So I Cross-Posted, Kiss My Grits

So I think on a lot deeper of a level than cooking and taking pictures sometimes. Shocking, I know. These two things, and many others to come, tend to swim around on the top of my brain all day long. But underneath that is pure gold, my friends, pure gold.

Or pure narcissism.

Either way, you are free (and encouraged) to peruse: www.induetimemychild.blogspot.com

Live a full life, my friends.

All Over the World

I was reading up on Croatia for a research paper I am currently writing -- I bet you're jealous of how much I am learning about the conflict in the Balkans in the 1990's. You're just dying of envy. Anyway, the Wikipedia page happened to mention a UNESCO World Heritage site there, the Plitvice Lakes.

I have really not traveled very extensively by any means, mostly on my own budget. My bank account is rather upset with me for it at present, and will only be angrier this summer unless God performs a miracle and all my expenses are covered. This is indeed possible; God is the ultimate worker of the unbelievable. However, I say all that to say that I have not gone many places because of my constraints, but I did wonder if I had seen any of these World Heritage sites myself.

And, consequently, if I've got any photos of them, just out of curiosity.

Spoiler: I have a couple! It's neat to see them on a list; I feel so accomplished. Mostly, though, I feel privileged.

France

I was here over Thanksgiving break, 2009. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Quite rainy, but lovely.

1. Paris, Banks of the Seine

The one thing in Paris that has seen it all: the revolutions, the industrialization, the art, the food, and all the je ne sais quoi. You can follow the Seine and see just about everything.

2. Palace and Park of Versailles

Opulence, thy name is Versailles. I really can't believe people used to live here. No wonder the peasants of France revolted; they had to be starving to death if all the money went towards this!

Someone had to paint that. Someone had to find the paint for that. Someone had to foot the bill. And that's one out of a billion ceilings!

The gardens must be unbelievably lovely in the springtime; they were really nice even for a dim day in fall!

Oh, and if I had my way, I would so have a pretend village just like Marie Antoinette's.

3. Chartres Cathedral

This cathedral is old. It is beautiful, too, for how old it is. The reason the two towers are different shapes and styles is because of reconstruction after a fire. Weird, huh?

There's a beautiful view if you can survive the climb to the highest parts of the tower. My thighs didn't think I would make it. But I proved them wrong.

The United Kingdom

It's every bit as weird as you would hope. They might eat strange (medieval) food and have funny words for "bathroom," but I'd go back in a heartbeat.

1. Westminster Abbey

The only upsetting thing about Westminster Abbey is just how full it is of famous people, and how little I am able to comprehend the significance of all of them, especially gathered in one place. Between Elizabeth I, Charles Darwin, Oliver Cromwell, and and Charles Dickens, I would say this is a rather popular place for the renowned dead to be found.

2. Tower of London

A little creepy, but mostly fascinating. Notice that raven up in the corner? Read about them and how they relate to the Tower of London. I am just such a great photographer to get that guy in there.

Beefeaters! I guess they were just taking a break to chat. I am proud to say that I was there for a fire drill here and had the privilege of seeing them run around.

3. Canterbury Cathedral

The history behind this place would make your stomach hurt, it's so enormous and interesting. Suffice it to say that this is tied for my favorite cathedral ever. (Notre Dame is hard to beat, though!)

I have been to the Everglades and am rather sure I've got pictures somewhere, but for now, this will have to do. We live on an interesting, beautiful planet, guys! I hope you have the chance to explore it a little, even in our backyard! (The U.S. has a bunch of natural beauty to soak in, one day I want to take a road trip out west for such a purpose.)

Have a beautiful and blessed day, and be excited for what is in the world, but not of it. :)

"Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world." Isaiah 12:5