We finally went on our first official tour yesterday. We traveled to Stonehenge, Bath (home of the Roman Baths), and Windsor Castle! This was actually a lot of fun! I wouldn't have wanted to do a lot of tours, but I am glad we did this one. They gave us audio guides at each site and it really made seeing it much more meaningful. Learning about the history of each site was pretty beneficial. The tour really lasted all day and when we got home we just talked with our Aussie roomate, Chris, for a while and then went out to dinner. We got lucky again with this roomate. The Australians have been consistantly awesome. It think that is the next place I want to visit!
We are leaving for Dublin this evening and will arrive rather late, but I can't wait! We are both getting a little weary. Hopefully, Dublin will be relaxing. I have heard it is going to be even colder :( Nooooo! (That is why I haven't worn my b-day present Lauren.)
We've got to check out, but we love you all and can't wait to see you in just a few days!
Love,
Amanda and Katie
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
London in a day...
Today we headed out on our grand tour of London! Fasten your seatbelts! Here is what we did and what we saw...
On the way to Central London we walked through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park...2 very beatiful parks that I wish we had in the states!
We made our way to Buckingham Palace and saw the Royal Guards (drum corp) perform a short concert and then march to the Guard Museum.
After the Palace we strolled (in the rain) to Big Ben which is attached to the Houses of Parliment.
Then we made our way across the Thames River via Westminster Bridge to Tate Modern, a museum of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. I LOVED IT! My favorite place in London so far!
After our fill of art we crossed the Tower Bridge to the Tower of London, then making our way back across London Bridge (very disappointing) we saw Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and crossed the Millenium Bridge! Across the Millenium Bridge is St. Paul's Cathedral.
Then because of the freezing weather (we could actually see our breath)!!!! We went to Oxford Street to buy a pair of jeans b/c I brought no pants :) After Oxford Street we made our way home from our long, long day!
We are dead tired...our feet are killing us! Who knows what the day holds tomorrow, but our near future is lots of sleep!
FYI: I noticed this odd but rather fascinating trend. Many people in London literally RUN home from work! They toss their work clothes in a backpack and run home! Around 6pm today probably 50+ people ran past us with backpacks on! It is crazy and makes me feel a bit lazy, but I am inspired.
Alright, we love you all and miss you a whole heck of a lot!
Amanda and Katie
On the way to Central London we walked through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park...2 very beatiful parks that I wish we had in the states!
We made our way to Buckingham Palace and saw the Royal Guards (drum corp) perform a short concert and then march to the Guard Museum.
After the Palace we strolled (in the rain) to Big Ben which is attached to the Houses of Parliment.
Then we made our way across the Thames River via Westminster Bridge to Tate Modern, a museum of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. I LOVED IT! My favorite place in London so far!
After our fill of art we crossed the Tower Bridge to the Tower of London, then making our way back across London Bridge (very disappointing) we saw Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and crossed the Millenium Bridge! Across the Millenium Bridge is St. Paul's Cathedral.
Then because of the freezing weather (we could actually see our breath)!!!! We went to Oxford Street to buy a pair of jeans b/c I brought no pants :) After Oxford Street we made our way home from our long, long day!
We are dead tired...our feet are killing us! Who knows what the day holds tomorrow, but our near future is lots of sleep!
FYI: I noticed this odd but rather fascinating trend. Many people in London literally RUN home from work! They toss their work clothes in a backpack and run home! Around 6pm today probably 50+ people ran past us with backpacks on! It is crazy and makes me feel a bit lazy, but I am inspired.
Alright, we love you all and miss you a whole heck of a lot!
Amanda and Katie
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Pictures of Barcelona and Paris!!
Barcelona:
http://umkc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033160&l=c6990&id=66801302
Paris:
http://umkc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033162&l=269b0&id=66801302
http://umkc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033160&l=c6990&id=66801302
Paris:
http://umkc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033162&l=269b0&id=66801302
Farewell Paris!
Our last day in Paris we went to the catacombs, Sacre Coeur, Moulin Rouge, the Picasso Museum and then went to view the Eiffel Tower at night!
The Picasso Museum and night viewing of the ET were definitely my favorites!
Today we are headed to London via train and chunnel! I will write more and post more pictures when we get there this afternoon!
Love and Miss you!
Amanda and Katie
The Picasso Museum and night viewing of the ET were definitely my favorites!
Today we are headed to London via train and chunnel! I will write more and post more pictures when we get there this afternoon!
Love and Miss you!
Amanda and Katie
Friday, June 22, 2007
Rainy day in Paris...
This morning we got up and at breakfast at our favorite bakery, La Flute! Then we walked about 4 miles to the Eiffel Tower. When we got there and were in line to walk up the stairs to the second deck it started to rain, and then pour! Nooo, not on Eiffel Tower day! So, we said we are doing it anyway! How often can you climb the stairs of the Eiffel Tower in the rain? Not often. It was still a lovely view from the top and we ran into an Australian family that we had met at Notre Dame yesterday!
After the Eiffel Tower we bought an umbrella for 4 Euros and headed to find some lunch! We had a fabulous lunch at this little cafe nearby and then went off to the Arc de Triomphe! There were some goings on there today with lots of firemen and police officers, so we couldn't go inside, but it was still nice to see and walk around.
Then we headed down this huge street, full of places to shop to the Lourve! We got into the Lourve for free and walked and walked some more. We saw the Mona Lisa and Venus (Aphrodite) and Rapheal and on and on. The place is enormus! We walked around for about 2.5 hours and then called it quits.
We walked home and got to hang out with our new roomies (two girls from Canada and one from Lithuania). The are a riot! Tomorrow is a big day and people are waiting for me to get off this computer, so that is why the details are few and far between:(
It is also quite cool here. Brrrr.
We love you and miss you!
Amanda and Katie
After the Eiffel Tower we bought an umbrella for 4 Euros and headed to find some lunch! We had a fabulous lunch at this little cafe nearby and then went off to the Arc de Triomphe! There were some goings on there today with lots of firemen and police officers, so we couldn't go inside, but it was still nice to see and walk around.
Then we headed down this huge street, full of places to shop to the Lourve! We got into the Lourve for free and walked and walked some more. We saw the Mona Lisa and Venus (Aphrodite) and Rapheal and on and on. The place is enormus! We walked around for about 2.5 hours and then called it quits.
We walked home and got to hang out with our new roomies (two girls from Canada and one from Lithuania). The are a riot! Tomorrow is a big day and people are waiting for me to get off this computer, so that is why the details are few and far between:(
It is also quite cool here. Brrrr.
We love you and miss you!
Amanda and Katie
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Bonjour!
It is good to see that the links to the pictures are working! Hope that you all are enjoying them.
Our last day in Barcelona we spent lying on the beach, since we finally had our swimsuits!! It was a beautiful thing. We both took a little dip in the Mediterranian (only a little one b/c it was freezing)! Around 8pm we got to the train station and at 9pm caught our train to Paris. The overnight train was not too bad, I must admit.
We got to Paris this morning at 9am and made the trek to our hostel! Actually having luggage to carry makes this traveling stuff a bit harder, not that I am complaining. I love having my things!
After checking into our hostel we grabbed some breakfast at a local bakery and headed to Notre Dame! There was a drum and bugle corp playing out front and they were really really good! We listened for a while and then headed inside. The cathedral is beautiful, as they all have been. After our go round inside we waited in line to take the stairs to the top of the bell tower! Lots of stairs and winding staircases, but we made it and the view of Paris was amazing! We could see the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River and the Lourve. We also got a first hand look at some of the gargoyles! They are just like in the movie! We got a pic taken in front of the bell.
For the rest of the afternoon we just chilled, grabbed some dinner at a local cafe, and were surprised by the Paris nightlife! Tonight, as we soon heard is a very special night b/c it is the longest day of the year. So the entirity of Paris is a music festival with bands and musicians on every block! It is pretty awesome. We heard some songs we recognized and many others that we didn't. The crowds are crazy! There was silly string and confetti EVERYWHERE!
I am off to bed b/c we have a big day of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Lourve tomorrow! I am sure we will have a ton to share with you!
Love you all and miss you!
Amanda and Katie
Our last day in Barcelona we spent lying on the beach, since we finally had our swimsuits!! It was a beautiful thing. We both took a little dip in the Mediterranian (only a little one b/c it was freezing)! Around 8pm we got to the train station and at 9pm caught our train to Paris. The overnight train was not too bad, I must admit.
We got to Paris this morning at 9am and made the trek to our hostel! Actually having luggage to carry makes this traveling stuff a bit harder, not that I am complaining. I love having my things!
After checking into our hostel we grabbed some breakfast at a local bakery and headed to Notre Dame! There was a drum and bugle corp playing out front and they were really really good! We listened for a while and then headed inside. The cathedral is beautiful, as they all have been. After our go round inside we waited in line to take the stairs to the top of the bell tower! Lots of stairs and winding staircases, but we made it and the view of Paris was amazing! We could see the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River and the Lourve. We also got a first hand look at some of the gargoyles! They are just like in the movie! We got a pic taken in front of the bell.
For the rest of the afternoon we just chilled, grabbed some dinner at a local cafe, and were surprised by the Paris nightlife! Tonight, as we soon heard is a very special night b/c it is the longest day of the year. So the entirity of Paris is a music festival with bands and musicians on every block! It is pretty awesome. We heard some songs we recognized and many others that we didn't. The crowds are crazy! There was silly string and confetti EVERYWHERE!
I am off to bed b/c we have a big day of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Lourve tomorrow! I am sure we will have a ton to share with you!
Love you all and miss you!
Amanda and Katie
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