Paris and Amsterdam

Paris is the most beautiful city architecturally speaking. I love the way it feels walking down the street and the culture and history. Still Parisians are not the nicest of people but this time I knew I couldn't change their mind.

We stayed for a few days and nights and did all the traditional Paris things. Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Louvre, Shopping, Sacre Coure, and eating macaroons. Some things came back to me about where were cool places to go and I tried to share all that with the girls. I think all in all everyone had a great time.

The first night we went to a cafe with the group for dinner. Sub par food. Nothing worth noting at all. Then we preceded to a boat cruise where every person in the group bought their own bottle of wine to drink, most finished the bottle.

The next morning we went to Fragonard the French perfumery, followed by a bus tour that showed most all of the important monuments. after that we went off on our own. A friend from school who was a foreign exchange student from France, helped us to get around since the metro was closed in a lot of the stops. We went out for a drink with him soon after. He took us to this cute bar called Princess Malabar, everything was pink :) fun. I had my first Absinth drink there. It is actually a pretty strong drink. haha

Well I know this is a really pretty sucky post. I've been so busy and the internet is pretty spotchy. ok ok truthfully every second I can I try to talk to Ron and skimp out on blogging.

Just know that I love and miss all of you :) Ron just gets more of the time...

OOOOH and I've been in amsterdam for the past 2 nights. This place isn't as crazy as they say, just gross. The countryside though is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. Every house seems to have a little canal separating it from the next one. Lots of pretty farm animals and green grass. I'll try to post pictures later :)

London (from what I remember)

Tuesday
This was our main day to explore London. We had a guided tour that took us through Hyde Park and up to Buckingham Palace where the queen was going to leave to open Parliament for the coming session. There were crowds of people there waiting to see her and since I’m super tall with long arms and boney elbows I was able to get the best pictures of the procession.


Next the tour took us to the Tower of London… oooo sooooo scary. Not really. We didn’t go through it though, instead we went to lunch because we were starving! But I know what you are thinking at this point, “I don’t care about your tour tell me about going out.” If you aren’t you should be cause that is the most fun part of the day! First off, interesting fact: Pepper Spray is illegal in the UK. HMMMM who knew? Not me and not Ron because he bought me some for safety and at the first club we went to they took it from me telling me I could get arrested for carrying it. But the cover for the club was 3 quid so it was cheap enough to off set my loss. The club itself was on the 5th floor of this building so we hike it up there and it is almost empty, for now. I ask the bartender for a four horsemen, of course, and he informs me he has no idea what I’m talking about, and they didn’t have goldschlager. So, I ask for the most alcoholic shot…. The man tries to give me pure everclear. WHAT?! No. SO I mix it with a small coke Ha HA HA. Great first drink though, I was dancing immediately and never stopped. The place got jam-packed and plenty of people wanted to dance with our awesome group. If I were to stereotype citizens from the countries where people were from that we met I would describe each as the following: Irish- Annoying in general, Canadians- Very pushy and horrible dancers, France- Only nice if you suck up, Columbian- Great dancers and not handsy, English- Perfect gentlemen. But lets be real those are far from accurate, although Dave might disagree, thinking Englishmen are all gentlemen ☺. The club closed at 3 and we were going to go to one that closed at 7am next but it wasn’t within walking distance and we changed our mind and went home. Salima and I stayed up until 6 laughing and creating a ruckus in our room, reception called to rein my laugh into a meager giggle. I don’t have pictures from that night but Kristina Wilson does and they might make it to facebook if appropriate.

Best dessert EVER

I know that two posts in one day is excessive and I won't keep this pace up, BUT I had to disclaim my new love for a desert named Treacle Sponge Pudding!!! I don't think I have had it before but it is amazing! The cake (sponge) has the texture of cornbread with all the pores through it, which is soaked in honey ( I think) then custard is poured around it. The whole thing is served hot and delicious :D yuuuuummmmmmm.

I just had to tell you all about my new love. Don't worry I'll try to learn to replicate it and introduce you all to it as soon as possible.

Made it Safe and Sound Sorta

Hello Hello from jolly ol' England!!

I'm here in the Norfolk Tower Hotel close to Hyde park and off of the Pattington line of the tube. Not without any trouble though. Come to find out that my bag weighs about 55lbs and dragging it up stairs and around cobble stone streets isn't' the easiest thing to do and with only one helpful gentleman my back was aching by the time we dropped the bags off at the hotel.

We weren't able to check-in to our hotel so most of the afternoon was spent walking around Hyde and laying in the grass. Today is the first day I have spent in London when it is beautiful and sunny. It is so warm the ghosts that live here came out to enjoy the sun and get some color that is much needed on their skin. haha.

Anywho, I'm rambling so I'll cut this short. I have internet in the hotel for free so if anyone wants to skype me, feel free!

Tonight is a pub crawl and our orientation so I should have some interesting things to say about allll that.

Sav

The Big Day

OK here it is... time to leave the comforts of my Houston home to try and make it in the wilds of Europe, more like the bars of Europe but one in the same really. Leaving today at 4pm getting to London tomorrow morning. I'm so excited and a little nervous about all that is to come.

Goals for this trip:

1. Don't throw out my back again.
2. Make sure that Jo doesn't get in too much trouble
3. Keep myself out of the worst trouble.
4. Don't spend all my money.
5. Take the most amazing snapshots of life, food, and fun that anyone has ever seen

I just thought these up quickly, as I go through the continent I might add more. I think at least these are all attainable :)

Keep me in your prayers so that I make it back safe and sound and with a great load of stories.

Sav

New Euro Trip

I know, I know. The whole family has a blog now. Amanda and Alex have baby blogs and what not. But let me remind you all I did this last time I was in Europe and it was super easy for everyone to keep up with what is going on. So this might not be as exciting as fun baby news or adorable pics of Eli and Jude but I hope you all find it interesting, somewhat.

AHHHH!!!! I'm graduating! And then going to Europe again!!! For 5 weeks!!! Crazy I know. This time the trip will be with 6 or so of my close friends from college that I love dearly. With all of us going into serious careers and giving up the rest of our lives to companies it is only fitting that we go out with a huge bang. We are touring all over for 3 weeks then a few of us and Kali (my bff) are going to Spain for 2 weeks. The first leg of the trip is through the Association of Former Students here in Aggieland. http://www.aggienetwork.com/Travel/Brochures/Aggies_EEU_2010.pdf That is a detailed description of what we will be doing and where we will be going. As you can see it is pretty much everywhere! I am so incredibly blessed to be able to do this so often. Not in my wildest imagination would I think I would travel to Europe three years in a row, mainly because this year I wanted to go to Egypt or South America ( I have skiddish friends.)

So like last time this will be where I will post pics and updates on where I am along with any info on the hotels/hostels etc that might be of interest to the parents. PLEASE comment if you even think "that's cool" it will really help me to keep posting :)

ENJOY