the same thing…this of course caused our whole table to dissolve back into uncontrollable giggles. This was a rough Christmas but I remember being happy, I remember the electronic fireplace in the hotel room, and the giggles at dinner. I also remember my Grandaddy Gene and being able to spend that last Christmas with him. He died in February but that Christmas was a memorable one, and the memory of my whole family forgetting their troubles and attempting to lick their own nose is one memory that I was forever cherish and file under "happy childhood."
2.A lazy day in Edinburgh, Scotland. Summer 2007.
It was the summer of 2007 and I was studying abroad in London, England. My British Children's Literature class was taking a few day trips to Edinburgh, Scotland and our itinerary was brutal. Class every morning followed by fieldtrips and walking tours. We were constantly moving, constantly going, constantly studying and preparing for what was next. It was a great time and I was learning a lot however, I was exhausted! We were also staying in an old castle which was awesome but not the best for sleeping, creaky, noisy and spooky! Plus A group of us had just spent the day in London before traveling to Scotland standing in line for book 7 of the Harry Potter series (and standing in line and getting HP7 in my hands in LONDON probably should have made this list, in fact I might have to add it or give it its own list!), but we were exhausted and sleep-deprived and working out butts off. Anyways, we finally were given a full afternoon off. After a literary tour of Edinburgh, Scotland we were given the afternoon to do whatever we wanted in the beautiful city. A few of us decided to lay in Edinburgh's Royal Botanical Garden. It was a beautiful site and a beautiful day, in the 70's with a view of the old castle above us, the green grass below us and the flowers surrounding us we lay in the park, read our books, ate lunch, drank tea, and enjoyed our surroundings. We watched a soccer game; little girls run and play, an impromptu (friendly!) boxing match and just enjoyed life. It was sooo relaxing, so joyful and just amazing. It was the perfect afternoon during a perfect yet exhausting study abroad experience.
1. Westminster Abbey, London England – 2006
It was my first Europe experience and I had travelled to London with my best friend Lindsey. Unfortunately the trip wasn't going as perfectly as hoped due to the fact I had caught a severe cold, fever, chills, aches and bronchitis to boot! Lindsey of course being the travel buff she is was keeping me on the a grueling schedule. Wake up early, explore London, come back for a nap and tea, eat and then find food. In reality our naps were usually about 30 minutes and we were usually in pretty early. BUT, it was exhausting being as sick as I was. On the day we went to Westminster Abbey was the best day of all. After visiting Westminster Abbey Lindsey and I decided to sit and relax a bit (hmm my top to memories involve sitting on my butt in a beautiful part of the world and just enjoying life…). Anyways, Lindsey and I sat outside in front of Westminster Abbey playing with flowers, talking about trust (it's about trust in Jesus), and filming probably one of my favorite videos of all time. Despite the awkward couple basically having sex on the grass next to us, it was a great day to wind down and just bond after running all over London for a week.
So the past few days I have been marveling at the fact that we have successfully planned a 10 day trip to Europe for fewer than 1500 dollars. Granted, this does not include food, drinks, museums or transportation (other than trains) or anything else we may decide to amuse ourselves with. However, I have been very proud and excited at out less than 1500.00 trip! However, today I spent 150.00 on things I need for the trip and I still have no idea how I am going to pack. I am not a backpacker, and I have bad shoulders and we are stealing in real hotels for more than one night every time (minus Brussels), and I do not think my suitcase will be a hindrance. However, my suitcase wheels are broken! Ugh! Do I buy a new suitcase? What size should I buy? Any suggestions out there? Can someone help this chronic wander luster who is a chronic over packer with her issue?
The funny thing is, is I still am trying to decide what to bring! What should I wear on New Year's Eve? I of course want to look cute, and I of course want to sneak a kiss from a cute cultured European boy at midnight (right Linz)…and I of course want my feet to be comfy. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THIS? Moreover, how are Lindsey and Rachel planning on accomplishing all of this in a single backpack? It's mind boggling. I do know I have purchased a black trench coat, a black & gray pair of Ugg-type boots and a pair of leggings. I believe I am going to convince my mother to sew me a wool skirt of some sort. However, I feel like one of my friends may be doing this? So should I look into a dress? Any suggestions out there for the chronic worrier on how to look hott on New Year's Eve without having to worry about frostbite? Or pain? I know layering is key…but geeze almighty…how do you plan on layering constantly and then plan on fitting everything into a backpack?
Are any of you exhausted yet from my train of thought? Because I am. You know how Kermit always says it ain't easy being green? Well It's not easy being me! Anyone out there who happens to stumble across my rant and have some suggestions, or anyone out there who knows me, loves me and is willing to help me….well I'll love you forever and always. Oh and keep in mind that I am from Florida…I feel like that may be important when discussing winter clothing.
I am officially 45 days away from boarding a plane with four of my best friends and embarking on a trip to Europe. But until then…I am stuck in the real world….with my real world job. I have to notify my employer that I will be embarking on a trip that will take me away from my job for three days. Granted a wedding is involved but I hate to leave them Miss Singletonless! I'm sure my students won't mind my absence but I am sure my administration will!
Anyways our itinerary is as follows:
December 27th – depart from Orlando, FL
December 28th – arrive in London!!!! Stay at the wonderful Central House Hotel in London in the Victoria neighborhood (http://www.centralhousehotel.co.uk/). We will stay in Central House Hotel and enjoy all the sites London has to offer for two wonderful days. We may or may not visit Stonehenge. While I would LOVE to go since it is one of the things I've never done in London, I am fine if we don't go. It all just depends on what everyone else thinks!
December 30th- depart London for Paris at like 6:45am! Ahh! So early! We will be staying in the Garden Hotel in the Bastille neighborhood (http://www.garden-hotel-paris.com/). This hotel is a two star hotel, that is not very nice, but is in a descent area and is cheap! When I stayed there before while it wasn't the nicest it was clean and comfortable…which is really all we're really looking for!
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January 2nd – Leave for Brussels! We will be staying in the Sheraton in Brussels, which is basically 4 star bliss. I absolutely cannot wait to spend a night here. I feel like Brussels will be a great little quick stop. I'm mostly looking forward to the chocolate, beer and waffles…I mean honestly who can go to Belgium and NOT get a Belgium waffle? I feel as if that would be a sin! (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=488)
January 5th- Return to the good 'ol US of A.
January 6th – Return to Work. (That will be a rough two days!).
I am so unbelievable excited and grateful for this opportunity and also incredibly broke! I have a lot of saving and scrimping to do between now and December 27th. Thank God I have Christmas and a Birthday between now and then!
