Eurotrip day four
Hello (all two of you) from Victoria Station in London. It has been quite a trip already. So far:
---> I saw the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe d'Etoile, the D-Day memorial at Caen, Sword and Omaha Beaches, Point du Hoc, Musee de Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. My favorite so far was Notre Dame -- it is truly awe inspiring.
---> I dropped my digital camera at the Caen Memorial (breaking it only 3 days after I bought it) and then left its replacement, a 14.5 Euro disposable camera, in the tour van. So that's two cameras and probably 40 pictures possibly lost.
---> I visited Arsenal Stadium in Highbury yesterday (one day before the match) to get a feel for the area. There, I had what could accurately be described as a religious experience outside the gates of the so-called 'Home of Football.' Today, I will watch Arsenal play Newcastle United. Let's go you Gunners!
--->I got drunk in the lobby of Hotel L'Ocean (my very cramped French style hotel) while a bemused French desk attendant tried to converse with me. He spoke little English and I speak little French (except the huh huh huh that got me an A in Mrs. O'Brien's French class sophomore year) so it was an interesting experience. Apparently, he grew up in Bordeaux, lived in Normandy, and now works the night shift at the Hotel.
--->I found the French to be quite agreeable, despite the language gap and bad rap. My travel buddy (or 'TB' henceforth) has not had the same luck. In Paris, his communication strategy was the overpronounce a word in English very loudly to an irritated French person. Little did he know that most of them speak English anyway. I watched as he was overcharged for two cab rides (my feeble knowledge of French prevented this, I think).
England I have found even more enjoyable. Yesterday afternoon and evening, I watched hours of football -- which is, in fact, a great way for me to spend my vacation -- and today I have already heard Pink Floyd and Oasis on the radio (interestingly enough, as I type this, Sweet Home Alabama is playing -- so i guess you never know). If you thought I was England-crazy before, just wait until I get back. I was told that all Americans are given away by the huge smile plastered on their faces. If so, I must have stood out like a sore thumb yesterday as I walked around with a silly grin spread ear to ear. With that said...
--->I was asked for directions yesterday by a fellow Yank (the Brits call all of us Yanks - not just northerners) and surprised him when I gave him the correct directions in an American accent. So I must fit in somewhat better than I thought.
More later, since I am paying for my internet access by the minute. If I figure out how to fix my digital camera, I will post pictures. See you soon.
---> I saw the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe d'Etoile, the D-Day memorial at Caen, Sword and Omaha Beaches, Point du Hoc, Musee de Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. My favorite so far was Notre Dame -- it is truly awe inspiring.
---> I dropped my digital camera at the Caen Memorial (breaking it only 3 days after I bought it) and then left its replacement, a 14.5 Euro disposable camera, in the tour van. So that's two cameras and probably 40 pictures possibly lost.
---> I visited Arsenal Stadium in Highbury yesterday (one day before the match) to get a feel for the area. There, I had what could accurately be described as a religious experience outside the gates of the so-called 'Home of Football.' Today, I will watch Arsenal play Newcastle United. Let's go you Gunners!
--->I got drunk in the lobby of Hotel L'Ocean (my very cramped French style hotel) while a bemused French desk attendant tried to converse with me. He spoke little English and I speak little French (except the huh huh huh that got me an A in Mrs. O'Brien's French class sophomore year) so it was an interesting experience. Apparently, he grew up in Bordeaux, lived in Normandy, and now works the night shift at the Hotel.
--->I found the French to be quite agreeable, despite the language gap and bad rap. My travel buddy (or 'TB' henceforth) has not had the same luck. In Paris, his communication strategy was the overpronounce a word in English very loudly to an irritated French person. Little did he know that most of them speak English anyway. I watched as he was overcharged for two cab rides (my feeble knowledge of French prevented this, I think).
England I have found even more enjoyable. Yesterday afternoon and evening, I watched hours of football -- which is, in fact, a great way for me to spend my vacation -- and today I have already heard Pink Floyd and Oasis on the radio (interestingly enough, as I type this, Sweet Home Alabama is playing -- so i guess you never know). If you thought I was England-crazy before, just wait until I get back. I was told that all Americans are given away by the huge smile plastered on their faces. If so, I must have stood out like a sore thumb yesterday as I walked around with a silly grin spread ear to ear. With that said...
--->I was asked for directions yesterday by a fellow Yank (the Brits call all of us Yanks - not just northerners) and surprised him when I gave him the correct directions in an American accent. So I must fit in somewhat better than I thought.
More later, since I am paying for my internet access by the minute. If I figure out how to fix my digital camera, I will post pictures. See you soon.