To Europe and Back

Digging and sharing from my treasure box…
Day 1 — April 5, 2013

Clear skies, the temperature at 8 but still with a chilly bite, I left Toronto for a while and took a plane to Philadelphia that eventually lands me at Heathrow the morning after.

Gazing at the landscape below from about 40,000 feet above sea level, I’m feeling reflective of the efforts I took that brought me here. When will I start to tick off my bucket list if not now? A life they say is short so take the walk while you can still walk and of course fly to places while your mind is still adept to take in the experience so that one day before life is over, you can just look back with joy in your heart and say to yourself: I’m glad I did that.

This was my maiden trip to Europe of what is to be hopefully the beginning of trotting the globe one continent at a time.

At Philadelphia, I met with Cindy and Josephine who were to be my buddies during the length of the flight. At the airport alone, we caught up with each other’s stories, what one brought, what food we took. Paris they say it is expensive so to save on Euro, we agreed to bring snacks. Agnes, John and Michelle’s flight I learned was delayed for 3 hours. We were all supposed to meet at Heathrow then head to the first attraction for the day.

Day 2 — April 6, 2013
Touched down at Heathrow 9:16 AM approximately 4:16 AM Toronto time.

​We gathered our luggage and sat by the lounge while finding a way to locate our tour guide. Not long after, Pem and Josephine met up while Cindy and I are still hooked on a local computer to pass a message to Pem. From terminal 1, we proceeded to terminal 5 where Agnes, John, and Michelle will be landing. While waiting, I devoured my eyes with whatever I can take to observe London. By the bench I scribbled a few expectations:

Weather: more or less like Toronto. Cold is cold according to me. By whose standards? That’s debatable.

Traffic: Right-hand drives. Traffic comes the exact opposite. So when I cross the street, by instinct I look my left when I should have been looking at my right. — they call their highway motorway. In Canada I will say highway 401, in London, they say motorway 401 — lights can become confusing. After an ember usually comes a red, in London, an ember signal you to be ready for the green.

Street signs — at first I wondered how people/travelers will find their way. No street pole signs in sight. I learned later that they are placed at the corners of the building by that street.

People — pretty much the same as in North America

Buildings — I was so impressed with how England and probably the rest of Europe have preserved their culture by preserving their edifices, historical landmarks that have its own story to pass on.

First spot or stop: The Buckingham Palace

I tried hard to summon the pictures from memory of the procession of both Princess Di’s wedding to Prince Charles and her funeral. It was by these steps where the carriage passed. While the memory lay blurry, I felt regal being at this place to share in part of a beautiful and rich history.

While the Palace was closed, even the extremities of the edifice were filled with structures so detailed in an art form. The sculptures, the fountains, its architecture, all devoid of paint, even the stones laid down were impressive enough, you can easily fill up your memory card with pictures. Today, the Buckingham Palace serves as the Administrative Headquarters of the Monarchs.

I can’t feel tired that night. While my roommates dozed off to shake away light jetlag, I sneaked out and met with some childhood friends from back home who acquainted me with nightlife in London. We took a bus to Camden. Just when I thought New York was the City that never sleeps, nightlife in London is bustling with club-goers, party animals and dance music everywhere. While the weather was still chilly, you’d be surprised to see people in their night party wardrobe. From Camden, we went to Piccadilly Circus where the streets become the party place during Saturday nights. Nightlife here is like New Year’s eve in Toronto. It is sooo active and full of life and I was told this is a normal thing towards the weekend.

Now feeling really beat, and jetlagged, I stole a few hours of sleep before waking up to Day 2.

​Spending the night at Ate Rosy’s house, she was kind enough to bring me to my meeting place with my tour mates the morning after. We took the second deck of the bus where I enjoyed sightseeing and chit-chatting on the side. We got off at the Westminster station which was just a 2-minute walk to get to Big Ben and the Parliament then crossing the Westminster Bridge to get to the London Eye.

​Day 3 — April 7

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel by the banks of the River Thames that took 7 years to build. It can carry around 800 passengers per revolution. Each rotation takes approximately 30 minutes giving passengers a picturesque view of the city and its rolling landscape. One of the wonderful landmarks to see onboard the eye: Big Ben and the Parliament.

​Today was Sunday, after getting off the Eye, we sprinted the stretch of the Westminster Bridge, took more pictures of the Big Ben and hailed back to meet Pem to have us attend Mass at the Westminster Cathedral. The cathedral sat on a plot that was once home to the Tothill Fields Prison. Uniquely designed, the exterior of the building was built with red brick and portland stone. The cathedral was often confused with Westminster Abbey which is just five minutes walk away. The cathedral situates between shops and modestly sits back from the main road that runs through the City of Westminster.

After mass, getting filled and spiritually replenished, we walked down Francis St. and saw a sushi place where we devoured a quick Japanese bite before we headed down to close by Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey gained more international fame recently as the place where Prince William chose to marry Kate.

The places in London, its buildings and structures situated not too far from each other could fill your hungry eyes and bug your brain with curiosity. We spent about an hour or two going around the Abbey. Later that afternoon we took a quick walk at the Millenium Bridge where a brief scene from one of the movies of Harry Potter was shot. Opposite the Millennium bridge is a beautiful view of St. Paul’s Cathedral. The late Margaret Thatcher’s necrological services were held, and where Prince Charles wedded Lady Diana.

Day 4 and 5 — April 8 and 9, 2013

Today we are headed to see the Windsor Castle where the Queen calls this her weekend home. It is also known as one of the world’s largest art collection. The collections are very rich that it is so easy to pass time admiring the magnificence of each art form. From the magnificent state apartments to St. George’s Chapel to Queen Mary’s Doll House to the Drawings Gallery to watch the Changing of the Guards and everything in between. You need at least three days to see everything. From Windsor Castle, we took about 2 hours to drive to Stonehenge. Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. Bath City in the county of Somerset towards South West England. This is where you will find the first Roman Baths. From it came the concept of the bathtubs. It is nourished by natural hot springs and iconic attractions.

For the young and not so young, we toured the studio where they filmed the Harry Potter movies. The studio is located in Leavesden. I was speechless. The seemingly magical landscape of Hogwarts, to the make-up and wardrobe to the special effects room of magic. it was so much to take in in one day.

Day 6 — April 10, 2013

Paris at last

Moving on, after a lovely week in England, we took a train to Paris. The train moved too quietly from London’s St. Pancras International for 3 hours. Paris, along the stretch of the train route nearing the city, I notice a lot of graffiti by the walls of buildings and structures. It is less clean than in London.

Back to left-hand drives. As we get off the train, we took the subway by the map we have initially prepared to head to Porte d’Orleans, the closest stop to our hotel. Of all the things I forgot on this trip was my French phrasebook. People here are not at all helpful, they won’t waste their time to help a stranger or they simply just don’t care.

The Louvre Museum — having read Da Vinci Code, I have imaginations of the Louvre. The historic value of the goods it housed ranged from paintings to artifacts to sculptures and many more all from ancient times. We snaked our way to the Mona Lisa. I finally became a stat to its viewers. These artifacts collectively would probably have more monetary value than the structure housing it.

Bienvenue à la Tour Eiffel — No trip to Paris will ever be complete without going up the top of the Eiffel Tower and take in the view. The Eiffel Tower is the historic symbol of Paris and France just as the Statue of Liberty is to New York or the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, the main reason for its design and construction was for the World Exhibition (also known as the Paris Exposition of 1889) commemorating the 100 years anniversary of the French Revolution in Europe. The French Revolution was an important event in French history that attempted to eliminate dictatorships and divine right kings and to create a more democratic government. While in the Tower though and while I was enjoying my moment taking a view of the City, I read a sign that said: “Beware: Pickpockets are activated at the Tower”. It's sad that behind the beauty of this place, lurks good looking men and women con unsuspecting tourists and they usually come in groups so beware.

L’Arc de Triomph — The Champs-Elysees is the most prestigious avenue in Paris. The first Louis Vuitton building was erected here in 1913. This is also where the sprint finish of the Tour de France — the most prestigious bicycle race in the world comes down by.

L’Arc de Triomph stands at the western end of the Champs-Elysees, at the star-shaped intersection of twelve major avenues which is called Place d’Etoil. The Arch is a monument to all who fought for France, especially during the Napoleonic wars. Going up the arc was physically demanding as well. I was expecting an elevator to raise me up the top but there was no other way than to take the 15 flights of winding stairs. The view from the top was all worth it. We took the hop on hop off bus to tour the city. There is so much to see, yet so little time. The bus offers an alternative to a quick view of the marvelous historic structures that Paris offers. Food is expensive in most of the cities in Europe.

After a week in beautiful Europe, its time to fly back home. Thanks, Europe! I will come back and visit you another time.