Charlotte takes a 20-day trip visiting 10 stops in Europe and Africa. She sees famous landmarks like the London Eye, Cabinet War Rooms, Palace of Versailles, Eiffel Tower, and Winter Palace. She enjoys local cuisine and making new discoveries at each location. For her final stop, she gets to meet the South African soccer team after watching their game at Soccer City stadium with her tour guide.

1. My Dream Trip
By: Charlotte

2. Stop One: England! The London Eye!
Dear Friends,
Wow, I can’t believe it! I have
arrived at the first stop on my twenty-
day trip! I’m already having the time
of my life, even though I’ve only been
to one stop… The London Eye! It is so
beautiful. It’s definitely a great part
of London, something I had always
wanted to see… and ride! I’d totally
recommend it, because it is
astounding. You can see so much of
London on this! And I even learned
something new… Did you know that it
is also called the Millennium Wheel?
Well, I am having a great time, but
I’m sure I’m going to miss you guys a
ton! Bye!

3. Stop Two: England! Cabinet War Rooms!
Dear Friends,
My second stop… The Cabinet War
Rooms! The Cabinet War Rooms, first
operated in August of 1939, were
underground rooms for Churchill and
his advisors. I learned so much at this
museum… Who knew that Churchill
actually directed World War Two from
one of the underground rooms?
Anyways, I’m having an amazing
time at the museums, and enjoying a
little bit of the British fare. Goodbye!

4. Stop Three: France! The Palace of Versailles!
Dear Friends,
Oh my gosh… Paris is so beautiful! I
visited the Palace of Versailles, which
was considered the symbol of
absolute monarchy of the Ancient
Regime. I learned a lot, especially
about Louis XV. Did you know that he
was arrested on June 21st of 1791? I
certainly didn’t…
The gardens were completely
beautiful! I just couldn’t stop looking
at them!
The food is great too, but I’m
sorry, I have to go… expect more
postcards!

5. Stop Four: France! The Eiffel Tower!
Chers Amis (Dear Friends),
I have NEVER seen anything more
beautiful than the Eiffel Tower…
especially at this time of year! I
mean, isn’t this picture miraculous?
I’m so glad I decided to come
here. I was debating between the
Eiffel Tower or the Paris Louvre
Museum, but I decided to visit the
Eiffel Tower because it’s famously
known.
The food here, particularly the
Chocolate Éclairs, are AMAZING! But I
must say, I am missing the American
food… Well, I hope you guys are
mourning my absent, because I’m
definitely missing all of you!

6. Stop Five: Italy! The Walls of Lucca, Tuscany!
Dear Friends,
This is my favorite stop yet! I feel
so at home, even though I haven’t
been here for almost five years. And I
feel so welcome… My old friends
recognized me and everything!
Plus, the landscaping is BEAUTIFUL!
And, I just love the community;
everyone is so welcoming! That’s why
I chose to visit Lucca; the
environment is amazing and I had
missed it.
The best is probably the
food, because the gelato is absolutely
AMAZING! And the focaccia… yum!
Well, I’ll save you a piece. But for
now… Ciao!

7. Stop Six: Italy! Piazza Anfiteatro in Lucca, Tuscany!
Dear Friends,
This place is just as I always
remembered it… beautiful. I met
some friends here today, and we had
an amazing time. They no longer have
my favorite gelato store, though,
which really bothered me.
Anyways, I’m having a blast, but I
can’t believe that my trip is more
than half way over… I really don’t
want to leave this paradise!
Well, devo andare, or I have to go!
Arrivederci!

8. Stop Seven: Russia! The Winter Palace!
Dear Friends,
Isn’t that picture just beautiful?
Well, it’s a photo of the Winter
Palace, the home of the late Russian
Emperor, Tsar Nicholas II.
I learned a TON here, principally
about the Tsar’s family. Did you know
that Alexei, Nicholas’ son, had
hemophilia? Well, I certainly didn’t.
I’m having the time of my life, but
I can’t wait to see you in six short
days!

9. Stop Eight: Russia! The Yusupov Palace!
Dear Friends,
Today, on the 16th day of my trip, I
visited the home of Felix Yusupov- the
second richest man in Russia during
the early 1900s. His home was
absolutely beautiful, especially the
views, but I must say, I was partial to
the stories they told… Especially the
one about Sir Yusupov trying to kill
Rasputin. I found it quite hilarious!
I’m also picking up quite a bit of
Russian here, so as the locals would
say, до свидания (do svidaniya), or
good bye!

10. Stop Nine: South Africa! The Cape of Good Hope!
Dear Friends,
My second to last stop was
absolutely amazing. I visited the Cape
of Good Hope, previously known as
the Cape of Storms. Personally, I like
the name Cape of Good Hope better…
I might not have chosen to come if it
was called the Cape of Storms! But
thankfully, it’s alright, because the
name was changed long ago after
Bartholomew Dias sailed past it.
Well, I have to go, but I’ll see you
soon! And don’t worry, I’m bringing
souvenirs!

11. Stop Ten: Soccer City… For the South African Team!
Dear Friends,
For my last stop, my tour guide
and I decided to watch a soccer game
in the South African Nation team’s
stadium. You’ve probably read about
it in the newspaper by now, but the
US was playing South Africa, and the
ME! US won 2-1.
It was a pretty intense game, and I
had an AMAZING time, but my favorite
part by far was the end.
Apparently, Abri, my tour guide, had
some connections, so I ACTUALLY GOT
TO MEET ALL OF THE PLAYERS!
I’ll tell you more about it when I
get home, which will be in only a few
short hours! See you soon!

12. Citations:
• http://www.venere.com/blog/topics/top-five-monday/page/7/
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cabinet_war_rooms.jpg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garden_facade_of_the_Palace_o
f_Versailles_3.jpg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eiffel_Tower..jpg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Villaggio_del_Fanciullo_LU_mura
DX.jpg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lucca_PiazzaAnfiteatro01.JPG
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Petersburg,_Winter_Palace,_
west_facade.jpg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Petersburg._St._Isaac%27s
_Cathedral_distant_view_from_the_Yusupov_Palace.jpg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wave_at_Cape_of_Good_Hope.j
pg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Soccer-City-Stadium-at-
capacity.jpg