Welcome My Friends to Paris!

So Friday, July 29, 2011 I arrived in Paris, France. Having never been to Paris, I must say its amazing how nothing is free. Its common in European countries to have public toilets, but in Paris they cost about 70 € cents. Luckily I never had to pay for one.

Our first day there was jam packed with activities. It started at the Louvre where I Beth from Cordele, GA was able to stand directly in front of the Mona Lisa and I found it to be......smaller than I thought. It is a beautiful painting but not as big as I expected it to be. I guess with a painting being so hyped up my whole life I thought it would be larger and grander. But the Louvre did not disappoint. It is so massive and decorated from head to toe. I want to go back to Paris and finish seeing the whole thing, but that would take a few days.

The next item on our agenda was to take a bus ride through Paris and then stop at the Eiffel Tower. I sat on the top of the bus, which was freezing cold. Summer in Paris and I'm wearing a scarf and sweater. The bus trip was the best part because I felt like I had a touch of every important thing I wanted to see. If you end up going to Paris I suggest taking one of these, it is well worth it. However, the stop at the Eiffel Tower wasn't all that great. Here is where I was first stopped by a kid wanting me to sign a paper for homeless kids. It would be a great cause if only it were true. These are scams to get your money, so DON'T DO IT! The Eiffel Tower is more beautiful from a distance than up close. Then back on the bus to take us to a boat ride down the Seine River.

Again is was windy and cold just like the bus. However, when you are on the Seine in Paris who cares if its a little chilly. Dr. Everhart brought bottles on Peach Champagne for us to enjoy, which was so yummy. After seeing everything from the boat we docked at Notre Dame and enjoyed the outside of this gorgeous cathedral. Then off to dinner, where we had the best French entertainment you can find. The two men who performed for us were such characters. I loved when they made some of my classmates part of the show.

So basically my first day in Paris was this, a time I will never forget because it was filled with all the sites, laughter, and drinks anyone could ever need.

A Day at the British Library

Today we went to Platform 9 3/4, which I must say was a major disappointment. Due to construction at King Cross station the platform (which is just a fake wall) was moved out of the station and is located on the street. But I must say I did get a good picture after I cropped it.

Then we went down the road to spend the day at the British Library. Getting to see all the treasures of the library was amazing. I was able to see a Gutenberg Bible, original printing of Shakespeare, Henry VIII's prayer book, Emily Bronte's handwritten Jane Erye, one of the four remaining Magna Cartas (I saw another in Salisbury). I wish I could have taken pictures to remember this experience, but its far more important to protect these amazing items. If you want to take a look at some of the items click British Library to take you to the website. I suggest everyone take the time to view some of the wonderful treasures.

Standing in a room filled with such history just makes you think about everything that happened to create the world we currently are living in. What if King Harold II (one of the first Godwin, which is one of my family lines) had not lost the Battle of Hastings to the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror, would we still have the same history we have today. King Henry VIII and his six wives may have never happened. Its interesting to think the world could have been completely different with religion moving forward faster or slower. The Americas might not have been found as soon as they were, or they could have been found earlier. It makes me think of the Butterfly Effect. If one little change in history had occurred would I and everyone I know even be here. Points to ponder.

Crumpet the Kitty Cat

When I was told to bring a mascot on this trip I thought what fun thing could I bring with me. I thought of bring a California Raisin and a Care Bear. But one day at a store I saw this cute kitty cat that looks a lot like my old cat Jack. I decided she has to be my travel companion. But I should have known that all tuxedo cats are the same, sweet one day and trouble the next.

Watch the video to see what kind of trouble Crumpet has gotten into so far. Who knows what she will do tomorrow.



lyesmom (November 29, 2005). I'm a Kitty Cat. [Video File]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt4zvJNXbdI

5 Picture Story in Salisbury

Today we spent the day at Stonehenge and Salisbury. I must say that Stonehenge is a beautiful place to go and just think. The stones were amazing and to think it took years for each stone to be dragged 25 miles to this site.

After we spent some time at Stonehenge, we got back on the bus and road out to Salisbury to see the cathedral that was built from 1220 to 1258 AD. It is also the home of one of the original copies of the Magna Carta. To see all this history up close was awe inspiring.

The photography focus for today was to create a story in five pictures. So I created a story about food, because I was so hungry that is was all I could think of. I had a lunch of macaroni and cheese with a side salad and bread. I would love to say it was delicious, but it was actually just okay. The restaurant was cute but the service was terrible, which I think is why I didn't think the food was so great.

Tower of London

On Sunday, July 24, 2011 a few of my classmates and I went to visit the Tower of London. This was the one stop in London that I was determined to make. I wanted to see where some of the most famous British stories take place. Where Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, and Jane Grey were beheaded and later buried.

At the entrance to the Tower of London, it is guarded by lions (or metal copies of really lions that were once there). Crumpet saw them and had to take a picture because they are all part of the cat family. There were also monkeys climbing the walls near the crown jewels.

It also houses one of the most famous prisions in the world. To see where people carved their names into the walls as a way to make their last mark on earth was heartbreaking. There was also a place where Grey's husband carved Jane into the wall. The sadness in those rooms could be felt in the air.

We were given advice on how to approach the Tower experience. After being some of the first people to go through the gates that morning, we ran to the where the Jewels are shown to avoid long lines. I wish I could have taken pictures in there, but if your interested click here to see some Google images. The First Star of Africa was an amazing site to see. The diamond looked huge!

But the most surprising part of my trip took place when I found out people still live in the Tower of London. The governor, a doctor, and a chaplain all live on the grounds. There are also 7 ravens that are permanent residence to the tower. The homes were quaint and reminded me of old fashion townhouses.

The White Tower was the central feature to the Tower of London. It was the first part built by William the Conqueror. I found everything it housed so interesting that it was where I spent most of my time. I have created a video that shows my favorite aspects, but I must say it only scratches the surface on what was an amazing visit. Take a look at my video to see what I found most interesting.

Oh Look...It's Art

This weekend was full of fun and excitement. I was able to visit with my friends Samuel and James, who I haven't seen in at least 5 years. It was so nice to get to catch up. They took me to a pub along the Thames River, where I had the best fish & chips. While we were walking on the footpath (aka sidewalk) I saw some very interesting things.

Here is London this thing called a Pedibus. It is where you get about 8-10 of your friends together and drink while riding this 10 person bike-bus through London. I have to say it looks really fun. If we had the time during our busy schedule, I would suggest going. I guess I'll have something to look forward to the next time I come to London.

Samuel, James, their friend Mike, and I went to Tate Modern Museum. This is a converted power station with a huge ramp once you enter. I was excited to see the collections. Some were moving and awe inspiring, while others only made me say, "Oh look...it's art."

When I was in college I took a photography course and saw a few pieces of Diane Arbus's work. I must say that in person her work is amazing. If you want to see some of her pieces, then click on her name and it will take you to Google Images. I also saw some Andy Warhol, Picasso, and Monet's Water-Lilies.

Art is supposed to give one strong emotions, whether it is good or bad isn't the point. However, when I first saw the pill of sunflower seeds in the middle of the room I thought, "This is ridiculous!" Then I read what the seeds were. They were individually, handcrafted porcelain sunflower husks that are also hand painted. (In the picture is James on the left and Samuel on the right).

But my favorite sight to see was the duck tape work done by a handyman who I can only guess was trained in the Southern USA. And for your information, the duck tape is holding on to a boat that is in the Thames River. If it was created for submarines, why not use it on boats.

History of Tea

On our second full day here in London a few of us decided to enjoy a nice afternoon tea at the Strand Plaza. We sat on lovely couches and ottomans around a table filled with tea cups; towers of sandwiches, scones, and pastries; and teapots. It made me start to wonder why a Chinese drink was so popular in England. I came home and did a little digging on the internet to find information on the history of tea in England. I found a website called United Kingdom Tea Council. Who else would have a the best information about the history of tea in Great Britain than the official council for tea.

According to the council, tea was not common in England until a Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza, with a big craving for tea. In Portugal tea was a common drink and a favorite among the Portuguese court. When Catherine was sent over to England to marry Charles II in 1662 she brought with her a chest full of tea as part of her expensive dowry. However, tea was not yet a drink in England so she was offered ale when she arrived. After marrying Charles II, Catherine made tea a popular fad in the royal court.

The eighteenth century was filled with the upper class trying to keep tea a luxury item and prevent the lower classes from drinking it. One way of doing this was to promote that tea was unhealthy to drink. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, went as far to say people should abstain from drinking tea all together. Jonas Hanway argued tea was unhealthy to drink and Dr. Samuel Johnson argued there was nothing wrong with drinking tea. This started a large argument between Hanway and Johnson that continued through the press for years.

As time has gone by not only has society chosen to side with Dr. Samuel Johnson, we have scientific proof that tea is beneficial to drink. So having tea with my meals isn't a bad habit to pick up here in England.

Take a couple of minutes and listen to my podcast for more information.



Podcast Powered By Podbean

Hale, B. (n.d.) A Nice Cup of Tea (Audio File). Retrieved from http://youtube.com

MacLeod, K. (n.d.) The Forest and the Trees (Audio file). Retrieved from http://freemusicarchive.org

United Kingdom Tea Council. (2011). Tea - A Brief History of the Nation's Favorite Beverage. Retrieved from http://www.tea.co.uk