June 26

June 26

This morning we went (walked forever) to the Musee d’Orsay. It was a very cool museum, actually more exciting for me than the Louvre (maybe cuz I wasn’t as tired or rushed and thus more enjoyable). I got to see several famous paintings (some that I have studied in classes). It’s funny, all the museums kinda seem the same to me now, as are the houses/palaces/halls/etc. I am kinda getting burnt out on them; I also move way quicker through. However, I still love them. Don’t worry.

(O ya…I had some good alfredo for lunch.) Then we raced over to the Arc de Triomphe. I loved it. I have had the picture of it in my living room ever since I was tiny, so it was so cool to see it in real life. We walked up the stairs to the top too. The view was incredible. Paris is a beautiful city, different than I had imagined, but beautiful.

Last we went to the Paris Opera House. I’m not sure, but I think it is the Phantom of the Opera place. Even if not, it was way cool. Probably in my top 5 interiors. I really liked the stair case and chandeliers. There were tons of cool details in the walls and ceiling. By this time I was so exhausted, so we headed back to the hotel. Rachel had a meeting with an agent set up. I was to accompany her at dinner at 7. I wanted to take a quick nap before. It turned out he picked her up early on a scooter. So I didn’t go, and my quick nap turned into a much-needed 2 hour nap (I hate power naps anyway).

Once again, our plans were to go up the Eiffel Tower. We actually went, come to find out it closed at 10 tonight. We were too late. It’s so random the time things close; it is different everyday. I don’t know why. So we got ice cream (Yum!) and came home.

Stuff…
-I am now better and almost comfortable with navigating. London was very helpful in getting me to know how to work the Tube/Metro. Paris only took a little to get used to because of the language thing and sometimes the Metro is above ground.
-Street wise, Paris seems safer. I am not afraid to get plowed over by a double-decker bus or ran over by any cars anymore. People actually yield again!
-Sadly, it seems that Paris is flying by. We are running everywhere trying to see everything; there really isn’t enough time. I go from one place to another, then back to the hotel to hurry and write a blog and sleep cuz I am so exhausted and sore- just to wake up and do it again. Before I know it I’ll be home. L Bon Nuit (Good Night) Sharele

June 25

June 25

Well I didn’t wake up any sicker this morning, so that was good. Plus I have eaten breakfast everyday since we’ve been here. So I’m happy. Our morning was kinda frustrating though, trying to figure out what we were doing and when. We ended up going with the majority of the group around Paris.

Our first stop was to St. Chapel Church; there really isn’t too much to tell about it except it had amazing stained glass.
Second we went to Notre Dam. I loved it. It was fun to see the place I’ve known about for a long time (Hunchback...ehh). The gargoyles and the ringing bells were cool. I don’t know- my favorite thing is probably just the look of it, and all its details.
Third, we went to the Centre Pompidou, which was also cool to see again (I went there yesterday…it’s the inside out one). In one of my classes last semester, I had to memorize this building and its architect…I took the same picture I’d studied. The Centre Pompidou is actually a modern art museum. I have decided that I do not appreciate or like to look at and in fact I dislike most modern art. I just don’t see what makes it “art”. I could make it. So yes I was happy to leave.
Next we (Lila, Rachel, and me- got separated from the group) wandered over to the Musee du Louvre. It closed at 5:30 so we were worried we wouldn’t get to see all that we wanted to (it was like 3:30-4). We really were a little lost for a while trying to find it. We went to the Porte du Louvre (door of the Louvre) and went down the escalator. Well the Porte du Louvre must be the name of the mall, because that’s where we ended up. The museum was actually another 10 minute walk away. Luckily, this cute old French guy was able to give us directions that actually got us there. Luckily we did get through all that we wanted to. In less than 2 hours, we saw all the famous pieces (The Mona Lisa- which is actually small but still perfect like I thought, Venus de Milo- the one with her arms gone, Da Vinci’s Madonna of the Rocks, etc.) and lots of others too. The Louvre is huge, and by the end I could hardly walk. Plus, I forgot water so I was very thirsty and weak for some reason.
So today was a productive day. We had plans to go up to the top of the Eiffel Tower too, but it is raining hard. Secretly I am glad because I am so tired.

Stuff…
-Lila and I came up with the word “Fiesta” -code for there is someone checking you or us out right now. It’s kinda funny walking around now.
-So my meals today…amazing. I had a Panini (a funny sandwich squished and toasted) and a Nutella and banana crepe…yum. Au revoir Sharele

June 24

June 24

So this morning I woke up sick- a sore throat. Great! Ihope it doesn’t get worse.
Today was a free day. A couple of us journeyed to church, which was neat (some guy helped us find it; we never would have without him) and in English. We then went to the Catacombs. Kinda freaky, eerie. Pretty much all it was, was a bunch of skulls and bones (like a million) all stacked up deep underground, making a huge long tunnel to walk through. I was kinda claustrophobic, but I still liked it.
Then we got crepes…by far the food has improved. My egg, cheese, and ham crepe was amazing! The sun was out a little today, improving my mood. For some reason, I have been a little grumpy. I think it is a combo of I am wearing out, sick, and on edge around certain people (you know how you just can’t be around some people for extended amounts of time- even if you like them).
Then we (waited) went on a boat tour. I quite enjoyed it; it was nice to get some perspective on Paris. We saw a lot of the main attractions (quickly, but still). The weather was nice tonight. The sun set right before our boat tour, so by them time we got back, the Eiffel Tower was beautifully lit up. We had originally planned to go up, but it was a little too late. We’ll go another night. So then, of course, we took lots of pictures and took our time around the tower. There was a bunch of people singing right below the center of the Eiffel tower. It was such a good feeling there. I was just so happy- with the music and the tower glittering occasionally and…I’m in France! It was cool to see how even a building good bring such different people together.

Stuff…
-Sorry, but once again the internet situation is stupid.
-The attention thing seems to be less, or maybe I am just a little more comfortable here. It is almost flattering though, getting winked at, etc. all day.
-I think I kinda fit it. Even Americans don’t know I’m not French until I speak.
-Big Hug…I miss you all! Luv Sharele

And the pics are out of order again sorry...

June 23

June 23

Last night I did not sleep well. I woke up at like 4 with a bug bite on my pinky. I tried to go back to bed, but some little fly or mosquito kept flying by my ears. And then I got another bite on my pointy finger; it actually got swollen. Anyway, I didn’t go back to sleep for at least an hour.

Today we took our (chartered Mercedes-Benz) bus to Fountain Bleu. I thought it would be a fountain, but it was actually a cool palace, similar to the some of the places we’ve visited in size and purpose, except French. It also had an awesome stair case- my favorite so far. We took audio tours; I liked it a lot. At the end of this tour, we got the best sorbet ever (organic…strawberry kiwi), which made it even better.

We also went to Vaux le Vicompte (through the cool line of trees.) We first had a little picnic in the grass. The grounds were very beautiful with fountains and perfectly shaped bushes, etc. I liked just spending time wandering on them (I secretly pretend what it would be like to have been there with royalty). So the unique thing about this tour was it was candlelit. There were candles everywhere. It would have been beautiful to see at night, but we had to leave at like 9:30, right as it was getting dark. It was still cool though.

Good news…I have enjoyed all my meals so far. France is wonderful so far. I haven’t had anymore problems like yesterday. However, I still get more attention than wanted. The bathroom situation is significantly better. And people yield to pedestrians!
PS the pics arent really in order...sorry Luv Sharele

June 22

June 22

Wow so today was basically just traveling and waiting- not what I had expected. Leaving the hotel and taking the tube to the train station with all of us (looking very tourist) and our luggage was quite the adventure. I was actually better off than most of the others because I haven’t purchased much and my suitcase started lighter as well. Pretty funny actually, watching them (and doing it myself) try to lug their suitcases up and down several flights of stairs and escalators. We then waited for over an hour at the train station, three hours on the train to Paris…and my favorite… like 3 hours outside the Gare Au Nord (North Train Station). We seriously waited forever, and couldn’t get a hold of the bus charter people. The bus never showed up; we took taxis in the end. Then we got situated into our hotel for a little, and (I am rooming with Rachel and Lila.) went for dinner.

Ok so some stuff…
-First of all, I don’t know what it is, but I seem to be quite popular in France. Maybe it’s my blonde hair, but I am attracting way more attention than I’d like. Kinda strange, even with all 23 of us standing on the street in a big group with all of our luggage- several people picked me out of the group by either saying some comment or just looking, staring. Everyone else noticed it (even before I had). There was this one scary guy who walked past once- eyed me up and down, and winked, walked back again right up to me ( while I was in the middle of everyone!) With his friend and tried to say something. I didn’t realize he was really talking to me at first…I tried to ignore him (Pete) but he got closer and then asked me if I spoke English. I said yes. Somehow, luckily he left. But then came back again, first kissing at me and then again doing that sign for “I am watching you” with two fingers. Then came back again! -Yelling “I love the English!” with his hand in his shirt making a heart thumping action. By this time I was getting kinda scared, and so was the rest of the group for me. Lindsey made me trade her hoodies for a slight disguise. They also had me put the hood on and hide in the back against the wall. Insane! I hope this doesn’t ruin the rest of my trip in France though.
-I love the language. I am glad I know it a little; it’s fun to be able to recognize some words and be able to read the signs and stuff. Rachel and I are the only ones who know any French; so that’s fun too.
-The buildings are noticeably different- very French, yet still very Europe. I like it.
-The food is already better!
-Our hotel is good too. There are towels, wireless internet, opening windows, a shower door, hair dryer, and more. We also can kinda see the Eiffel Tower- which by the way was a slight disappointment. At first, I didn’t think that it was really it- that maybe we were looking at some sort of smaller remake. I thought it was bigger. Maybe it is still; I’ll have to see when I get closer. Also, I had always thought it was a dark color, when in fact it’s a light tan. Hmm…this should be fun. Luv Sharele

June 21

June 21

So today was kinda blah. The plan was to go to Windsor Castle, but it turned into an option thing. I still wanted to go so I woke up early…like 6:45. But then not enough people wanted to go so we’d have to pay for it ourselves and find our own way. So I went back to bed, or tried. Then I kinda wasted my morning, and repacked a little. Today is our last day in London. Sad- but also exciting, we are going to Paris! For the afternoon, Mikell, Brianne, Lila, and I went out to complete an assignment- to visit three of the places in our travel book that Darrin said had great design. We wandered around forever trying to find the right streets and stores. We did find Stella McCartney. It was very cool. I loved the colors and openness; there was even a room that had a glass wall and roof. There were several side rooms and dressing rooms with neat wallpaper and furniture (Including this cute little clear Tulip chair). The store was filled with mirrors, which made it seem bigger than it was. It was kinda funny though- there wasn’t very much in the store. Everything was very spread out and it felt empty. O and the clothes were ridiculously high-priced…like this thin sweater vest was 365 pounds, that’s over 700 dollars. However, I still enjoyed browsing like I had the money to be there. After more shopping, we met at Leicester Square for dinner at Wagamama. Because it was my second time eating there, I knew what to order…and it was good!

O so I forgot to tell you about WICKED….Best show I have ever seen! And when I said I had good seats, I didn’t even know. -I had the best seat in the theater. Right up front, close enough to see their expressions. It was sooo good. I had chills for most of the show. Their voices were amazing; not to mention it had the coolest set design and costumes ever, and I loved the story and the characters. I wish I could see it again tonight. It was worth every penny- Unreal…You just have to see it, even if it’s not in London. O and we also got to see some of the actresses at the end when the came out the stage door, so that was fun. Anyway, definitely a good, last thing before I leave London. Luv Sharele

June 20

June 20

So today was just a plain day for me (so far). We woke up early ish to go wait (like 1.5+ hours) for cheaper tickets to WICKED, which I can’t wait to see tonight at 7:30. I have a very front row seat right next to the stage! I’ll let you know about WICKED tomorrow.

We went to Syon House- by train and bus. It was a pretty house; but I felt like there was little that made it stand out. I hated our tour guide, but did enjoy the different rooms and sketching a little. O and in the basement, Syon House has old bells just like on the Disney movie Cinderella- when the sisters and step-mother calls her to come serve them. So that was cool, and so was the observatory. We just took a few pictures in front of it and that was all. Luv Sharele

June 19

June 19

Today we took the train two hours to a charming place called Chatsworth. It is a huge house with vast gardens…very similar sounding to all the other places I have been…but I really enjoyed my trip to Chatsworth. First, we had the freedom to take the tour on our own at our own pace. Second, we weren’t rushed for the train. So ya, the inside was way cool, and this time we got to take pictures.
There was a really fun fountain that ran down the hill, where you could actually wade through. Lila and I took lots of fun pictures all over (We decided our pictures are so boring). We even elected to go for a little hike…lol, up to a waterfall. But we couldn’t find the way, and I got whacked by some plant that I had a slight allergic reaction to.
So we went back down to the house for lunch, which was ok. Yay! And then we had some ice cream…what I had been waiting for since we got there. It just looked so go and perfectly swirled, but it was disgusting. I didn’t think ice cream could be so bad…it tasted like butter and whip cream. O and it was somehow warm ish. (“Haha, this ice cream is lame.”)
After that we sketched and went home. Then I went shopping, which turned out to be dumb and I wasted my time basically. Plus the tube took for ever to come, etc. But then I was able to talk on Skype, so I am happy. Luv Sharele