Bonjour!

Bonjour from France!

I apologize for the delayed posts, as we had slim access to internet in London. But England was wondrous! My flight departed from DFW at 4:45 on the 12th, only to safely arrive at Heathrow airport at 7:30, the morning of the 13th. After an hour in customs, a frightful car ride to the hotel on the left side of the road, and check-in with our British advisor, we were finally there and free to roam the city! I had made some friends along the way- Meredith, Nicolas, Lauren, Missy, Ashley, and Erin-and we proceeded to find a cute cafe for some lunch. Luckily, our hotel, The Lancaster Gate Hotel, was located directly across from Hyde Park, one of the 5 royal parks in England.

Our hotel lit up at night

So after a warm croissant sandwich of fromage et jambon, we were off. It was a tad chilly, but not too bad. The park was absolutely beautiful. Lots of people out running, walking with their kids, oddly a large amount of rollerbladers, and a warming sunshine everywhere. 

We frolicked around the city, walking through Kensington Gardens, seeing a memorial to Princess Diana, and passing Kensington Palace, to then go and warm up at a local cafe and have some English tea. We then returned to the hotel to move into our rooms and have a big group meeting. There were about 45 students with us at the time, majority girls with about 5 boys. We went out to dinner at a local pub called the Swan, explored the city at night-which is my absolute favorite with all the night lights-and called it a night pretty early due to the jet lag. Slept quite cozily and comfortably in our small room!

My roommate Ashley in our lovely London room

We hit the ground running the next day. Breakfast at 8:15, on the bus by 9 and off to see the city! We had a lovely bus tour, led by our one and only Jackie, where we saw just about everything you could ever want to see in London: The Thames River, St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abby, Coven Gardens, Buckingham Palace, and my favorite-the changing of the guard! We were let free around noon and Meredith, Aubrie, Lauren, Ashley Missy, and I spent the rest of the day roaming the city!

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge again

Nicolas and I in front of Big Ben

Shrek in London! Just for you Caroline

Aubrie and Meredith walking on Millennium Bridge with St. Paul's Cathedral in the background

Protestors for Occupy London in front of St. Paul's

The Thames River with London Bridge closest and Tower Bridge in the back

Countdown to the Olympics 2012!

Westminster Abby

Friends on the steps of St. Paul's

St. Paul's Cathedral

Trafalgar Square

Aubrie, Missy and I on the lion in Trafalgar Square

Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

The balcony at the palace where Kate and William had their first kiss

London.

We flew out EARLY the next morning for Nice and arrived safe and sound. Some lunch, orientation and walking around in Cannes was wonderful. Today-we had French placement test and more meetings this afternoon.

French phrase for the day: "Plus lentement, s'il vous plait!" Translation: "More slowly, please!"

Gotta run-time for lunch here in France!

Until next time,

MC