Thursday, June 26, 2008

Greetings from Europe!

Our trip has been wonderful and adventurous, filled with lots of great food, sightseeing, and sleeping in. I'm currently writing from beside a swimming pool in Costa del Sol, Spain.

This will be a quick post because Steve and I have the ambitious plans of getting some sun at the beach, and then enjoying churros y chocolate at our new favorite joint in a nearby town. It's a hard life here.

For now, here are a few photos of our London experiences:

We stood in front of Big Ben! And on a gloomy, overcast day, no less. Really, how much more London can you get? While on a self-guided walking tour of the city, we also visited Buckingham Palace, St James' Park, the Thames, and Tower Bridge.

Riding public transportation around the city was great - simple, accessible and quick.

We also had a good laugh whenever the woman’s voice on the loudspeaker told everyone to “Mind the gap.” This, among other phrases stated in a strong British accent, has become stuck in our vocabulary. One of us will say something that sounds like a strange mix of Cockney, Irish, and a screechy-voiced witch villain straight out of a cartoon, and then we will both burst into a raucous laughter. Quite embarrassing, really.

Yes, we just HAD to be the annoying tourists who pretend to use the phone booth simply for a photo opportunity.

Westminster Abbey - primarily known to Americans (and by “Americans,” I mean me) as the place where Chandler and Joey have a squabble during the Season Four finale of Friends. And also a key location in Da Vinci Code. I know, I should probably brush up on things like actual world events and geography.

And finally, the number one thing we wanted to accomplish while in London - have a beer in a British pub! We went the full mile, and ordered fish and chips, and steak and potato pie. The food was delicious, but the beer was a little bland and warm. Maybe that’s just the way it’s done in the UK? Still, it was a perfect way to end our trip to London.

More to come on our time in Spain. Cheers.

25 comments:

  1. Looks like a great trip so far! At least you didn't do the typical Harry Potter fan thing and take a picture at King's Cross. That's what I would have done :)

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  2. Love the pictures! I am so jealous! I need a vacation!

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  3. Looks like an amazing trip so far! No worries, I think every tourist needs to take the photo booth picture.

    Um, how are you affording everything over there? Maybe the Dollar will miraculously heal itself while you're there :)

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  4. What a great trip so far! Keep having fun!!

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  5. Oooh, that meal looks delicious!! Glad you're having such a wonderful trip!

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  6. YOu guys look like you're having a wonderful time! I'm so envious, i'd love to go to London!

    Continue having a terrific vacation!

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  7. I am oh-so-jealous. Thanks for the update!

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  8. Looks like you're having a great time! Can't wait to see more pix!

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  9. I know, I got such a kick out of the various accents there--the flight attendants made me giggle.

    I love how multicultural London is--the rest of Europe seems pretty homogeneous, yet so varied country to country.

    I love your photos. You guys seem so happy. Doing the goofy tourist stuff is the best! I made my travel partner pose like a hunchback with me in front of Notre Dome.

    Can't wait to hear about Spain! Thanks for including the rest of us in your fabulous time.

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  10. So cool! I loved this update :) That photo of the phone booth is hilarious!

    I hope the rest of your trip is just as incredible, and I can't wait to hear more about it!

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  11. I've only been to Italia, so reading about this makes me smile and want to go over there SO BAD.

    I hope y'all are having an incredible time (I mean, who wouldn't?)! Keep us updated on your adventures!

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  12. I'm super jealous right now. Half of my family is in Europe while I am at home and working every day :(
    Keep up the posts, b/c I love to see what you're doing over there.

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  14. *so jealous* looks like so much fun!!! post more pics!

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  15. Wait one minute....I just realized that you are in Spain and they just one the Euro Cup! I can't wait to hear about this experience. I hope you don't get trampled. It was a great game...

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  16. I LOVE spain! I am so jealous!!! Have a great trip!! :)

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  17. i would have said the same thing about the abbey, haha. i associate with movies and tv way more than actual history, haha.

    glad you guys are having such a great trip! can't wait to hear about spain!

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  18. Hey, I just found your blog and I really enjoy it.

    Glad to hear your having fun! (I have a cousin Laurissa also in Europe now, just a random coincidence)

    Anyways, adding to my morning reader. :)

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  19. lol i TOTALLY would've have took the same photo ops in the Telephone booth!

    great pics! Enjoy the rest of your trip

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  20. Oh you have def inspired me to save my dosh and head on over there.

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  21. L- I love your pictures!! I hope you had the best time (and still are if you are still in Europe)! Post more about it when you return! I still owe the blogging community Italy stories. I've been a horrible blogger as of late!

    Also post more pictures if you can! I love seeing them :)

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  22. Yes, lots of people like their beer warm. Thanks for the great pictures, and hilarious commentary!

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  23. I'm so jealous. I can't wait to see more.

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  24. It looks like you're having a great time! I'm tres jealous. And I love how the phone booth looks exactly like they do on tv and the movies.

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  25. Wow! Looks like you are having a wonderful trip. I'm so jealous! Enjoy the rest of your adventure and have a safe trip home!

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