Europe my way

Edinburgh 2

2005-06-03T15:20:00.001+01:00

Edinburgh 2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The Edinburgh Waverly train station framed by the National Portrait Gallery and an academic building.

Edinburgh

2005-06-03T15:20:00.000+01:00

Edinburgh
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

More buidings just beyond Edinburgh's high street.

Edinburgh Castle

2005-06-03T15:19:00.003+01:00

Edinburgh Castle
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The sun setting on Edinburgh Castle Saturday night. The castle sits atop a hill in the center of Edinburgh.

standrews5

2005-06-03T15:19:00.002+01:00

standrews5
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Also, me. This time I paused for a photo along the coast not more than 50 yards from the course. St. Andrews is a quant Scottish town surrounded in part by beautiful coasts.

St. Andrews4

2005-06-03T15:19:00.001+01:00

St. Andrews4
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Me on the Swilcan Bridge with the Royal & Ancient Clubhouse and St. Andrews Links Clubhouse in the background.

St. Andrews3

2005-06-03T15:19:00.000+01:00

St. Andrews3
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Hole marker at St. Andrews with the Jubilee Clubhouse in the background.

St. Andrews2

2005-06-03T15:18:00.002+01:00

St. Andrews2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Swilcan Bridge golfers have to cross to finish their shot on hole 18.

St. Andrews1

2005-06-03T15:18:00.001+01:00

St. Andrews1
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

A golfer tees off on hole 18 at the world famous golf course in St. Andrews, Scotland.

Highlands6

2005-06-03T15:18:00.000+01:00

Highlands6
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Me at Urquhart Castle situated next to the famous Loch Ness.

Highlands5

2005-06-03T15:17:00.001+01:00

Highlands5
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Urquhart Castle at Loch Ness in northern Scotland. No we didn’t see the monster.

Highlands4

2005-06-03T15:17:00.000+01:00

highlands4
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Highlands3

2005-06-03T15:16:00.001+01:00

highlands3
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Highlands2

2005-06-03T15:16:00.000+01:00

highlands2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Highlands1

2005-06-03T15:15:00.001+01:00

Highlands1
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

A boat crosses a ‘loch’ near the town of Fort Williams on the far western seaboard in Scotland. Saturday I took a 375-mile trek from Edinburgh, west to Fort Williams, north to Inverness, east to Perth before arriving back in Edinburgh about 12 hours later. I don’t think there’s any better way to spend a Saturday than just soaking up all the natural beauty of mountains and lakes for miles.

Some Girls 2

2005-06-03T15:15:00.000+01:00

Some Girls 2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

David Schwimmer receiving applause with his co-staring ladies. I couldn’t help but laugh at the start of the play when the stage light came on and there was ‘Ross’ thirty feet away. The idea of him making amends with women also gave the eerie sense you were in another ‘Friends’ episode at first. Nothing is wrong with that for a girl who misses her seasons of Friends DVDs more than any other possession left behind in the States.

Some Girls 1

2005-06-03T15:14:00.000+01:00

Some Girls 1
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The billboard outside the Gielgud Theatre in London where David Schwimmer of ``Friends’’ fame is staring in a new play called Some Girls. The premise of the play is the guy just recently got engaged and is on a journey to visit four ex-girlfriends to smooth over their breakups of years ago or some level to see if he had picked the right woman. His question: How do you recognize the love of your life?

Oxford 1

2005-05-26T17:38:00.001+01:00

Oxford 1
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Christ's Church in Oxford. I went to Oxford Sunday afternoon after spending the morning in Windsor. I didn't stay in Oxford too long because the weather turned crappy.

Oxford 2

2005-05-26T17:38:00.000+01:00

Oxford 2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

A famous plaza on the campus of Oxford University.

Oxford 3

2005-05-26T17:33:00.000+01:00

Oxford 3
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Oxford's 'high street' otherwise known as 'main street' for my American friends.

Oxford 4

2005-05-26T17:17:00.000+01:00

Oxford 4
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Random streetscene in Oxford. I sort of enjoyed the vines growing up the side of the building, which made me miss Wrigley Frield.

Oxford 5

2005-05-25T17:27:00.000+01:00

Oxford 5
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

One of the colleges within Oxford University.

London Eye

2005-05-23T19:04:00.001+01:00

LondonEye
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is a view from the London Eye looking northeast toward St. Paul's Cathedral in the distance. The London Eye is a ferris wheel situated adjacent from the Thames River near Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament that take visitors high above the street.

London Eye 2

2005-05-23T19:04:00.000+01:00

LondonEye2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Another view from the London Eye, but this time looking northwest towards the British Telecom tower. Afterwards, I went to the World Press Photo 2005 exhibition on display in London.

Hampton Court 1

2005-05-23T19:03:00.000+01:00

Hampton Court 1
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The front of Hampton Court in Richmond, England about 20 miles southwest of London. All the palaces were built about 20 miles from the Tower of London, which at that time was reachable within a day.

Hampton Court 2

2005-05-23T19:01:00.000+01:00

Hampton Court 2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The clock tower in the center of one of the main courts within Hampton Court Palace.

Hampton Court 3

2005-05-23T18:58:00.000+01:00

Hampton Court 3
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The second main court within Hampton Court Palace features the fountain as shown in the center.

Hampton Court 4

2005-05-23T18:57:00.002+01:00

Hampton Court 4
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is part of the vast gardens surrouding Hampton Court Palace. This part extends north beyond the palace and looks like a scene from 'Pride and Prejudice,' though I've never watched the film.

Hampton Court 5

2005-05-23T18:57:00.001+01:00

Hampton Court 5
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

A view of the gardens on the east side of the palace, which is adjacent to the Thames River running down from London.

Hampton Court

2005-05-23T18:57:00.000+01:00

Hampton Court
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is a gargile statue outside of Hampton Court Palace.

London Bridge Night

2005-05-23T18:54:00.000+01:00

London Bridge Night
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is the London Brige at night as taken from the neighboring Potters Field Park.

Happiest girl this side of the Atlantic

2005-05-20T16:51:00.000+01:00

Forget Tony Blair. I'm moving on to younger, better looking men.

Next week I'll see David Schwimmer of 'Friends' stardom up close and personal. The fellow Wildcat is starring in his first play in London's West End theatre district. I splurged and got good seats next week.

The show is called 'Some Girls' and tells the story of a 'modern man' and his three ex-girlfriends. Someone I met last weekend compared it to a 'Friends' episode. That's fine by me as long as I can watch him for a couple hours.

Calling all Scottish

2005-05-20T12:49:00.000+01:00

I'll be living it up in Edinburgh during next weekend's three-day holiday weekend. I've already received suggestions about traveling further to St. Andrews or the Highlands. Anyone have any thoughts on either of those ideas or anything else?

My Money is on Albania

2005-05-20T12:39:00.000+01:00

All the talk at the office the past couple of weeks has been about the Eurovision song contest. Think hybrid between American Idol and the Olympics.

Every year each European country sends an aspiring pop star or group to represent its flag. The song contest began after the end of World War II and most notably led to the discovery of the Swedish music group ABBA.

Tomorrow night the 2005 edition ends with the 25 remaining contests taking the stage to perform their three-minute song once again.

British bookmakers William Hill give Greece the best shot of winning, Germany the worst. The contestant I placed one pound on, Ledina Celo from Albania, has a 50-to-1 chance. Hopefully, tomorrow's performance of her song, ''Tomorrow I Will Go'' will be to the liking of Europe's Simon equivalent.

As if that it's enough for Saturday's entertainment, soccer club Manchester United faces Arsenal in the final of the sport's oldest competition, the F.A. Cup. United is seeking to win England's 134-year-old tourney for a record-extending 12th time.

Me in Cambridge

2005-05-17T16:20:00.001+01:00

Me in Cambridge
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is me along the river in Cambridge Sunday afternoon.

Venice again?

2005-05-17T16:20:00.000+01:00

Venice again?
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Everyone gathers around the Venicelike area in Cambridge where students row people along on punts and others lay out on the grass.

Round Church Photo

2005-05-17T16:19:00.000+01:00

Round Church Photo
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is the Round Church in Cambridge. Obvious, I know.

American Cemetary 1 Photo

2005-05-17T16:18:00.000+01:00

American Cemetary 1 Photo
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is the chapel in American Cemetary in Cambridge. The university gave the U.S. the land to bury the thousands of solidiers, who lost their lives while stationed in the area during World War II.

American Cemetary 2 Photo

2005-05-17T16:17:00.001+01:00

American Cemetary 2 Photo
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

All the tombstones in Cambridge's American Cemetary. The vast number is pretty aweinspiring.

Artist Cambridge

2005-05-17T16:17:00.000+01:00

Artist Cambridge
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

A somewhat artistic shot of a the sun over a church steeple in Cambridge Sunday afternoon.

The Backs

2005-05-17T16:16:00.001+01:00

The Backs
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is the area along the river known as the Backs, which in this case backs up to the library at King's College.

The Backs 2

2005-05-17T16:16:00.000+01:00

The Backs 2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is another view of the famous area known as the Backs, which runs along the backside of the university.

Court No. 1

2005-05-17T16:15:00.001+01:00

Court No. 1 in Wimbledon. Next tournament starts June 20, a week after I leave.

Centre Court

2005-05-17T16:15:00.000+01:00

Centre Court
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is me in front of the famous Centre Court (as the British spell it).

Wimbledon view

2005-05-17T16:14:00.000+01:00

Wimbledon view
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

A view of Wimbledon, the city, from Wimbeldon, the tennis facility.

Broadcasting Wimbledon

2005-05-17T16:06:00.000+01:00

Broadcasting Wimbledon
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

These are the broadcast studios, which are adjacent to one of the courts at Wimbledon. This court, in particular, is really quant. Only about 500 people can fit in the seats at the other end of the court, but in the spirit of an afternoon Cubs game, residents rent out window space of the nearby high-rise apartment buildings.

Keeping score

2005-05-17T16:05:00.001+01:00

Keep score
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is the scoreboard from Court 1 at Wimbledon. I took the train a half hour south of London Saturday afternoon to take a tour of the world famous All England Lawn and Tennis Club.

Interviewing players

2005-05-17T16:05:00.000+01:00

Interviewing players
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is where all the players are interviewed. They are required to attend at least a 10-minute interviewing session or be fined.

Bridge in Regent's Park

2005-05-17T16:02:00.000+01:00

Bridge in Regent's Park
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Doesn't this look like something Monet would have painted? I would venture to say even more so than the gardens near the Louvre in Paris he and other impressionists made famous.

Another bridge in Regent's Park

2005-05-17T16:00:00.000+01:00

Another bridge in Regent's Park
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The sun sets on one of the pedestrian bridges in Regent's Park.

Houses of Parliament at dusk

2005-05-10T17:53:00.000+01:00

Houses of Parliament at dusk
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The sun sets on the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben Friday night. Probably ironic on some level that I went there for the first sunset after the Brits voted in new parliamentary members.

Tower Bridge

2005-05-10T17:52:00.002+01:00

Tower Bridge
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Tower Bridge was constructed at the end of the 19th century. The idea was to build two walkways to allow pedestrians to cross the Thames Rive while the roadway could be lifted to allow tall ships to pass underneath.

Me visiting Tower Bridge

2005-05-10T17:52:00.001+01:00

Me visiting Tower Bridge
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is me standing in Potters Field Park, which overlooks Tower Bridge. If you happened to see the `Amazing Race` last week, this shot could bring back memories. I didn't see it, but my brother informed me that the couples had to go this park for some reason.

Tower of London

2005-05-10T17:52:00.000+01:00

Tower of London
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is the Tower of London, which dates back some 900 years. The ancient fortress was founded by William the Conquerer. I went there on my previous visit, but haven't been back inside yet.

St. Paul's Cathedral

2005-05-10T17:51:00.002+01:00

St. Paul's Cathedral
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Here's St. Paul's Cathedral again. I went to an evening service here Sunday.

Primrose Hill

2005-05-10T17:51:00.001+01:00

Primrose Hill
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is a view of the London skyline from the top of Primrose Hill in Regent's Park. You can see dome of St. Paul's Cathedral to the far left, the British Telecom tower to the right and then the British Airways London Eye ferris wheel immediately to the right of that. I finally got to Primrose Hill Sunday afternoon after a friend mentioned Saturday night that he always run up to the hill and back.

Regent's Park

2005-05-10T17:51:00.000+01:00

Regent's Park
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Just some of the thousands of flowers all around Regent's Park. I went to the park for several hours Sunday to capture all of it on film. So here's one, but imagine many more.

Picadilly Circus

2005-05-10T17:50:00.000+01:00

Picadilly Circus
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Picadilly Circus again. I'll be in and around the area tonight. I have tickets to go see Mel Brooks' musical The Producers. Next week I'm going to see Les Miserables.

Labour Party wins historic third term

2005-05-06T11:29:00.000+01:00

Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour Party won an historic third term early this morning, albeit with less of a majority in the lower house of Parliament.

Yesterday was the national election in the United Kingdom. The ruling Labour Party was expected to keep their seats, but without the same landslide victories of the past two elections. Those predictions came to furition.

Throughout the last month of campaigning, Blair’s party has kept the focus on the United Kingdom’s near 13 years of uninterrupted economic expansion. The conservative Tory Party has tried to divert attention to the Iraq war and Blair taking the nation to war without strong evidence to show that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. They labeled him a liar.

The most fascinating poll I saw showed that 60 percent of those surveyed believe Blair is a liar, but 40 percent of those polled would vote Blair. From talking to Brits, it sounds like they feel that Blair is still better than what the other two parties can put in 10 Downing Street.

The most exciting part for me was that I was right in the thick of it all as the results were announced. The bureau chief asked me if I would work election night, meaning I come in at 5 p.m. and work all the way through the night. Polls here close at 10 p.m. so most Brits go to sleep not knowing the next ruling party. Our job is to let them know by morning and that we did.

So now after a few hours sleep, I think I might go explore what has become a beautiful Friday afternoon to have off work.

Dalkey seacoast

2005-05-05T23:14:00.000+01:00

Dalkey seacoast
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is a view from the Dalkey seacoast. Dalkey is about a half-hour trainride south of Dublin and home to Bono and Van Morrison.

Dalkey seacoast 2

2005-05-05T23:13:00.000+01:00

Dalkey seacoast 2
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Here's another another view of that same island along the Dalkey seacoast. I made a quick trip to this small Irish town Sunday afternoon. The water was a little choppy and it was a little chilly outside, but overall I can't complain because it was beautiful. I think I'm partial to anything water.

Dublin along the river

2005-05-05T17:45:00.000+01:00

Dublin along the river
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is a view of Dublin along the River Liffey looking toward the Ha'Penny Bridge, a pedestrian bridge dating back to 1816.

GUINESS. Everything goes with black

2005-05-05T17:44:00.001+01:00

GUINESS. Everything goes with black
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This one of the famous Guiness advertisements. I especially like it since my sorority's mascot is a turtle. Guiness is huge in Dublin. The factory was the largest employer back in the 1930s with about 5,000 employees paid well above minimum wage. Guiness still has a factory along the river and now a huge multi-media museum visitors can walk through to learn the Guiness story and how beer is brewed. I took the tour Saturday afternoon, which ended at the top of the building with the best view of Dublin and a free pint of the black stuff.

The Dublin landscape

2005-05-05T17:44:00.000+01:00

The Dublin landscape
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is a view of Dublin as viewed from the bar at the top of the Guiness Storehouse. The church steeple to the right is St. Patrick's Cathedral

Out in Dublin

2005-05-05T17:43:00.000+01:00

Out in Dublin
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Here's some of the Irish guys I hung out with Saturday night in Dublin. I went out with three Spanish girls staying in my room at the hostel and we met these guys while out. Unfortunately, the large group picture was blurrified so instead it's me with the adorable Irish.

Presidential palace

2005-05-05T17:42:00.001+01:00

Presidential palace
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is the top of the presidential palace in Dublin. The Irish president's home is located in Phoenix Park, the largest urban park in Europe. The park also is home to the American Embassy, the Dublin Zoo and Zoological Gardens. I walked around the park late Saturday afternoon.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

2005-05-05T17:42:00.000+01:00

St. Patrick's Cathedral
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, the most famous church in all of Ireland. Writer Jonathan Swift was dean of the church and is buried inside. I went to church here Sunday morning.

Trinity College

2005-05-05T17:41:00.001+01:00

Trinity College
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This arch is the focal point of Trinity College, Ireland's premier university. Some of the great minds like Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde have studied here.

Irish coast

2005-05-05T17:41:00.000+01:00

Dublin1
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is me along the Irish coast in Dalkey, about a half hour south of Dublin. Bono and Van Morrison live in this small Irish town on the southern tip of Dublin Bay. If I must say so myself, the coastal view was absolutely beautiful.

Weekending in Dublin

2005-05-05T13:19:00.000+01:00

I took advantage of the three-day bank holiday weekend and flew off to nearby Ireland.

I flew out very early Saturday morning to Dublin and arrived back to London Monday. And during those two full days I think I saw and did everything Dublin . At least my body sure thought it did once I returned to London.

When I arrived Saturday morning in Ireland, it was very misty and nasty in Dublin. Fortunately I had remembered the umbrella on my last step out the door. Even so, I walked along the River Liffey, which divides the city; Temple Bar, a cobblestone, pub-invested area in southern Dublin; and Grafton Street known for its high-end shopping. Did I have a choice? Who knew when the rain would subside.

Once I checked into my hostel a few blocks south of this area, I continued on a walk of the city. By that point the rain had stopped. I walked by St. Patrick’s and ChristChurch cathedrals and lots of quaint streets lined with Georgian townhouses on my way to the Guinness factory.

Dublin revolves around the beer. In the 1930s, Guinness was Dublin’s largest employer with about 5,000 people all working way above minimum wage. Guinness still has quite a presence in Dublin with a large factory that brews 450 million liters of Guinness per year. The company turned the original factory into a large multi-media marketing tour for Dublin visitors to learn about Guinness and the brewing process. The tour all ends at a bar at the top of the factory where you are handed a free pint of the black stuff. That empty pint officially marked the first time I was able to finish an entire pint of Guinness.

I continued with the Guinness tradition out at the bars that evening. I accompanied the three Spanish girls staying in my room at the hostel to a club near Grafton Street. Of course, it didn’t take long to find three Irishmen and one Frenchman to entertain us the entire night. The Irish are super friendly. The whole it felt like a meeting of the United Nations with all the countries represented. Then again, I felt that more than once during these past two months.

Sunday morning I did the good girl thing and went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for their choral service. Afterwards I finished walking around Dublin’s biggest sites like Dublin Castle and Trinity College before I hopped on a commuter train out of the city. I went to the seacoast town of Dalkey where Bono and Van Morrison live. Why wouldn't I choose that town. After all, everyone knows how I love U2.

Dalkey was my favorite part of this super-quick trip to Ireland. Dalkey is located on the very southern tip of the Dublin Bay so there is a beautiful coast to look at as well as some mountains. I thought it was a nice preview of all that Ireland has to offer in terms of beautiful mountaineous and seacoast landscapes.

Hanging with world leaders

2005-04-30T13:07:00.000+01:00

Last week was probably like any other week: get up at 5 a.m. for work, survive the morning rush of news and met Tony Blair. Oh wait, that’s out of the ordinary.

The Prime Minister was at the office last week to unveil the Labour Party’s “business manifesto” with a week to go before the national election. Throngs of journalists were there to ask questions about the plan and then my employer had a one-on-one interview with Blair afterwards. He was there for several hours as he was whisked from floor to floor for these different meetings.

Fortunately, I was on the main floor when Blair and his entourage left the premises. He was not more than five feet from me when he passed and said, “goodbye” in that unforgettable British accent. He looked just like he does in photos in the media, and he does appear to be aging more in recent years.

Gosh, in Rome during Popemania and then meet Tony Blair a week before the U.K.’s national election. What’s next?

Election season again?

2005-04-27T21:46:00.000+01:00

If you didn't know, next Thursday the Brits take to the polls for the national election. The campaigning has been heated since I arrived in London three weeks ago. About that time all the parties unveiled their 'manifestos' or plans for the next term.

Now on a daily basis all three national parties make speechs and attacks. There's been protests in front of the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street about the war in Iraq amongst other issues. And on most days the candidates garner the front-page spot in the London papers and are the only thing on the BBC.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour Party have not had the luxury of the long-predicted election stroll. Seemingly each week the ruling party loses ground in the polls to the Conservative Party led by Michael Howard. The third party, the Liberal Democrats, are making a slight noise.

Blair's camp has touted the continuous economic growth. That message hit a slight snag a week ago when the last unemployment numbers to be released before the election showed the number of jobless were rising. Bad timing.

But the central issue this election season is largely about Blair's support of the U.S.-led invasion into Iraq. Conservatives have called the two-term prime minister a liar for what he said leading up to the war. Blair retorted back today that the recent ads from the conservatives were a last-ditch attempt to win votes.

I imagine tomorrow will bring more arrows, but this time I'll be near the nucleus. Prime Minister Blair is coming to my office for interviews, and also what will amount to another campaign stop. Already the party has banners set up in the office's predominate open area.

View from Jubilee Gardens

2005-04-25T22:46:00.000+01:00

View from Jubilee Gardens
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is considered the end-all, be-all view of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. I was there Sunday in what is known as the Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the Thames River. I plan on heading back some evening after work when the sun is actually bright to view what should be a night setting for a sunset.

The Abbey again

2005-04-25T22:44:00.000+01:00

The Abbey again
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

I ventured to the Abbey again Sunday afternoon, this time to take in a late afternoon choral service. It was certainly a much better way to appreciate the church than through a tourist admission fee. I've decided from here on out, if I'm in London, I think I'll go again.

Piccadilly Circus

2005-04-25T22:42:00.000+01:00

Piccadilly Circus
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Welcome to London's equivalent of Times Square in New York City. Now it doesn't have quite the lighted fanfare, but it is home to the theatre district and also seemingly never sleeps. I plan to return one of the evenings this week to try and get cheap standby tickets for some the shows.

The Queen and I

2005-04-25T22:41:00.000+01:00

The Queen and I
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Look at all the beautiful flowers, oh yeah and me, in front of Buckingham Palace. I went back on Saturday afternoon to take more shots because last week portions were roped off for the London Marathon. This time I was able to take the proper journey up The Mall, which ends in front of the Queen's palace.

Trafalgar Square

2005-04-25T22:38:00.000+01:00

Trafalgar Square
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

In the foreground is one of the fountains in Trafalgar Square with St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church in the background. Trafalgar Square is a central gathering spot and home to the official clock counting down to when the Olympics committee decides July 6 whether London, Paris, NYC or Madrid will host the 2012 games. London is blanketed with signs, saying "Back the Bid." Paris had their far share of signs as well.

When photos lead you astray

2005-04-25T22:37:00.000+01:00

I’m a firm believer that a picture can tell a thousand words. If you look the photos from this weekend, though, you might be left with the impression that London offers nothing besides Big Ben, the Abbey and Buckingham Palace.

First off, that’s not true. Second, rest assured I have ventured beyond the most popular tourist sites.

For example, both evenings I went "clubbing" with a guy I met earlier in the week. On Friday night, we went to a place in Camden Town, north of where I’m staying. Then Saturday night we did a 180 and went a club off the bustling Oxford Street not too far south from where I’m living.

And I also went shopping. Now mother, don’t have a heart attack that your daughter is throwing away her student loan money on clothes or other needless possessions. I made one purchase: a suit jacket for 10 pounds. Yes, ladies and gentleman, even with the outrageously bad exchange rate, it still was under $20. A good day of shopping, I think. To reward myself, I wore it to work today and if I must say so myself, I think I’m ready to be the publisher or at least I look the part.

In all honesty, I spent much of my time this weekend walking around the city. What's new? Saturday I went to Trafalgar Square, which I had not been to yet this trip. I also was able to walk The Mall to Buckingham Palace, which was closed last weekend in preparation for the London Marathon. I did take a slight detour through the neighboring St. James Park to have a glass of wine with an Italian I met near the park. Though I'm sure my brother and his co-workers will be dissapointed to know that he didn't make what I've dubbed the "squirrel sound" as the Italian did in Florence.

On Sunday I went shopping along Oxford Street and down Regents Street, which leads to Piccadilly Circus. In the late afternoon, I went to the choral service at Westminster Abbey. As compared to the French and Italian masses I attended earlier, this time I actually knew what I was supposed to take away from it.

Afterwards I walked across the Thames River to the South Bank just to see how good the view was of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Well, good enough that I’m planning to return to watch a sunset one of these days when the London weather decides to give us a bright sun in the late afternoon. It's probably a good thing, I'm here a couple months.

The Mall

2005-04-25T22:33:00.000+01:00

The Mall
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

These arches lead to The Mall, which deadends at Buckingham Palace.

Big Ben from afar

2005-04-25T22:28:00.000+01:00

Big Ben from afar
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament as viewed from Trafalgar Square. You also might notice the British drivers on the wrong side of the road. They actually mark the crosswalks with white lettering, saying "LOOK RIGHT" or "LOOK LEFT" because so many pedestrians get nailed after they've erred. So far, so good for me.

Irish bound

2005-04-25T18:45:00.000+01:00

I love the United Kingdom in springtime. There are two bank holidays in May, the first of the three-day holidays is this upcoming weekend. To help celebrate, I'm headed for Dublin. I've been playing the cheap flight search game for awhile now and finally decided on a flight a couple hours ago. I'll be leaving London early Saturday morning and returning Monday morning so two full days in the Irish city. If you have any suggestions on what might catch my fancy, drop me a line. And as for the other three-day weekend, I'm zeroing in on Scotland.

"Oh, Cecilia.."

2005-04-20T23:08:00.000+01:00

"Oh, Cecilia.."
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Cecilia and I met Saturday night and then proceeded to spend all my non-working moments together until she left for Paris Wednesday. She is traveling alone and here I am also alone in London so it worked out perfect. By Sunday evening, I made her promise she wouldn't leave until I had a boyfriend or someone to keep me preoccupied for the duration of this trip. She does good work. Honestly, I can say I don't a female Brit, but I am hanging out with quite a few Londoners. You do the math.

Midwesterners do London

2005-04-20T23:06:00.000+01:00

Midwesterners do London
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Meet my new friend Cecilia, who I just met Saturday night. She's from Cincinnati, Ohio so we bonded over our Midwestern backgrounds. This is us at our first bar of choice Monday night.

"Daryl, and my other cousin Daryl"

2005-04-20T22:58:00.000+01:00

"Daryl, and my other cousin Daryl"
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

"Hi, I'm Michelle and this is the other Michele. We're both Americans, we attend Northwestern, we're doing the same internship." Yeah, don't worry, we know we're annoying, but this is the record that plays every day at work. Anyway, this is my flatmate Michele. We're living together near Regent's Park and are interns at the same place.

"Look kids, Big Ben."

2005-04-17T23:42:00.000+01:00

"Look kids, Big Ben."
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Sadly enough, I had no one to share my favorite line with from "National Lampoon's European Vacation," but I couldn't help but think of it. Saturday I took the day to do 'typical London' -- Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Ten Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. This is of course the famous clocktower overlooking the Thames River known affectionally as Big Ben.

Ben and I

2005-04-17T23:37:00.000+01:00

Ben and I
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Here's me and the most well-known Brit: Big Ben. This was all part of Saturday's adventure.

The Abbey

2005-04-17T23:31:00.000+01:00

The Abbey
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Westminster Abbey has been home to the crowning of nearly all of Britain's monarchs and the site of Princess Diana's funeral. Hopefully, I'll be able to make it back to the Abbey for one of its evening choral services.

Buckingham Palace

2005-04-17T23:28:00.000+01:00

Buckingham Palace
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Supreme among all the symbols relating to the royal family. Though I visited Buckingham Palace four years ago, the scene was slightly different as the area was on the route for Sunday's London Marathon. Race organizers closed the Mall leading from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham and also a portion of the circle in front the palace in preparation for the big run.

A month later

2005-04-17T21:54:00.000+01:00

So, it's official. I've survived a month in Europe all by my lonesome. I feel like such a big girl nowadays.

Already I've made it through life in two foreign countries where their language is not mine and am living in Britain where they just speak funny. I've partaken in more political conversations than I can count, largely about Bush and even sometimes about European politics. Made it through Popemania without converting. And now I'm in London with a paying job and a U.K. bank account and cell phone to boot.

I realized the one-month milestone today as I hopped around London with a new friend I made last night. Only fitting since "new places," "new experiences" and "new friends" is the mantra of life across the pond. After all, I am in the European equivalent of New York City and I can count the people I know on one hand.

I'm rooming with another Northwestern student, who also is interning with me. We went out last weekend together and went out to dinner and had a couple drinks Friday night, but that social option quickly faded by the end of Week 1. On Saturday morning, she decided to stop talking to me following a conversation where she asked me to copy the work I had done for our upcoming week of training and in not so many words I said her irresponsibility was not my problem. Sorry, I didn't spend hours on the work so she could freeload.

Without anything to do Saturday night, I did the unthinkable. The once super shy, but now ever increasingly outgoing Michelle got ready like maybe she had something on the calendar and walked downstairs to the bar to talk to people. And I must say my first night of randomness worked out fairly well.

During the course of the evening, I found another Midwesterner. Cecelia is from Cincinnati and is in London this week on her holiday. We shared a couple drinks last night and then met this morning to hang out. Luckily, the sort of things she wanted to do in her first trip to the city were things I had not done during my previous trip here.

First, we went to the National Portrait Gallery and we had the most fun time debating whether we would want to be memorialized through a bust, portrait, silhouette or photograph. I decided on a black-and-white photograph, largely because the great contrast of white versus black can result in one of the most flattering images. We also spent a lot of time discussing which men from the 16th century we would have dated and probably too long watching the hourlong looping video of European soccer player David Beckham sleeping. They call it art, we just call it a hot shirtless guy. Both can be very pleasing to the eye.

Later we went to the British Library and saw famous documents like the Magna Carta, a copy of Gutenburg's Bible and Shakespeare's first folio of work to name a few. We also did a little shopping. My biggest purchase today was a black belt, which has become a necessity to keep the pants on my body. Afterwards we found pub off Queensway (near where I stayed last time round) to have the traditional fish and chips and, of course, a pint of a British cider that led to another round on the British.

Go ahead and check off "classic British experience" from the list. For hours, we talked about anything and everything with this British guy, who was born and raised in London. We discovered the Brits might be rubbing off on me. Already earlier in the day Cecilia was taken back when I used a total prim and proper phrase. And then over drinks, our Brit friend said I totally had the British humor down and was surprised by my knowledge of the country. In one particular conversation, we were talking about the upcoming election and he mentioned an up and coming member in the Labour Party. Before he could finish, I was like "Oh, Gordon Brown, the Chancellor?" I nearly made a Brit fall off his chair and on behalf of America I think that's a good thing.

Editor's Note:

2005-04-12T22:23:00.000+01:00

Dear readers -- My apologies for the delay in posting the photos of my Italian holiday. I was in limbo this weekend as I waited to move into my permanent room equipped with Internet. Slow Internet connections the last two nights nearly resulted in something or someone being thrown in front of one of those red doubledecker buses passing below. But alas the sluggish Web sites were not so sluggish as of an hour ago and I was able to post plenty of stuff. Everything's backdated to keep the blog in some sort of order so happy scrolling downward.

London bridges...

2005-04-12T21:40:00.000+01:00

London bridge
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Remember the old nursery school song, "London Bridges Falling Down..?" That's where I was on Sunday. After I went for an adventure to find the office Sunday, I continued on an afternoon stroll along the Thames River and stopped for a portrait on the London Bridge with the famous Tower Bridge in the background.

St. Paul's Cathedral

2005-04-12T21:26:00.000+01:00

St. Paul's Cathedral
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

St. Paul's Cathedral in London, which among other things was where Prince Charles and Princess Diana were wed a number of years ago. I thought it was fitting to see this church after watching the Royal Wedding this weekend on the BBC.

Regents Park

2005-04-10T21:38:00.000+01:00

Regents Park
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is Regents Park directly across from where I'm living in London. It's a beautiful park and I went for a jog in it over the weekend.

Regents Park

2005-04-10T21:35:00.000+01:00

Regents Park
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Another photo of Regent's Park. You can see some of the nice townhomes in the background.

London, baby

2005-04-08T20:34:00.000+01:00

After four rides on the Metro system, stops in three countries, two airport shuttle buses, two flights and a ride on London’s Underground system, I arrived to my final destination very late Thursday night.

On paper, the idea was pretty simple: following my week traveling through Italy I would hop on a plane from Rome to Paris, pick up the luggage I left behind with my French student host and then head onto London later that evening. I booked one of the first flights out of Rome and the last one in London in order to take advantage of super cheap flights. What that amounted to in real life was quite a long day.

Thursday began before many of my American friends and family members probably were asleep. I awoke before 4 a.m. to catch a 4:30 a.m. shuttle bus that would transport me to one Rome’s airports in order to catch a 6:30 a.m. flight back to Paris.

After we arrived to the Paris, we had to board shuttle buses, which more than an hour later dropped us off a train station on the northeast side of Paris. We might have been there sooner, but our bus was pulled over at a checkpoint. My lack of French hurts the details of this portion of the story, but we were instructed to put on seatbelts that we didn’t even know the bus had.

Good thing I booked my flight to London for way later in the evening because my initial thought that this transition to get my bags and get back to the airport did not go smoothly. Not only did the shuttle bus take quite awhile, but I couldn’t reach my French student host when I arrived in the city. She was in class with the extra key.

Before I left the week before, she suggested leaving the key with the apartment manager to keep me from making a special trip to the university. I relied on this knowledge and made my way to the apartment on the southeast side of Paris, hoping someone there had the key.

Following a broken conversation with the apartment manager, we determined I was tenant’s American friend, I wanted a key to the upstairs apartment and he didn’t have an extra. He did, however, help my sorry self call Helene, who had since got out of class. She had decided to keep the key with her under the assumption that I would reach her between classes. After an hour and a half trek to the university in central Paris, I got in the apartment and retrieved my long lost luggage.

A couple hours later I set up to make the journey to the northwest side of Paris where the city’s central airport was with luggage in tow. In theory, I could have take a taxi to and fro the airports Thursday, but that would have amounted to about $200 in fairs, given the outrageous cost of taxis here and the unfavorable exchange rate. I was willing to accept the nuisance of public transportation.

What that amounted to in Paris was taking two buses to a regional train line that would take me to Charles DeGaulle Airport. Fortunately, the buses helped me to divert stairwells at least until I arrived to my Underground stop in London. But both there, and along the way as I got onto buses or trains, the friendliest people offered to help.

Finally, at about 1 a.m. London time, I settled into my home for the next couple of months. I might have been there sooner, but my flight from Paris was delayed for longer than we were even in the air.

Friday I took the opportunity to catch up some rest and refused to get out of bed until noon. After a shower and a late lunch, I walked around the neighborhood for a couple hours. At the first glance, the area appears to be pretty cute and yuppy and is adjacent to a 490-acre park that houses the London Zoo, Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens and other settings that would be a prime location for a jog.

Stay tuned. We’ll be getting some postings up about my trip to Italy in the next couple of days.

Colosseum

2005-04-07T22:15:00.000+01:00

Rome10
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is me at the Colosseum in Rome.

Sistine Chapel

2005-04-07T21:34:00.000+01:00

Sistine Chapel
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The Sistine Chapel in Rome houses the largest painting ever planned and executed by one man. The top center frescoes painted by Michelangelo depict scenes from the Old Testament beginning with the Creation of Light at the far end of the altar. The large blue painting above the altar is Michelangelo's famous Last Judgment.

Fontana di Trevi

2005-04-07T21:30:00.000+01:00

Fontana di Trevi
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

Fontana di Trevi in Rome is a mammoth fountain consisting of statues and rocks built on the backside of a Renaissance palace.

Vittorio Emanuele Monument

2005-04-07T21:29:00.000+01:00

Vittorio Emanuele Monument
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

This is the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, which was built at the turn of the 19th century to commemorate Italy's unification.

Colosseum

2005-04-07T21:25:00.000+01:00

Colosseum
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The Colosseum is Rome's awe-inspiring attraction. The structure dates back two thousand years.

Ancient Rome

2005-04-07T21:14:00.000+01:00

Ancient Rome
Originally uploaded by mevansdpu.

The ancient city of Rome looking towards the Colosseum.