Where do I begin? I've had a very busy series of weekends, days and moments.
A couple weekends ago, I headed back to Paris on the Eurostar with my friend Jenn. She and I were off to visit another friend, Lisa, whom we met on a client in London. Upon arrival into Waterloo, I realized I forgot my Passport and had to make the mad dash (via a very expensive taxi ride) back to my flat. In the midst of my running around, I lost my Oyster Card (monthly train ticket). What a way to start a holiday! After all my hiccups we were off to Paris. Lisa has developed a perfect tour of the city and indulged us in the finest Parisian delicacies. We enjoyed the best pastry, escargot, champagne, chocolate, seafood, etc. etc. etc. I also had the opportunity to see the Louvre and Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Napolean's apartments. I was truly in awe of his "little man" syndrome. On our way to the Louvre, we stumbled across a watercolor artist who had amazing work. I am still kicking myself for not buying one of his pieces. Maybe this gives me a reason to head back to Paris yet again...
I was back in London for a few days before Mird made an appearance in London. It was WONDERFUL to have her come and visit me. I took the whole week off just to spend with her. On Saturday, I was blessed to have Uncle Mike and Aunt Sue come and join Mom and I for a whirlwind sightseeing trip in Central London. We saw everything from Big Ben to Picadilly Circus to the Millenium Bridge. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the day. After a delish Indian feast, we put Uncle Mike and Sue onto a train and Mom and I walked home and crashed. I think I slept over 10 hours that night. It was a great way to get Mom over her jetlag.
After a couple days recouperating from the whirlwind sightseeing trip, Mom and I hopped on the Eurostar for a quick trip to Belgium. We ate too much food, drank too much beer and savored LOTS of good Beligian chocolates. It was the way to indulge. We took a day trip to Brugge, which I really enjoyed. It is a storybook little town with narrow cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriage rides, canals and a Markt that really makes you appreciate the city. Mom and I sat in the Markt for quite a while just enjoying the world's largest beer (pictures to come) and watching the world pass us by. It was simple, peaceful and delightful. I hope to have that tranquil experience again. After a quick jaunt away, it was nice to come home and veg again in London. We did get up to King's Cross to view Platform 9 3/4 (ala Harry Potter) and then over to Harrod's for some window shopping. We did find this amazing little patissiere on the corner behind Harrod's and enjoyed a coffee and scone. It was English cuisine at its finest. We didn't quite make "proper" afternoon tea while Mom was here, but this was a perfect second place. I will be going back.
To end a perfect week off, I took Mom back to the airport and headed over to my first English wedding. My friends, Nick and Penny, got married on Saturday in one of the most beautiful countryside settings I've ever seen. While I was terribly upset to have Mom leave, I did get loads of enjoyment at the wedding and seeing two of my Denver friends (Elizabeth and Dani). Dani was Penny's Maid of Honor and the person to introduce me to Nick and Penny. The party and catching up with my friends was great fun. I am slowly recovering today from the "brown bottle flu" and looking forward to another day (bank holiday on Monday) of vegging around the house.
Next week I am back to the office catching up on all the things of missed before heading back out to Nick and Penny's for the weekend. That will give me one last chance to see Dani and Elizabeth before they head back to Denver (and the 'hood). So, that just about sums up where I've been hiding these last few weeks. Hopefully things will slow down a bit for me and I will be able to enjoy the end of Spring in London!
A couple weekends ago, I headed back to Paris on the Eurostar with my friend Jenn. She and I were off to visit another friend, Lisa, whom we met on a client in London. Upon arrival into Waterloo, I realized I forgot my Passport and had to make the mad dash (via a very expensive taxi ride) back to my flat. In the midst of my running around, I lost my Oyster Card (monthly train ticket). What a way to start a holiday! After all my hiccups we were off to Paris. Lisa has developed a perfect tour of the city and indulged us in the finest Parisian delicacies. We enjoyed the best pastry, escargot, champagne, chocolate, seafood, etc. etc. etc. I also had the opportunity to see the Louvre and Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Napolean's apartments. I was truly in awe of his "little man" syndrome. On our way to the Louvre, we stumbled across a watercolor artist who had amazing work. I am still kicking myself for not buying one of his pieces. Maybe this gives me a reason to head back to Paris yet again...
I was back in London for a few days before Mird made an appearance in London. It was WONDERFUL to have her come and visit me. I took the whole week off just to spend with her. On Saturday, I was blessed to have Uncle Mike and Aunt Sue come and join Mom and I for a whirlwind sightseeing trip in Central London. We saw everything from Big Ben to Picadilly Circus to the Millenium Bridge. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of the day. After a delish Indian feast, we put Uncle Mike and Sue onto a train and Mom and I walked home and crashed. I think I slept over 10 hours that night. It was a great way to get Mom over her jetlag.
After a couple days recouperating from the whirlwind sightseeing trip, Mom and I hopped on the Eurostar for a quick trip to Belgium. We ate too much food, drank too much beer and savored LOTS of good Beligian chocolates. It was the way to indulge. We took a day trip to Brugge, which I really enjoyed. It is a storybook little town with narrow cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriage rides, canals and a Markt that really makes you appreciate the city. Mom and I sat in the Markt for quite a while just enjoying the world's largest beer (pictures to come) and watching the world pass us by. It was simple, peaceful and delightful. I hope to have that tranquil experience again. After a quick jaunt away, it was nice to come home and veg again in London. We did get up to King's Cross to view Platform 9 3/4 (ala Harry Potter) and then over to Harrod's for some window shopping. We did find this amazing little patissiere on the corner behind Harrod's and enjoyed a coffee and scone. It was English cuisine at its finest. We didn't quite make "proper" afternoon tea while Mom was here, but this was a perfect second place. I will be going back.
To end a perfect week off, I took Mom back to the airport and headed over to my first English wedding. My friends, Nick and Penny, got married on Saturday in one of the most beautiful countryside settings I've ever seen. While I was terribly upset to have Mom leave, I did get loads of enjoyment at the wedding and seeing two of my Denver friends (Elizabeth and Dani). Dani was Penny's Maid of Honor and the person to introduce me to Nick and Penny. The party and catching up with my friends was great fun. I am slowly recovering today from the "brown bottle flu" and looking forward to another day (bank holiday on Monday) of vegging around the house.
Next week I am back to the office catching up on all the things of missed before heading back out to Nick and Penny's for the weekend. That will give me one last chance to see Dani and Elizabeth before they head back to Denver (and the 'hood). So, that just about sums up where I've been hiding these last few weeks. Hopefully things will slow down a bit for me and I will be able to enjoy the end of Spring in London!
