A better picture of the tower for you

Paris

This is more like the Paris of my dreams and all those romance movies of the fifties - all those novels I've read that take place here - the art museums reminded me some of it but this night did more - maybe it was because I was by the seine - or just left an art museum - or who knows. The city isnt quite it's typical image during the day - but this particular spot was - for an instant or so.

It's so big up close

Matt and my last sight of the day was the arc de triumphe. What a sight - to imagine the history behind it - all the soldiers that have passed under it - it's mind boggling. Matt was such a great guide - he has three sisters too so we had lots to talk about.

I'm loving Paris so much - even more than London - it's just so beautiful. There are so many interesting sights - I am so in love with the city- and I've seen so much. I can't wait to do more. I went to the muses d'orsay today after Matt had to leave. Again that was almost too wonderful - all the wonderful art - I wish i could have taken pictures.

I wish all of you were here with me!

Nick

Les champs elysse

This is the famous boulevard - and I walked it. Matt and I had macaroons at laduree - a famous pastry place - I got three big ones for like 15 dollars - like big ones the size of an coaster - so I just ate cheap croisants for lunch.

A christmas market

And I think that's the back of Matt. I did buy a gift at the Christmas market - but I won't say whose. Hopefully it survives the trip.

Le Pont Alexander

Matt helped me find this bridge - did I mention how big of a help he was?

A view

My Paris American friend Matt and I went to the 2nd level of the Eiffel tour - what a view of France. Matt explained what all the buildings were - he was so great to have around.

Some big deal in France

This is amuck better picture

Pizza Luna

Je suis une pizza.

Purchases yesterday

The free wifi at my hostel is not working withy iPhone - I will continue to figure it out or something - so all these posts shouldnhappen at once. Maybe they'll keep the date - maybe they'll all say thursday. However - I'm still alive and having a great time with no terrorist threats.

La rosace de notre dame de paris

I really wish I could have taken pictures in Westminster abbey - it was even more wonderful than this.

My new favorite place in France

What could be better than a regular old church? How about a church made entirely out of stained glass. That's what saint chappelle is - a chapel for a French king with incredible stained glass all around. Part of it had been recently restored so it was gorgeous - some was in the process of being restored so I couldn't see it. The chapel was still wonderful - I'm so glad i went and saw it - I think I like it even more than notre dame. That's also why I look so happy in this picture.

Paris is beautiful

Paris is so beautiful, you have no idea. I like the city as a whole more than London. This is from the jardin de luxumberg - a remarkable place - I just love it and the statues. The best part was that it was free - and had a fountain with ducks.

French birds

It's been a real shakespeare themed trip, hasn't it?

Yes, the iphone is wonderful

Yes, Colleen u r right. The iPhone is so handy. I think of I had service and could use it like I can in America - I would seriously never get lost - I wouldn't stop to eat at museum cafes when starving. Colleen - you are right an so smart.

I'm reading "roughing it" by mark twain right now. Its hilarious an reminds me of America and home - it's about traveling too so I can laugh I my mistakes when twain laughs about his. I also finished "black like me". I'd began it years ago but never finished it. It was really poignant too - racism - hatred - tribalism - fear of the other - it's such a scourge upon man kind and could washed away (or at least worked on) with just a bit of love.

Also, I went to 5:30 mass in Stratford upon Avon - it's just like back home but with an accent. The church was ancient too - with the railing and it must have been fairly old. The priest was really funny - he talked really candidly wirlth the parish during the homily - like, talking about how his dog wet in the poundshop (our dollar store). Anyway, it was a beautiful service.

I just trained into France and just came out of the Chunnel - I also has a conversation in French - sort of - I changed seats so some french people could sit together. So excited and hoping not to get lost!

Love, affection, and prayers to you all,
Nick

Sent from my iPhone

I decided to try some international cuisine

This is the bus station I waited 30 minutes at after getting lost on the bus and missing my atop. I will tell u about how cold it was in person because iPhone words will not do it justice.

You are lucky to see this

I am not really supposed to tale photos in here - they caught me.

Shakapeaees house

I look this way becAuse it is wicked cold. It is spool cold. That's why there is snow. Stratford was cool but the houses were sort of pane. The town was very commercialiEd - like Catalina island. It was sort of sad. Also my hostel was 2 miles outside of town - much too far. It was nice - but a ling walk - especially with a backpack.

Hamlet in Stratford

Lamb meatballs at a pub - delicious and expensive

Egypt stuff

I saw the Rosetta stone too! So amazing.

This is off the Parthenon

St. Pauls cathedral

Me at the top of saint pauls: it was very big - shame I can only take photos outside. Also, I shouldn't have walked there - tired legs.

Russel square

British museum

It's enormous - I didn't even see the mummies - does that mean I get to come back?

Sooo tired

I am getting so tired quickly - it's about 1:30 in this photo and I am pooped. I later went home and napped for 3 hours. I might be jet lag - it might be the cold - it might be not enough sleep - or walking everywhere - whatever it is I am going to try to take it easy more - but so much requires feet!

Is this iPhone handy or what

My iPhone is so useful. I amemailing u from it. It take pictures when my camera dies ( which it did at buckingham ) and it has maps I downloaded to help - it has tube maps - alarm clocks - and so much. I would be a more lost person without it.

The Thames walk - south bank

Trafalgar square

Westminster abbey

The abbey is so wonderful - I cant even explain. I wish I could have taken pictures onside. My jaw literally dropped the entire time. It was so beautiful and awe inspiring - poets corner was awesome - I couldn't go one step without seeing a name I knew - and I saw where Chaucer is buried - so cool.

This abbey was just onvrdible - I saw so many wonderful things. Email does not convert the grandeur.

It's so cold - thats why I'm smirking

It is soooooo cold. Yesterday I though I brought just enough clothes, the day before I thought too little - now o think maybe not enough. I don't know how they do it. It was almost too cold to walk around - almost.

There are guards changing here - somewhere

Thanksgiving

I keep forgetting what day it is. I had my dinner here - corned beef , chips and peas and tea . It was cheap and good which is what counts. I keep forgetting stuff over here - it over whelms u. Happy thanksgiving to all - love nick.

H

Dinner at a local joint

What is this?

What is this? It's a lot of sunflower seeds - thousands of them - if millions - all made out of porcelain. The Tate is weird - it goes from super crazy to relatable to boring. I'm taking a break on a leather couch right now and using all the free wifi I can.

One more gallery to go then I
Must decide if I really want to
See cubist stuff.

The globe theater and all around awesome place

Rare roast beef salad - it's alright

The white tower

Guess where I am eating

No where special - just the Tate modern - not the best place but I am dead tired. Did the tower, tower bridge, and the globe theater - super hungry and super sore - I will be in great shape when I get back. At least there's free wifi here. Will
Post more pics - bye.

St.Pauls at night

Why didn't I get a good map?

I got lost. Easy lost; I turned the wrong way out of the tube - and passed two tube stations and a lot of sandwich shops before I figured out what happened. Oh well - besides that, everything went fine and I finally found my hostel - I forgot I got it so cheap!

It's six o clock in the morning ...

... not it's not! It's only 3! I seriously just woke up, showered, dressed, everything, ready for breakfast at 7 and excited to see the Tower and such. But it's really only three - no wonder I had the shower to myself. Well, I got in safe and sound - no problems at Heathrow or on the Tube.

Coming out of the Tube into London was a bit tricky - I went the wrong direction and passed two tube stops and a load of sandwich shops before I knew what happened. But boy was that a walk! I felt like a real Londoner. I tried to use some Free Wifi and my iPhone - but "free" Wifi doesn't always mean free - I had to be a part of some service - that was not cool. Also, someone on the tub told me "Cheers!" Excellent!

So, I didn't have time to really explore like I wanted this first day - it was five (17h) by the time I found my hostel (which is very affordable and clean - but not easy to find without directions I forgot to write down!).

But, after settling in and grabbing a map - I just walked - straight down some road (Farrington Road, I know now). I felt like an Englishman just coming home from work or going somewhere. And guess what I found - just walking down this street? Yes, a Holiday Inn Express! No, I found St. Paul's! I saw the dome from a distance and thought, nah, I'll never find my way there (the map app on my phone is not quite helpful).

Though, it wouldn't hurt to check my map - on my phone, right? So I did - holy cow - St. Paul's is right around the corner according to this map - maybe I can find it - I turned around and BAM the dome again! I really can't believe I walked that far and found it.

I think I might try to go to bed again - maybe - or something. I am completely out of it - I might try to resend my posts from my iPhone. Four hours till food ...

Anyhow, I love you all and wish you all were here with me (except Sarah - I want her to be at OU Medical Center getting a transplant). Take care and worry about me enough to keep me safe and out of trouble!

What I got to carry one

They let me carry this giant bag on; I am so very happy. This light be the last you hear of me, family and friends, if wifi in Europe isn't working or something. Though I can usually do stuff from Internet cafes.

Anyhow - they are starting boarding now - so this blog should get interesting in about 10 hours. Okay really must get on plane is bye.

Mom and me -goodbyes.

Testing the blog and chatting with Mom

Seeing if it will post text and pictures from my iPhone or just pictures. This is my mom - she is not in a museum with me - that's my Monet :).

Okay, nine hour to go!

'Twas The Night Before Europe and All Through The House ...

... nothing was ready, not even my louse! It's 10:50pm (oh, 22h50) the night before the day I leave. I'm taking a "red eye" from LAX direct to Heathrow Airport - so it leaves at 7pm. That should short nap I manage on the monstrous flight - anyway, I'm excited!

So the question might be: am I packed? Yes  - sort of. I might try to cram some granola bars in to save a few euros across the pond. I think I am too tired to do anything but go to sleep. Thus, a final American - goodnight!

By the way - this is what my dreams look like (that, and meeting Prince William - which I seriously did in a dream; he was really nice in person).

Image: All rights reserved by Jon Rendell

Testing text

Hey all - just seeing if this works. Okay, bye.
Sent from my iPhone

Testing

Testing this out.

Testing this blog