London... dreary London...

Here I am in London... today is the only day it hasn't been raining!!!!

Our flight here was uneventful. However we were on a Boeing 777 -- the first class had those awesome pod seats that fold down into beds!!! Obviously, we were not fortunate (or rich) enough to get first class. LOOOONG flight.

We exchanged money first off -- $35 USD turned into £12.86 - WHAT?!?!??! The currency exchange is so unfavorable for Americans!

Getting on the tube (the subway) we followed Jenny's directions to get to Trafalgar Square nearby where she works. Coming up those subway stairs into one of the most famous squares in the world was overwhelming. People everywhere, pigeons everywhere, the most beautiful architecture you've ever seen!!! And the architecture didn't stop there... it's an absolutely gorgeous city!!!!

A visit to Covent Square brought us amazing pizza, men juggling, audiences laughing...an Italian opera singer could be heard in the distance. What a sight!!!

We then ventured down to Fleet St -- this means nothing unless you've seen/read "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street". Very picturesque part of town that led to St. Paul's massive cathedral, and paralleled the bank of the Thames. Tugboats and tourist boats alike all chuggin through the dirty Thames -- we enjoyed a Corona on the deck of a yacht to take in the view.

Big Ben, The House of Parliament, The London Eye (the big ferris wheel), the Thames, the Tower Bridge in the distance... if only it would stop raining!!!

We met with Jenny and strolled down the bankside past Shakespeare's Globe Theater. We ended up at the greatest Greek restaurant. Cravings for gelato led us around the corner, but it was closed since the weather was so dreary.

Jenny lives in the residence halls for the University of Westminster. It's an hour-long tube ride back to her place, but the subway life/life-forms are interesting.

By this point, we had spent all day lugging around our 30lb. packs so we were exhausted. At least we stayed up, so we were able to get our sleeping schedules in sync with Greenwich Mean Time.

The second day was a whirl -- our packs left at Jenny's, we were able to maneuver quicker and lighter. We first visited the National Gallery; Van Gogh's "Sunflowers", Rembrandt's self portrait, Monet's "Lilly pads" and "The Virgin on the Rocks"! Some of the greatest works of art ever!

We then made the long walk across the Thames to Tate Modern (obviously the modern art museum). Everything from Andy Warhol to Picasso (a lot of Picasso) to Paul McCarthy's sexually explicit home videos on projection! An audio tour guided us along our way.

Then me, josh and Jenny headed to the Arc to meet some friends of hers -- 2 for 1 pizzas and 2 for 1 cocktails!!!! This led us to a pub/venue where I had my first pint of Cider!!!! A couple pints are enough trust me!!! We rocked along with an English band called the The Fins -- not the Friends and not the Fiends -- this was the first difficulty I've had with the accent.

Well besides all this...
trash can = bin
loo or toilet = bathroom
fags = cigarettes (no really, it does. It's crazy embarrassing asking for them too!)
vest = waistcoat
subway = underpass for pedestrians (NOT a underground rail!)


just some random things have made for an entertaining trip!!!!

Today, we woke up early to go to Buckingham Palace to see the traditional "Changing of the Guard"... pretty pompous and boring and waaaay too many tourists.
We then ventured to Westminster Abbey and The Houses of Parliament which are two of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen!!!! Westminster Abbey had so many tombs of British and Church leaders -- kinda creepy!

After that, we found the best little Indian restaurant before we headed to the British Museum. It houses 50% of what was recovered from the Parthenon (the other 50% being what's left of the Partenon in Greece!). It also houses the most extensive Egypt collection outside of Egypt -- including sarcophagi and even Cleopatra's mummy!

Now that we have had our fill of culture, here I sit in an internet cafe with a few conclusions...

London = skinny jeans. Everyone wears them. Boys, girls. It's like all the emo/punk/eclectic people of America came to London.
London = tall boots. Yes, even though it's summer, all the girls wear tall boots or Uggs.
London = America with accents and cooler architecture.
Londoners = London college students rival the most travelled adults in America. Everyone we talk to has been to almost every continent, has travelled all over, has studied all over, and knows at least two languages. It's almost embarrassing to be an American sometimes.


Tonight we head to the London Eye (big ferris wheel) since it's a clear night.
Tomorrow, patisserie in the morning and the Science Museum. Tomorrow evening, we are going to see the London production of the New York Broadway Musical "Avenue Q" -- which I've been dying to see for FOUR years!!!

Well, we are going to head to the London Tower now to meet Jenny before the London Eye...
We fly out Sunday afternoon to Greece!!!!!!

Until then... Cheers!

TaTa -- Amanada

Leavin on a jetplane...

Our flight leaves this evening at 6:10pm.

Pretty nervous. Haven't even finished the final packing yet.

Any idea how long it takes to get through customs???? Yeah me either.

Next time i write, I will be in London! Cheerio!

My address for work...

The first session of work, I will be stationed in Locminé. This may change every two weeks, or it may not -- it depends on enrollment at the other sites.

But starting June 26th, you can write me at:
ATTN: Amanda Purnell
American Village
Lycée Anne de Bretagne
5 place Anne de Bretagne
BP 70366
56503 LOCMINE

You can also reach me by landline at the site:
from the US & Canada: 011 33 297 60 18 36
or my cell phone: 816-739-0461

I will update this if my address changes!!!!!

How to contact us & our schedule

Hey I just finished a general overview of how to get in touch with us while overseas as well as what our rough schedule is. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/6q2v9e

-Josh

T minus 5 days...

To Mom, Dad, and all my friends and family...

First off, thank you for your support and encouragement as I begin this amazing journey. I am nervous and scared out of my mind, but so excited.

Hopefully this blog will keep you updated on where I am, where I am going, and what I'm up to.

OK, so here is the direction my life is going right now. Many of you have been confused as to what I'm doing this summer/where I'm going, etc. Let me clear it up for you. I've also included some Frequently Asked Questions.

May 27th - Fly from Kansas City to London-Heathrow Airport. Yes London, UK.

May 27th - June 24th -- me and Josh are backpacking throughout Europe. England, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and France. End up in Paris, where I hop on a train to be...

June 26th - September 1st -- ...a camp counselor/English teacher at an English-language immersion camp in France. That means once those kids step foot in the camp, there is no English. None. They eat, sleep, learn, play in English.

FAQ:

Q: Why?
A: Here I am. It's almost 6 months after I've graduated college. I don't want to settle down just yet. I'm not married (although i might as well be). I don't have kids. As of May, I don't have an apartment. Most of my friends... well needless to say, I just don't have much holding me here. So the question is, WHY NOT?

Q: Why France? Why not China/Thailand/Australia/etc?
A: From age 5-15, I danced classical ballet. Ballet is French. Created by the French using French vocabulary. I took French in junior high. I love the French culture -- pastries, cheese and wine? hell-OOO?! I have always been fascinated with France. It's my place. Josh's place is Greece. Meagan's is Africa. Mine is France.

Q: Where did you find a job like that?
A: I honestly just googled "English speaking jobs overseas" for shits and giggles. This camp popped up on the first page of an overseas job board.

Q: Do you know any French?
A: I know enough to survive. But no, not really.

Q: How can you work in France and not know French?
A: The camp would rather you not know any French so you're not tempted to speak it around the campers. They only hire counselors whose native language is English (Americans, Canadians, Australians, Britains, etc.) with some very rare exceptions.

Q: How can you teach kids a language if you don't speak their language?
A: Europe is not like America. Most children in France are taught some English growing up. They have a rough, if not surprisingly good, understanding of English. The camp is basically a pro-American camp -- teaching them English and how to use it in America.

Q: How much does it pay?
A: Not too shabby, considering I get lodging and food included. I did have to pay for my plane ticket over there, however. The pay averages out to about $300 a week for a 6-day work week. Also, by French law, for every 26 days of work, I get a 10% paid vacation. They also pay for accident and liability insurance while I'm over there.

Q: Are you scared?
A: Yes a little bit. More excited than scared. Really really excited. I'm more scared about the month of backpacking before camp.

Q: What are you doing after camp?
A: Not quite sure. I might spend some more time backpacking with fellow counselors and seeing all the things me and Josh aren't seeing. Or I might be really homesick (aka Josh-sick) and want to come home.

Q: Are you coming back to Springfield?
A. Hell no. Well... maybe to visit. Maybe.

Q: Does that mean you're quitting the radio station?
A: Unfortunately, yes I am. I gave everyone notice WELL in advance so I'm covered. I'm very sad to be leaving Power 96.5 and the Journal Broadcast Group family. They are the best company I've ever worked for. Every person I've worked with there has helped me grow professionally and personally. Truly, this is the hardest part about leaving. When (if?) I decide to enter the industry again, I will without-a-doubt look at Journal Broadcast openings first and foremost.

To conclude... I'm in Europe from end of May until September or beyond. All I know is I have a plane ticket back to Kansas City on Sept 4th that is exchangable for another date for only $35. So who knows when I'll be home.

After that? No clue. Who knows where the winds will take me. Definitely not Missouri.

Maybe move to where Josh is at that point, which is looking like Austin, TX...
Maybe Seattle...
Maybe we'll just throw a dart at a world map...

and I'm perfectly okay with that.