Me in Paree. On top of the Notre Dame Cathedral with Trevor, Paris 2000.
So…Day 8 is about travel. I’m assuming we’re talking travel in this dimension because I could totally talk about time travel; who I’d like to meet and what I’d like to see.
Anyway–I’ve been all over California and of course to Vegas…many times, but I’ve been lucky enough to go to some really cool places outside of America.
When I was 15 my parents let me visit friends that lived in Paris. I had never even been outside of California at that point in time. My first night there, I went to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and after climbing a butt load of stairs (if you ever go to Paris, do the StairMaster to prepare your rump) I got to see the entire city at night, which was super neat.
Top of the Arc with my friend, Brady.
I did not and do not know very much French. I know how to say ham and cheese sandwich, sales, and bathroom—the basics!
I went to a ton of museums, got hit on by hot French dudes who thought I was in my 20’s, shopped my heart out, discovered the joy that is Nutella and even went to Euro Disney. I would love to go back and spend more time at museums…because I’m awesome like that. Also, the Mona Lisa is SUPER over rated.
Side Note: Nothing ever happened between Brady and I. He informed me I was a “good girl” and he liked girls that were not that. I didn’t know at the time, but that would be a reoccurring phrase I’d hear from guys my age.
My Great (in more ways than one) Uncle Peter and Me at the White House, Leeds, England. 2001
My Granny took me to Great Britain for my 16th birthday. We began by visiting my Great-Uncle Peter in Leeds, England. I had met him when I was 8 and was pen-pals with my Great-Aunt Helen after they left. When she passed away, he started writing me and I can honestly say Uncle Peter was probably the funniest person I’ve ever met and a great friend. Since I was with two seniors, we traveled mainly around Leeds, which was fine with me. It was August and I wasn’t in hot Bakersfield, I didn’t care.
Ice Cream Sandwiches with Great Uncle John in Edinburgh, Scotland.
After almost two weeks with Uncle Peter, we met up with my Great-Uncle John (Granny’s little brother) and stayed with him in Edinburgh, Scotland at his amazing house. I had met some of the younger cousins from Scotland, younger meaning under 50. Cousin wise, I’m in the middle, most are around my parents age with kids 10 years younger than me.
Aunt Elizabeth cooked a super yummy meal when we arrived and I met the Scottish cousin closest to me in age, Calum, who was really into magic tricks at the time. (He was 6 years old.) Within seconds of our introduction he asked me to close my eyes and stick out my hands. I opened them to find some fake poo. Between that and his love of ketchup on fish we became buddies. (He’s now much older and even more baller, if that’s possible.)
Ah yes, the cousin from California is the WHITEST person in the group of people from Scotland!
We went to the famous Military Tattoo and Fringe Festival. Uncle John took me to see a Star Wars Opera where Ross Perot was actually Darth Vader–amazing! The Tattoo was super cool, the bagpipers and drummers came marching in through the fog and made me feel full of pride for my bad ass Scottish heritage. In addition to sight seeing, Aunt Elizabeth took me for horse ridding lessons. The class was me and a bunch of 5 year olds. Luckily for me, Jason-my horse- farted the ENTIRE class. I have not been on a horse since.
My Great-Great Auntie Nan (102), Granny and I are sitting on the steps.
I also got to meet my, 102 year old, Great-Great Auntie Nan. She had never been out of Great Britain, lived on the same farm since birth and when asked what it was like to be 102 she said, “I wish I were dead. All my friends are gone and I’ve seen everything.” She lived for a few years after that.
What? Frosting!! Let's go!!
Besides anywhere with frosting, I’d like to return to the places I’ve talked about already. Honestly, anywhere with huge museums would be my dream vacation. London would be neat, Italy and Spain (plus a ton of sunscreen.) I have no urge to go to Asia because I don’t like the food. It’d also like to go on a Family Tree trip and hit Missouri and Bloomington, Illinois…told you I’m addicted to ancestry.com!! A visit to Taylor in NYC is something I’m looking into, even though Jerry Orbach is long dead and can’t protect me from the thugs of New York…I suppose Ice T will have to do as a replacement.
