Three months later...

Jordan: We are back in Canada, as of noon yesterday. It's a bummer I'm sure you guys don't want to see us too badly and believe me the feelings are mutual. Nah we want to see everybody.
To cap off our trip we enjoyed Bastille Day in and around Paris. Actually we spent the day at Versailles roaming the palace and grounds. We however spent the night with everybody else in France crowded under the Eiffel Tower for the spectacular fireworks display. I believe there are videos available on the internet of the fireworks, they were absolutely incredible, I have a lot of photos. It was our last night and I had a little room to spare on my last CF card so I thought I'd go a little nuts in the photo department. Enjoy the photo on the blog.
Had a safe flight yesterday now we're back at home, we thank our mom for doggedly commenting on our blog, for those who didn't comment GFY.
Hope we see everybody soon,
Jordan & Kennedy.

In love with the City of Love

Kennedy: We haven't written for so long because we literally haven't had any down time in Paris. Definitely trying to fit as much in as possible in our last few days... I cannot believe we'll be getting on a plane in 24 hours. Did these last three months feel like 3 weeks for anyone else?
Okay enough feeling sorry for myself; we've been running around Paris like crazy people for the past 5 days. First day was spent on (surprise surprise) a free walking tour. Those New Europe guys should give me something for plugging their company all the time.... don't know what though since they've already given me about 8 free city tours. But I digress... tour was cool, learned a lot of really important stuff about Paris, like which bridge Big told Carrie she was "the one" on in the last episode of SATC.... and how Louis XIV liked to pirouette all over his great big palace... and how Henri IV had all his drunk friends made into sculptures on a different bridge, some of whom look like they are about to blow chunks. How romantic.
4 hours of random facts later, we headed to the Louvre while it was free to get in, yeah we're taking advantage of all the free stuff Paris will give us, which isn't much. But yeah, we saw the Mona Lisa, the Statue of Venus, and a lot more art... most of which I didn't recognize. Didn't even get close to seeing half of it. The Mona Lisa was actually more impressive than I expected, I think because I had extremely low expectations thanks to all those people who have told me before that it's so underwhelming, soo thanks guys! The building itself was pretty unbelieveable, just gigantic. Later we bought some wine and went up to the steps of Sacre Coeur to hang out with our hostel friends and enjoy the beautiful views of Paris from the hill. Random Parisian man creeped us out substantially but it all worked out in the end. Tried to climb the Tower that night but ended up drinking more wine in our area with more people from our hostel, including a metal band from Holland who were just hilarious.
Next day, did the Arc de Triomphe and Museé d'Orsay, which was one of my favourite museums in Europe. A lot of famous works inside - Manet, Monet, Cezanne, Matisse, Courdet, etc - and the building, which used to be a train station, is gorgeous. Perfect for an art gallery with all the natural light from the glass ceiling. Went to the top of the Eiffel Tower that night, there are really no words to describe how awesome it was, so I'm not even going to try. We'll post pictures from home.
Day after that, went to Notre Dame, walked around inside but bailed on the line to climb it because it was so ridiculous. Sorry Quasimodo; I promise to visit you next time I'm in Paris (believe me, I am coming back here). Then we went to the Centre Pompidou, the largest collection of modern art in the world. Didn't get through it all but saw some very "interesting" stuff. Then popped in to the Conciergerie, which used to be a palace in the French court but eventually became a prison, and it was where Marie Antoinette and many others were held before they were executed. We saw a re-creation of her cell; it looked a lot more comfortable than what the peasants had to deal with. But I'm sure it still sucked. Last night, went out for dinner in our neighbourhood of Montmartre at a little brasserie, very nice and kind of affordable. From there, went back to Sacre Coeur with more bottles of wine and hung out with all the Parisians kicking off Bastilles Day, which is technically today, but there were fireworks all over the city for about 3 hours, it was amazing.
Today we will head to Versailles and spend our last night by the Eiffel Tower, watching more fireworks and trying to soak up as much of Paris as possible before we have to bid her Au Revoir.

No time for a title! Just read it

Kennedy: We've been in Ireland for the past four days, trying to stay dry amidst the many random rain showers. I have to make this quick, so I might forget to mention a few things. Our first day, we took a walking tour of the city centre, where we saw Dublin Castle, Trinity College and heard about the city's tragic history, from the Viking invasions to the Great Hunger. We also met some fun people who we met later that night to take in some Irish dancing - definitely the highlight of Dublin for me! The next night we went to Dublin's oldest pub, the Brazen Head, where we enjoyed some Guinness and traditional Irish stew. The pub was built in 1198. I think it's had some renovations done since. Heard some good Irish folk music there as well - they played Tell My Ma by The Rankin Family -- Lee, remember clogging?!
We've taken a few day trips outside Dublin - yesterday to Galway City, today to Cork. Weather has been sketchy at best, but the towns were both lovely. We stopped in at a few museums and cafes to get out of the rain, things we probably wouldn't have done otherwise. Very cute places.
We made the executive decision to pass on the Guinness Brewery -- would have been cool but it's SUPER expensive. And I'm sure they make beer the same way as everywhere else.
Tomorrow we'll check out the old Gaol and hang out in St. Stephens Green before heading to the airport. We're going to sleep overnight there so we can avoid taking a 4 a.m. cab. Looks like we'll be arriving in Paris sleep-deprived yet again.

Haggis, Irn Bru and Familial Ties

Jordan: We haven't bothered to blog in a while. We've been short on time in Glasgow visiting the family. They're a handful, in a good way. Instead of having nothing to do at the end of the day but blog, we're can hang out with everyone here, so the blog has taken the backseat. You'll be pleased to see we've caught ourselves up with the photos now and I will from hereon catch you up on all the to-dos of our trip through Scotland.

Firstly, I'll take you back to Edinburgh. We took a day tour to the Highlands and Loch Ness. Our Guide, Angus, filled us in on the entire history of Scotland, I wish I exaggerating. No, he was great. Poked fun at the English, at the inaccuracies of Braveheart and showed us some of the most breathtaking countryside on the planet. Basically the rockies/alps minus the snow-capped pyramids. Went to Loch Ness, had a run-in with the monster. Wasn't actually as big as want it looks like in the photos but she was a fair size. I tried to pick a fight with it but the local constabulary broke it up and we went our separate ways to cool off because she's endangered and I'm not legally allowed to fight the Loch Ness Monster. Seriously, she's officially on the endangered species list thanks to blind stupidity.

On the way back we toured through Glen Coe, lots of valleys and lakes and mountains, or lochs and bens, and had a whiskey tasting. I love scotch; scotchy scotch, scotch. Actually in a bar in our last night in Edinburgh an old man taught us how to 'really' drink Scotch whiskey. Pour a nice glass, or healthy dram, have smell and a sip and then add just a wee bit o'water to settle it down and flush out the flavours and enjoy the rest. A friend from the hostel met a fiddle player who was playing with his band at the bar, some good folk music and during a particularly lively little number, Kennedy grew a large pair of Scottish balls and got up in the middle of the bar and danced a few steps. I partook with the obligatory step-dance clap and the bar got into a wee ruckus without a single punch thrown. That will wait til Ireland.

In Glasgow, met the family. Ronnie and Irene we stayed with and they treated us quite warmly teaching us the ins and outs of the Scottish way, and their crazy language. Words like numpty and graut were my favourites.

We toured Glasgow in an open air bus. We checked out the Kelvingrove Museum and Transport Museum, which housed a replica of a Glasgow street from the 50s with old shops and cars. Felt a lot like Happy Days. Also met the rest of the gang Elspeth and Stuart and family, and Donald and Yvonne and boys. Had some delicious meals and cold beers and really did feel like being back home. Enjoyed Irn Bru today, a nuclear energy drink far more potent than Redbull, enjoyed Irene's lamb innards, or Haggis, and some more whiskey and lost of Scottish desserts.

Had a visit to Loch Lomond one day. Toured around St Andrews, checking out the Old Course. We took a guided tour of the Old Course walking down the first, around the 17th and second and back down the 18th. Great holes. We could also just walk down around much of the rest of the course if time allowed, it didn't. We weren't even able to putt on the Himalayas, or the undulated ladies putting green just off to the side of the first hole green. But Ronnie and Irene did while we checked out the rest of the town, which is quite lovely. Checked out the ruins, St Andrews castle and Cathedral, both destroyed and overlooking the sea, and had some lunch and ice cream. Loved St Andrews. No joke a group of two people went off the first tee. If I was willing to fork over £130 plus hire some clubs I could have joined their group on the Old Course. Next time I'll play the Old Course.

Then stayed at Donald and Yvonne's as the next day Donald and the boys took us to Stirling Castle. Toured Stirling Castle, then climbed Ben A'an. Started raining the second we got on the trail but continued up the mountain anyway. We almost got struck by lightning so our trek to the summit was cut short. We were soaked through to the skin by the time we got back to the car.

We fly to Dublin tomorrow, I had a lot to cover so I'm sure I missed a bunch. Scotland was great. I know I'll be back because dad and I are going to play the Old Course, just a matter of time.

And check back on previous posts to see all the new photos.

In Scotland: the land of the Mann clan

Kennedy: I just read Jordan's last post and want to clarify that I really liked London, even though it was pricey. He was a bit of a Debbie Downer. London reminded me of an older version of Toronto, with a cooler accent. Really vibrant, multicultural city with tons to do and lots of delicious international cuisine - Jordan finally got to try Thai food!
I'm also loving getting to experience a lot of the 16th century history I've read so much about, thanks to Joanna letting me borrow her entire Philippa Gregory collection! (Sidenote: I'm reading The Other Queen right now, fitting as I'm in Edinburgh and heading to Mary Queen of Scot's Holyrood Palace later today).
Our last day in London was gorgeous: hot and sunny. We spent most of the day in Hyde Park, with a quick jaunt into Harrod's, the most expensive shopping mall I've ever set foot in. No souvenir purchases there, sorry kids! Later we hit up an English pub for some fish and chips and London ale, served at room temp.
Now we're in Edinburgh, which is everything I've ever expected from Scotland. Absolutely beautiful. Our hostel is located outside the city centre, on a hill right on the Firth of Forth. Next to a golf course, naturally. We walked to tiny little Cramond Island when the tide was out; in the 1800s it was a vacation spot, and in WWII it was occupied by soldiers on the look-out for attacks from the sea. The remnants of the forts still remain. Lots of sea creatures as well; apparently you can see bottle-nosed dolphins but I sadly didn't spot any.
Yesterday we took another - you guessed it - free walking tour of the Old Town. Our guide was a Nova Scotian! We finally came across a Maritimer. We saw the important stuff: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile (also known as Tourist Trap Central), the cemetery where Bloody Mackenzie's poltergeist hangs out, the sites of witch burnings, the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter, the school that inspired Hogwarts, the Princes Street Gardens, and the cathedral where Sir Sean Connery was knighted. Lots of random stuff. Also heard stories about William Wallace, the Stone of Destiny, Deacon Brodie (the man who inspired the R.L. Stevenson's Jekyll & Hyde), and Burke and Hare, body snatchers from the 1800s. Yeah, Edinburgh has a crazy, fascinating history.
Lots more to do in Edinburgh before heading off to Glasgow to meet our Scottish relatives for the first time!
P.S. You're probably on the edge of your seat, waiting for new photos. Sorry to keep you waiting, but we can't get to any USB ports at the moment. Sit tight, we'll have more up as soon as we can.

This is London

Jordan: We are in London. Everybody-speaks-our-language-and-drives-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-road-London. Handing-over-our-dignity-to-pay-for-bare-necessities-like-food-London. It's a nice place if you ignore the price, and though I am grossly overexaggerating, I'm also not too far off.
We arrived about three, or maybe four(five) days ago. Since we've been hitting up the main sites in and around London, with day trips to both Oxford and Bath. Totally didn't see the Roman Baths, as that would require to leave several of our toes for an admission price. Toes that neither of us are willing to give up yet.
What we have done and seen is another free tour, around the neighbourhood of Westminster, witnessing all things royal and getting some of the good stories that surround people in high places. Naturally we saw Buckingham Palace, not all it's cracked up to be, if it's cracked up to be anything. Also where our buddy Charles lives, as well as the original palace, home to Henry VIII and others. Other highlights include Westminster Abbey and the Parliament Buildings, housing the most famous Ben in the world. Not Kenobi, Big Ben, and learned how he, or it, the bell, got its name. We saw the London Eye, of course we're staying at the London Eye hostel. We are not going to take part in that part of London.
The London Eye is another of those activities that demand a virgin sacrifice just to get on. Maybe next time I come to London and am rich I won't mind handing over my dignity to the Queen just to get a look at the roof of her house. But I hear the view kicks ass.
We've also checked out the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, with a bunch of guys wandering around the lawn in medieval costumes. We ate umm, a real full English breakfast one day. It was very tasty and included all the staples of a good breakfast: bacon, sausage, egg, beans, toast and mushrooms. Kennedy didn't touch her mushrooms.
Day trip to Oxford on a Sunday, when all the students were leaving meant nothing was open. Lucky us, pay to go to Oxford and see nothing! Not quite. We got into Magdalen College, where CS Lewis attended and Christ Church Campus, with the Great Hall from the Harry Potter movies. Also went to Moo Moo's for a milkshake. Kennedy got a Snickers bar ground into hers, I had a Cadbury Creme Egg milkshake.
Today went to Bath, skipped the Roman Baths, to spend more time with our old friend Jane Austen, with a bunch of other women, on Gay Street. As you can tell I felt right at home. We love you Jane, say hello to Mr. Darcy for us. We then went to a Vegetarian Pub, just so I could be a little more emasculated. Bath Abbey was next on our list of extraordinary sites in Bath, we went there.
Had a bunch of time to kill before our bus so hung out in a park, it was very cloudy. Cloudy days are sunny days here. But as Kennedy so satisfactorily put it just now, 'But no rain thankfully.'
Totally going to a Movieum tomorrow, we don't care how many limbs we have to give up to get in.
Edinburgh in a couple days.

In Bruges... well, not anymore...

Kennedy: We arrived in London last night, we are now officially on the last leg of the trip. This is depressing.
Our last day in Amsterdam was lovely - checked out some photojournalism at FOAM, drank tall cans and soaked up some sun in Vondelpark while listening to a random guy play Bob Marley, and ate meat croquettes and hamburgers out of a vending machine. Weird, and probably toxic, but very tasty.
Next stop: Bruges, Belgium. Famous for beer and chocolate...my kind of place! Bruges was added to our trip late in the planning stages after we heard it was an awesome party town. Yeah, that wasn't really our experience. Maybe because we were there in the middle of the week? Who knows. Last call at the bars was at 1 a.m., earlier than at the Fish in Clinton. However, we had an even better time the one night we stayed at our hostel's bar and played a few rounds of Kings with our Bruges buddies.
The weather was lovely in Bruges, warm enough for tank tops again. It's quite small but very beautiful. We could walk around the city centre easily, and had seen most of the sights within a few hours of arriving. The main square houses the famed Belmont Tower, which we didn't climb. We opted to visit the Chocolate Museum instead. After learning about cocoa beans and looking at some interesting chocolate art (they had a life-size chocolate statue of Barack Obama), we got to witness a demonstration and taste the final product. Mm mm good.
We also visited the Church of Our Lady, where Michaelangelo's Madonna and Child statue lives. A bit strange to see his work in Belgium; apparently it is one of the very few pieces of his outside of Italy.
Two kind of annoying things about Bruges: the locals don't like tourists and all the stores open and close at random. It made trying to get meals difficult. Especially when the place is open, practically empty, and the owner STILL refuses our business. Jordan and I did not make the 'cut' at a restaurant that sells spaghetti for 3 euros. Thankfully we were good enough for the guys at the fries stand down the street. Random fact: Did you know french fries were actually invented in Belgium? I didn't either. I also didn't know there was a movie called "In Bruges" starring Colin Farrell. A line from the movie: "If I grew up on a farm and was retarded, I might think Bruges is interesting. But I didn't, so I don't." Damn that Colin Farrell. Don't worry Bruges, I'm not too good for you.