“Jeremy!?”
“WHAT? NO WAY!!”
“What are you doing here?”
“What are YOU doing here!?!?!”
In a city of twelve million people, I stumbled upon a friend from high school. Times like this always make me wonder how much we miss by mere seconds.
I had a fantastic day in London. It was rainy, but that didn’t stop me from taking a 3 hour walking tour around the city. Best of all, it was free. If you ever have the opportunity to take a free walking tour, do it. It’s amazing.
I also made it to the changing of the guards, which was really cool. Certainly worth your time if you are ever in London.
Tomorrow I am taking an night bus to Paris. The thirty pound one was sold out so I was forced to pay thirty seven… Eighty dollars to bus to Paris. *Shudder*. At least I’ll save a night of hostel expenses. My Master-card was decided and I had to call them. I was terrified when a voice told me I had a credit balance of $30. I thought this meant someone racked up $4970 in debt and I had a little panic attack… but it actually meant I paid too much money on my last bill. We figured stuff out, and all is good.
Tomorrow, before I peace out, I’ll go to the museums like Rosanna suggested. I’ll update you soon.
Any ideas of cities (with hostels in them) along the coast of Spance, France, and Italy I should check out?
Oh shoot, I forgot to tell you. Someone stole the power cord to my computer!!! I have no idea why, but I’m going to have to buy a replacement. Gosh darn it! I hope I can find a North America version and not spend $200. GRRRRR. It might be a while before I update this site again since I only have two hours left.
UPDATE! The person who “borrowed” my charger has since returned it to the front desk. I think I learned how important it is to be security conscious… and how foolish it is to be a bit careless.
9 comments ↓
If it’s not too late to stop you from getting on a night train, GET OFF IMMEDIATELY! I thought it would be a money saver as well but it turns out that with zero sleep you end up having to crash at your hostel for most of the next day anyway.
Also, for booking hostels, use www.hostelworld.com.
I had zero issues booking as it gives up to date information on availability.
Have fun!
You keep raising the bar - shooting video while sharing your day in the London subway. Brilliant!
The Eiffel Tower offers great views of Paris, especially at sunset. I found The Louvre ridiculously large, and a bit overrated. It might be more fun to see the Pompidou or the Musee d’Orsay.
Hey Jeremy - you should check out Jim Morrison’s grave at Pere Lachaise Cemetery & go to Notre Dame Cathedral.
Instead of spending money to go up the Eiffel Tower go to the Samaritaine Department Store. It is one of the oldest (133 years) and largest (32,000 sqm of commercial floor space) chain-department store in Paris. A panoramic terrace on the 11th and top floor, situated 74 metres above street level offers an outstanding 360 degree view. La Samaritaine owes its name to the hydraulic pump installed near the Pont-Neuf and which operated from 1609 to 1813. On the front of the pump was a gilded bas-relief showing the good Samaritan talking to the Christ at Jacob’s well. Located between the Louvre and Notre-Dame, La Samaritaine is in fact an architectural monument in which Art Nouveau and Art Déco blend harmoniously. Frantz Jourdain (1847-1935), an avant-garde artist of his time and enamoured of Art Nouveau, was the main architect, assisted by his friend and partner Henri Sauvage, who designed many of the Art Déco elements in the building, an architectural style of which he was very fond.
Ha ha thanks for the tip Kelsey. I’ll keep your warning in mind while I’m sitting there awake all night.
I’m flattered, Dave! I certainly hope this blog helps you out when you go on your adventure.
Susan… I’ll do my best! Glad you’re reading my blog
Cool idea about that building. If walking up the Eiffel Tower is too expensive, I’ll keep it in mind… or maybe do both.
The view from the Samaritaine is from 75 metres. The view from the Tower is 115 metres if you walk to the second level. To reach the top, you take a second elevator and arrive at 276 metres. Cost = 11.5 Euros to go to the top or 4 Euros to walk up to the second level. If you choose to go up the tower, go early since the crowds are enormous.
That is a classic video! It would have been funny seeing someone talking into their camera while walking around in circles from one platform to the other. haha Good job. I reckon £37 for a bus trip to Paris is a bargain… shame about the currency exchange though. London would be a budget destroyer. Shame you’re off though because it looks like the sun will be shining this weekend. What a shock.
The latin quarter near the Notre Dame is one of the cheapest areas to eat in Paris, good food too. FYI a crepe is worth about 3 euros don’t pay more than that.. Can’t help you with Paris hostels there tho. The notre dame is free to enter and is really incredible - I really recommend it! The Louvre will suck the energy right out of you, (it’s way too big to cover in a reasonable timeframe), I prefer the smaller Musee D’orsay (pay)for the impressionists. It’s in an old train station along the river quite a work of art in itself.
I’m not sure if you know but in France and Italy (and most probably Spain) if you sit at an outside table at a cafe’ bar it’s more expensive - stand at the bar for the cheapest price on your morning coffee. And always always watch you bags, camera etc.
I was in Paris at the end of july, and I want to go baaaa-aaack! I’m sure you’ll notice the city is quiet, shops closed etc it was starting when I was there…August is holiday time for Parisians. I hope I’m of help here you seem to be doing really well with your planning etc!! Cheers!
Go to Tarifa (Southern Spain) and take the ferry to Tangiers in Morocco for the day or stay in one of the hotels noted at the bottom of this weblink.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/spain/tangier_chapter2008.htm
Leave a Comment