In the second weekend of April, myself and a friend went to Paris! Our hotel was a 5 minute walk from the Eiffel tower, and a metro stop was just outside the front of it. perfect! Three days of galleries, restaurants, arches, cathedrals, and a lot of walking; but we mastered the metro system in no time (so much cheaper than the underground, very depressing).
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| sitting outside the Louvre |
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| bridge over the Seine, Notre Dame in the background |
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| Notre Dame |
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| Arc De Triomphe |
Bon! The first day was a bit rainy, but the rest of the trip was super sunny. We took a coach from London Victoria on the Friday night, and was at a car park on the champs elysees between the Palais des Congres, and the Arc de Triomphe on the Saturday morning. Travelling overnight by coach, is one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever endured; but the fact it was heading to Paris, most definitely helped.
The last day we were there was definitely my favourite. We had lunch by the banks of the river next to the Eiffel tower, walked down past the d'Orsay, Palais de la Concorde until we got to the Musee de l'Orangerie, where there are some of Monet's waterlilles (my favs). And then just spent the rest of the day in the gardens between there and the Louvre. Bliss.
Sverige!
In the first week of April, my friend Lena came to visit me in England, so it was only fair that I then went back to Sweden to pay her, and a couple of others, a visit. On the 21st of June (midsommar), I flew out to Göteborg City Airport, anyone who has been there will know I use the term 'airport' lightly, it is a glorified shed, and stayed till the eve of the 24th.
In those days we: danced around a maypole celebrating midsommar, with flowers in our hair (and by that I mean sat down in a park, slottsskogen, near a maypole, eating a mixture of chicken, chocolate and cherries, all with flowers in our hair); went canoeing; went on paddan! (a boat trip round the canals and harbour in Göteborg); Cycled up to a lake near where Lena lives and decided swimming was a good idea; went on a late night walk of the city; went and saw the Hulldins! (the family I was an au pair for); and saw the Oscarsons and some of the lovely YSA (mormons). It was sooo good. Also during my stay we had kebab pizza and watched both Angels and Demons, and the Da Vinci Code. Seriously. Such a good trip.
South of France.
I have no pictures of this week. For some reason it didnt occur to me to take any. It was absolutely beautiful. We were staying the in the gorge de l'ardeche, and spent the whole week either in a canoe, or swimming in the river.
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| I have swam underneath that land bridge. |
From our campsite, 20 minutes walk away, was this little cobbled town, which was just filled with tiny streets, churches and restaurants. Just like you had stepped back in time. I love camping. And swimming! love love love swimming! That is something I think I am going to find difficult on my mission, as mormon missionaries aren't allowed to go swimming as a safety precaution (which is fair enough). Bondi beach is in my mission boundaries as well! I wont miss swimming pools as such, but rivers/lakes/sea etc. Thats the best kind.
Apologises also for the amount of pouting. I don't have 'a smile', I just look silly, and so the natural thing to do in that case is either complete hideous face or pout. Pout it is.
