One Month Later

Ok, so I wrote this on January 22nd and some of you may have read it on Facebook but it took me a lot longer to get it posted here.....so I guess I could really have called this 2 months later.

Thursday, January 22, 2009
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada

Well I have been home from my trip for a month now. Managed to spend a Christmas at home with my family (some of them anyways) for the first time since 2005. I got my backpack un-packed just in time to re-pack a bunch of boxes, watch them get loaded on a truck and move into Auntie Faye and Uncle Andy’s basement in Vernon. I am still looking for a job back in the US and the foggy weather seems to be permanently stuck in the Okanagan Valley so I have had some time to reflect on my little journey.

Here are the numbers:

94 days
9 Countries…….10 if you count Vatican City
175 Postcards sent
Well over 33,000 kilometres (around 20,500 miles) travelled
2 major protests
1 football (soccer) riot
No injuries
1 bout of food poisoning
2 new pairs of great boots
1 really cute new leather jacket
1 great new attitude
A whole bunch of new friends
More memories than 1 lifetime can handle

The highlights: well there were a lot but here are a few that stick out in my mind right now (in no particular order):

1) Egypt…yeah pretty much the entire country. It was my dream, it was a dream come true and there is nothing that I did or I think will ever do that will compare.

2) The US Army boys in Sharm-el Sheikh. Yes, Kevin (aka: Hillbilly), Trevor, Michael, the other Kevin and of course Zach have to get a mention. They’re great dancers. 3 months and 9 countries and you were by far my favourite group of random guys to run into. Trust me…it wasn’t even close.

3) Getting married in Turkey…or something like that. Who knew eh Paul? Plus this is so unlike me. As Crystal can confirm I normally only get engaged (not married) while on vacation…….and I normally prefer guys who don’t speak English.

4) Skiing in Austria. I have spent a large portion of my life just a short drive from some of the best skiing in the world but it is my 4 hours in Gerlos that I will always consider the best skiing of my life…..probably just because it was in Austria.

5) Wading through calf deep water in Piazza San Marco in Venice while people looked at me funny. The more they watched though the more they realized that it was a much faster way to get around during high water season.

6) Nafplio: Who knew I would have to climb 1000 stairs to the top of a mountain in Greece to find peace on earth.

7) Getting lost in Rome and Florence and Istanbul and…..well you get the point. It has been said before that sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself……and really good restaurants.

8) Finally meeting the cousin-in-law in Prague. I had a lot of fun hanging out with Graeme for the day. So glad all the stories I had heard were not exaggerations. I could have done without holding up a convenience store but it all worked out so whatever. Plus I also got to meet Julia and Nick and a few others and I think the pictures speak for themselves.

9) Almost throwing up and passing out due to vertigo at Aspendos Theatre in Turkey and the Eiffel Tower. Totally sucked but trust me it didn’t stop me from climbing up every random set of stairs I could find to get a great view.

10) Travelling around Turkey in a 12 passenger van with a bunch of complete strangers. Great to know that I can now call Winston, Paul, Liezel, Ed, Sam, Eva, Reshmi, Monica, Ergun and Ekrem friends.

Most annoying thing I encountered…fake Canadians. I actually had someone ask if I was actually from Canada (I had Canadian flags hanging from pretty much everything) because it turns out a lot of Americans will travel around, wearing a Canadian flag, pretending they are Canadian….because they know they will get treated better. I think we all knew it happened and now I can officially confirm it.

So now that I am home, where am I? The smartass answer is Vernon. Yeah, I’ve moved but I can honestly say I am in the exact same place I was before I left just a few pounds lighter, a little more self-confident, with a few less dollars (ok with a lot less dollars) and with something that resembles an actual plan for my future. The ideas have always been there and remain unchanged. Now I just need to put the plan into motion. Big questions have been answered…little ones have somehow appeared and who actually knows what tomorrow will bring. The fun part is….I still don’t know.

Julie

Let them eat cake.....

Saturday, December 20, 2008
Versailles, France

Well today I got up early and did a little bit of work….well actually I just booked my Eurostar ticket from Paris to London for tomorrow. Figured I could save some time standing in queues and get it online. The trip should be just around 3 hours and I booked something for the evening so I have most of the day to check out a few more things.

The front gates to Versailles. You can't actually go through these gates but I had to take a picture of them.

Today I also had a few things planned. My all day event was going to be a visit to Le Chateau de Versailles which of course was the castle of the French Kings for a long time (all those Louis and of course Marie Antoinette). It was about a 30 minute metro ride there but the train literally drops you off about half a kilometre from the gates so nice and easy to find. Of course you can also follow all the people…..or all the signs which once again has made the need for a map non-existent.

One of the main halls at Versailles. This is the first room that you see and gives you the first glimpse into this great palace.

So when I first arrived at the Chateau I guess I noticed how it looked out of place. There are so many buildings in the area now. It should be sitting off by itself but from the side I entered at it looks quite crowded. Once I got around the backside though the entire image of it changed as that is where the vast gardens that surround the estate are.

The backside of Versailles.

Versailles of course is not like Buckingham Palace in London in that it is no longer a working palace and is just a museum. This certainly gave it a different feel. The grandness of Versailles is a grandness of old where as Buckingham Palace still has a present day grandness.

One of the rooms in Versailles.

An example of the artwork you will find on the ceilings.

The Hall of Mirrors. This corridor was used as a passageway during receptions and balls. There are 17 windows down the right side of the corridor and 17 mirrors down the left side. Just a magnificent room.

Anyway, my ticket included access to all the open rooms, the Marie Antoinette estates and of course an audio tour. There were a few people out visiting today but I must say I can imagine that there would be a lot more in the summer but today the crowd was almost tolerable….almost.

This is the chapel in the state apartments. Only those directly connected to the king and the king himself would have entered via this door.

The first place I visited were the state apartments. This is where the king and his wife would have lived. Not many non-essential people would have walked these hallways back then. Just the King and his attendants and the queen and her attendants…maybe their kids, although many of their living quarters were on the floor below.

One of the bed chambers.

The members of council during some times would have entered to deal with council matters as well. There is not a room in the state apartments (or in the entire chateau for that matter) that has not been altered or redecorated or had its purpose changed multiple times. I could not keep track of who commissioned what items or changes or who slept in what bed but I do know that Louis the 14th had his bed chamber placed at the centre of the Chateau and facing the rising sun because he felt the sun was the giver of all life.

Another one of the bed chambers. Marie Antoinette slept in this room at one point in time.

He also had his council study located next to it. In this room of course they would have discussed council matters but officers of the crown were also sworn in here.

The windows in Louis the 14th's bed chamber.

This giant globe was commissioned by Louis the 16th to help educate his children.

A statue of one of the Louis. I am not sure which one but I think Louis the 14th or 16th.

The inner courtyard of Versailles. The upper windows in the centre would be Louis the 14th's bed chamber.

Once I had wandered though as much of the Chateau as I was allowed to I headed to the gardens. Of course this time of year they are not as nice as they would be in the summer. No flowers or anything like that, but it was still very nice. The gardens are open to the public for most of the day so there were a lot of people running and that kind of thing. I really was just walking through them in order to get to my next destination which was what they now call the Marie Antoinette Estates.

Me with Versailles.

This small (and it actually was very small by royal standards) had been around before Marie Antoinette but was given to her by her husband (Louis the 16th) as a place for her to escape the formality and responsibility of the palace.

The Marie Antoinette Estates. This is the side view.

She decorated and moved some rooms around in order to entertain and relax and just have a good time. The gardens here also would have been beautiful in the summer but I still enjoyed them on this relatively warm day in France.

Me hanging out in the garden.

Some of the gardens at the Marie Antoinette Estates.

The main fountain in the garden. It is known as the Apollo Fountain.

After about 4 hours or so I decided I had seen enough and headed back into the city. Now it was time to go shopping. I found myself on a very crowded, very busy and very full of stores street and just started to walk. It was a lot of fun. What was I looking for? Well foot wear mainly…..boots to be exact. So I bought a pair….ok I bought 2 pairs….and some pants….and a couple shirts but that was it. The exchange rate will hurt me later and I spent way too much money but I can wear them with the too much money I spent in Turkey (flash back to the new leather jacket) so it is ok….right?

After my fun time shopping, I had to figure out how I was going to get that in my pack. Looking at it all I am still not completely sure but I will figure that out…in a few hours when I have to check out of my hotel.

Julie

Climbing a tower...ok not just any tower

Friday, December 19, 2008
Paris, France

Well today is mom’s birthday and no I will not let you know how old she is. I have just passed the 3 month point on my trip. It really has just flown by. After I slept in a little tiny bit today I grabbed a couple croissants from the breakfast room and headed to the metro. The first stop of the day would be the Eiffel Tower. The sun was shining a bit this morning so I was hoping the views would be ok.

Looking up at the Eiffel Tower from the centre of the base.

No problem with the train at all and it got me right to where I needed to go. There was a bit of a line to get up the tower….and then I realized that was only if I wanted to take the elevator. I opted for the stairs….I had to let's face it. The trip was actually not too bad. I made it to the first level and took a few pictures, checked out the Ice Bar and then headed up the next set to the second level.

The ice Eiffel Tower at the Ice Bar.

Looking down at the Champ de Mars from the first level of the tower. The Champs de Mars is named for the Roman god of war (that being Mars) and was originally used as a parade ground for the nearby Military Academy.

Once again a great view and I got some good pictures but I had no choice but to continue on to the summit. I think I was suppose to get another ticket but I didn’t and they still let me up so I am not going to say anything.

The Arc de Triomphe.

Me with the Jardins du Trocadero.

Of course you cannot take the stairs all the way up so I took the elevator the rest of the way. I did not enjoy the ride so much. You can see way too much of the ground from there so did not enjoy the view at all. Once at the top I took a few more pictures and then quickly took the elevator back down to the second level. Once I started down the steps to the first level I started to notice the heights were starting to bug me. I tried to walk along the inside rail so I could not see the ground so well but people did not seem to want to let me do that. Part way down to the ground I actually had to stop because I almost threw-up and then almost passed out. I really hate vertigo and am not sure I remember it being this bad before. Anyway, I was not going to let that ruin my visit to the Tower. It was still great.

This is the Basilique du Sacre Coeur. Not sure if I will make it there or not.

Looking down at the Jardins du Trocadero. It looks very nice now but I am sure it looks even better in the summer when the flowers are in bloom and the fountains are running. Above it you can see the Palais de Chaillot.

An old spiral staircase. Of course I could not climb up it but I can imagine a time when this would have been the only way up the tower. Not sure I would make it.

Once on the ground, I took a few deep breaths and really felt a lot better. I attempted to find a city map but could not find one. Up to this point I have been travelling around Paris with only my little tiny Lonely Planet maps and just mainly using landmarks to get around…..and it actually has been working. Maybe I should have dumped the maps a few countries ago.

Looking up at the tower.

This picture is taken from above the Jardins du Trocadero next to the Palais de Chaillot.

Anyway, I made my way over to the Arch de Triomphe. I confirmed there that I should have paid more to climb the tower because getting into the Arch actually cost more. I also reconfirmed that I look younger than I am because I have been paying the cheaper rates (up to 24 years old) at all these places…..yeah to looking younger. I climbed to Arc because I had to (I was there) and took a picture down Champs Elysees but decided I would visit it later. I had another destination in mind.

The Arc de Triomphe. It was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories. It remained unfinished when he started losing battles and then entire wars and was not completed until 1836. In 1920 the body of an unknown soldier from World War I was lain beneath the arc. He and countless others are commemorated by a memorial flame at the site.

The staircase. It was awesome.

From the top of the Arc.

Looking down Champs Elysees from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

I then hopped back on the metro and made my way over to the Catacombs. This is a very cool, very creepy, very everything place. Basically when Paris cemeteries were overflowing and disease was spreading, bones were exhumed and stored in old unused rock quarries under the city. So basically you walk about half a kilometre underground (or something like that) down these old tunnels that are damp and sometimes actually have water dripping from the ceiling until you get to the orssay.

Part of the walkway down into the Catacombs. Really was creepy.

Here you find rows upon rows of bones piled on top of each other. It is truly creepy to see. If you are ever in Paris I tell you this place is a must unless you get really creeped out by small dark spaces and the remains of dead people…then skip it and go some place else.

Some of those piles of bones.

It was really hard to get good pictures down there because you can't use a flash but here is a little video that might give you an idea of what it was like to walk through it.

I then made my way back to my hotel for a little rest. I am down to my final few days of this trip and fighting a cold and determined not to let it knock me out…until I get home. After a short rest I hopped back on the metro and headed to the most famous street in Paris….Champs Elysees.

I took this from close to the Arc de Triomphe.

I decided to head there in the dark when everything would be all lit up. Plus it is close to the Eiffel Tower so I figured it would be easy to head over and check out the Christmas decorations on that as well. The street was very, very busy. Many of the shops were still open so lots of people shopping…making me excited for my shopping tomorrow. Of course there were a few too many people for my liking so I decided not to stick around too long.

They were closed so it was ok.

Yes this is a giant Louis Vuitton store. I didn't go inside.

I headed to check out the tower and get a couple pictures. Found some nice Brazilian boys to take a couple for me and then back to the area around my hotel for a look see. There are a few buildings there including the Pantheon (yes, just like in Rome) and of course everything is so pretty this time of year with all the Christmas lights and stuff (I know I have said that a lot but I really like Christmas).

A look at the tower at night. It really was nice to see.

Eventually I had to find some dinner and then to bed. I have a lot planned tomorrow as well including a visit to some grand times of the past and a little bit of retail therapy.

The church outside my hotel. Always looks a little different in the dark.

Julie

As I hit the 3 month mark, I find myself in Paris....

Thursday, December 18, 2008
Paris, France

Some of the buildings along the Seine.

This is the church that sits next to my hotel. It sits on the Place de la Sorbonne.

This is a building belonging to the Justice department. I believe it was a court building.

Well today I headed to the Museum…and of course I am referring to the Louvre but I feel that it is famous enough that I don’t need to call it that. I was going to grab the metro from my hotel but it turns out it is only about a 15 minute walk so I decided to stay above ground so I could see a few things. I wandered my way over to the main entrance…which is below the famous pyramid.

Not a lot of people around today so I figured it would be a good day to be in the museum. Plus it was suppose to be the coldest of all the days I am here and I cannot actually see the Eifel Tower because it is covered in low lying cloud.

What I could see of the Effiel Tower. I am sure the view from the top was not that great.

Standing in the centre of the main Louvre courtyard.

I was really surprised by the entrance fee as I have been in a lot more expensive museums than this over the last couple of years and this one is far more famous. Once I got a map I also confirmed just how HUGE this place is. I did not have many other plans today though so was not in too big of a hurry. I decided I would hit up the big things first and then just wander. Of course the biggest of the biggest was the Mona Lisa.

I don't think I need to tell you what this is. Hard to get a good picture but this one turned out pretty good.

It certainly is a sight and she really does follow you with her eyes as you walk. There was a crowd and I did not stay for long but I got a picture and I got a feel for her and now I can say I saw her. Here are a few more things I found while wandering from room to room.

This is Mercure enlevant Psyche by artist Adriaen de Vries. It is dated 1593.

This is Antonio Canova's Psyche rarimee par le baiser de l'amour (Psyche revived by Cupid's Kiss). It is dated 1793.

This is one of the highlights of the museum. This is The Winged Victory of Samothrace. Part of this statue is actually plaster reconstructions. The statue was found in 1863 although the right hand was not found until 1950. The sanctuary of Samothrace on the island of Samothrace in the Aegean Sea was dedicated to the Cabeiri gods who were invoked to protect seafarers from shipweck and to ensure success in battle. It is thought that this statue is connected to this cult but it is also thought to commemerate a specific battle, possibly one between the Rhodians and King Antiochus III in 190 BC.

From there I just wandered. Some of my favourite pieces were actually in the items sections (Object d'art according to the map). These included the Crown Gems, Crown Jewels and other personal items from various French kings and Queens.

Looking into one of the Objects d'art rooms.

One of the old crowns on display.

I also took a tour through the Napoleon III apartments which have been attached to the Louvre since 1852 when Napoleon III had the Louvre attached to the Tuileries Palace. The Grand Salon and the Grand dining room were both amazing. Just a glimpse at what amazing times would have been celebrated in those rooms.

This is The Great Drawing Room.

Here is The Grand Dining Hall.

An old staircase. I wanted to climb it but I wasn't allowed to.

Look a compass. I could probably use this to get around Paris.....or the Louvre for that matter.

Another section I really enjoyed had no art in it at all. This was the remains of the medieval Louvre. It was partially destroyed in 1546 (it was built around 1200) and was partially filled in when the Louvre was rebuilt. It was discovered in 1882.

Part of the medieval Louvre.

Looking through a few more of the rooms in the museum. You can stand in a corridor like this and it will seem like the museum will never end.

One of the larger statues you can also find in the museum.

The view from one of the windows in the museum. That is part of the museum you are looking at.

After about 4.5 hours in the museum I decided it was time to head out. There was no way I could absorb anymore art and well the people were starting to bug me (even with my I-pod on the whole time). I headed out to wander and see what else I could find. I ran into my first of many scams of the city. First was the group of African men who want to make a bracelet on your wrist and then charge you like 20 euros for it. The next is the girls from Bosnia who want to know if you speak English so you can read the note asking you for money. Trust me they speak very good English and they have the ability to ask you for it without the note. I was also on the look-out for the people who will tell you they think they found a ring you dropped and would like a reward for finding it. So much fun.

That is the Seine River behind me.

I made my over to the Cathedral de Notre Dame. It was very busy and free to go in and I felt I needed to see it so in I went. Well it certainly is not the most spectacular cathedral I have seen (Quasimodo really needed to come out of the bell tower to put it anywhere near where some of the others have been) but it was still worth the look.

The Cathedral de Notre Dame.

Inside The Cathedral de Notre Dame.

I was then going to head back to my hotel for a nap but ran into a whole lot of people on the street….and a whole lot of riot police. I hung around for a while trying to find out what was going on. One guy said that there had been student manifestations (protests) earlier in the day and that may have lead to them being here or it could have been a football riot. I found out later that there was in fact a HUGE football riot and that 2 people were possibly killed but I could not confirm that. I guess a Paris team was playing the Dutch team and the Dutch fans came out of the Irish Pub and started fighting. Someone I was talking to later (we will get to that) said it was pretty crazy, especially considering the game was still 5 hours from starting. At one point I was standing on the street making some video when all of sudden a group of guys came at me moving very fast and that is when I realized they were being followed by a whole lot of riot police. They very calmly moved us all back and then moved into their initial positions. Really I was just standing a little too close to the action and decided to head back to my hotel to let it calm down a bit. I hear riot police in Paris do not mess around (I would think especially since they just defused a couple bombs a few days ago) so I was not sticking around to see how it ended. But I must say…I like cute French guys in riot gear.

A few of the people and the riot police hanging out. These guys were just about to head back in to break up some fighing or move some people or something like that.

So after I rested a bit. I headed out to grab some dinner. The police were just clearing themselves up and heading away so I figured everything must have been calmed down. There were lots of shop keepers and restaurant owners cleaning up the mess in the streets though. I found this little restaurant called...…well something...... I actually cannot remember. It was pretty quiet until part way through my meal when I was joined (he asked, I said yes) by Victor…a Cuban living in Paris. We saw me and figured I spoke Spanish but he spoke good English so whatever. He was the one who gave me the info about the football riot because it turns out he works at the restaurant and was there when it all went down. I also met Danny (from Niger) who was working the bar that night. So all in all I had a lot of wine……very little of which I actually paid for and got the low down on the big riot.

So I will sleep good tonight I think. More big plans tomorrow so the sleep will do me good.

Julie