London was a whirlwind.

London bridge! There’s a fun fact about the bridge being raised and good luck. Unless that was some other bridge.

I wonder how much this guy hates his job. Scale of 1 to 10.

Westminster Abbey is very lovely. We went for even song, and it was so relaxing!

SNOW! But I think that’s actually just rain on my lens. But it looks like snow!

I got to see Thandie Newton in a play called “Death and the Maiden!” And, in case you were wondering, I am, in fact, a criminal. This picture was illegally taken and I apologize. Sort of.

Our best friend from Couchsurfing came to visit us all the way from Amsterdam! He brought us lots of goodies even though it was his birthday. So caring

He doesn’t really like to smile with his teeth. Although I’m sure he loves when I stick my fingers in his mouth.

Happy Holidays from Lauren and Beeza.

Fosdal took us to see a mosque. That was the day I learned how heavy his briefcase is. Don’t be fooled, ladies and gentlemen. It weighs like, 26 lbs.

We finally made it to the Tower of London.

This is where Anne Boleyn had her head chopped off! This very pillow.

Oh, hi, we’re from America.

I want to have 14 of Dale Chihuly’s babies. Dale, if you’re out there…that was a hyperbole. Maybe 1.

We finagled our way into a VIP Mastercard party and found some friends, one of whom’s bow-tie was the size of my face!

Classiest ladies in London, right here.

We got to meet Beeza’s brother’s band mate’s friends named Rowan. Hi Rowan! Also, she makes very cool art.

A proper British football match. Crystal Palace vs. Millwall. Very intense.

Their cheerleaders were…phenomenal.

I’m going to miss this class a lot.

Holy cow. Billy Elliot is so impressive.

Oh, just ice skating in Hyde Park. nbd.

Blood Orange and Das Racist! This was an awesome concert hidden in a secret, unmarked location, which took an hour to find. YAY!

Happy 21st birthday to Beez-kneez!

Turns out the expensive seats on the sides of the theatre are not so great after all.

We held out on the London Eye until after the Christmas (and Hanukkah and Rohatsu and Kwanzaa , etc.) lights were up!

Funny little capsules.

A proper “high tea.”

Allllll done, London. It’s been real.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to afford to stay here when I come visit you again, London.

Our hostel: the second most wonderful place on Earth! After Disney World, of course.

And so our final excursion begins.

The greenest place around.

These people were intriguing.

A toddler took this photo. Hence the unflattering angle.

Hobos in Ireland dress like leprechauns. Not a bad move.

This is The Temple Bar in Temple Bar. Tricky, I know.

It tastes like coffee!

I like cobblestones.

I spelled “Guinness” like such a n00b. Sorry.

Here are some windows.

A pub near our hostel.

Another hobo leprechaun.

Vanilla hot chocolate at this cafe that specialized in varieties of hot cocoa. New life plan? I think so…

All gone.

This is so much fun.

I’m going to miss pubs back in the states.

My calves are looking very muscular from all these stairs.

Slanty building and slanty stick thing.

Pretty money! Of which I have none.

Carlie!!!

Fun story about a flag that is not entirely visible in this picture. It was not supposed to be up there because of very intense conflict between Loyalists and Protestants. But someone sneak-attacked and placed it on top of City Hall!

<>Belfast is apparently known for its world-class linens. Who knew?

Oh, look! Another pub!

Men with furry hats!

This is the Peace Wall. Despite the fact that it divides these two opposing groups, it is somehow representative of their coming together. I don’t know. Not my idea.

BANKSY IS MY FAVORITE HUMAN IN ALL OF EXISTENCE!

Viva la paz. That’s what I’m saying.

Cheers, friends

“Waterfall” by Gorky at the Tate Modern. One of my favorites of the day.

A projected work by Tacita Dean. I can’t post a picture of every painting, but I also got to see “Waterlilies” and “Nude Woman in a Red Armchair.” SO COOL!

Pooh’s Blustery Day!

I don’t remember where this was or what it is, exactly. But I like it.

There is a lot of delicious food at Portobello Market.

Okay, I can explain this. Basically…we were wandering around late at night and I saw this adorable woman through her window and I decided to take pictures. I hope this isn’t incriminating.

Beeza, Greg, and I ventured out to a new pub on my birthday and it seemed like a good idea to blow out the candle on our table and make a wish. Unfortunately, I forgot the whole “make a wish” part and then it was just dark.

Oh, hello, London Autumn. I like you.

Smoked salmon, cream cheese, and avocado bagels. Note to self: add this to Pinterest.

Hand in the Flower–a pub next to our house. No, I don’t understand the name either.

Fosdal took us on a trip to the Imperial War Museum and I saw one of the most moving Holocaust exhibits ever.

Truth. This is a piece of the Berlin Wall.

These kids were on a field trip to the museum as well. Their teacher asked them what three items they would bring if they were being taken to a concentration camp. Answers included: ipod, laptop, cellphone, and…Finding Nemo?

Nothing smells quite like fallen leaves.

Light posts just seem so British to me!

My birthday present: the spa!

Happiness.

This photograph reminds me of “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper.

Fortnum and Mason: this store has existed for more than 300 years!

One of my Comm. classes took a trip to the Freud Museum. There was a series of clock paintings.

Baubles. I suppose they weren’t all baubles. I’m just a fan of the word. Baubles.

Going out to Enoteca for my birthday dinner! Thank you to all of my wonderful friends

I bought “House at Pooh Corner” by British author, A. A. Milne, and the book is 60 years old. That’s even older than my parents! 0:)

I found this babydoll on the ground! I guess some people think I’m unsanitary…?

Harrod’s. They sure do go big.

These dresses have been to the Oscar’s.

Oh, just a crystal ball on a stick next to a crystal mirror.

More fun baubles at Harrod’s…

A few interesting works of art, aaaaand a few trite works of art. I’d have to classify this little gem as the latter.

These are shoes. And people wear them.

The chandelier room.

Me and my pals.

There was a point in time where I would have traded my soul for this dollhouse.

And what’s not to love about this remote-controlled, floating Nemo?

I would have definitely bought this puppy if I could easily get him back to the states and if he weren’t 3,000 pounds. True statement.

HALLOWEEN! Chola, sheriff, feral cat. Best friends.

The morning.

A breakfast place we discovered!

You tell ‘em!

This night was just…absurd. We went to the Ministry of Sound (one of Europe’s largest clubs). Amazing.

A pretty view on the way to Sir John Soane’s Museum.

Christmas Crackers in London! I can already smell the peppermint and hear the jingle bells.

Paris

First night at Xavier’s. He made us pasta and invited a few people over!

Cool air and autumn shadows

Jardin des Tuileries

Nahhh, I already have that same scarf. No really, no, III…Oooohkkkkayyy.

Arc de Triomphe. I’m really just name dropping because I never figured out what the significance of this structure was. But I like it!

We’ll have some bread, please. With cheese. Actually, make that just cheese with cheese. And a side of bread.

This is a secret building. No one knows what it is called. And by that I mean…I googled “building in Paris by Jardin des Tuileries with fountains” and couldn’t find the answer.

The tomb of the unknown soldier. In Performing Culture, we read about a white person will generally assume the buried soldier is white. A Chinese person will assume the soldier is Chinese. And so on and so forth.

“Madeline!!! Read it to me and it’ll be like we’re REALLY in Paris!”

Next to the Eiffel Tower. I had been taking photographs. I don’t always sit on benches like that.

It is SO much prettier at night than it is during the day. In the daytime, it looks very industrial.

Yippee!

The Louvre. I want that pyramid.

I think in that first sentence when I wrote “and a bazillian rules” I probably meant to write something other than rules…because I’m not sure what that means.

Just about to visit the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa is smaller than you might think.

Ceiling in one of Napoleon’s Apartments. Probably very affordable.

These people had never seen a camera before. Also, there are lots of carousels in Paris. That’s not a joke.

Crème brûlée sampler at a restaurant called A La Cloche d’Or, which means “The Golden Bell.” I broke off this Ohio-shaped piece. It was a momentous occasion.

The NotreDame

Our new friend James took us to the top of a department store and this was the view!

There were crepes on these plates 60 seconds before I took this photo. Chocolate with whipped cream and maple syrup.

Pont des Arts. An amazing bridge.

Shakespeare and Company

A nook where I would have liked to read for days.

Reading poetry on La Seine River.

Just as beautiful as I’d always imagined.

Bonne nuit, Paris.