Here is a link to about a third of the pictures I took :) :
http://picasaweb.google.com/swirlytoez/PICASAEUROPE?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeeq6eCyPbW8gE&feat=directlink
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
I LEAVE TOMORROW!
I leave on my plan for Europe in about 18 hours. SCARY! Mel and I both took the day off work today to dedicate it to packing. Mel didn't seem to have too much trouble packing her stuff, but me on the other hand had a VERY frustrating time. I am the type of person who packs 13 pairs of undies and socks for a 2 days trip to Rocklin. (ridiculous). Mel had to help me pack my jackets because I wanted to bring about 7 different jackets/sweaters but well they filed up my entire suitcase. Mel talked my down to 4. :)
It is a very big deal for me to be able to have this experience, so I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me financially, through prayer, by giving words of encouragement and advise, and also to those ho have loaned Mel and I things to bring with us to Europe.
The following are a couple optional excursions that Mel and i decided to sign up for (we had to give advanced notice sot he tour director could make reservations):
1. Theater Night in London. Les Miserables on Monday night in a London theater
2. Curry Night in London. Aunthentic Anglo-Indian feast in London's East End. (Indian food is very popular in London)
3. Paris by Night. French meal in the Latin Quarter (including frogs' legs, snails, "normal food", and wine), Seine River cruise, and a trip to the Eiffel Tower.
Not sure if I will actually eat any frog legs or escargot at dinner, but you never know. I would rather not say no until I am there in the moment. Trying to keep an open mind so I can experience their culture best. Mel on the other hand said she will defiantly not eat any frogs or snails. Can't really blame her.
I have to be at SFO at 9am. Our flight is scheduled to depart at 12:21pm. We will arrive at 7am London time, which is about 11pm here. (well where I live, depending on who is reading this). I'll be back on Monday, April 13th at 7pm.
It is a very big deal for me to be able to have this experience, so I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me financially, through prayer, by giving words of encouragement and advise, and also to those ho have loaned Mel and I things to bring with us to Europe.
The following are a couple optional excursions that Mel and i decided to sign up for (we had to give advanced notice sot he tour director could make reservations):
1. Theater Night in London. Les Miserables on Monday night in a London theater
2. Curry Night in London. Aunthentic Anglo-Indian feast in London's East End. (Indian food is very popular in London)
3. Paris by Night. French meal in the Latin Quarter (including frogs' legs, snails, "normal food", and wine), Seine River cruise, and a trip to the Eiffel Tower.
Not sure if I will actually eat any frog legs or escargot at dinner, but you never know. I would rather not say no until I am there in the moment. Trying to keep an open mind so I can experience their culture best. Mel on the other hand said she will defiantly not eat any frogs or snails. Can't really blame her.
I have to be at SFO at 9am. Our flight is scheduled to depart at 12:21pm. We will arrive at 7am London time, which is about 11pm here. (well where I live, depending on who is reading this). I'll be back on Monday, April 13th at 7pm.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
5 days!
Last Monday Mel and I went to a dinner meeting with the rest of our travel group to Europe. (Well about 6 or 7 people of the 22 couldn't make it.) It was fun to have a chance to meet them all before we depart. I can already tell that some of them I will get along with really well, and others, not so much, which is completely fine.
Mel and I bought a couple travel books for London and Paris and have been doing some research of places we would like to visit that are not part of the tour. This has been a lot of fun for us. Planning for London has been the easy part. Paris has been a different story.
Our flight to London will be 10 hours 34 minutes. We do get served in-flight meals. I looked at the April movie selection and it looks pretty good. Perhaps best of all, there are outlets on the plane. I was worried that there wouldn't be and that my iPod would die and I would have to listen to people snoring and children whining.
Mel and I both have pretty much everything that we need, we just have to get it packed and leave plenty of room for souvenirs on our way back. This past weekend I got to see my mom and sisters, all of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, as well as two of my best friends before Mel and I leave. So that as a wonderful blessing.
Hopefully I will get in a few more update posts before I leave. :)
Mel and I bought a couple travel books for London and Paris and have been doing some research of places we would like to visit that are not part of the tour. This has been a lot of fun for us. Planning for London has been the easy part. Paris has been a different story.
Our flight to London will be 10 hours 34 minutes. We do get served in-flight meals. I looked at the April movie selection and it looks pretty good. Perhaps best of all, there are outlets on the plane. I was worried that there wouldn't be and that my iPod would die and I would have to listen to people snoring and children whining.
Mel and I both have pretty much everything that we need, we just have to get it packed and leave plenty of room for souvenirs on our way back. This past weekend I got to see my mom and sisters, all of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, as well as two of my best friends before Mel and I leave. So that as a wonderful blessing.
Hopefully I will get in a few more update posts before I leave. :)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
almost all ready!
Today, I went to Target and Walmart and got pretty much everything I need for Europe. Tomorrow I just need to make a trip to Radio Shack and hopefully get an extra li-ion battery for my camera. I am really hoping they have the right one it stock. Other than that I am pretty much squared away.....I think, I hope. Only 13 days left!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Meeting my fellow travelers...
This coming Monday, the 23rd, Mr. McElderry has planned for all of my fellow student travelers (or as many as can make it) to all have dinner at a restaurant together so we can all get to know each other. I am very excited about this because besides Mel of course, I have not met anyone else who is going on the trip.
As of today, only 17 days remain. I am constantly thinking about this trip. At random times during the day I get this rush of excitement that really gives me chills. It is still VERY surreal to me that I will soon be in a completely different country on the other side of the world. I truly cannot wait.
As of today, only 17 days remain. I am constantly thinking about this trip. At random times during the day I get this rush of excitement that really gives me chills. It is still VERY surreal to me that I will soon be in a completely different country on the other side of the world. I truly cannot wait.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
22 days...
Only 22 days left before my departure. I spent this last weekend getting a few things I need, and learning a lot too. I am so thankful to all of my family and friends who have been giving me advise. Mel and I have been getting so many tips and ideas for what to do in Europe from many of our co-workers. I think the two best words I would use to describe you I feel at this point is excited and nervous. I feel like my trip is so far away but when I look to the number 22, I realize just how close it is.
I was watching the news last week and there was a story about the new full body scanning machines that were put up in the San Francisco Airport as well as airports in Las Vegas, Miami, Albuquerque, and Salt Lake City. Instead of using the metal detectors, individuals will be screened by body scanning machines that look through clothing for weapons. The scanners will be able to find things that the metal detector may not, such as non-metallic weapons including plastic and liquid explosives. These body scanners are currently up in SFO. The news program said they will be up for the next two weeks as a trial run. Individuals may choose to either use the new body scan or do the old fashion metal detector and pat down. I am not sure if the will still be up when we depart for Europe, but I hope they are. I think it is cool. Mel on the other hand does not like the idea of it.
I was watching the news last week and there was a story about the new full body scanning machines that were put up in the San Francisco Airport as well as airports in Las Vegas, Miami, Albuquerque, and Salt Lake City. Instead of using the metal detectors, individuals will be screened by body scanning machines that look through clothing for weapons. The scanners will be able to find things that the metal detector may not, such as non-metallic weapons including plastic and liquid explosives. These body scanners are currently up in SFO. The news program said they will be up for the next two weeks as a trial run. Individuals may choose to either use the new body scan or do the old fashion metal detector and pat down. I am not sure if the will still be up when we depart for Europe, but I hope they are. I think it is cool. Mel on the other hand does not like the idea of it.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Not much has been going on lately in regards to my trip. I have just been counting down the days...35 days left! It is really hard for me to prepare for my departure because I really have no clue what I need to do. I will probably just end up scrambling at the end, but that is okay, I seem to get more done that way!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Flight and Hotel Information
Today I got my flight and hotel information from my tour leader. First and foremost, we are staying yet another day. We will still be departing on April, 3rd, but will now be returning to the states on April 13th.
There are 22 individuals going on the trip. 19 of the travelers (including myself and Melissa) will be on a direct flight from San Francisco to London (Heathrow). We will depart around noon and arrive in London at 7am their time. Returning the the US we will depart from Paris (De Gaulle) around noon their time and arrive back in San Francisco around 7pm. There will not be any layovers. :) We will be flying United Airlines.
The other lonely 2 travelers will unfortunately be departing a few hours before us on the same day but will have to have a layover in Chicago both on the way to London and back from Paris.
In London we will be staying in the Days Inn Waterloo Hotel. In Paris we will be styaing in the Bellevue Chariot d'Or hotel. On the last night we will stay overnight at the Mercure Massy hotel.
There are 22 individuals going on the trip. 19 of the travelers (including myself and Melissa) will be on a direct flight from San Francisco to London (Heathrow). We will depart around noon and arrive in London at 7am their time. Returning the the US we will depart from Paris (De Gaulle) around noon their time and arrive back in San Francisco around 7pm. There will not be any layovers. :) We will be flying United Airlines.
The other lonely 2 travelers will unfortunately be departing a few hours before us on the same day but will have to have a layover in Chicago both on the way to London and back from Paris.
In London we will be staying in the Days Inn Waterloo Hotel. In Paris we will be styaing in the Bellevue Chariot d'Or hotel. On the last night we will stay overnight at the Mercure Massy hotel.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Extra Charge
So I just got an invoice from EF Tours stating that I have a balance of $75. Keep in mind that I paid off my remaining balance a couple months ago, so you can imagine my surprise when I suddenly owed more. It said the $75 was for "Private Group" charge. I emailed my tour leader asking him what the charge was for. He said tat because there aren't a lot of other colleges traveling at the same time, EF wasn't able to pair us with another big group for the bus. So, to have a "private bus" for our excursions they're requiring us to pay the additional fee.
I am not sure yet is having our own bus is a good thing or a bad thing. I was kind of excited to be traveling with a different college from another state. But either way, I will get the opportunity to meet many new people.
Another bit of maybe good, maybe bad news is that it is confirmed that both of our flights (to and from Europe) are direct (no changing planes in Chicago or any other city.) This is good to hear because I know that layovers can be quite a few hours. However, I was looking forward to being able to have said that I stopped in another city/state. Plus I am sure that I am going to want to have a nice stretch on solid ground. Oh well!
I am not sure yet is having our own bus is a good thing or a bad thing. I was kind of excited to be traveling with a different college from another state. But either way, I will get the opportunity to meet many new people.
Another bit of maybe good, maybe bad news is that it is confirmed that both of our flights (to and from Europe) are direct (no changing planes in Chicago or any other city.) This is good to hear because I know that layovers can be quite a few hours. However, I was looking forward to being able to have said that I stopped in another city/state. Plus I am sure that I am going to want to have a nice stretch on solid ground. Oh well!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Don't Forget Your Toothbrush!
EF Tours advertised this website that may be useful for those o you that travel. It is called Don't Forget Your Toothbrush. You simply pick the type of vacation you are going on and then you can custom pick tasks and items to put on your checklist and packing list. DFYT will email you 2 weeks, 1 week, and 1 day prior to your departure reminding you what to do/pack. Beast of all, the wesite is free. :)Sunday, February 8, 2009
support from loved ones
I just spent a wonderful weekend up in Rocklin with my friends and my family. It is nice to have so much support from everyone financially, emotionally, and physically. My mom secretly emailed our family and friends asking for their support financially if at all possible. And a few of them were gracious enough to send me some money for my trip. I am more than grateful for their generosity, it means so much to me.
Also, my friend Michelle surprised me this weekend with a special hand-decorated journal specifically for my trip, filled with dates, fun challenges, and of course plenty of journaling space. I cannot wait to be able to use this while in Europe.
It has also been awesome to talk to many of my friends who have traveled outside the US before (to Europe as well as other countries) beacuse they are giving me a lot of tips and most importantly pleanty of encouragement. Day by day I am looking even more forward to my departure!
Again, thanks for your support.
Also, my friend Michelle surprised me this weekend with a special hand-decorated journal specifically for my trip, filled with dates, fun challenges, and of course plenty of journaling space. I cannot wait to be able to use this while in Europe.
It has also been awesome to talk to many of my friends who have traveled outside the US before (to Europe as well as other countries) beacuse they are giving me a lot of tips and most importantly pleanty of encouragement. Day by day I am looking even more forward to my departure!
Again, thanks for your support.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tour Itinerary
Here is a brief tour itinerary of my trip below. However, for those who want a more detailed itinerary, you can visit the following PDF link provided:
https://www.eftours.com/eLiterature/CST/DBD/E/LAPA.pdf
https://www.eftours.com/eLiterature/CST/DBD/E/LAPA.pdf
Day 1 - Flight overnight to England
Day 2 - London
Arrive in London
Take a walking tour of London
- Trafalgar Square
- Leicester Square
- Chinatown
- Covent Garden
Take a guided tour of London:
- Grosvenor Square
- Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
- Tower of London
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if scheduled)
Day 4 - Oxford - London
Take a guided excursion to Oxford:
- Oxford Colleges
Enjoy a free day in London
Day 6 - London - Paris
Travel on the Eurostar train to Paris
Take a guided tour of Paris:
- Place de la Concorde
- Champs-Elysees
- Arc de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower
- Place du Tertre
- Sacre Coeur
Take a guided excursion to Versailles
Day 8 - Paris
Enjoy a free day in Paris
Optional: Excursion to Chartres and the Loire Valley
Day 9 - Paris
Enjoy a free day in Paris
Day 10 - Depart for home
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I have a very exciting opportunity in my life that is approaching. In only two months time, my cousin Melissa and I will be traveling to Europe for a week and a half. We are going on an educational trip to London and Paris. One of my instructors will be leading the trip over there, with the help of a tour guide and a translator. We will be going for 10 days total; 5 days in London then taking the 200-mile an hour train beneath the English Channel to Paris for 5 days. We will be visiting many different historical monuments and places while in Europe including Buckingham Palace, the Parliament Building, Trafalgar Square, Oxford University, the Eiffel Tower, and the Notre Dame Cathedral, among many others. I took out a student loan to pay for this trip, and while I know I will be paying it back over many years, it is definitely worth it! As my mom says, there could never be a better time than now for me to take a trip like this. I signed up for this trip a little over a month ago and it is quickly approaching. Mel and I will be leaving the States on April 3rd and returning April 12th. While I am very excited to be able to have this experience, I am also extremely nervous because I do not know what to expect. I ask that you just keep us in your thoughts during the time we are away from home and that we have a wonderful experience and a safe return.
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