London Pictures

36 hours in London. Tomorrow: Boston.

London

I arrived in London at noon. As soon as I got to Piccadilly Circle, I immediiately hated London. It is extremely crowded and dirty. I like Paris so much more. The French seemed obsessed with keeping the streets clean; water flowed down the street gutters of Paris all morning long. I may come home a day early. I already saw Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Eye of London, Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, and the West End. The hostel I am staying at is in a good location. I ate lunch at an Indian restaurant down the street - pretty good. I guessed the singer - Sonu Nigam - and impressed the owner (thanks, Ali). This stupid cyber cafe won't allow my pictures to download - so I can't post pics. Have a good Sunday.

Macaroons

I really enjoyed my macaroon class at Lenotre. Even though it was entirely in french, I successfully made chocolate macaroons. The teacher was a real cutie too. I read about London in the park near Lenotre before class. A man wearing a Chubaccha costume with a sign that read free hugs on his chest approached me. He gestured for me to hug him but I ignored him. Chubaccha got other people to hug him as a crowd cheered him on. As I was walking back to my hotel, I spotted this store front with the roses. Such pretty shops in Paris. I'm taking the Eurostar to London tomorrow morning. I plan on eating Indian food and seeing the British Museum.

Lenotre

After asking a receptionist and a police officer, I found a very helpful woman at Dalloyau (a beautiful gourmet food shop - http://www.Dalloyau.com/) that directed me to Le Notre. Le Notre is a famous culinary/pastry school. I scored the last spot in the macaroon class for tomorrow afternoon. I spend my last day in Paris learning how to make macaroons - I'm very excited. http://www.lenotre.fr/fr/index.html

I am off to look at the Eiffel Tower at night.

Note to Christopher: I want this book for our birthday- http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Sweets-Great-Desserts-Pastry/dp/0767906810/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-4380656-6816936?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177694281&sr=1-1

Paris Sweets: Great Desserts From the City's Best Pastry Shops - I almost bought it today at Bretannos - but it cost twice as much.

Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise

I explored the Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise before I visited the Museum of Modern Art. It is my favorite place in Paris. Collete, Oscar Wilde, Chopin are all buried there. I found a plot that stated - It does not have anything to do with anything.

Versailles

I took the train to see the Chateau de Versailles. I didn't like the Chateau very much. I felt like one of Marie Antoinette's sheep as I was herded through the opulent rooms. Too much gold and marble...no wonder she was sent to the guillotine. I took a picture of myself in the wall of mirrors. The gardens were too manicured for my tastes as well. I plan on visiting the Centre Pompidou - museum of modern art - to cleanse my visual palette. I did have a very nice lunch at a sandwich shop on this quaint side street as I made my way back to the train station. There are lunch formulas - a sandwich, pastry, and a drink for 6.70 euros. The chocolate tart was very good.

The Louvre

I spent 7 hours at the Louvre. I enjoyed the sculptures and Eqyptian exhibits the most. Tomorrow: Versailles.

Cemeteries and Catacombs

Today, I walked all over the city. I saw the Norte Dame, the Pantheon, the Jardin du Luxenbourg, Montmarte Cemetery, Sacre-Coeur, and the Catacombs. I was blown away by The Catacombs. 6 million French bones are buried 60 meters under the city. Literally walls of buried people. I also found the grave of Francois Truffaut with the help of an elderly woman - who was busy scrubbing graves clean at Montmarte Cemetery. I paid my respects to the famous filmmaker. I couldn't find Edgar Degas. I didn't walk up the steps of the Sacre-Coeur because I wandered up from the side - good thing too because the steps were jammed with tourists. I finally took the subway home after 7 hours of walking. I am off now for coffee...and to decide what I am doing with my night. Tomorrow - the Louvre.

Paris Photos 4/23

I walked all over Paris today. I even took a Seine River trip. I think I will only stay three nights in Paris. I may go to Dublin before traveling to London. Tomorrow I will check out Montmarte and the Latin Quarter.

Bonjour from Paris

I arrived in Paris without any problems. I asked several strangers directions as I navigated from CDG to my hotel. Everyone was very nice. I don't know why the French have such a surly reputation. I am off to take a boat ride on the Seine River. It is 80 degrees and beautiful.

Spring in JP

I walked to Brookline Village to get a new memory card for my digital camera. A man was handing out flyers that criticized Al Gore. His large table sign stated, "Why is Al Gore interested in saving Polar Bears...because they're WHITE!" Very odd. I was going to take his picture but I was afraid he would speak to me.