Paris, the city of light and PICS finally

After three days in London I jumped onto the chunnel train and arrived in Paris 3 hours later. This morning in London I went to the British Museum and Library. Both great places with lots of old stuff. I didn't have nearly enough time to see all of the British Museum but saw the main things they looted from Egypt, Assyria, and Greece. Although if the didn't, some of it may not be in as good of condition as it is now.

I arrived in Paris and had to find out a place to stay and how to get there. Yeah I know, I meant to reserve a place but never got around to it. Lucky me the first place on my list had a place. Only 3 beds to a room this time and a shower as well. Pretty nice digs for 30 euros. The euros I got for my birthday work just great here, made it a bit easier to start out for sure. After I put my things in the room, I set out for a bite to eat and a stroll. I had fun with my camera taking pictures of Notre Dame and other places. Not sure how well they came out but enjoy the ones I posted. Looking forward to doing some more exploring tomorrow. I better head back to make a plan of attack.

Paris

London

Day 2: Still alive, still no pics though...

Today was another lovely day in London. For some reason, ever since I flew in I've wanted to just start talking with a British accent and say stuff like "Cheerio". I saw some great stuff today but turned out to not manage my time as well as I liked. As the title states, I'm doing great, still alive, but this time I remembered the cord, its the damn computer that doesn't seem to acknowledge anything you plug into it. So I'll try again later...when I'm in a country where I don't speak the language probably...

My first Hostel experience

Well, for 15£/night, across the street from the British Museum, you really can't beat the price. As for the accomodations, they are a bit lacking as expected. I am currently in a 10 bed co-ed room which increases the chance of people getting up in the middle of the night and making noise...which they did, about 4 times. But as exhausted as I was yesterday I slept alright and felt fine this morning. The showers and toilets are upstairs but in fair shape. We have access to a full kitchen and get served a breakfast of cereal, toast and jam, and tea. Like I said, hard to beat the price in London where its hard to get a meal under 6£. It is really expensive here. After a night of interrupted sleep, I had breakfast and set on out.

I started the day off by jumping in the tube and finding my way to the Tower of London. Got some good pics and already decided what I wanted to post but alas I was thwarted again. The Tower Bridge is also impressive. After the tower and lunch, I headed over to St. Peters Cathedral. Another beautiful building. I showed up just in time for the 2£ tour and ended up being the only one on the tour, lucky me. The old chap giving the tour chatted away about St. Peters and it's history for 2 hours, the tour is only supposed to go an hour and a half. Most of it was good stuff but I kind of wanted to slink away on my own but he seemed pretty happy to keep on talking. I think the only reason he stopped is because I wanted to climb to the top of the cathedral and take a look around. Both of us thought they let people go up top until 4:15. When I headed for the entrance to the stairs at 4:00, I was informed that they closed at quarter to 4...drat. A minor set back but I needed to cross the Thames on the millenium bridge to check out Shakespeare's Theatre of the round and the Tate Modern.

I didn't go inside the round theatre thing and instead headed over to the Tate Modern to see some modern art. The first stuff I saw were exhibits of modern art that were the "I can splash paint blind folded on canvas too" type. Moving on I finally found the good stuff like Picasso and Monet.

Well I leave London tomorrow for Paris. I'll try the pics again later.

LONDON!

Well after 12+ hours of flying and standing in customs for an hour and a half, they finally released me into London! I took the underground (subway) to find my hostel I'm staying at. I must say, the public transportation here is something to admire. trains were coming every two minutes and there were signs, maps, and announcements letting you know where you were and where you were headed. They also had updated info at each station of delays, which I easily manuevered around to avoid. Seattle could take a lesson...but then again I can't imagine what a system like that costs.

Anyways, it couldn't have been a better day for weather. Mostly sunny and close to 60 in the afternoon. I took the underground to Westminster, took some pics of Big Ben and parliament, and walked out on the bridge to see the London Eye. I then jumped into Westminster Abbey. At first, I thought the 10£ price was a bit much, but it was worth it. My jaw literally dropped at the vaulted ceilings, statues, stained glass windows, and all else. They don't let you take and pictures there but I stood and admired the sun through the stained glass for awhile. Did the tour then made my way to Trafalgar Square and ate lunch off a side street. I had an english breakfast: sausage, egg, toast, bacon, beans, and tea. Heart attack on a plate but it was good.

Next stop was Buckingham Palace, no changing of the guards today but worth the look. Its pretty unreal to see these things in front of you. Not in pictures or movies like you've seen them before. I then went back to Trafalgar Square wandering through Picadilly and went through the National Gallery. Some beautiful paintings there and I wish I knew more about them. That about wraps my day up to now, I'm about to go find some grub. No pictures for the moment because I forgot my cord...sorry. But I'll try to remember tomorrow. The day is starting to catch up to me but I'm surprised I've lasted this long with jet lag and not too much sleep on the flight. More sights to see tomorrow!