British Museum

While Dave was in London we went to the British Museum together. We saw the Rosetta Stone and the missing pieces to the Parthenon Frieze. Dave and I just saw the Parthenon while we were in Athens. It was an interesting museum with more than 3 million objects.

The British Museum

The Rosetta Stone! The Rosetta Stone has both Greek and Egyptian writing on it using 3 scripts: hieroglyphic, demotic and Greek. The stone was carved in 196 B.C.. The stone was found by French soldiers in a small village in the Delta called Rosetta in 1799. The text is written by a group of priests in Egypt to honour the Egyptian Pharaoh. Pretty amazing to see in person!

Pieces of the Parthenon frieze. It is a controversy that the British museum has these remains and the Greek Government has asked for them back and to be taken off display in London.

The London Eye

After living in London you forget how exciting it is to see the London Eye! Probably because I saw the eye on a weekly basis. I couldn't wait to ride the London Eye but waited for Dave and Chelsea's visit so we could all ride the eye together. I'm glad I waited for their visit, because I don't think I'd pay to go on the eye twice. The London Eye also known as the Millennium Wheel is the biggest Ferris Wheel in Europe. The London Eye is something I will miss seeing so often. Here are a few of my favorite London Eye photos I have.

Me and Chelsea on the London eye

Connie Wagner, Me, Kate Eckersley on our first visit to the London Eye

Connie, Me, Kate

The London Eye

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is a very busy part of town bustling with tourists. The changing of the guard is worth (trying) to see. You have to go very early to beat all the other tourists to be able to see the actual changing of the guard. I have not been able to get there early enough and refuse to wake up any earlier. But I've enjoyed my visits to Buckingham Palace. Loads of people from all over the world and most willing to take a picture of you if you will take a picture for them. Except for the Asian old man who looked at me with this scared and shocked face and walked away.

The Band playing Austin Powers or Harry Potter

Zach and Daniel (our BYU intern friends) Me, Jenna, Melissa, Sarah

Courtney Burrows, Abby Woodland, Maren Marcy, Me, Sarah Mabey, Erin Wetzel

The Queen's London residence

Chartwell a.k.a. Winston Churchill's Home

While in the town of Kent on our last day trip, we stopped in Chartwell, at Winston Churchill's home. It is completely furnished just as it was when he and his wife lived here. It is a great big home with lots of land and sits near the lake. It is a dream home basically. We even got to go inside Churchill's private art studio. Painting was his hobby, and it is filled with his work.

Hever Castle

Our last day trip with Study Abroad. I can't believe that I am near the end of the program. I enjoyed our day trip to Hever Castle. It is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. The grounds, gardens, and scenery were fantastic. The sun was shining bright (a rarity) and it was just a fun day to be outside.

Chelsea, Me, Sarah, Alyssa

oh the photo shoots we do!

Sarah, Me, Chelsea, Erin, Alyssa

Top: Jenna Harris, Erin Wetzel, Molly Turner, Ana Pinegar, Sarah Mabey, Caitlyn (me), Abby Woodland, Elizabeth Smart, Chelsea Price. Bottom: Sarah Hansen, Mary Williams, Kate Eckersley, Alyssa Esmond.

Hever Castle

Regent's Park

We went to Regent's Park on a late Sunday afternoon. It is one of the Royal Parks of London; and absolutely gorgeous. I enjoyed sitting in the park and calling up family and friends to say hello and chat for a bit. The scenery is just breathtaking and I wish we would have discovered this park earlier.

Me and Abby Woodland

Abby Woodland, Me, Sarah Mabey

Out and About in Paris

Word of mouth that this is the best crepe place in Paris... So of course we went!

Alyssa and Me at Laduree--A very fancy place famous for their macaroons.

Here I am at Champs-Elysees! Oh, it is lovely!

I have fallen in love with Paris. It makes you want to be in love.

Eiffel Tower

This was my first stop as soon as I arrived in Paris. The Eiffel Tower is amazing and there is something magical about it. The moment I turned the corner and saw it with my own eyes, I fell in LOVE!

View from the top

We walked the 700 steps to the top! It was awesome!

Me, Sarah Mabey, Mary Williams

Taking in the beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower for the first time!

Breathtaking

The city of Love. I don't know what it is, but I just fell in Love with Paris!

Eiffel Tower light show

Me, Sarah, Erin, Alyssa, Chelsea

Sparkle light show!

Ana, Jenna, Alyssa, Me, Sarah, Erin, Abby, Molly

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is a monument in Paris. It is the second largest triumphal arch in existence. The triumphal arch honors those who fought for France. Underneath is the tomb of the unknown soldier for World War I.

We stopped in the middle of the crosswalk to get this great shot!

We climbed to the top of the arc to watch the Eiffel Tower light show.

Mary Williams, Chelsea Price, Me, Erin Wetzel, Alyssa Esmond, Sarah Mabey

Oh the fun we have with cameras! In the stairwell to the top.

At the top with Erin Wetzel, Sarah Mabey, Me, Alyssa Esmond, Chelsea Price

Musee d'Orsay

The d'Orsay. I was very excited to visit this museum, because they have many pieces by Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Renoir, and Monet. I was shocked that we were able to take pictures of these amazing pieces of art and history.

Me, Alyssa Esmond, Mary Williams

Renoir-Dance at eh Moulin de La Galett. Renoir captured sunny, “carefree” Parisian life with the happy “smiling” faces of his dancers.

Monet- Notre Dame. Monet would go sit outside the front of Notre Dame and paint the church exactly how it was at that time of day. They displayed 4 of these paintings, each with difference in sunlight, color and shadow. It was really cool to see these side by side and to know Monte's purpose for these paintings.

Van Gogh- Noon rest from work. I am amazed by almost every Van Gogh I see. I feel lucky to have seen so many with my own eyes. He is truly one of my favorite artists. Most of his paintings are so consistent with his style. More often than not you know when you're viewing a Van Gogh.

Van Gogh- The Bedroom. This is the painting I was so excited to see. I couldn't believe that I was standing right in front of this famous painting. Also, this is one of Andrew's (my brother) favorite paintings too. I couldn't wait to show him. This is Van Gogh's bedroom in the year 1888 in Arles. I love the detail of the portraits above his bed.

Pantheon

The Pantheon was originally a grand church but is no longer a house of worship but a public temple. Sarah Mabey and I headed to visit this large building together. We had a little trouble finding its location, but as soon as we turned a corner, BAM its right there.

The Crypt, where Victor Hugo (writer of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) is buried.

Pendulum