so then i arrived back and decided to take a nice warm when i got home only to find out that the water heater was broke..
We arrived a few days ago into London. It has gone by so quickly. We are now in the train up to Edinburgh, sitting next to the definition of “rude Americans” They are talking louder than anyone on the train and have continued to be snotty and loud the whole time so far.
Anyways, back to London. It was really dirty and busy. Way dirtier than Paris. As we walked past the cute little red phone booths I noticed they were laced with porno, like the pamphlets that the people hand out in Las Vegas. Why you would want your picture taken with them, I have no idea. Buckingham Palace was very plain but won my heart over when we watched the changing of the guards.
They had everything from bagpipes, kilts, an Irish wolfhound, fuzzy bear-skinned hats and Frank Sinatra. (That’s right, I heard the royal arms play “I did it my Way by Ol’ Blue Eyes.” My mom commented that she was half expecting the Queen to pop out onto the balcony and sing the chorus.) (I will try to post a video of it later.)
We also visited Trafalgar Square. It is so busy and seems like the party place for all the citizens of London. (That is where they have their citizen celebrations for Christmas and such) We also went to the National Gallery. There were rooms and rooms of great art. I saw Paul Delaroche’s Execution of Lady Jane Gray. (A rather grim look at the end of poor Lady Jane Gray’s life.) Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers was as pretty as you could expect. (I got a huge kick out of the Van Gogh doll in the museum gift shop with a removable ear.) And as always, Monet’s paintings always impress me and the way he uses color is so beautiful.
The best part of our trips has definitely been the dinners. Not particularly the food (the food has been delish though) but the conversation. After the tiring day, we have sat down and had some great family conversations with much laughter, and a little wine. Rehashing some stories from the past that have been controversial (whether Amy flooded the kitchen or not; who Megan dated, what exactly did I do in Montana all those summers) and some that are just humorous, like how my sisters like to embarrass their children. I love the fact that it has been a long time since were have all been together and it is still fun to just hang out with one another.
We arrived at the airport after a long night (about midnight our time, but 11:00 am Paris time) We waited in a long line though customs, and finally made it to the baggage and Taxi area. Apparently all those ideas you had about the speediness of the drivers around here are absolutely true. We drove through the city and ended up at our hotel after a few horn honks and a few cut off cars. (Scary!!!)
The room was a perfect Parian room with two windows that opened up and overlooked a rather busy street. I loved the fact that our hotel was not in the middle of a tourist hub, but instead was closer to actual neighborhoods.
We walked down to the Hotel des Invalides, where Napoleon is buried, but didn’t go in because it was a military museum and we weren’t really into that (I know you may say, you should have gone anyways but I think that 1: it is all very overwhelming, and Europe is pretty expensive right now with the exchange rate.)
The next morning my sister Amy joined us and we were off to the Eiffel tower after a fresh croissant and a latte. (The coffee here is way stronger than even Starbucks but oh so good) When we got to the tower, which is a marvel in itself, we got to the back of the line.
My mother learning to use her camera.
We moved so slowly and decided to try it later and to go on a tour of the city like a traditional tourist. We got on the open top Red Buses and went on our way for a deal of 24 Euros, (which is about $30-35 US dollars.) The bus drove us all along the city, weaving in and out of traffic, and taking us to some of the most prominent Parisian sights.
We saw everything from the Opera House, Louvre, Notre Dame, and my personal favorite, the Arc de Triumph. We jumped off the bus (which was great because you could rejoin the tour anytime you wanted to.) and had a quick bite at a covered sidewalk café on the Champs el elysse.
We were seated right as the clouds opened up and started to downpour. It is so laid back and relaxing but you feel rushed because there is so much you want to see. After lunch we headed over to the enormous Arc de Triumph.
For only 9 Euros (about $15 dollars.), you could take the 284 stairs to the top. We even got my mom up to the top.
It was so amazing because you could see everything in the city. All the architecture in Paris is so intricate and has so many little details, no wonder all the great creative people have been here before.
After the tour, we headed back to the hotel to take a rest. We went to another café for dinner and somehow ended up walking back almost to the Eiffel tower.
The most surprising thing about Paris is that there is graffiti everywhere… on the train overpasses, on the storefronts, on the side of chimneys. I can’t believe how everything in this city is so old and gorgeous but has graffiti around it and somehow it all works. Crazy. The people have been pretty nice too considering my mom has been a sub par translator for us. (I think it is the fact that they speak really fast.) It has been a fun time trying to learn as much as possible.
We are on the train heading toward London through the Chunnel, then I will update later.
Last night we attended our 6th concert of 311. They always put on a great show and were totally worth sitting in the cold rain for. (It was raining during the opening act.... was clear by the end of Ziggy Marley and the stars were out for the 311 show.) I love the fact that this is the one concert we see every year. (even though tickets have gotten so expensive) The people at the shows are so much fun to watch. I never thought that I would enjoy a band so much, but I have definitely fallen for this band. :)
This morning I had the fun task of going to 2 dr. offices. The dentist was first up. This is a new dentist that we found in Bountiful, (we couldn't see driving to Ogden to go to our other "new dentist" that we just barely found before we moved). The hygienist was very nice and not too pokey with her dental tools. After sitting in her chair for about 20 minutes, I realized who she sounded like. She had the exact timing and conversation-skills of Kristen Wiig from SNL and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. "When you floss... make sure you get between teeth.... stops the bacteria cycle.... you stir the pot when you floss.... stir the pot." (that is a direct quote from her, btw) The little Molly in my head was busting up laughing every time she said anything. 
The saddest part of having a dog is the part I went through yesterday. I got Ringo as a present for my 16th birthday. (I said I would rather have a dog than a car. Thanksfully, my dad let me have both) He was 13 years old. At his peak, he weighed a whopping 130 pounds. He was a good dog, except when it thundered. He hated the thunder. And he hated the hair dryer because I scarred him as a puppy when I tried to use it to dry him after a bath. Oh and he hated bathes too and would run away from them. But he loved to swim especially in rivers. He loved to go on trips. He loved, I mean, LOVED french bread. (That is what he went after when he nipped at my niece and scarred her eyebrow). He really loved Watermelon and was the only dog that I knew that would eat it off of a fork. Ringo, buddy you will be missed. We love you!
