Um, ok, so...: Lauren's Visit to London & Paris

My cousin Lauren came for a visit this past week and we had such a fun time together! It was her first time in Europe, so we embarked on a whirlwind trip through London & Paris. I think she left completely exhausted, but she was an amazing trooper and had some of the best stamina of any visitor yet!

She also packed for the visit. I did a double take when she came out of the gate at the airport with THREE flourescent green suitcases (for 6 days)! One was completely filled with just shoes. So obviously, she had lots of options and never ran out of clothes. Her husband Eddie said that when she was packing, he thought she was leaving him for me. :)

In England, we/she ran around to sooo many sights...some of which I hadn't seen yet. We...

Walked around to get views of Parliament, Big Ben, and then walked through St. James Park to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. That was rather boring, actually, and quite bizarre when the band began playing the "Star Wars" theme. Crazy crowded and mobbed by tourists too!
On the walk back from Buckingham Palace, we got stopped on a corner for a motorcade passing through, and Prince Charles was in the back seat of the car! He gave a little wave and Lauren snapped a picture!
(Lauren) took a tour through the British Museum and toured the Tower of London (while I was working)
Went up in the London Eye, the giant ferris wheel on the Thames with amazing views of the city
Toured Westminster Abby, which is more moseleum/crypt than church. Very odd and very creepy with lots of tombs of people like Elizabeth I, Mary, Sir Isaac Newton, etc.
Saw the musical "Mamma Mia" (all ABBA music) on the West End and had dinner in Chinatown afterwards
Ate well at the Oxo Tower Brasserie (with sweeping views on the Thames and St. Paul's Cathedral) and Momo, my favourite Moroccan restaurant. My friend Kate was in town from Amsterdam for business, so she joined us too.
Had high tea at Fortnum & Mason
Took a double decker bus tour around the city

In Paris (WHICH WAS GLORIOUSLY SUNNY & HOT!!!!), we...

Stayed at the lovely Hotel Luxembourg across from Luxembourg Gardens
Went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc d'Triomph (we found out there was no lift to the top of the Arc after purchasing our tickets, so we got a very good workout...God I'm out of shape! THey should have paid US for all that climbing!)
Toured Notre Dame Cathedral
Toured Versailles (the palace and the gardens) -- HOLY CRAP it's huge and over-the-top and amazing!!! Lauren and I rented a golf cart to zip around the gardens, as we were too hot and lazy to walk. And we loved it!
Saw the Mona Lisa, Venus di Milo and other treasures at the Louvre
Wandered and had lunch on the Champs Elysees
Pigged out on Nutella and banana crepes at Cafe Mondrian
Had breakfast and bought macaroons at Laduree, my favourite Parisian patisserie
Went into the Louis Vuitton flagship store where Lauren peer-pressured me into buying a handbag

I think she left pretty worn out and tired -- I know I was! But we had fun and it was so good having her here to visit...she is like a sister to me so it was wonderful all around! Who's coming next...anyone?

On the Seine in Paris