Greetings from Madrid!
First of all, I would like to apologize for the inconsistencies of getting the blog updated. A good wifi connection is few and far between.
We last wrote from the beautiful southern France. Since then, our journey has taken us to Barcelona and now Madrid - our final destination. We left Provence by bus. We made two stops en route to Barcelona. Our first stop was in Carcassonne, France. This is a medieval village located just before the France and Spain border. We were able to have a scenic lunch and do some shopping/site-seeing. Once we crossed the border into Spain, we stopped at a Salvador Dali museum. We were all very impressed by his surrealist work. Your girls have some great pictures to share from this museum!
After a day on the bus, we made it to Barcelona! We had an easy first night - dinner at the hotel and early(ish) to bed. Wednesday morning, we had a city-wide tour of Barcelona. We all fell in love with the lively atmosphere. We saw Gaudi's work from the Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia church. We saw the site of the 1992 Olympic Games, and we even saw the port of Barcelona.
That afternoon, the girls were given free time to shop and site see. Mrs. Melandri and I happened to notice a crowd outside the Mandarin Hotel. This crowd was behind barriers and many of the people had cameras like they were journalists. We found out that movie stars were in town and would be walking through at 5:45. Needless to say we summoned our girls and told them of this awesome news. I'm sure many of you have heard by now they were inches away from Cameron Diaz, Jason Segal, Rob Lowe and Seth Rogan!!! I am still star struck!
That night, we returned to the hotel and rested up for our second action-packed day in Barcelona. Thursday began with a trip to the beach. The girls didn't swim, but they were able to dip their toes into the Mediterranean. Shortly thereafter, we went to the Picasso museum. What was neat about this museum in particular is that most of the works are from Picasso as a student. We learned where he studied and who all he studied. Around 5:00, we all hopped on bikes and went for a bike tour around the city. Everyone had a ball. Our favorite part was retuning to the beach and riding along the boardwalk. We called it a night after our last dinner in Barcelona as we had a very early wake up call today.
This morning, we took the train to Madrid. Madrid is absolutely beautiful. This week is a very important week here as the new king of Spain has been crowned. The city is very decorated and welcoming. After hotel check-in, we took a walking tour of the Madrid city center. We walked to the Prado museum. Rather than your typical guided tour of a museum, we decided to give the girls a scavenger hunt of various masterpieces (winners are tbd at the moment). This was so neat because it really made them observe the painting and read about the stories behind them.
We are now in the process of getting ready for bed so that we may be ready for our last day of this French / Spanish adventure. Tomorrow we will be touring Madrid by bus, touring the Royal Palace, and then do some last minute shopping. We will conclude our trip with a fun final dinner.
In case I cannot post to the blog tomorrow, I'd like to remind you of our flight itinerary for Sunday:
United Airlines - #63 to Newawk, NJ. ---- we leave Madrid at 9:35 a.m. Madrid time and arrive in Newark at 12:20 p.m. Newark time.
United Airlines - #1492 to Chicago ---- we leave Newawk at 3:52 p.m. Newark time and arrive in Chicago at 5:34 (cst).
United Airlines - #5974 to little rock ---- we leave Chicago at 8:20 and arrive in LR at 10:07 p.m.
If anything happens to our flights, we will let you know asap.
Meanwhile, the three of us (Mrs. Melandri, Mrs, Pineda, and I) cannot begin to tell y'all what a privilege it has been taking your daughters abroad. They are such a joy and have made this first combined mercy ambassador trip the best experience. Thank you for sharing them with us these past 12 days.
We will see y'all on the other side of the pond!
All the best,
Marly Jeffries
Friday, June 20, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Wonderful Days in the Provence Region
Bonjour!
We have spent an amazing two days in the Provence region. In contrast to the excitement of Paris, the quiet little town of Provence has been incredibly relaxing. After an unexpected road trip through France, we arrived at a beautiful hotel that looks out over a picturesque patio, filled with beautiful greenery and a great view. My friend Anna Clare and I looked at each other and decided that we would come back for sure.
Our first day we toured Pont du Gard, Avignon, and a Roman amphitheater in Nîmes. As a Latin student, I found the aquaduct in Pont du Gard and the Roman amphitheater absolutely fascinating! There was nothing more ironic than the peace I felt while sitting at the top of the amphitheater where so many gladiators fought to the death. Next, Avignon was absolutely stunning. We toured the Pope's Palace and marveled at the beautiful architecture and history that surrounded us. All in all, it was a very memorable day!
Today, we ventured out to the towns of Cassis and Aix-En-Provence. In Cassis, we dipped our toes into the Mediteranean and took a boat ride through the Calanques. The rocky cliffs and beautiful blue water had all of us wishing we could buy a house nearby. Then, we toured the pretty town of Aix-En-Provence and did a little bit of shopping. While practicing our French and buying our macaroons, we felt as though maybe we could blend in with the French people surrounding us.
Tomorrow, we leave for a quick visit to Carcassone with a stop at the Dali Museum and then we will continue on to Barcelona! Until next time!
-Hailey Strother
We have spent an amazing two days in the Provence region. In contrast to the excitement of Paris, the quiet little town of Provence has been incredibly relaxing. After an unexpected road trip through France, we arrived at a beautiful hotel that looks out over a picturesque patio, filled with beautiful greenery and a great view. My friend Anna Clare and I looked at each other and decided that we would come back for sure.
Our first day we toured Pont du Gard, Avignon, and a Roman amphitheater in Nîmes. As a Latin student, I found the aquaduct in Pont du Gard and the Roman amphitheater absolutely fascinating! There was nothing more ironic than the peace I felt while sitting at the top of the amphitheater where so many gladiators fought to the death. Next, Avignon was absolutely stunning. We toured the Pope's Palace and marveled at the beautiful architecture and history that surrounded us. All in all, it was a very memorable day!
Today, we ventured out to the towns of Cassis and Aix-En-Provence. In Cassis, we dipped our toes into the Mediteranean and took a boat ride through the Calanques. The rocky cliffs and beautiful blue water had all of us wishing we could buy a house nearby. Then, we toured the pretty town of Aix-En-Provence and did a little bit of shopping. While practicing our French and buying our macaroons, we felt as though maybe we could blend in with the French people surrounding us.
Tomorrow, we leave for a quick visit to Carcassone with a stop at the Dali Museum and then we will continue on to Barcelona! Until next time!
-Hailey Strother
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Southern Charm
Bon soir from the BEAUTIFUL Provence region of France!
We have spent the day traveling from the north of France to the charming southern region known as Provence. Let me tell y'all, we are in heaven! Our hotel looks like a Mediterranean villa surrounded by olive trees and lavender.
We have a full agenda tomorrow that includes: the Pont du Gard aqueduct, the town of Avignon and the town of Nîmes. Your girls are already enjoying this region and we have only just arrived.
Stay tuned tomorrow as our journey contiues!
-Marly Jeffries
We have spent the day traveling from the north of France to the charming southern region known as Provence. Let me tell y'all, we are in heaven! Our hotel looks like a Mediterranean villa surrounded by olive trees and lavender.
We have a full agenda tomorrow that includes: the Pont du Gard aqueduct, the town of Avignon and the town of Nîmes. Your girls are already enjoying this region and we have only just arrived.
Stay tuned tomorrow as our journey contiues!
-Marly Jeffries
Friday, June 13, 2014
Our Parisian Journey
Dear Family and Friends,
I apologize in advance for not posting sooner. Needless to say we've been wrapped up in the magic that is Paris. Our flights were smooth as silk, everyone's bags made the trip, and our bus and tour guide were prompt with getting us from the airport.
Yesterday we immediately immersed ourselves with the tour de Paris. Despite some minor jet lag, we enjoyed seeing the magnificent Notre Dame, as well as some other sites around the city center. We thought it best to call it an early night so the girls could be well rested.
Today, we saw EVERYTHING Paris has to offer from a fabulous bus tour. Your girls were able to take plenty of pictures and learn about the famous monuments. I think they were most excited about getting to pose with the Eiffel Tower!
Shortly after our tour, we ventured to the palace of Versailles. Before our tour began, we grabbed some lunch. I took a group of about 10 to eat our sandwiches in the Versailles gardens. The pictures are spectacular. We then toured the palace, and your girls got to see where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and they saw how luxurious of a life the French monarchy once had.
Once our tour wrapped, we went to the north side of Paris, Montmartre. This district is known as the artist district. Some of your girls will be bringing home wonderful souvenirs of this art. It was the perfect afternoon to enjoy the sites and view. Montmartre is a big hill that overlooks all of Paris. They really got to see just how big of a city Paris is from that view.
After dinner, we took a boat ride along the Seine River. The weather was a breezy 65 degrees and the skies were so clear. Once the boat docked, the Eiffel Tower began it's sparking light show. It was truly magical and a perfect way to end the Paris portion of our trip.
Parents and friends, we have a slight change in our schedule tomorrow. It is very common for various workers and companies to go on strike in France. This is normally due to workers wanting better pay, hours, etc. It just so happens the trains in France are going on strike tomorrow, the day we are to leave by train to Provence. Don't worry, because we have secured a bus to take us to the South of France tomorrow. The bus will make our trip longer than a train trip. Unfortunately, we had to forgo our tour of the Louvre in the morning because of this. I know this is disappointing, but hopefully everyone sees it as one reason of many to come back to this beautiful city.
We are now tucked in bed for our last Parisian sleep. Mrs. Melandri, Mrs. Pineda and I ask you to kindly please remember the big time difference between France and Little Rock of 7 hours. With tonight's boat ride and metro trip back to the hotel, we did not make it here until after midnight. I understand everyone wants to hear from their girls, but it is so late (currently 1:35 am) that we need them rested for our daily journeys.
Thank you again for sending your girls on this tour with us. Each are such a delight and I cannot begin to describe their excitement and poise. You truly have raised fabulous young ladies.
That wraps our first leg of the trip. Stay tuned from the land of sunflowers and lavender fields!
All the best,
Marly Jeffries
I apologize in advance for not posting sooner. Needless to say we've been wrapped up in the magic that is Paris. Our flights were smooth as silk, everyone's bags made the trip, and our bus and tour guide were prompt with getting us from the airport.
Yesterday we immediately immersed ourselves with the tour de Paris. Despite some minor jet lag, we enjoyed seeing the magnificent Notre Dame, as well as some other sites around the city center. We thought it best to call it an early night so the girls could be well rested.
Today, we saw EVERYTHING Paris has to offer from a fabulous bus tour. Your girls were able to take plenty of pictures and learn about the famous monuments. I think they were most excited about getting to pose with the Eiffel Tower!
Shortly after our tour, we ventured to the palace of Versailles. Before our tour began, we grabbed some lunch. I took a group of about 10 to eat our sandwiches in the Versailles gardens. The pictures are spectacular. We then toured the palace, and your girls got to see where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and they saw how luxurious of a life the French monarchy once had.
Once our tour wrapped, we went to the north side of Paris, Montmartre. This district is known as the artist district. Some of your girls will be bringing home wonderful souvenirs of this art. It was the perfect afternoon to enjoy the sites and view. Montmartre is a big hill that overlooks all of Paris. They really got to see just how big of a city Paris is from that view.
After dinner, we took a boat ride along the Seine River. The weather was a breezy 65 degrees and the skies were so clear. Once the boat docked, the Eiffel Tower began it's sparking light show. It was truly magical and a perfect way to end the Paris portion of our trip.
Parents and friends, we have a slight change in our schedule tomorrow. It is very common for various workers and companies to go on strike in France. This is normally due to workers wanting better pay, hours, etc. It just so happens the trains in France are going on strike tomorrow, the day we are to leave by train to Provence. Don't worry, because we have secured a bus to take us to the South of France tomorrow. The bus will make our trip longer than a train trip. Unfortunately, we had to forgo our tour of the Louvre in the morning because of this. I know this is disappointing, but hopefully everyone sees it as one reason of many to come back to this beautiful city.
We are now tucked in bed for our last Parisian sleep. Mrs. Melandri, Mrs. Pineda and I ask you to kindly please remember the big time difference between France and Little Rock of 7 hours. With tonight's boat ride and metro trip back to the hotel, we did not make it here until after midnight. I understand everyone wants to hear from their girls, but it is so late (currently 1:35 am) that we need them rested for our daily journeys.
Thank you again for sending your girls on this tour with us. Each are such a delight and I cannot begin to describe their excitement and poise. You truly have raised fabulous young ladies.
That wraps our first leg of the trip. Stay tuned from the land of sunflowers and lavender fields!
All the best,
Marly Jeffries
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