After an amazing dinner at a very authentic Italian restaurant we started our walk to the Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel). I know your probably thinking, “why are you eating Italian in Paris?” But I couldn’t resist, I love Italian food too much! Trust me, if you ate this food you would wholeheartedly understand.
I spotted my future car!
We did it!!! I finally got to go up in the Eiffel tower … absolutely gorgeous!
Love your Eiffel Tower obsessed traveler,
Ever since I was a tiny sixth grader I have been obsessed with Paris. I took french for four years and pretty much embraced the entire culture. As I got older, reality set in and I truly didn’t think I was going to make it there anytime soon. Surprise Surprise, studying abroad in London has its many perks, one being that Paris is a two hour train ride away! On Sunday July 7, 2013, we set off on the Chunnel to beautiful Paris. We left out of the famous St. Pancras International Station and arrived in Paris at Garre de Nord.
Once we stepped out onto the streets of Paris, the language struggles started. Those four years of french went completely out the window. None the less, we got a taxi and made it to the hotel.
After we settled into the hotel we went out exploring. The hotel was on a little side street but once we turned the corner we were presently surprised how close we were to one of the most popular monuments in Paris. Le Arc de Triomphe!
Looking through the Arc de Triomphe we got a perfect view of Le Champs Elysees, which is one of the most popular roads for shopping in the world. And it shows. Stores like Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Mercades, and top five star restaurants with 600 euro caviar. We obviously did not eat here.
After we were exhausted from walking around in the heat we headed to Starbucks where we all got iced coffees to refuel. Then off to the hotel to get ready for dinner and finally the main event … the Eiffel Tower!
Love your Parisian traveler,
The next day, when my family finally got their beauty rest, we headed out to see some more of London. First, we went to see the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are held. We snuck in on a little tour with a truly authentic guide who told us many stories of the Tower’s history. He even mentioned that William Penn was a prisoner within the fortress. Who knew the founder of our home state was accused of being a criminal? Unfortunately I wasn’t able to take pictures of the Crown Jewels, I seriously considered sneaking a couple but I was too chicken.
When we walked along the inner wall of the fortress we were able to spot Tower Bridge!
After the tour, we wandered a bit and found a cute little dock with all these old boats. Right across the little harbor was the restaurant called Ping Pong that serves Dim Sung. And as the title tells you… we Destroyed that Dim Sung!
Love your family of travelers,
P.S.- As most of you know I’m already back in the States at this time but I realized I forgot to write about the week with my family. So those of you devastated about my blog coming to an end… you can stay tuned for some Lorbecki family fun!
Finally! My family is here and it’s time to pack in some major London sights in a very small amount of time. Today I dragged my very lethargic family around to some of the main sights. We started off meeting up at our hotel in Notting Hill and I walked them to Hyde Park where we saw Kensington Palace.
After we illegally took pictures of some gorgeous homes/embassies on the west side of Hyde Park. To our defense, the signs were very poorly placed and made us believe there was just no photography outside Kensington Palace… Oops.
After a walk in the park, I took my family to the famous Portabello market which was shown in the movie Notting Hill with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Great movie so if you haven’t seen it already make sure you do! They had their first glasses of pure English Cider!
After we went back and rested then I dragged them back out to go see some traditional London sights.
Once I dropped the fam off to pass out after a jet lag filled day, I met emma and brooke one last time at O’Neills to have some Mojito’s and say goodbye. The boys met up with us a little bit later to do one last pub crawl with the crew before we all split up and go our own ways.
Love your little traveler,
P.S – I’m literally a week behind on my blogging … sorry!
For our going away party we went on this amazing boat down the Thames River. We got there a little early so Emma came with me to go to the bathroom. We figured we had enough time to sit and hang out… ends up there really wasn’t and we were late for the boat’s departure. Nevertheless, we got on.
Mo!!!!!!!
Mary and Caitlin
Brooke and Westie boy 🙂
We can never get a good picture… literally look ten.
The crew on the boat 🙂
With my blog currently up to date, I keep thinking of how many more London adventures I will be able to post here. My parents are coming in two days and that means my time with my Study Abroad family is coming to an end. I have my final paper to finish by thursday (personal deadline) and my last day of class is tomorrow! I have learned so much, but to be honest, most of what i learned wasn’t in the classroom. Walking around the streets of London, taking in the culture and meeting strangers has all contributed to my education abroad.
Most of all, my time with my friends has been an experience like no other. From the time we first met three weeks ago, till now, it’s so surprising how fast we became family. Even though we are spread out all over the country, I know that we will all try our best to stay in touch. You guys are all amazing and I wouldn’t have had as much fun as I did without you. From applying together, to flying together, Brooke has been with me through this entire journey and I truly couldn’t have done it without her!
Last but certainly not least, my parents deserve all of the credit for making this happen. You know how much I have wanted to come to Europe and the fact that they made it come true means the world to me! Thanks so much I love you both so much. I can’t wait to see all of you Friday morning! I hope you love it here just as much as I do.
One week and one day left in this beautiful country, and I’m not going to be wasting a minute of it! Stay tuned for more fabulous european traveling when I go to Paris with the family!
Love your thankful little traveler,
After class, we thought we would be tourists today and go walk around Parliament and Westminster Abbey. We got off at the Embankment stop and walked along the Thames and experienced the beauty of these very historic buildings. We also walked through a school, which was behind the Abbey, and a nearby park right on the Thames.
Before going to dinner with all of our IFSA people, we walked up to Trafalgar Square where Canada Day International was underway.
Love your little traveler,
Feeling very European, we hopped on a train to Brighton which is a town on the beach. We departed from a beautifully sunny London and arrived in a very foggy Brighton an hour later. Despite the clouds we ventured down to the beach which was surprisingly beautiful. It has pebbles instead of sand, which is very pretty for pictures but not so comfy on your feet.
We walked up and down the boardwalk, ate fish and chips at the Regency Restaurant, and discovered the old west pier.
After lunch we walked down to the current working pier and then up a cute little street. With our tendency to discover amazing sights on our adventures, we found a castle!
There were people the park, a band playing, and even a bubble man. It was truly a fantasy land by the sea.
Love your adventurous traveler,
To start off, I must give Meghan Pollock credit for this wonderfully creative title. Bath is hands down my favorite place we have traveled to so far. It is this old Roman city that literally makes you feel like your in Italy or Spain. The buildings are beautiful and the entire town is set in this valley and goes up the hills around it. We get off the bus and start walking through the streets where there are little shops and squares with performers and musicians.
Yes this is a real person!
Once we turn the corner, we see this beautiful church right across from the Roman Baths.
But to tell you the truth… the actual baths of Bath were kind of nasty. Mainly because they were green and cloudy but the architecture around them was amazing!
After we saw the baths we went for lunch and then on a walking tour around all of Bath.
Emma and I can’t be serious for more then a few minutes. We’re five.
Love your little traveler,
Well this is Stonehenge… kind of self explanatory.
Emma must jump everywhere we go.
I’m crushing you!
Love,
The Jules of Life 
