Sunday, September 14, 2008

First week in Europe

So I've completed my first week in Europe! It's been a bit tiring, but lovely all the same! London was wonderful, but I'm glad that I didn't decide to stay there because it's too much like America, and I didn't feel like it was a very "foreign" experience. However, going to a broadway show every night was amazing! I got to see "Phantom of the Opera," "Wicked" and "Les Miserables." "Les Miserables" was by the far the very best, and I actually didn't even really like "Wicked" that much, but they were all incredible and I only spent 75 pounds (ok that's a lot but not for Broadway). Although I really like being able to get everywhere in London, I LOVE having personal cars! Anyway, it looked like we weren't going to be able to get out of London because there was a fire in the "Eurostar" the day before we were supposed to take it to Belgium, fortunately however we were able to take the train! Belgium is absolutely beautiful! And I actually like it a lot more than London. Everything is much more relaxed and the streets are beautiful! Cobblestone roads and beautiful cottage like houses. There are lace and chocolate shops everywhere, and although the official language is dutch, everyone speaks English very well (good thing).

Today we went to church here, and completely overwhelmed the little branch here. We more than doubled their size. It was incredible to experience the globality (word choice?) of the church, and strange to hear people from Belgium talking about an "American" religion.

We've been to so many cathedrals here, and they are beautiful, but a bit eerie, and I realize how much I love the spirit of our plain meeting houses.

Well the chocolate here, is delicious! Tomorrow we're off to Brussels and then off to Antwerp (sp?) and Amsterdam. It's going to be great, however it will be nice to stick in Paris for two months, becasue it's a bit hard carying 70lbs worth of luggage around. UGH! I should never have packed so heavily.

Well, I hope everything is well at home, I haven't heard much, but I guess no news is good news right?

-Jules

3 comments:

Kyle Andrew said...

Julie!!! you are in my mission!!! I served in Brussels!!! I will encourage you to eat some Cote d'Or chocolate. It is pretty cheap and it's my favorite. The "Dessert 58" flavor is the best one. Also, visit the Atomium and the Asian museums. They are a Brussels must-see.
I made a blog so I could keep track of your adventures.
Bon voyage!!
Kyle

Leigh said...

1. 'Globality' is totally a word, and an appropriate one at that.
2. I may be entering an Adult Spelling Bee. Hahhaha. I will write more on that later.
I can only Imagine how busy y'all must be! Have you you gotten a chance to practice any French? Ooh, this reminds me - Valerie, from our summer ward, was just accepted to the Israel program for the winter semester!!.... wonder if I'll see her there.
3. I Love You!

Sky said...

Juliet, you are amazing. Just so you know.

Les Mis is probably one of the greatest musical productions ever, and even though I love the music of Wicked, it just isn't nearly as epic as Les Mis. And no, I won't hold your disdain for Wicked against you. I understand it's a bit trippy.

Keep blogging so the rest of us can live vicariously through you. Oh, and the World of Warcraft expansion "The Wrath of the Lich King" comes out November 14. Thought you'd like to know.