Sacre Coeur Night
Sacre Coeur Day
Interesting protest art work
Double decker carousel
The Thinker and Le Tour Eiffel
Napoleon’s Tomb
Le Tour Eiffel
Us at the Rodin Museum
So we land safely in London even if that crazy lady almost caused us to abort the landing and then asked the flight attendants (US attendants mind you) about what she should be wearing out in London and about having to change for every meal you eat (like the royals do?). We went to Orpington and hung with Sarah, Pete and adorable Isaac. There house is lovely and has a great backyard and view. We went for a walk but the sun turned into a shower and I think that was the best part of the day for Isaac. The next day we went into London with Sarah, stored our bags at her work and went off to the Globe, the London Eye, Parliment and then I realized I didn’t have my passport. So back to Sarah’s to check the bag. No passport. I fear that I left it at Pete and Sarah’s house, in their car. So we RUN to the train and I realized that adrenaline doesn’t kick in. If I am chased, I will be killed. It was a sobering moment. Luckily we make the train. We run to Sarah’s (I walked and I got a bit lost but found my way to the house). I come across Brendan with the key to the house, with Sarah on the phone. He can’t open the door. After a few tries I get in, we get the passport out of the car and then run back to the station. We make the express to London Bridge, meet up with Sarah who has been watching the Tube and we have to change plans to make the plane. More running. We make the plane only to have it delayed. I think we were delayed 3 hours. We sat on the plane because of mechanical issues – the problem was with the inflatable slide. You know, the part for when we land in the ocean. People if we land in the ocean, we don’t need the slide – Captain Sully isn’t flying this plane. We found out that we were going to have to go on another plane. So we waited for a bus. We waited to board the bus. We drove to the new plane. We waited to get off the bus. We waited to board the plane (they were checking boarding passes. Who knew?). We waited to take off. We finally arrived in Ireland.
Boston to Philly:
B and I left Logan around 7 pm and flew to Philadelphia for our connection to London. When we arrived in Philly, there was a bit of a delay due to a mechanical issue. So we were waiting a bit. This was also the day of the United computer glitch which we think sent people scrambling for flights. A need for volunteers to get bumped arose and Brendan and I put our names in. The reward was free hotel, meal vouchers, first class flight to London and a $825 flight voucher. As the night wore on, we didn’t think we would get chosen. Finally, boarding started. Since I am Star Alliance Gold, I board early. And since I hate the lines, this is good for me. B likes to maximize his time away from the plane, so he waited. I went on the plane (now 1 hour delayed) and just sat down when I was called. It was the gate attendant saying that we had been chosen for the bump. I said “But I need 2 since there is my husband.” The gate attendant told me “Yup and he is already at the desk making the arrangements.” I now had to battle the passengers who were boarding. It was like a salmon swimming up stream. We made it to the hotel and even got to see some of B’s friends who were driving near the airport when we told them we were in town. We were at the Marriott attached the hotel which was convenient. On Saturday, we walked around Philly, went to Old Navy to buy some clothes. We then made our way back to the airport, hung out in the first class lounge and had some food. We got a good 5 hours of sleep since we had the full sleeping bays in first class. There was also a crazy lady who went to the bathroom prior to landing and almost caused us to abort the landing since she wouldn’t get out of the bathroom.
We had successfully arrived in London.
Part 2 to come…
Here are some pictures.
Cemetary:
St. Louis Cathedral:
Cannon/Tree:
St Charles Street Car:
Random verandas and buildings:
Mississippi River:
Set scene: We are in a gift shop looking and I am looking for an ornament.
B: Do we have a manger?
Me: What?
B: Do we have a manger?
Me: No.
B: We need a manger! Right? We should have a manger.
Ok – I will get on that one…
We are back from a fun weekend in New Orleans and I have attained Executive status on United. B was able to enjoy some of the perks as we had “Economy Plus” seats with extra legroom on the way there. On the way back we flew first class to DC. I treat him so well. Pictures of the trip to come once I upload them.
Brendan and I will be going to New Orleans in December. Just booked the trip. Basically, the only reason we are going is to bump me up to Premier Executive (free access to lounges, free bags, free upgrades). I will be going to Switzerland which means I needed 2,997 miles to get to the next level. We are flying to New Orleans via Houston in order to fly cost effectively and get the necessary miles. The trip will yield 3,269 miles.
Also I am cashing in Marriott points so the hotel is free. So it should be a fun weekend!
I swear, it is either feast of famine witho our lives.
After a few weeks of just tending to the house, we have blasted off into the stratosphere.
I need a nap just thinking about all this.
Well we headed to Taconic State Park for some fun with Mother Nature. Chris, Kim, Charlie, Kristin, Jack and Lulu also went (Kim organized it all so thanks!).
Eli had some issues but overall was great, especially sleeping. We thought he might be up all night. Here are a bunch of pictures of Eli camping. I swear I was there too.
Hanging out…
Sleeping in the tent…
In the tent looking for Brendan…
What I like to call “Snout and trees”…
So Brendan and I went to Iceland. We planned the trip prior to the volcano erupting and ruining travel for everyone. We were talking about planning a vacation and one day I was stuck behind a bus in traffic and the ad was for Iceland. Hence the idea of going to Iceland. The tourist board seems to advertise a lot in Boston and I think it is because it is one of the few cities with direct flights.
The flight is about 5 hours and unlike European flights, they have the same movies no matter direction you are going.
Here is what Iceland looks like when driving from the airport.
We went on a bus tour to a bunch of places including:
Gullfoss
On the way out to Thingvellir, our bus took a detour to look at some horses and got stuck.
Pushing didn’t help.
But then another tour bus and a stranger’s rope came to our rescue.
Geysir
The Blue Lagoon is a spa and worth a visit. We relaxed in geothermal water and it was amazing. I wish I could go there every day. Even Brendan liked it.
This is the view from the hotel at 9:30 at night. The sun didn’t set until around midnight and I have no idea when it came back up.
We went on a bike tour of Reykjavik and they drop you off at the hot dog stand. This is the best place to eat in the city and there is always a line.
The harbor.
Our bike tour group.
The large city cathedral and Leif Ericson statue.
