The City of Lights

bonjour! forgive me friends for i am typing on a french keyboard and the key placements are quite different. ahh yes; i am now in the city of lights! i began my journey in london and stayed there for about 3 days. i pretty much was able to see everything; though i will of course be returning twice prior to coming back to the states. i walked all of millineium mile and saw the london eye; big ben; all the bridges--london and the tower bridges included! i spent a day at the tower of london and the history was fantastique! i took a walk through hyde park; visited the british museum and the british library; and had tea with some friends. i went to an english pub and order an english beer. All in all-- I am trying the absolute best to make this experience not only memorable but authentic as well. also--i will mention that i met several people who offered me to come stay with them! Really; i didn,t expect this much welcoming out of people!

I was able to find a cheap Eurostar ticket to Paris and took the first train this morning. The ride was enjoyable and i mostly read and wrote. The metro system here and the tube in London are actually quite easy to manage. The difficulties lie in the fact that once you exit the station it may be quite troublesome to locate the hostel for which you are searching. I had this problem in both cities and I am sure it will continue--even with me asking for directions!

I spent loads of time today in La Louvre. It was quite fantastic and I cannot even begin to explain my excitement. Of course I saw the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo; but I also saw innumerable other works of art. If I was not as dead beat as I was; I would have probably spent more time there. As it was; I crashed when I came back but did get uyp shortly later. I spent the evening with all the Austrailian girls I am staying with and we went out for drinks.

I am excited for the next few days that I will be spending here and I look forward to doing as much as possible. I do believe I am eating a traditional French meal tomorrow with one of the girls.

In the mean time, take care all! please continue to pray for my safety! I love you and miss you all very much! xoxox

ps--i also decided that I a, going to alloz anyone who would like an opportunity to read my journal i am keeping--as it will be a lot more detailed and accurate than these blogs i will be keeping. best!