We were all ready for my parents to come spend Christmas and New Year's with us. Even Momma Kitty was anxiously awaiting their arrival ...
But then there were those big, pesky snow storms and the general travel chaos that ensued. So, Mom and Dad had to spend the night in Brussels on Christmas Eve. The highways in Belgium were closed that night so Dave and i got up early Christmas Day and fetched them in Brussels.
As some friends from back home pointed out, Brussels can look a lot like Portland, Maine.
On our way back we had some nice scenery - everything was quite pretty with all that fresh snow.
As soon as we got back we quickly got the brunch going, followed by some gift giving.
So that she'd be very prepared for Paris, mom got a red beret!
I got a beret too, and i also had quite a few blood orange mimosas!
Dad and Dave got matching hat and scarf sets.
Then it was time for foie gras and Sauternes - something very traditional French to have at Christmas. I have to admit that i dont gravitate towards foie gras but with the right brioche toasties and the sweet wine, it was pretty damn good!
Rushing along... a couple hours later it was dinner time! We got a great tip from my friend Claudia to get a turkey dinner catered from a local shop. i am SO glad we did this, especially since we lost a day due to the storm and travel problems the day before. Plus, the turkey was quite good, and it was quite reasonable!
After thoroughly stuffing ourselves we packed up the next day and headed off to London...
A great little pub called "The Lamb and Flag". Apparently Charles Dickens used to enjoy a pint or two here. I loved the tinsel decos all over the ceiling.
Then we hit the British Museum - one of the first big attractions there is the Rosettas Stone.
And the controversal Elgin Marbles. Taken from Greece years ago by a Mr. Elgin. Greece wants them back. England says it's better to keep them ehre where more people can see them, and for FREE. Yes, the British Museum is FREE. Pretty amazing.
These little guys cracked me up. Can't remember what they were from but they looked they were a couple of old-school rappers.
I admired these riding boots on a young lady.
The museum as we left.
We stopped for a warming pot of tea. Everyone got their own pot, and their own pitcher of milk. i really appreciated that.
Me and the Rosetta Stone... pls forgive that many of these photos will be out of order.
Inside Westminster Abbey, where the kings and queens get crowned and you get in trouble for taking photos - though the priests are very nice about it.
I loved this doorway - it's actually a residence inside the abbey. Dont know who lived inside.
Westminster from the outside
Mom and Dad keeping warm adn enjoying the scenery
One day we got a really early start and took a day tour to see Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor Castle. A lot to pack into one day but it was really fun and interesting. I especially loved Stonehenge and i think we were lucky it was so foggy. made for some really cool photos and the atmosphere felt especially "mystical"...
We lucked out with our visit to Stonehenge because it was very foggy. It made everything in the background (roads, tour buses, shops) fade away so you felt like you were in another time.
okay, look closely - the dude in the far left with the blonde hair was a very interesting person. He was about 6'-4" with long, wavy blonde hair, a severely strong brow line and he was wearing actual wooden clogs and smoking a joint. WOW.
his clogs. They looked very well-worn, like they are in regular rotation and not just for special visits to Stonehenge.
Dave paid homage to Spinal Tap by playing a bit of air guitar.
Bath, home of those Roman, you know, BATHS. A beautiful town and the baths were very interesting, though i can't say they looked all that appealing to step into. Still flowing, hot, steamy, and you could enjoy a glass of the especially "curative" water from the spring. It tasted like chicken.
Proof of the presence of Aliens in ancient times???
This guy looked like Donald Sutherland to me. It wasn't him.
Dad cruising the exhibits.
The water, up close.
Windsor Castle - a truly impressive place. Of course it's impressive- the world's most powerful and famous people come here and eat dinner, and even have sleepovers. we couldnt take any photos inside the castle so this is all I got from the visit.
Every morning Dad did his floor exercises and sometimes Mom helped out. :)
Just down the street from teh apt where we stayed - in Kensington, near Notting Hill Gate.
Oops, more of Westminster Abbey - very out of order!
Notting Hill at night.
In one of the fantastic Black Cabs.
Pub in Kensington.
Relaxing at home.
then we rode through the Chunnel to Paris ...
Did a nice long tour of the Lourve. It was especially long because we lost Mom at one point. Luckily she didn't venture too far and was happily sitting on a bench, waiting for us. We found her after about an hour. Thanks to this little search-and-rescue activity I got pretty familiar with the Belgian tapestries.
Another stop - the famous Paris Opera, where they no longer show operas but instead ballet is performed here. Operas are at the "New Opera House" which is a really quite unattractive 1970's modern bldg nearby.
Inside the old Opera house ...
dad tickling the foot of some poor lady-statue. :)
The Marc Chagall ceiling!
So grand, so befitting an opera performance, or a ballet!
I loved the swirling bats on the ceiling here.
This place was like a small-scale Versailles. So ornate and opplulent!
Taking in the view on top of Galleries Lafayette - big dept store. I read that the Dept Store concept was invented in Paris. Did you know that? I didn't!
Mom, freezing her A$$ off, but still looking stylish.
Braving the metro. My parents did a GREAT job.
Ahhhh, an Irish Coffee at the end of a cold, long day.
Arc de Triumph!
In the metro.
Eiffel Tower! Berets!
Notre Dame...
Some very hip dude who worked at Shakespeare Books. I can't imagine how they can stand to wear pants that hang down like that. I feel so old saying that.
And his co-worker, with pants that were falling down to reveal his ripped underwear. NICE!
A far-more dapper-dressed couple, outside of Shakespeare Books.
Dad, practicing the Euro-gentleman's walk: hands clasped behind the back.
Mom met some kindred spirits.
Cool Christmas tree
Platters of oysters, ready for New Year's Eve.
Bread, cheese and wine back at the apt.
And a lovely pastry sampler!
finger-licking yummy!
Oops, skipped around here- back at Shakespeare books. loved those crooked shelves, all crammed to hell with books.
back at the apt again, Dad decided to type out a letter to his cousin from Latvia.
Mom at the Lourve. Sorry- photos skipping a bit. it's tough to keep them organized when uploading so many at once!
Dad pointing out teh Mona Lisa - a bit "overrated"
Best mullet in Paris, so far.
I LOVEd this piece. A crucifix from 1100's? can't remember the date now, could be even older. Made from wood. so graceful and elegant. please click on it to see it larger. it's beautiful!
catching a snooze at the sculpture garden.
crystal writing desk anyone?
very clever folding desk system. photo of it closed:
and completely open
metro again
woman writing music. i thought this was very cool to see. i dont often see people writing music on a subway.
Dad and i decided to take a walk to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up. we got to see it sparkling briefly as we walked down to it.
we met up with a nice woman from Minnesota (more proof that mid-westerners are so nice) who took our photo at Trocadero.
After taking my parents to the airport i was back on the train to go back to Luxembourg. i was very very sad to say goodbye to Mom and Dad but i hope they will come visit again. :)
