Snapfish

Go to SNAPFISH and enter the email address (whs.writersabroad@gmail.com) and password (bonvoyage) to get into the account I created for all of us to share. I've uploaded my pictures and some of my videos. You should do the same. I put everything in a group room (London, Paris, & Rome) to make it easy. To continue that user-friendliness, you should also put your pics/videos in that group room and title your album with your name so we know whose is whose. You can print everything or a selection of what you like, make photobooks and other projects, or just browse for fun. At least this way, everything is in one place.

Ciao Roma!

I saw one internet cafe the whole time we were in Europe. Far different from what it was five years ago. We had wifi in London and in Paris but not in Rome. We had very little time in each of the cities to log on and blog a bit. When we were back in the hotels it was late, we were tired, and didn't usually want to wait in line to use the computer. Ms. Decker and I expected to have a bit more free time to write and blog, but instead we stuffed every minute of every day with sightseeing, shopping, eating, bonding, WALKING, and sometimes running. Yes, running. If I can figure our how to upload my videos of that, I will. In any case, here are a few words about Rome...

Rome is more majestic than I remember. I suppose that's what nine years will do to the memory. Sure, I knew I had seen the coliseum, Vatican city and St. Peter's basilica, but I had forgotten about the Spanish steps and Piazza Navona. These places instantly transported me to July 2001 when I was being led around Rome with my fellow choir members.  Despite my own "wow moments" it was fun to see these fourteen young adults have their own. Sometimes those moments were in response to some super cute top that was "only" 20 Euros, or some life-changing culinary experience, but most of the time it was a truly profound moment for them to just stop and take in their surroundings. A moment where everything around them fell silent and they just observed. Seeing their eyes light up in wonder and hearing them plan their study abroad experiences gave me great joy. Nothing teaches us more about the world and about ourselves than travel. When we remove ourselves from our natural environment and accept the challenge of navigating a new place, a new culture, and (gulp) a new language, we really find out what we're made of. As they plan their next trip abroad, perhaps this time on their own or with a collegiate organization, I can't help but reminisce about what those experiences did for me and wonder how and when I'll get to do it again. Our leader, our guide, and our friend, Vico, told us to keep traveling. I have to echo that request. So until next time, ciao Roma, mille grazie e ti amo.

Paris (Peh-ree) and mee

Bonjour tous et a tous! 

J'adore Paris. Ok, so I don't actually speak much French, but I know enough to get by. In fact, I know enough to cause the locals to respond to my comments with a long string of sounds that I cannot usually identify. I've also had a few of the other group leaders (you know, the non-WHS ones I may have mentioned before) demand that I translate something for them. I do my best...I haven't formally studied French since I was six. I suppose even then it isn't fair to call that "formal" is it? Nevertheless, my brain gets some props for dredging up old information and making do with what's in there. Let's see how well it deals with Italian...


La Tour Eiffel. Its ubiquitous spire finds itself in art and on clothing and in movies and while we've all seen it...we haven't all really seen it. I saw it the first time I came to Paris. I was genuinely surprised by how exciting it was to see it and then I didn't actually get to stand at the base of it let alone climb it. This time, though, I did both. 2.5 million rivets, roughly 1,000 feet high, overlooking what I am now certain is my favorite city - incredible. Standing at the top was breathtaking. Well worth the 11.5 Euros and the events leading up to the climb. Ever see the running of the bulls in Pamplona? Imagine that but substitute a group primarily of teenagers for the bulls and add a few random photo stops. They will forget what the tour guide said about  the Bastille, in fact, I'm sure they already have, but they will never forget huffing it through Paris to have enough time to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, snapping photos along the way.

Today we visited Le Sacre Coer and surrounding Montmartre, my favorite. Period. I had a moment when we arrived and I recognized a few choice spots from my previous visits. It's funny how we assume a sense of ownership over public places when they strike us and create a lasting memory. Those experiences are magical. The entire place seems magical. It's too perfect to be real. Well, the dudes selling various items all laden with little I <3 Paris logos and various landmarks can spoil the surrealism of the place, but not much.

Louvre tomorrow..I can't believe we're leaving Paris tomorrow afternoon already. It went by too fast. Perhaps we could time travel back and steal a day from London to add to Paris. S'il vous plait? Oui? No, I suppose not. More later...if we have WiFi.

Proper Steeping Techniques and Other Helpful Tidbits

Morning: bus tour of London including ...well, nearly everything. Rather chilly but sunny walk through St. James Park and onto Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard then a picnic lunch. Simply delightful.

Afternoon: Harrod's of Knightsbridge and surrounding shops, Covent Garden, Jubilee Market, more shops. Tea tasting at the Tea Palace (smooth caramel black tea was the favorite). Beautiful weather!

Evening: Dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe --evidently this is the FIRST Hard Rock Cafe so it's important...unfortunately that doesn't make it much different in ambiance from the one we have at the MOA, but the food was pretty good and it was easy to find. Both good things. One of our students requested some tea with dinner. This surprised the waitress only until another student requested only hot water. He was shortly afterwards complimented on his ingenuity of bringing his own tea. The discussed the proper way to steep a bag of tea (we think not by roughly dunking it up and down in the cup) and what the locals refer to as "the s-word": soccer. We were instructed never to use it in their presence because it it FOOTBALL. Right, very good, will do.

Some of us chose to spend the remaining daylight hours walking around to see what we could see. This included the Marble Arch (which we discovered was the original entrance to Buckingham Palace) Notting Hill Gate, and Kensington Gardens. Nice additions to a full day of touring, I must say!

Tomorrow morning: Tower of London

WE MADE IT!

So, here we are. The end of our first day touring (well day 2 on the itinerary). We are very tired but we saw quite a bit of London today! Our tour director, Vico, is great! He's been the hero of the day. Let me back up...


We landed in Iceland and went through their customs and security and went on to London. When we arrived and cleared customs in London we waited for our transfer director to meet us...and we waited...and we waited...and then a coach driver approached us and told us to come with him. So we did. It was the right bus...but still no leader from Explorica. We were eventually united with her and the other (very small) groups from around the US and we were off to the hotel to drop off our things and hit the tube to see the city! The tardy transfer director finally handed us over to our REAL tour director (thus the reason to call him the hero). Lots of fun, funny, quirky...all around great tour leader! He sure kept us as a quick pace though. After the tardiness of the other, he had to make up that lost time.

We're at our hotel (and it's very nice) and the kids are sound asleep --they could barely keep their eyes open after the fish and chips dinner, the poor darlings.

Buckingham Palace and about a hundred other things tomorrow (some free time too, whew).

So...

I'm packed. All packed. I have double and triple and quadruple checked that I have everything I need. I am so over prepared that I have been pacing around the house because I don't have anything else to do before we go...except that right before we go I'm sure I'll remember something that I've forgotten...but what?

24 HOURS

I HAVE YOUR ETICKET INFO

At this time tomorrow, we'll be sitting on a plane waiting to be launched into the air for roughly six hours. I hope to sleep on the plane. I hope you sleep on the plane. There is, however, the inevitable excitement that can sometimes keep us from relaxing into a deep slumber on a cramped, awkward airplane seat. Or maybe it's sheer discomfort, and excitement has little or nothing to do with it. Either way, try to get some shut-eye because when we land in Reikjavik it will be 6am or something, and then after a hop, skip, and a jump, we'll be off sightseeing in London whether we're well-rested or not! If you dress comfortably to sleep on the plane (note, I said comfortably, not in full PJs or grubby sweats) remember to pack something more London appropriate in your carry-on. I also suggest having eye drops, a toothbrush and/or mouthwash on hand. You'll be feeling rather grimy after a few hours in the dry, recycled,  and stale Boeing 747 air.

Consider bringing a travel book and magazine to read/swap. There will be a (short) writing assignment for the plan ride as well so make sure your journal and pen are both handy.

Vico, our Tour Director, sounds like fun. He's Italian, he lives in London, and he loves Paris. Perfect! I told him that we would be up for climbing the Eiffel tower, I hope I wasn't lying...you in?

It's almost time for "Bon Voyage, Buon Viaggio!" Are you packed?

packing and things...

After hounding each of your for your medical info and passport copies, I wouldn't be half surprised if I forgot all of MY stuff on Monday. Do I have an updated passport? Yes. Do I have pounds and euros? Yes. Have I been thinking about the details of packing off and on for a good month? Yes. Still, though, the actual departure moment comes sooner than we often expect and that can cause some last minute panicking. In an effort to avoid this, I'm packing and unpacking and repacking a few times this weekend. Excessive? Perhaps. Could I just throw things into a bag on Monday afternoon and be fine? Yeah. But there is something to be said for having what you need when you need it without all the extra junk.

Speaking of that, the forecast for London indicates few-to-no showers (though you never know) and 60 degree weather. A touch warmer for Paris (showers off and on recently, so who knows). Rome will be warmer. 70/80 degrees according to Europe's Weather Channel. Granted this is a forecast and therefore is subject to change, I just thought I'd pass it along for your packing purposes.

FIFA World Cup: Watch team USA play England tomorrow 2:30 ET so we know whether to brag or hang our heads in shame when we arrive in London!


*My London source says to dress for spring and that even though we tied England, they're still a far superior team. "Bollocks" is what I say to that!

5 DAYS 5 THINGS

We leave in five days. Five days! 5. This many: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.  As in today, tomorrow,the day after tomorrow, the next day, and then we sleep, and then we leave!

1. Remember your passport and any other important documents (and bring photocopies of these items) I will have your e-ticket info waiting for you at the airport. Remember: HUMPHREY TERMINAL! 4:30pm.
2.  Pay attention to luggage restriction while last minute packing (we tend to just grab things at the last minute sometimes... anyone? No? Just me? Yes? Well, anyway....) don't go over the 13lb carry-on limit for Iceland air. PACK LIGHT!
3. Don't forget to give me anything you might still need to give me...forms and cards and such.
4. Electronics will require a converter/adaptor make sure you have what you need and remember there are risks involved with using electronics abroad (theft, loss, and/or explosion from electrical currents).
5. Get excited! Blog about your last minute thoughts, questions, ruminations and read each others' blogs and comment. 

See you all MONDAY 4:30 PM at TERMINAL 2 (HUMPHREY)

Need to contact me? You have my e-mail and my phone number on a variety of handouts from our last meeting.

5 Things? How about 50!

1. Delightful British accents. I love them. I secretly (or not so secretly) want one...
2. The jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, breath-sucking beauty that is Paris. 
3. Sneaking some sand from the Coliseum into my pocket...again...
4. People-watching. There is nothing better than people-watching. 
5. Food. I'm not expecting gourmet for our group meals, but when we're out and about...oh yes.
6. Markets and various artisans. Not that I'll buy much everything I see, but it's fun to look.
7. Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Believe it or not, I didn't do this last time I was in Paris. There's a story.
8. Our dinner cruise on the Seine. What a great way to see the city. I'm hoping for some accordion music to set the mood.
9. Seeing the Sistine Chapel again. AGAIN. I feel fortunate that I will get to see this a second time. Many people never even see it once and it is remarkable. 
10. Getting to know all of you in an environment other than WHS. Funny thing about people, we're a bit different outside of school. I can bet we'll have some great stories to share!