TravelStream™ news feed for member summerflowers73 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/summerflowers73 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:04:15 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258230822/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258230822/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258230822/tpod.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:04:15 -0500 Teena's Parisian Journey Across the Pond

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Paris, Île-de-France, France

I had two choices for my last day in Paris. I could spend extra money for a train ride to London, and spend a day there and come back, or I could take advantage of this free travel agent pass I was given to tour EuroDisney. I think I'll save a little and take this free pass! : - )
Plus Disney is fun, and I hardly ever get to go on rides anymore. So for my last day in France, I got up early, headed to the usual spot at the train station, and waited for the train to take me to the land of magic. Immediately when you get off the train at Disneyland Paris, you are surrounded by everything Disney. Even in the train station. Disneyland Paris is split into two sections. One being similar to like a Magic Kingdom, and the other being similar to a Universal studios. Going to these kinds of Parks makes you somewhat overwhelmed. You don't know where to start first. I decided to get on some rides first. I am not a rollercoaster person anymore, but I actually managed to go on 3 rollercoasters. Finding Nemo coaster, (Which isnt as wimpy as it sounds), Aerosmith Rockin RollerCoaster (Which was a blast and the absolute best) and Magic Mountain (Which gave me whiplash and I will never go on again). After those I decided I had had enough, and chose to opt out of the Indiana Jones Temple of Peril Coaster. I also got a tour of the Disney Television Studios there, as well as the grand hotel at the entrance. Sometime that afternoon, I went to an outside musical production of the movie High School Musical, which was very popular last year. Pretty talented teens I must say. I think I lost circulation in my legs I walked so much that day. LOL.
But it was all worth it, and a lot of fun! I think I had seen quite a bit in my amount of time in Paris, and next time I will see even more when I come back with you honey. : - ) Xoxo


THE END : - )
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258227148/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258227148/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258227148/tpod.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:33:30 -0500 Teena's Parisian Journey Across the Pond

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Paris, Île-de-France, France

Today I was going to do one thing and one thing only. It was Palace day! I intended to spend the entire Saturday at the previous home of many kings and queens. Home of all the King Louis's, the center of the French Revolution, and most interestingly, home of Marie Antoinette!
The Palace of Versailles! This day seemed to be especially cold out, so I layered my clothing since I had to take the trains. It was a pretty long ride to the Palace, which was in the outskirts of Paris.
I wanted to see all of the palace, so when I arrived I chose to get the audio tour and an extra pass to get into the Queens Hamlet, which I had read about. The Palace grounds were monumental. They put so much detail in the sculptures and buildings. I love that you can freely walk the grounds and gardens as you like. Once inside the Palace, I noticed it was quite crowded with people from all over the world there. Some of the people had their own guided tour guides telling stories of the Palace, and how Marie Antoinette and her family had to flee the Palace during the French Revolution. I looked in the bedrooms where the Royal families slept and walked the hall of mirrors. There were many rooms with lots of paintings covering the walls. Every room, (called Grand Apartments) had a story. A lot of the rooms had original furniture in them from the 1700's that had been preserved. After several hours inside the main palace, I wanted to see the rest of the grounds, like the full garden, the Grand and Petite Trianons, and the Queens Hamlet, which were on the other side. Walking down to the Hamlet and Trianons, I noticed a french countryside filled with sheep. It was one of the most peaceful walks I have ever taken. The Queens Hamlet was Marie Antoinette's little getaway from Palace life. She had her own cottages there, with theater houses and houses built for her to sit and write poetry in. There were also the Trianons, where she or King Louis could hold royal meetings in, sometimes in private. I learned so much history this day and how important it is to actually see it for yourself!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258224320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258224320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258224320/tpod.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:26:25 -0500 Teena's Parisian Journey Across the Pond

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Paris, Île-de-France, France

What a perfect way to start the next day after an excursion in the Red Light District! Time to head to church. Well, actually the Notre Dame Cathedral! I remember passing it while on the River Seine in the Batobus, and wanted to make a special stop there. After a light breakfast at the hotel, I headed back into the railway and decided to take a picture by the tracks. Feeling really good for it being so early! : ) One thing that is interesting about riding the trains in another country is watching how other cultures interact. On my way into the center of the city, I noticed some French teenagers who were in regular hip hop street clothes and they were laughing and joking, and talking all kinds of slang-but in French! From what little French I do know, it seemed they were talking about a lady. Lol! I made my way to the Notre Dame stop and could see the tall cathedral in the background. Not only is it huge from the outside, but it seems even bigger inside. More fantastic paintings were inside and the stained glass windows were marvelous. After spending quite a bit of time at Notre Dame, I decided to take the train back to the Champs to look at some stores before heading to one of the many fashion districts in Paris. I had a fashion show scheduled for that afternoon at the Galaries Lafayette. I would be able to also look into a lot of boutiques while I was there. I had a lot of fun back on the Champs Elysees. I got a chance to go into the Disney store, where someone I knew had went and said the one in Paris is something to see. I also got a chance to go to Sephora Paris and buy some items there. I had to make it to the fashion district soon, so I decided to leave so that I can grab lunch by the fashion show. While in the fashion district, I went to some shops and boutiques. Two of them being Ed Hardy and Christian Louboutin. Very popular in the States, and I was happy to get to see their original shops in Paris. I finally made it to the Galaries Lafayette. I had seen it on the Travel Channel. I looked up and saw the multifloors and remembered it from Samantha Brown's travel show. I went up to the top floor and got lunch, which was a salad and some other things, along with some French water. Nice and full, I headed to the 4:00 fashion show,-feeling very appreciative, and trying to take it all in. : - )
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258220807/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258220807/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258220807/tpod.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:31:36 -0500 Teena's Parisian Journey Across the Pond

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Paris, Île-de-France, France

We wanted something good to eat. I mean reaaaaaaaally good. Why not go have a French breakfast on the Champs Elysees with a view of the Arc de Triomphe!
I just had to have some Croissants today. An early morning ride on the French railway, took us back into the center of Paris. My friend's flight left that afternoon, so we were going to at least go take in one more great place together. I remember seeing the Arc in a lot of movies that took place in Paris-one in particular was Rush Hour 3. There were so many classy shops and boutiques that lined the Champs. We would have to check some of those out after we ate. Soon, it was time for my friend to go back to the hotel and to get the rest of their luggage and head for the airport. I also went back to put on a warm hoodie, because it was getting pretty chilly out. After seeing my friend to the airport, I knew exactly where I wanted to back to. The Eiffel Tower! As a travel agent I got a chance to get a pass and special invitation as a guest to the top of the tower, and I couldn't wait! I had all my maps outlined and the stops that I had to get off on, and that was all I needed. As long as I made it back to the hotel before dark, I didn't mind traveling by myself. As soon as I got off at the Eiffel stop, I saw the regulars that were at the bottom attempting to selling tourist memorabilia. This time I brought some keychains to take back with me to the States. I went into the business office of the Eiffel Tower to get my pass and then I was on my way. I was going to the top! Or as I call it..the tip of the tower! It actually took about 45 min to make it all the way up, and I took the lifts! Some people actually climbed the stairs on the side to get up there. On the way up, some floors are halfway points and have eateries where you can stop, relax and eat. I finally made it to the tip. I did it! There was an area where you could actually write your name there as a memory that you were there. After coming down from the top of the Eiffel Tower, I hopped back on the train and took it to a very known spot. The Red Light district! I was going there for one purpose, and that was to take pictures of the Moulin Rouge for my travel pictures. The Red Light was very interesting. I have never seen back to back bars, restaurants, and eateries, and every single sign in the window said Peep show here, or Topless all night!! It was definitely the Red Light! I walked a few more blocks and saw the famous Moulin windmills in the distance. I couldn't believe I was actually in the middle of all this! I walked up to the gigantic red doors and opened them to walk into a long corridor where a ticket man was behind a counter. On the side was the actual "Can-Can" stage but it had bars on the outside so you couldn't go in. He asked me something in French, probably if I was buying a ticket, but I just smiled and walked out. I walked across the street and snapped my pic. Now! Time to head for the train....no getting caught in the Red Light district when night falls and the street lamps come on! Not me!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258214182/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258214182/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258214182/tpod.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:44:15 -0500 Teena's Parisian Journey Across the Pond

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Paris, Île-de-France, France

I finally arrived in Paris at 7:20 in the morning on April 9th. It was still April 8th back in Minneapolis and probably close to midnight. I slept a little on the plane but I think Jet-Lag city was going to catch up with me eventually. First order of business was to meet my friend and her daughter in Paris. They were there celebrating her 14th birthday, and I was along for the festivities. They had been in Paris for 3 days already and were leaving the next day, so I had already expected to do the rest of my travels by myself and was well prepared to do it. Paris, in no way, shape or form, lack means for transportation. The Eurorails are an easy and convenient way to get around all over Paris! I purchased my Eurorail pass right at Charles de Gaulle Airport, and that would last me all week. Tonight I was staying down by the Eiffel Tower at my friends hotel. So I hopped the French railway and made it down to central Paris. It was all that I thought it would be. The buildings, the people, and the atmosphere! It was good to be across the Atlantic pond. : )
When I finally met up with my friend and her daughter, we could wait to get going and start sightseeing. My friend said they still had not been to several places and this was the night to do it! A really fun way to get around to the different tourist spots in Paris is by Batobus! It is a bus on the water! It takes you from stop to stop and you get to take in sights on the River Seine at the same time! I recorded a funny video on the Batobus so I could later view it. The first stop we made it to was to the famous Louvre museum where the Mona Lisa was on display. The Louvre Museum was massive! It was so big that we only got through half of it! Surprisingly the Mona Lisa was much smaller than expected!
We were starving after the Louvre, so we decided to hop back on the Batobus and get off at the Eiffel Tower stop to go to one of the delicious crepe stands by it. I decided to try out some of my french words with the crepe maker. "Je voudrais un crepe?" He replied "Wie Madaam!" I was all smiles after that. : ) We then took our street crepes and walked across the street to the Eiffel Tower. Eating crepes in front of the Eiffel Tower is an experience within itself! We took pics in front of the tower before heading off to a Parisian Bistro for dinner. The first day in Paris was beyond amazing.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258209868/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258209868/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/7/1258209868/tpod.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:41:33 -0500 Teena's Parisian Journey Across the Pond

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Bloomington, Minnesota, United States

That is what greeted me as I entered the gate area, where everyone was preparing for the first non-stop flight to Paris on Northwest Airlines. I admired the ice replica, and noticed that they had every facet and detail chiseled into the ice perfectly. Northwest airlines went all out for this one. All the news channel were there to cover the ribbon cutting ceremony and inauguration party. I went over to a table that was adorned with lots of French flair and decorations, and a hostess offered me a glass of champagne. It was so good! I then made my way over to another table full of Parisian o'dourves and appetizers. In between eating and people watching, I looked up and noticed Carl Eller from the Minnesota Vikings walking around in a purple suit and looking like he had consumed one to many glasses of wine. Funny thing is, I later found out when I got back to the States, that Carl Eller had got stopped by the police on the way back from the inauguration party and was taken downtown. Noone still knows why he was there in the first place. LOL!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/midwest-2007/1188570600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/midwest-2007/1188570600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/midwest-2007/1188570600/tpod.html Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:47:03 -0400 Midwest Adventures 2007

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Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States

This weekend was remarkable. I actually got to spend a lot of time with my friends this weekend, hang out, and just chill. Starting with Friday night, me and Fay found ourselves at the MN State Fair, which is a BIG DEAL in Minnesota. We ate everything under the sun, (Which I later regretted) and finally got to the Midway around 9PM. It was great fun, and we even ran into Fay's sister Kim and her niece Jasmine, while we were there.

The next day, (Saturday), I met my friend Keca earlier that morning, and we took some photos. Afterward I met up with Kiara, and we stopped by the 35W bridge collapse to take pictures. I swear, it didn't even look real. It looked like something out of the movie Independence Day. I took a pic, and there is also a video included.
Later that night, I met up with my friend Theo, and we went and hung out for a while. Don't have any pics with Theo though. : (

That Sunday, my friend Candace, her boyfriend Mike, Candace's three sons, and Mike's niece headed out to Wisconsin Dells, to vacation at the Kalahari African Resort. I met them out there and stayed one night. The resort was beautiful, and the waterpark was fabulous. The sun was out, the music was blasting, and I took the crazy notion to jump in the river in full clothes and float down the stream in an inner-tube. Ahhhhhh memories............................

Labor day morning I headed back to Minneapolis to celebrate with Kiara and Ron for his birthday. What a day! The day started out with horseback riding out near Prior Lake, MN. Pretty funny video included for this crazy adventure. My horse, which was named Tag, would always stop to eat grass and twigs, and I would have to pull on my reigns constantly to get him going. The guide took us down some steep hills and canyons, and I think my butt paid for that. : )

Since we were out in Prior Lake, we stopped off at Mystic Lake Casino, and ValleyFair to go, Go-Kart riding. The Go-Kart riding part of ValleyFair used to be separate. You could just go in and ride. Now it was part of the park because of a new coaster called Steel Venom, that was built right over the go-kart track, so I opted to just take a picture of the rollercoaster that was now part of that section of the amusement park. The thing looked pretty scary. It went straight up in the air, and fell backwards.......not my kind of party. lol.
We then decided to go and grab something to eat and found ourselves at Benihana's. I love Beni! Especially their Yum-Yum sauce! We had pretty cool table mates....but why did the guy sitting next to me carry around a jheri-curl cap, so that he could do his Chris Rock CB4 impersonations at the drop of a hat??
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/midwest-2007/1188927360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/midwest-2007/1188927360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/midwest-2007/1188927360/tpod.html Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:38:39 -0400 Midwest Adventures 2007

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Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

I was taking care of business my last few days in Minneapolis, but I did manage to get in some random shots around town, such as Lake Calhoun, downtown, and an actual Moes Southwestern Grill in Minnesota.

On the way back to Atlanta, I had a lengthy layover in Saint Louis, MO. I snapped the infamous I-70 highway sign. I have been on that stretch of highway, more times than I would have liked to!

Adios Amigos!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/mexico-us/874332600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/mexico-us/874332600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/summerflowers73/mexico-us/874332600/tpod.html Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:10:53 -0400 Mexican-American-Trifecta

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Tijuana, Mexico

Coming Soon!
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San Diego, California, United States

Coming Soon!
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