I've been so tired, I haven't been blogging. Here are some of the things we've done since my last post:
-Sat in on court in House of Parliament... House of Commons I think? Yes, they wore wigs.
-Tour of Westminster Abbey. Man, there are lots of people buried in there.
-Tour of Winston Churchill's hideout during War and Museum. This was very interesting and the museum part was very modern and interactive- I would recommend it!
-Trafalgar's Square, took pics with the lions but they didn't work... daddy was taking it on his iphone and apparently did not know what he was doing. :/ oh well.
-Walked by Buckingham Palace, our new residence. *See facebook photo
-Tower of London. Super crowded that day. There is a newish sculpture at the scaffold sight. At least it was new since I was there in 2001. Once again, I felt no paranormal activity in the Bloody Tower or anywhere else. Bummer, I was looking forward to channeling Anne Boleyn. ;)
-H&M!!! The one right next to our hotel is WAY better than the one we visited in Dublin. I got some new cute shirts. YAY.
-Sitting/Walking around in Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park. Kensington Gardens is my favorite.
-Prince Albert Memorial
-Tower Bridge... Daddy walked across but we just took a picture in front.
-The Texas Embassy- TexMex in London. It was actually pretty good. We think we could pick out at least one other group of Texans in there... but didn't ask. You also had to pay for your second round of chips and salsa... but we didn't need it anyway.
-Harrod's- ridiculous. There were fur protesters outside. It was SOOoooooooooooooooo crowded. It took us a while to find the big bank of escalators...the ones all egyptianized. We rode up and down the escalators and looked at things, but didn't buy anything. The little memorial of Princess Di and Dodi or whatever his name is was still there. The wine glass looks like it's growing things from the last time I saw it in '01. We randomly stopped on the children's floor. It blows my mind that people really buy that expensive of clothing for their children that are going to grow out of it in a month. I can understand special occasions but that's about it.
-Lunch with the Barnsley's at Nandos. We met up with my good friend Holly who lives with her husband, Ellis, and son in Wolverhampton. Holly and I have known each other since we were five. I LOVED getting to spend time with Baby Dylan.
-Platform 9 3/4- I was SO excited to take a picture here. I know they actually filmed the scene at like Platform 4. I was going to take a picture in a phone booth pretending to go through the muggle entrance to the Ministry of Magic but all the ones that were not crowded around looked to nasty to go in. We shall see... there's still tomorrow morning.
That's all I can think of at the moment. I'm sure I'll think of something else interesting and can add it later.
We're headed back tomorrow. Not looking forward to the boring flight. I am excited to get back to my own bed but will miss the London atmosphere.
ciao.
em
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Day 4 London
We flew to London today. Some dude- Jonathan Rhys Meyers- was on our plane and we didn't notice until we were right next to him at the luggage claim. Jess was like, "Does that guy look familiar?" and I was like, "I have no idea." Then a few people were going up to him taking pictures so Jess realized he is on that show "The Tudors" on showtime. Weird.
When we got to London, we went to Kensington Palace and saw lots of rooms/paintings/Princess Diana's dresses. We then walked around Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens and it was beautiful. We saw the Peter Pan statue and Prince Albert's memorial thing. If you want to see pictures, go to facebook! (I will upload them eventually!)
We ate at some place called "the goat tavern" or something. I had a bean and cheese jacket. AKA potato. It was yummy. We got back to the hotel after walking around a bit more and when Jess and I went to get our complimentary beverage downstairs in the lounge, we saw that guy Mystery from a "The Pickup Artist" on vh1 getting off the elevator. You should google him... he is a weirdo! So, 2 semi-celbrities in one day.
When we got to London, we went to Kensington Palace and saw lots of rooms/paintings/Princess Diana's dresses. We then walked around Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens and it was beautiful. We saw the Peter Pan statue and Prince Albert's memorial thing. If you want to see pictures, go to facebook! (I will upload them eventually!)
We ate at some place called "the goat tavern" or something. I had a bean and cheese jacket. AKA potato. It was yummy. We got back to the hotel after walking around a bit more and when Jess and I went to get our complimentary beverage downstairs in the lounge, we saw that guy Mystery from a "The Pickup Artist" on vh1 getting off the elevator. You should google him... he is a weirdo! So, 2 semi-celbrities in one day.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Dublin, Day 3
Today we went to Howth, an almost island fishing village. We rode the train there. It was beautiful. My legs were REALLY sore from walking uphill, but I'll make it.
We went to a little restaurant with seafood, but I had chicken like a cool person. I am not a big fan of seafood. Jess is allergic so he had chicken also. After all morning and early afternoon in Howth, we rode the train back to the city where Jess and I went to H&M. HOORAY! I usually have an annual spending spree there. I love that store. Then we walked around some and ended up eating at a pub. It was cute and right on the river. When we got out, it was raining- oh, well. We waited for the bus for a long time then came on back to the Crowne Plaza where I fell asleep reading about London. I have since woken up and am blogging now. About to make myself sleep again.
Peace out.
Em
We went to a little restaurant with seafood, but I had chicken like a cool person. I am not a big fan of seafood. Jess is allergic so he had chicken also. After all morning and early afternoon in Howth, we rode the train back to the city where Jess and I went to H&M. HOORAY! I usually have an annual spending spree there. I love that store. Then we walked around some and ended up eating at a pub. It was cute and right on the river. When we got out, it was raining- oh, well. We waited for the bus for a long time then came on back to the Crowne Plaza where I fell asleep reading about London. I have since woken up and am blogging now. About to make myself sleep again.
Peace out.
Em
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Dublin, Day 2
Last night we went to see where Lizzie is staying. It was nice for a dormish place. Then we walked to McDonald's to be cheap. My dad paid and spent probably 30 US dollars on our meal, not as cheap as Texas. I got a happy meal. The toy is "Night at the Museum" so probably the same as the US?
*****
This morning we went to the city center and got on a hop-on/hop-off tour bus. We went to St. Patrick's cathedral, the Guinness storehouse, Ha'Penny Bridge, and the National Museum. Not in that order... we ate a Chocolate/Guinness muffin there at Guinness...as well as tasting the beer. "eh" says Emily while making a sour face. I was trying to be festive and drink some, but that stuff is just not for me.
We saw some REALLY old stuff in the museum, like from 2000 B.C. It blew my mind. Most disturbing, we saw some mummified bodies older than Jesus complete with hair and fingernails. WEIRD.
By the end of the day, I was feeling like a zombie and was tired. Hopefully I will lose 10 pounds from all this walking.
xoxo
Em
*****
This morning we went to the city center and got on a hop-on/hop-off tour bus. We went to St. Patrick's cathedral, the Guinness storehouse, Ha'Penny Bridge, and the National Museum. Not in that order... we ate a Chocolate/Guinness muffin there at Guinness...as well as tasting the beer. "eh" says Emily while making a sour face. I was trying to be festive and drink some, but that stuff is just not for me.
We saw some REALLY old stuff in the museum, like from 2000 B.C. It blew my mind. Most disturbing, we saw some mummified bodies older than Jesus complete with hair and fingernails. WEIRD.
By the end of the day, I was feeling like a zombie and was tired. Hopefully I will lose 10 pounds from all this walking.
xoxo
Em
Monday, June 8, 2009
First Day in Dublin
Preface: Jess and Emily are traveling to Dublin because Em's little sister Elizabeth is doing an internship here this summer. Daddy didn't want her to fly over alone, so he tagged along, thus Emily and Jess did as well! What an excellent excuse for a vacation. Mama would have come, but she already had a girl trip planned to Hawaii so she is currently in Honolulu across the globe. Ann and Ryan leave next week for their European honeymoon so we will just miss them but Lizzie will see them I'm sure.
*****
Jess and I got lucky and had no visitor on our row of seats on the plane. So, maybe I got .5 more seconds of sleep than a normal passenger without the bit of extra space. ;) I would say I got MAYBE 2 hours of sleep total. Jess said he thinks he got "five minutes" and Daddy said he got maybe 30-45. Those of you who know me well know that I sleep easily and love naps. :)
We got to our hotel around 8 or 9ish this morning... we got to check right in so that was great. We freshened up a bit then got on a bus and went closer to the city center. We didn't know when exactly to get off so we got off when the whole bus was pretty much emptying. It was quite chilly outside compared to hot Texas right now. We went to the Dublin Tourism center, which is in a beautiful looking old churchish building. Then we looked in one of my travel guides and went to a lovely little lunch place called Leon's Cafe around the corner. It was french. I had Ham and Cheese on a croissant. It was snug in there for the long-legged Meltons but the atmosphere was so cute. Chandeliers and breezy music in a tiny little space. The toilet was one of those kinds you see in British Children's books with the chain hanging from up top. So fun for me to flush! After we ate we went over to Trinity College and looked at the Book of Kells. This was interesting to see the calligraphy of monks 1 million bajillion years ago. Not that many years, but REALLY OLD pages/books. The Illumintations are what my artminded self enjoyed the most. Then there was the "long room" upstairs which was just like freakin' Hogwarts Library! It was SOOO cool but you couldn't take pictures in there. We saw some old Edgar Allen Poe, Sherlock Holmes, and other books from the university that are in their OLD old collection. Seriously, there were two stories of books open in this humongous beautiful arched ceiling with ladders and little sections, just like Hogwarts. ;)
Random: At some point in our walking, we ran into the Molly Malone statue, so I got a picture with her. Splendid.
After Trinity we walked around a bit and then hopped back on a bus [we sat on the top deck this time] and then came back to the hotel, took showers and a nap. We made ourselves wake up and that is where we are now. Our bodies are all out of whack but it's ok, still exciting to be here. We're about to go get a taxi and go down to where Elizabeth is going to be settled until August... wherever that may be. I will update again soon.
xoxo
em
*****
Jess and I got lucky and had no visitor on our row of seats on the plane. So, maybe I got .5 more seconds of sleep than a normal passenger without the bit of extra space. ;) I would say I got MAYBE 2 hours of sleep total. Jess said he thinks he got "five minutes" and Daddy said he got maybe 30-45. Those of you who know me well know that I sleep easily and love naps. :)
We got to our hotel around 8 or 9ish this morning... we got to check right in so that was great. We freshened up a bit then got on a bus and went closer to the city center. We didn't know when exactly to get off so we got off when the whole bus was pretty much emptying. It was quite chilly outside compared to hot Texas right now. We went to the Dublin Tourism center, which is in a beautiful looking old churchish building. Then we looked in one of my travel guides and went to a lovely little lunch place called Leon's Cafe around the corner. It was french. I had Ham and Cheese on a croissant. It was snug in there for the long-legged Meltons but the atmosphere was so cute. Chandeliers and breezy music in a tiny little space. The toilet was one of those kinds you see in British Children's books with the chain hanging from up top. So fun for me to flush! After we ate we went over to Trinity College and looked at the Book of Kells. This was interesting to see the calligraphy of monks 1 million bajillion years ago. Not that many years, but REALLY OLD pages/books. The Illumintations are what my artminded self enjoyed the most. Then there was the "long room" upstairs which was just like freakin' Hogwarts Library! It was SOOO cool but you couldn't take pictures in there. We saw some old Edgar Allen Poe, Sherlock Holmes, and other books from the university that are in their OLD old collection. Seriously, there were two stories of books open in this humongous beautiful arched ceiling with ladders and little sections, just like Hogwarts. ;)
Random: At some point in our walking, we ran into the Molly Malone statue, so I got a picture with her. Splendid.
After Trinity we walked around a bit and then hopped back on a bus [we sat on the top deck this time] and then came back to the hotel, took showers and a nap. We made ourselves wake up and that is where we are now. Our bodies are all out of whack but it's ok, still exciting to be here. We're about to go get a taxi and go down to where Elizabeth is going to be settled until August... wherever that may be. I will update again soon.
xoxo
em
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
