Back to Reality

Here we are... back in Texas, Central Time Zone, and with 1200 pictures. Our days in Europe offered a trip of a lifetime. We have been asked to say what was our favorite part of the trip. It is hard to compare the different experiences we had. They were extraordinary in each of their own ways. We went from walking the streets with building that were centuries old to a town as modern as New York City. We were wearing shorts and sweating in Rome and wearing jackets and freezing in Switzerland. We spent time with and got to know people from Tennesse, Louisiana, Minnesota, Canada, Virginia, California, and Australia. The pictures we took will not do justice the experiences we had, the food that we ate, and the relationships we formed. I found myself awake at 4:30 this morning and ready to eat lunch at 6:30. From Europe back to reality. Back to school and back to work. However, we will never forget. We hope you, one day, can also experience what Europe has to offer. If not, we hope you enjoyed reading and taking part in our experience.

So long Europe... thanks for the memories.

The Final Day

After packing our bags and checking out of our hotel, we rushed to make our way to the palace for changing of the guards. We heard the band playing from a distance and ran through a park to catch the beginning. The new guards were greeted by a band as they prepared themselves to switch places with the guards on duty. We followed them down the street as the arrived at the front gates of the palace. We squeezed our way up to the front and listened to the band play the James Bond theme song. The band, along with the old guards, left through the gate and the large crowd followed. We had just enough time to make our way over to the Tower Bridge to take a picture and eat a quick lunch before we rushed to make it to the performance of The Lion King.
We really enjoyed the show and were very impressed at how well it was played out. Once again boarding the underground, it was time for another picture that included Shakespeare's Globe Theater and then on to one last dinner in Europe. Back to the hotel in the cold and the wind, we grabbed our luggage and headed towards the airport. The next morning we found out they take airport security a lot more serious in London. We went through three different security checks and I did not realize one of the bottle openers I bought had a knife blade on the side (yeah the scanner picked that up real quick and it was donated to somebody that works at the airport). With 9 hours ahead of us, we were very glad to be offered 2 meals and a variety of movies and tv shows on our own personal screen. We arrived in Dallas to meet my mom and Crystal (with a welcome home sign made with crayons). Dallas and Ashlee ... back in Texas.

The Queen Finds Her Home

London, as seen from a bus, is not as glamorous as we had imagined. We were driven through the streets of London catching glimpses of buildings from the coach. Our first stop was at St. Paul's Cathedral. You might have seen this church before as this is where Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married (her and her 25 foot train). The church stands in honor of the people faught in the great wars of old. A stain glass window can been seen showing gratitude to America with symbols for each state. We then made our way to where two guards were stationed outside a closed gate leading up to houses of royalty. We were able to take a picture with them trying to be as serious as possible. At last we were able to see Buckingham Palace from a distance and snapped a few photos. For lunch, Ashlee and I grabbed a bite to eat in the back of a department store (Marks and Spencers) getting away with two bags full for only 8 pounds. After lunch, we boarded yet another bus and prepared for our tour of the Palace. We started off in the Royal Mews where the Queen's horses and carriages are kept. One horse drawn carriage had power windows and heating for the winter. The magnificant golden carriage (only used for coronations and also for the Queen's 50th anniversary of her reign back in 2002) was magnificantly gold and huge. It weighed a tremendous amount and can only be pulled at walking speeds (Ashlee was glad that Elizabeth took such good care of it for her). Later we made our way in the palace and Ashlee felt great to finally be at home. The place was a massive home and made for royalty. Leaving the palace and our group behind, we got on the underground (as we found ourselves doing that a lot the last two days) and made our way over to the London Eye (the largest ferris wheel in the world). It gave us a great view of the city and a relaxing 30 minute ride (30 minutes to go around one time). Later came Trafalger Square when we sat outside on the steps and watched the Olympics on a large screen. The evening came to a close with buying another suitcase (we were running out of room) and a few sad goodbyes. Unfortunately we were not able to say goodbye to everyone because we were on our own the majority of the time in London. We retired for the night ready for one last full day in Europe.

Ciao Eddy and Goodbye Vanda

So long Paris. Eddy loaded our bags one last time before we headed to the Paris train station. We would miss Eddy and his driving skills (and nunchuck skills, bow huntings skills, getting women to drool over him skills...you get the picture). We grabbed our bags and gave Eddy one last Ciao. He was very grateful for our handshakes and thank yous (mainly because our handshakes had his tip envelopes in them). Sitting in the train terminal gave us the chance to prepare ourselves before we boarded the NASCAR of trains. Little did we know when the train took off, it would be heading in the opposite direction of which we were facing. Yes, that's right. Through the countryside of Paris, under the English Channel, and entering England going backwards at 185 mph! We arrived in one piece and without anyone throwing up...which was a success in my book. We were weary getting on the bus in London considering Eddy was not behind the wheel and the driver was driving on the wrong side of the street. After being handed off to the Globus Headquarters in London's Hilton, it was a sad goodbye to Vanda as she was sad to see us go. The trip had a different feel about it as we were missing our two guides we had come to know (of course all we knew of Eddy was a 'Ciao' and a wink if you were lucky, and lots of Italian words we did not know). However, we were glad to be in an English speaking country with English TV channels. We come 180 degrees from Rome as the sun was hiding behind the clouds giving off a very cool climate (not to mention our elevators transformed from fitting 2 people to fitting 18). Quickly after arrival we met up with the Priestleys as Brice gave us a quick tour of London (he had been there since July 2 studying abroad). We strolled though Hyde Park and made our way to the original Hard Rock Cafe (it was by far the best meal we had up to this point). The store was an old bank building containing a vault that held Queen Elizabeth's money and Princess Diana's wedding dress. It now holds rock memorabilia and Ashlee and I got our picture with guitars from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Sabbath. The night came to an end with a stoll down Picadilly Street and a ride on the underground back to our hotel.

One Last Night in Paris

We have seen Paris from a bus, walking the streets, and from the Eiffel Tower. Now it was time to see the city from a boat. We took off on our cruise down the Seine River. It was relaxing to sit for a while. However, all the buildings were familiar and they are no more spectacular when seen from the water. The Eiffel Tower gave way to more pictures and the statue of liberty paved the way to the end of the cruise. We boarded our mercedes bus once more and drove past the tunnel of Princess Diana's death on our way to the artist's village. After making our way up to the tallest hill in Paris, we were able to see the large city from above. Greeting us at the top were many people sitting on the steps of a church listening to a musician with a backdrop of Paris. Sitting around the corner was a group of artists painting pictures of people willing to pay the price they asked (Ashlee was really disappointed we did not get one done because those crazy frenchmen were asked 80 euros for one picture...thats 120 US Dollars). The smell of food was in the air around another corner and Ashlee had a crepe filled with chocolate and I had a hot dog toasted with cheese. As the evening began to wind down, we made our way back to the hotel and sat with a few people from our group at the hotel bar. Two 7ups cost 12 euros but it was worth enjoying the two Australian women become louder as they drank their wine. One did not have any grandchildren but if she did, she hoped they would come out at the age of 18 so they could drive her to the pub (lets just say these women love a few drinks here and there). After a few laughs we retired for the evening anticipating what might be in store for us across the English Channel.

Bonjour Pepe le Pù

Leaving the beautiful scenery behind, we make our way (a long way) to Paris. It was ok to fall asleep because all there was to see were fields and forests. During the ride, Vanda found out the street I lived on is Southfork. She was delighted because apparently Dallas was a pretty big hit in England (I am a pretty big deal). The side of the city we arrived in was not as spectacular as we had hoped it would be. However, 'we be chillin at the Holiday Inn'. Our first night in Paris was a perfect opportunity for a date (aww how sweet). The weather is perfectly chilled and we jumped on the metro and made our way towards the Eiffel Tower. As we came up the stairs, Paris had done a complete transformation and we stood in a wide open park full of lovers in front of Invilades (the burial site of Napoleon). We strolled alongside the Siene River as the enormous tower came into view. We were greeted by lots of people waiting impatiently to get a ride to the top. We decided we would bypass the long lines and head straight for the snack bar (french fries and sausage under the Eiffel Tower... could it get any better than that?!). Finally we have caught back up to the events that have happend today (sorry for the wait).



After hot chocolate with our breakfast, we walked outside to find a sky full of clouds and a strong cool breeze. We boarded the bus for our drive around Paris. We were able to stop by the Arc de Triomph during our stroll down Champs-Elysees. We then found ourselves making our way up to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower that offered beautiful panoramas of the city. We then met Vanda outside of the Louvre and made the trek to the Mona Lisa. It was very crowded as we shoved and squeezed our way to the front to see the small portrait. After lunch in the Louvre (I had a hamburger in the Louvre, how cool is that) we took pictures by the pyramid and made our way back on the metro.



After lots of typing, the time running out, and pulling my hair out trying to type on this backwards keyboard. (only the French!) It is time to make our way to the cruise on the Siene River and the artist village.

Beautiful Switzerland

With a long drive ahead of us, we were lucky to make a few stops along the way. Our first stop in Switzerland was a wonderful city by a sparkling lake. Lugano offered us Burger King (more money for Ashlee's ice cream), a stroll through the park (a chance for me to get my Quack on with the ducks), and then back on the bus. We are already amazed at the beauty this country has to offer us. There are mountains everywere covered in bright green grass and virtually no pollution (the Swiss are very clean and regimented). As we pass through William Tell country, the mountains multiply and the cows grew bells around their necks. Our driver Eddy (the Chuck Norris of Italy) offered a scenic view where no Mercedes charter bus has ventured before. A break 7000 ft up gave us a chilly wake up call and a perfect place to take more pictures (dont worry, every one of you will have a chance to look at all 987 of them). We finally arrive in the beautiful town of Lucerne and are offered the chance to have an evening off on our own. We walked through the streets, got our free Rolex spoon (yes I said ROLEX), and found a small fondue eating place. Luckily we were staying at the only hotel in Lucerne that had an air conditioner. The next morning gave us a journey up the 7000 ft Mount Pilatus. The gondola took us up the steep side and we arrived in a cloud with horn blowers running out of oxygen (Riiicccoooooolllaaaa). After taking pictures at the top, we sat and enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate (quite different than the experience in Rome just a few days before). After taking the cog rail train down the other side, we boarded our boat to cruise back across Lake Lucerne. That evening we enjoyed a dinner with the 4 Aussie women (yes, me and 5 women talking at dinner). They were very interested in everything from politics to the amount of fried foods we eat. I sounded very intelligent however I could have told them anything and they wouldn't have known a difference. (I also caught myself saying 'meself' instead of 'myself'). Good day Mates!