Big Bucks No Whammies

This month our friends from Medical School came out to visit us in England. From left to right in the picture: Jared and Geneva, Doug and Missy, Chris and Lisa, Brian and Terri, Troy and Stefani. We did a whirlwind trip of London, Paris, Dublin, Cork, and Edinburgh. For those of you who have visited any of those cities you would think that would not be possible to do in 8 days, but you are underestimating the speed of the "Big Bucks, No Whammies" group. I can not even begin to summerize the events of this trip. For those who want a very small glimpse of events here they are. We stay in amazing Marriot hotels in all the cities, all credit givng to Brian. Thank you!!

Day 1-The first night was in the London Marriot next to the "London Eye" and across the river from Big Ben and Parliment- AMAZING.




That night we saw "Wicked" and ate at a fun pub.

Day 2-The next day we left on the Eurostar to Paris. Where we saw the Louvre in an hour. OK we basically saw the Mona Lisa and Winged victory and every thing on the way. The building alone was amazing.





Next we saw Notre Dame and walked the city. At night fall we visted the Effiel tower. They lights on the tower right now are blue, with the EU stars attached to the side, celebrating the French becoming the President of the European Union. It was also the night before Bastille day(their Fouth of July), so there were all sort of celebrations going on.




Day 3- We started out at Versailles. Home of Louis XIV. It was so huge and amazing with beautiful gardens.




The Magnum bars after were a special treat. Doug and I eat them as often as possible in Europe.



Next was the highlight of the trip for Doug. He had Terri as close to puking as I have ever seen anyone. Doug had hear that the sewer tour was a must do for Paris and conviced us that it doesn't smell. That wasn't exactly true, how can it not smell when you are walking above the stuff that smells. Really not as bad as you think it would be but certainly not free of smell. After a quick stop at the sewer toilets, we saw live sewer rats and lots of water filled with sewage. While Jared and all the girls(except me) escaped, Chris and Doug jumped the fence and headed deeper into the sewer than is to be seen in the regular tour. Then with a quick ride on the "Spaceshittle" we decided we had seen enough.







We then headed to the Effiel Tower for Crepes and Frites. As you can see the sweets are as important as the sites.



Next was the hike to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. Bless Geneva, our sweet pregnant friend, was a trooper up the million steps. We walked to the top for a beautiful view of the city. After the church, we stopped at an artist market located by the church and Doug bought me a Painting of Paris. I just LOVE it!!







Each trip that the girls have gone on we take a picture in hats that best represent the place we are. "We we Pari'".




The last place we visited was Arch de Triumphe at sunset.




Day 4- Off to Dublin on an early flight.We had a bit of a "whammie" here. Doug did not get across very well the 15kg weight limit on bags when we fly Ryanair. So with a quick stop at the trusty Gap, where we begged some huge bags to stuff all the extra weight and use as carry ons we were off. We toured the city. Stopping at a castle and church after enjoying the "Lush" shop, a store of handmade soaps and cosmetics. Thank you Patsy for introducing me to this luxury. Dinner was sitting on couches in a relaxing little pub. Then off to "Riverdance". OH MY- that was well worth the trip alone.







Day 5- An 8am flight to Cork. The boys headed golfing as the girls toured the Dingle Pennisula. The area was gorgeous!! Sheer cliffs and rock made homes, with sheep everwhere. At 8pm we flew back to Dublin and prepared for another day of Gap bag shuffle.






Day 6- We flew to Edinburgh WAY too early so the boys could get to golfing at St. Andrews. The birth place of golf. One we arrived at our Old Scottish manor Marriot hotel. The girls slept while the men golfed. After our nap we drove into the city and walked around, shopped at the Gap and talked. Something that never stopped. Back at the hotel, I introduced the ladies to scones clotted cream and jam. Instead of tea we ordered virgin pina coladas and another drink. This was a huge task since they don't really have non-alcoholic specialty drinks here.




Day 7- Edinburgh castle was most of the day. We enjoyed the bagpipe player playing for the wedding that was to take place in the church at the castle, seeing the crown jewels and wandering around the amazing castle. Interestinly enough the city of Edinburgh smells like roastbeef where ever you go. Very strange. Next was shopping on the Royal Mile then a quick stop for some to the Walter Scott monument, while the others shopped at H&M. I'm sure you can guess who did what. Dinner was at the Hard Rock cafe. Doug and I were in heaven having American food, with American portions and free refills, something we miss dearly. After our meal we went on a "Ghost tour" of the cemetary. With the ledgends and history of spooky things. Really not that spooky, but interesting hanging out in the cemetary after dark.










Day 8- The last day for us. We took the train from Edinburgh back home and our friends continued on to London. It was a sad good bye. So many memories that I can't fit here. Thanks for the awesome trip.