First Trip to Europe 2003

First I'll start with the itinerary my folks and I agreed upon for the time in which I would be visiting Europe starting on Saturday, November 8th to Saturday November 15th, 2003. As before, journal text below is unaltered, my personal comments are italicized below.

• Sat - arrive, go to Germany
• Sun - Germany & Austria (castles)
• Monday - mng train to Venice 10 am
• Tues - Rome (Eurostar), Hotel (2 nights)
  (call hubs at @7 pm)
• Wednes - Rome, Vatican & Papal Visit
• Thur - Vatican & Rome Tour (Sistine Chapel)
  return from Rome (4 pm)
• Friday - Base/Lake Garda
  "The Last Supper" in Milan was crossed out for Friday.
  
• Saturday - Flight Home early

December 4th, 2004: Hangin' Out in London

Saturday - 2nd full day in London, England:
*Personal comments to the journal are italicized below original text.

• Got up early (1:40 am/then 8:00 am) - TOAST for bfst (we didn't know)
  What "we didn't know" was the hotel did NOT offer continental breakfast as we expected, not a very cool thing for 3 starving Americans.
  
  
• Went through Victoria station - ATM £100, some souvenirs & all day bus ticket
  
  On the bus still waking up
  
  
  My folks make such a sweet couple
  
  
• Westminster Abbey Cathedral (inside) souvenirs & shopped at store
  
  Westminster Abbey
  
  
  Standing in front of Westminster Cathedral
  
  
  
  
• Shopped at Westminster Abbey bookstore (souvenirs)
• Line too long at Wm Abbey (photos)
  
  Line Outside Cathedral (no thanks)
  
  
• Bus to Victoria Station - another bus to Old Bailey Road
  
  
  
• Lunch at Bailey's Cafe (Italian) - bought for all @£20 (xmas gift)
  Focaccia bread sandwich w/turkey
  
  Lunching at Bailey's Cafe Deli
  
  
• St. Paul's Cathedral - went into entrance (£7/no way), was able to see enough
  
  
  
• Walked around backside of courtyard - statue of John Wesley, brown pigeon, etc.)
  
  
  
• Walked down Oxford ("SOHO") - very crowded, lots of young people college types
• Saw Jesus preacher
• Almost hit by bus
  
  "Kentish Town" - possible family ties?
  
  
• Called & left message on voicemail at Picadilly Circus
• Finally found Buckingham Palace after 2 buses/walking
  
  
  
  Buckingham Palace
  
  
• Shopped at tea shoppe & bought gifts (chocolate, coffee)
  
  Taking a Diet Coke rest
  
  
• Phone call home (finally connected)
• Shin splints kicked in (me)
• Over bridge by Big Ben watched Eye of London (aka Ferris Wheel)
  
  The London Eye
  
  
• Allen took photos of Parliament at St. Thomas' Hospital
  
  Big Ben & Parliament from hospital parking lot
  
  
• Back on bus toward Victoria
• Stopped for dinner @8 pm at Shakespeare's Pub
• Caesar salad w/chicken & Pinot (yum!)
• Back to room
• Allen emailed hubs from hotel
• SLEEP (loud neighbors "square dancing above us")
  Never travel without earplugs.

Next up: off to PARIS!

*Big Huge Drum Roll Here*

As we barrel into Back-to-School week, I'm feeling like that DRUM ROLL is following me around as we check off everything on our 'To Do' list in preparation for it all. I know, I know. Where's that Italy journal? It's on the way - no worries. In fact, here's Day #2, Thursday December 2nd, 2004. Not too detail oriented, but keep in mind that I'm headed toward my next destination where it gets all wild & crazy:

• Went to Desanzano (Mom & Dad's place)
• Left at night for Ryanair to London

As you can see, not much time for journaling but I do remember weighing those repacked bags on Mom & Dad's scale to make sure we didn't exceed weight limitations. Then we were off and running - London, England here we come!


















My mom proudly displaying the luggage
tags made by her fabulous grandchildren.

December 1st, 2004: Off to Milan, Italy

Wednesday, December 1st, 2004:

"Left for Milan, Italy."

This was all that I entered in my journal for the day and appears to have been added after later journal entries were already entered. Pretty sure I entered it as a reference point. Obviously, I had very little time to journal on the actual day of leaving for Italy! But on a side note, I do remember repacking luggage w/Mom & Dad when I arrived to take off for London & Paris. (see below)