“Mona Lisa”

I was mixed on whether to hunt down the “Mona Lisa” inside of Louvre – I had heard the crowds take all the joy out of it  But once inside the museum, it’s kinda hard to resist such a famous painting. Especially with all the "This Way to the Mona Lisa" signs.     The Louvre allows people to take pictures inside. Which I love. But it definitely seemed like most folks were just PhotoOp-ing, and not really looking at it.     Anyways, I really liked the “Mona Lisa”. Photos of it don’t do it justice. Some paintings just …

The Louvre

What can I say – the Louvre is a beautiful museum.             michelangelo’s dying slave.  stunning.      

Bastille Day Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower

I arrived in Paris on Bastille Day.  Unfortunately, it meant that I missed the morning parade (and the Balls the night before). But I did get to see the Champ de Mars fireworks!         (click to see large size)

Cambridge

My last day in London, I took the train to Cambridge… The weather was all over the place… cloudy, rainy, sunny.  It made for some fun photography in this picturesque town.                            

Kings Cross Station & Platform 9 ¾

My friend lives right next to King’s Cross Station.  So, I was super excited to fake a Harry Potter “Platform 9 ¾” Kodak moment. To my very pleasant surprise, King’s Cross Station actually HAS a platform 9 ¾!   OMG OMG OMG!!!      Attempting to push my cart through….     Attempting running leap!  Nope, not a wizard.  🙁

“Waiting for Godot” on the West End

Continuing a weekend of great theatre, we went to see Samuel Beckett’s "Waiting for Godot" with Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. Before the trip, I considered reading “Waiting for Godot,” but decided not to. In hindsight, I really wish I had – I didn’t process a lot of the play’s themes until afterwards. So, now I wish I could see it again. Another trip to London maybe?  🙂 Anyways, it was a great show. McKellan has this way of always completely becoming his characters. I loved seeing him disappear into the sensual, simple, smelly Estragon. Oh, and Patrick Stewart was …

London, Paris, Nice

Tomorrow, I take off for Europe!   The first weekend, I’ll be in London visiting friends.  During the week, the plan is to train down to Paris and then meet up with a friend in Nice.   I’ve never been to France before, and am REALLY looking forward to it.  Plus, my friend got tickets for “Waiting for Godot” with  Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in London.   I can’t wait. Fast Facts London 1 pound = 1.6465 USD Low 80F, Sunny Noon in Seattle =  7pm (UTC + 1) Paris 1 Euro = 1.4022 USD Mid 80F, Sunny Noon in …

Napa for the Weekend

I was in wine country last weekend… Nothing beats wine + sun (unless it’s wine + sun + cheese).                        

Cheerio Loves!

Smashing holiday in London!   More soon, long flight – quite zonked. Cheers! (Look Mom, I can speak British!)   me, in front of parliament

London Eye

The view from the London Eye at sunset was lovely….  the ferris wheel thames river     eye from above     parliament   liane and me