I'm Back, Now What?

I can’t believe I’ve been back for over a week!  The trip seems like a year ago; it was really a good trip and I am so glad I went/and did this!!!

So here’s a few things I been thinking about since getting back:

I like blogging (shocking I know) and reading other people’s blogs (I may even become a blog-stalker as my friend Rachel calls herself)…  I hope to keep it up but not sure I have enough to blog about or what I would even call my blog and of course time to do it all

I like taking pictures and actually miss taking pics all the time everyday (I was never a picture taking person either, but now I might be or try to be); I am trying to continue taking pics but it hasn’t been working out as well since returning home…

Traveling out of the country is not hard and not that much different than traveling anywhere really; it is even fun once you get over all the preparation to go

Now for the true self discovery (look out people):

I feel as though the world is my oyster and the possibilities are endless, now if I could just figure out what I want to do with my life.  What do I want?  Where do I want to be?  I need direction, it’s almost as though there are too many possibilities and it is overwhelming…  What do I really want my life to be; I have no idea!!!  Perhaps I am entering a quarter life crisis (mini of course); for those of you doing the math, don’t worry, I’ve always known I would live to be 120.

Finally, I want to thank Dr. E and all the people on this trip – you truly made this a time in my life that I will always remember with fondness and wish that I could do it again and again (maybe we’ll have to plan a reunion trip)!  I am thrilled to have met all of you and know we will be life-long friends!

Notre Dame and Cruising on the Seine

So today we went down to Notre Dame and took a cruise on the Seine. It was a great sight-seeing day!!!

Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Well our trip is winding down; I just confirmed my shuttle for the airport for Thursday morning and am thinking about packing... sigh, though I am ready to come home and the Anniversary Sale starts Friday morning at 8 AM which is perfect as I will still be on Paris time!!! (Yes, that means that I will be there when the doors open, which is about lunch time/2pm in Paris)
Today we explored the peaceful cemetery of Pere Lachaise; absolutely amazing, like stepping back in time... I really enjoyed wandering all the cobblestone streets and getting lost in the maze of paths and graves! Really Really Peaceful and Beautiful!

Champagne Valley/French Wine Country

Today was the best day yet in France!  This morning we boarded a train to travel out to French wine country, which is absolutely gorgeous and the little town of Epernay is adorable (this is kind of how I was picturing Paris in my head - oh and I love traveling by train!!!)...  

I am going to do a vodcast of our tour of the Cellars at Moet & Chandon (stay tuned for that in a few days).

But until then, here is a great pic of the wonderful lunch we had - Loved IT!!!   YUM.

For Uncle John

Today I was meandering my way through the quaint little town of Epernay (about an hours ride outside of Paris by train - love traveling by train, AWESOME!!!) and happened upon this:

Can I have one???  

The Movie UPs

So just a tidbit; France may be obsessed with the movie UP - it's advertised everywhere!!!  Nate shed some light on it today; he told me that the movie opened the Cannes Film Festival???!?!?!?!?  Disney (oh, he works for them, btw) doesn't usually do that, but the festival asked them for this movie, which is a big deal, so there you have it...  

There were 15 of these hanging from the ceiling of our train station today!

Here is a book display in one of the local bookstores we wandered into - oh and by the by, twilight is just as popular over here as well - Love this photo - that says it all!

Versailles

Today we went to the Palace of Versailles!  It was extreme how ornate and beautiful this palace was...  The gardens were immense; the palace itself was only a fraction of the entire property/gardens (just unimaginable really)!!!  It must have been just phenomenal living in such a gorgeous environment; much pomp and circumstance I'm sure.

Wandered the Streets of Paris today...

With Stephanie, Nate, and Joanna...

Had a salad for lunch; best salad since leaving the states and don't worry mom - no bugs :-)

These grey bikes are like CarShare; where you pay a monthly fee and can use them anytime you like. There are rows of them every couple of blocks, you take one to go wherever and then park it at one of these rows near your destination; they are really really cool!

Saw a street player (very COOL) and wandered past Notre Dame

I think I need one of these to use for getting around!!! Definitely Going Green never looked so pretty...

The Louvre

Went to the Louvre today; it was wonderful, I wandered around for 5 hours and easily could have spent 5 days!!!  Just amazingly beautiful...  and huge!!!  Everything is so huge, the building, the ceilings, the staircases, and collections, just so enormous!

Afterwards, we went to dinner at this great place!  They have dishes pre-prepared and when you pick one they put the whole meal in a steamer all together; it was SO tasty...  On the way back, we stopped for crepes. Yum-O

King's Cross Station, the British Library, the Eurostar, and the Eiffel Tower

Hello from Paris!

Well we have arrived, the Eurostar was very pleasant and I managed (via taxi and friends-luckily we are all insane packers - way way too much stuff) to get my luggage both from and to the hotels; the next time I take it out will be to go to the airport to fly home...

This morning we went to King's Cross Station and of course tried to get onto the infamous Platform 9 3/4 but to no avail as we are but mere Muggles...

Then on to the British Library; very very cool.  They have almost a museum type collection of original works to look at (under glass of course) and some very very old books!  The libraries in the UK function a little bit differently then those in the US, as we learned in Oxford, but still they are there to bring information to the masses (and maybe a cup of tea while you are waiting)!!!

On the way back to the flats to gather my things I stopped and bought a piece of luggage; and I absolutely am in LOVE with it!!!  This will be my new weekender bag and I got it in London!!!  Look how huge it is?!?!?!  And yes, I did need it!

Off to the Eiffel Tower; see you later.

Hyde Park

Today was a relaxing day; strolled through Hyde Park, had some tea, lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and saw Harrods Department Store (too much shopping, even for me - plus the crowds were a bit much;)