Saying Goodbye to England

Wow!

That's the best word I can think of to describe this last week here in England. Last week I had a feeling something was being plotted very secretly (and not so secretly at times!) for me on the weekend, but I had no idea what it was. Let's just put it this way. I was awoken Saturday morning... to Christmas! How can that be, you ask? Well my friends decided to make it Christmas morning for me, and surprised me with this amazing winter wonderland on my door...

I knew something was up the night before, because my friend Grace was completely covered in glitter. But I had no clue it was for something like this! Charlie, Grace, and Louisa worked so hard on this, and I have refused to take it down while I am here. Hopefully it will be here to greet the next occupant of Room 8 next semester!

That wasn't the end of the surprise though. They had, along with Cheryl, given me the most amazing poster I have ever seen! It has the entire book of pride and prejudice on it, and in the words you can see the silhouette of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth! Don't worry, when I get home I will be sure to post a picture of this. It was so incredibly thoughtful of them, and also explained why they wanted to measure my suitcase the week before. :) I was surprised yet again when they told me that a bunch of us were going to my favorite restaurant here for lunch. Here is all of us at Southern Eleven, the same American restaurant I went to at Thanksgiving...

On the left side of the table from Front to Back: Cheryl, Charlie, Natalie, and me. On the right side of the table from Front to Back: Jiaowan, Cristina, Grace, Louisa, and Martha.

The food was amazing, and my bbq chicken was just as good as anything I would get back in the States. The presentation is also fantastic at this restaurant, so I had to take a picture of my chicken and little dish of mashed potatoes and (of course) my gooey chocolate brownie I had for dessert...

It was an absolutely amazing day that ended with the movie "Top Gun" and lots of Krispy Kreme donuts. I have truly been blessed with wonderful friends here, and am so sad to be leaving them tomorrow. It's hard to believe that we have only known each other for a few months, it seems like I have known them so much longer!

Sunday our floor decorated our corridor for Christmas, because there was a competition between floors for an amazing prize to be given at our Gabs Christmas Dinner on Wednesday. We have many talented and creative people living on our floor, and without them there is no way we would have had these beautiful decorations made from recycled material. Here is a message my next-door neighbor Bana created out of a trashed yoga mat...

We were so happy, and very proud, to find out Wednesday night that our floor won the competition! We had so much fun decorating it together, but it has to be said that all the other floors were beautiful as well. :)

Christmas dinner at St. Gabriel's was so great, and I stuffed myself full of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and dessert. It was the last time a lot of us would be together, so I used the time wisely and took many pictures of the wonderful friends I have made at Gabs. Here is a picture of (from Left to Right) Louisa, Martha, Charlie, and me...

And also a picture of the amazing Natalie looking gorgeous and mischievous at the same time (as only she could)...

This one is of my good friend Ingvild, who is from Norway, and Cheryl...

And finally a group picture! :) Standing in back from Left to Right: Charlie and Grace. Sitting in front from Left to Right: Ingvild and Cheryl...

I will miss everyone at St. Gabriel's so much! We have had the best times together, and I will remember them all for the rest of my life. My very last class at University of Manchester was yesterday, and since then I have been packing in earnest. Free space in my luggage is filling up fast, but luckily everything is going to fit! (insert massive sigh of relief here) :) Hopefully the weather cooperates tomorrow (it snowed a bit this morning and caused all kinds of chaos) and I will be eating a delicious home-cooked meal tomorrow night!

It's a very bittersweet moment for me. I'm excited to go home, yet already missing my friends here. But I have a plan.

I'm just going to have to convince them all to move to Missouri.

Hey... it could happen!

Flat Hannah's Corner

Flat Hannah is already packed up and ready for our journey home, but she also attended our "Christmas Farewell" party last Saturday. She hung out a bit with Charlie at dinner, and was very excited to hear of our good friends' plan to study abroad in the States next school year. We both look forward to reuniting with her when she visits our home country, and can't wait to show her around! Here is Flat Hannah and Charlie at dinner...

It is now time for Flat Hannah and I to say our goodbyes to our friends and to the beautiful country that hosted us for almost four months. Great Britain certainly lived up to its name, and was everything that we always hoped and dreamed it would be - and so much more!

See you on the other side of the pond!

Cheers!

Elizabeth Gaskell House

Last Sunday I ventured a few blocks away from St. Gabriel's Hall to the home where Elizabeth Gaskell, author of North and South among many other novels, once lived. I did not even know this place existed, so I'm very thankful for my new American friend Caitlin for letting me know and joining me on this mini-adventure. And what an adventure it was! The crazy Manchester weather decided to mess with us on our walk there. But neither rain nor hail could keep us away from one of our favorite authors. The house is only in the beginning stages of its restoration, but it was still incredible to see another sight of such literary inspiration. Here is a picture of the house. The outside restoration has just been completed...

We were greeted by the kind and knowledgeable members of the Gaskell Society, who helped us navigate the rooms and history of the house. The first room we saw was the study of Elizabeth Gaskell's husband, William. This room is currently a used bookshop that helps raise money for the restoration of the house. And yes, I did make a few purchases here... :)

William and Elizabeth were prominent members of Manchester society, and often wrote about the terrible conditions of the exploited working class. The Gaskell's moved into this house in 1850 and remained there until their deaths. They entertained many famous writers here including Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. I can just imagine Charles Dickens in his dark waistcoat looking out of this window and commenting on the outside gardens...

Next we found the dining room, which is where Elizabeth wrote many of her novels. Yet again it was overwhelming to be in the same room were such influential literature was written...

The Gaskell Society even sells tea and cake, and if there is one thing I've learned in England you never say no to a cuppa and cake! In classic Mary-style I took a picture of my tea and cake - which was out of this world fantastic by the way - and so beautifully presented...

I am definitely going back to the Gaskell House some day, and the ladies there were confident that the restorations would be completed sometime in 2013. They told me the aim of restoring the house was to present it to the public as if it were still the 1850's and Elizabeth and William had just stepped out of the house. I can't wait to see the finished product!

As for me I am beginning my preparations for my long journey home. I have started packing a bit, and I think this time next week I will have to enlist my friends in the classic "sit on my suitcase so I can get it shut" moment. :) I have a feeling this will be a very emotional week, but I know I will treasure these months in England for the rest of my life.

Flat Hannah's Corner

Poor Flat Hannah. It's been so rainy and miserable she hasn't gotten to go anywhere. But she has been an excellent study-buddy for me. I have had to dig her out of my books and essays all week, but she has been a trooper. Here she is, ready to finish off her last week of university in England...

Side Note - Rubber duck in the picture was provided by my nephew, Jonathan. :)

Cheers!

Thanksgiving in England

Happy (late) Thanksgiving to everyone!

This was my very first Thanksgiving away from home, and I was very homesick that day. However my friends here at Saint Gabriel's made the day special for me! When I got home from class in the afternoon this was here to greet me on my message board...

That night Cheryl and I headed out to have Thanksgiving dinner at an American restaurant right here in Manchester called Southern Eleven. I have to be honest... I was pretty skeptical. The website said they offered real southern American cooking, but I figured I would be the judge of that. :) The food was absolutely amazing! We had fried pickles for an appetizer (can't get more southern than that!) and I had a meal of fried chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy. It was delicious! Of course, with it being Thanksgiving and all, I just had to top off the meal with a slice of chocolate and blueberry cheesecake. This was not my 'traditional' Thanksgiving meal, but then I realized something. Even though I am thousands of miles away from home, I was able to have a great day surrounded by friends that I love. I have so much to be thankful for this year! Besides, today when I was at Tesco (where I get most of my groceries) I was able to find Thanksgiving dinner in a bag! How is this possible, you say? I will let the picture speak for itself...

They really do taste like all that - it's amazing and odd at the same time. :)

This past weekend I embarked on my very last trip. It was bittersweet, because while I loved exploring Bath it reminded me that my time here is winding down to an end. I took the train Friday morning down to the south and had my first nail-biting experience of changing trains with just a few minutes in between. Everything went off without a hitch so I was very glad! After checking into the hotel I was browsing through their attraction highlights booklet and came upon this page...

They might as well call it Mary-town. This place had the cutest shops and buildings everywhere. I met up with Grace, a friend that I met at my orientation in London. We caught up while working our way through the Bath Christmas Market - where I was able to snag some cute Christmas presents! Artisans from all over the world had gathered there to sell their goods - and it was everything I needed to propel my Christmas spirit into high gear. Christmas lights, carolers, hot chocolate, and roasted hazelnuts were everywhere... it was truly magical! Saturday we set out to explore the Jane Austen Centre. It is a quaint museum close to the home that Jane lived in while she was in Bath for a brief time of her life. Here is a picture of a Regency-era dress and writing desk that would have been in style during Jane's time...

After leaving the museum we went down the street to see the actual home that Jane lived in - 25 Gay Street. It is currently a dental office...

It is very inspiring to walk the same streets that Jane did when she was alive. Next Grace and I set out to find the Royal Crescent - an architectural gem. I have seen it in movies (many times they were based on Jane Austen's novels) and I couldn't wait to finally view it with my own eyes. It was built between 1767 and 1774 and is a classic display of Georgian architecture. Needless to say it is massive and even though I was very far away, I still couldn't fit the entire thing in one picture...

Afterwards we set out to explore the Assembly Rooms, which had been designed by the same man that designed the Royal Crescent. In Georgian society these rooms were used for upper class high-end people. It was a fashionable place to go and socialize with others. Anyone that has read Jane Austen's Persuasion will remember these were key rooms where much of the gossiping went on. Many of the rooms were closed due to a wedding that day (lucky bride!), however we did get to see the main Ball Room, which was incredible. Here is a picture I took at the entrance...

You may notice that all the buildings in Bath look like they are the same color. You would be correct! I was told by my friend Grace, an engineering student, that this was a code in Bath. Every building is made from the same type of stone; the only noticeable difference is in the much older buildings where pollution has discolored parts of it. Essentially though, they are all made of the exact same thing: Bath Stone.

We browsed the Christmas Market a bit more and before I knew it - it was time to come back to Manchester. I had a longer train journey back, and I was excited because I would be going through Wales for a bit. I have not been able to visit Wales on this trip, so I will definitely have to come back some day to visit it. Sadly the only picture I have of the Wales countryside is from a train, but I wanted to show at least a part of it...

Now I am back in Manchester and set on enjoying my last few weeks here with my friends. I have met wonderful people here, and I will be very sad to leave them behind. However I am looking forward to reuniting with my family and friends back in the States, as well. It's a bittersweet time for me, but I can honestly say that this has been the best experience of my life. It is a time I will always treasure. :)


Flat Hannah's Corner


Flat Hannah and I cannot believe that our UK adventure is almost at an end! We have had so much fun exploring Britain and making new friends. We tried to enjoy as much of Bath as we could, especially the food! We ventured to have lunch at the famous Sally Lunn's Restaurant and it was a terrific meal. It is one of the oldest houses in Bath, and has been serving amazing food since 1680. They are famously known for their Sally Lunn Bun, which we - of course - had to try. It is essentially a giant dinner roll and served with anything on it imaginable. We opted for the chocolate and butter topping which was out of this world! You could also get it with cinnamon and butter, lemon curd, raspberry jam, and many other insanely delectable combinations. Oh yeah, and did I mention we ate our meal in the Jane Austen room here? Coincidence... I think not! Here is Flat Hannah outside this amazing food-fest called Sally Lunn's...

I don't think Flat Hannah and I have had our last adventure together, though. Even though we don't have any more trips planned, we've still got 3 more weeks in Manchester and a very long plane ride across the Atlantic before we get back to Kansas City. Who knows what could happen in the meantime!

Cheers!

Hebden Bridge, Haworth, and the Peak District

Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you, -- and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. - from Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre


I had a fantastic weekend! Friday night I left with my friend Natalie to stay at her parent's house. Natalie lives just a few rooms away from me, and I met her parents when they were helping her move in. When I told them that I was here studying British and Irish Literature they were full of great advice on what to visit and see. As an unbelievably generous treat, they opened up their home and time to show me where some of my favorite authors, the Bronte sisters, had lived. The Lewis's are the nicest family you can imagine, and made me feel like I was home for the first time in over two months. They are truly the best, and I had a great time getting to know them - and eating the wonderful home-cooked meals! On Saturday morning we started out with a full English breakfast - which was totally scrumptious - and then we all set out (with adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Teddy) to explore the towns of Hebden Bridge and Haworth.


Our first stop was at Hebden Bridge, where we went into some of the best shops I have seen yet. Just when I think I've seen the cutest stores, Britain surprises me yet again! We walked around town and viewed the canal that winds its way by and through the town. Here is a picture I took while standing on one of the bridges...

Before we left Hebden Bridge we stopped at Walkely Clogs, where I tried on some authentic wooden clogs! It was my first time ever trying any on, and I have to say - they are super comfortable! Here is a picture of me - clearly very excited - at that moment!

We left that beautiful village and set out for the town of Haworth. Haworth is where the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, lived and were buried. Natalie and I toured the Parsonage, where the writers lived, and it was very exciting to set foot in the exact room that Jane Eyre had been written in! Here is a picture of the Parsonage...

Afterwards we went back to the house, where I had yet another wonderful meal cooked by the amazing Wendy Lewis, and then it was back to Manchester for Natalie and I. And yet... the adventure doesn't end there! Natalie, Cheryl, and I were up bright and early on Sunday morning to tour the Peak District. The first stop was to Chatsworth House. This has been the home for the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, passed down each generation, since 1549. Now, for anyone who has seen the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice, Chatsworth was used in the film for Mr. Darcy's estate called Pemberley. It is one of the largest estates in England, and sits on 100 acres of beautiful countryside. The best part: The entire house was decorated for Christmas, complete with Christmas music playing throughout the house! I was in total heaven. Here is a picture I took in the Oak Room...

Ahhh... I could just curl up in that chair with a good book while Mr. Darcy stares adoringly at me...

Oops, sorry about that. Got a little carried away! :) The rooms were magnificent, as evidenced by this photo...

The paintings on the walls and ceilings were fantastic. For some reason they turned out very dark on my camera, but here is a section of ceiling that isn't too shabby...

Crazy, right? I can't imagine living there. The gardens outside were just as beautiful. Here is a picture of the house itself...

They are in the middle of a huge restoration project (naturally), but here is one of the views they used in the film I talked about earlier...

Outside the house they were also holding a Christmas Market, which we enjoyed walking through. It hosts different vendors selling food, drink, or crafts. We all snagged a pork sandwich (delicious!) and then churros with chocolate dipping sauce (yummy times two!). Our next and last stop of the day would be to the town of Bakewell, famous for their signature Bakewell Pudding. Now, I have tasted a 'Bakewell Tart' before in Manchester, but I was interested to learn that it was not really the famous dessert from this town (instead it's a sorry copycat). So that was our mission in Bakewell: find the real deal and try it for ourselves! Here is a picture of the quaint town of Bakewell...

We did find the original Bakewell Pudding and I waited until I got back to my room in Manchester before I tried it. I want to say, with total seriousness and honesty: This is the best sweet I have had. In. My. Life. It was basically a tart pastry shell, with some kind of yummy filling. It wasn't fruity, but I honestly don't know what it was, and apparently the people of Bakewell aren't giving out the recipe anytime soon. From what I understand, the recipe is - literally - under lock and key in a safe somewhere. My advice: Go to Bakewell, England. Soon! Here is a picture of my (half eaten) Bakewell Pudding...

It was a busy, but memorable weekend. I had a great time with Natalie, her wonderful parents, and Cheryl. The sights are wonderful here in England, but the people are going to be what draws me back.

Flat Hannah's Corner

Flat Hannah loved spending the weekend outside of the city. These cramped streets and loud noise can get tiresome after awhile. Breathing the fresh country air is just what she and I needed! Flat Hannah especially loved Bakewell, because we were able to see all kinds of wildlife! Here is a picture I took in Bakewell when we were watching some gorgeous mallard ducks (and this was just moments after Natalie was accosted by a kamikaze Seagull)...

While I work on finishing my essay for tomorrow Flat Hannah is going to be resting up for our next big trip! On Friday we are going to visit the home of another one of our favorite authors, Elizabeth Gaskell. Then this Sunday is another vintage fair in Manchester, so we couldn't say no to that! Next week we will be sad to miss Thanksgiving dinner at home, but are going to cure our homesickness by traveling to Bath for a few days. :) The adventures never cease here in England, but that's just the way we like it!

Cheers!

Edinburgh, Scotland

I'm back from the land of bagpipes and Nessie!

To sum up my time in Scotland I could just say: Wow! My friend Cheryl and I set out Wednesday morning for Edinburgh; it was our Reading Week and we were going to make the most of it. I have wanted to visit Scotland for so many years now so my expectations were high, and it certainly did not disappoint me. We left from Manchester Piccadilly Station. This is where I arrived when I first came to Manchester, so it was fun to go back and see the building again...

Upon arriving in the fair Scottish city I subsequently got us lost until we were able to figure out just what was north and what was south (trickier than you may think!). When we kept missing the street our hotel was located on we eventually figured out that it was actually below our feet! Edinburgh is basically a city on a giant hill, where streets often go over other streets (but thanks to unhelpful maps - we did not realize this!). We managed to find our way to the hotel, where the staff belatedly informed us of this common problem in navigating the city. Oh well - it's something we'll never forget that's for sure!

We spent the rest of the day shopping on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh's busiest tourist district. I was surrounded by wool, cashmere, kilts, and bagpipes - and I loved every minute of it! I bought way too much, but - then again - it is me. Glad to say that I found lots of unique Christmas gifts for the family! That night we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe that we stumbled upon, where I tried a Haggis Burger - a local delicacy I was told. Let me just briefly inform you of what Haggis is: sheep's heart, liver, and lungs mashed up and cooked in sheep's intestine's. Now, honestly, does this sound like something I would like? Naturally after one big bite I found it utterly revolting, but I can say I tried it now!

Thursday morning we set out early to see my first real castle - the famous Edinburgh Castle! Perched atop a hill at the beginning of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle is quite a sight to behold. Here is a picture from the parking lot in front...

Not only was the castle itself beautiful, but so were the views surrounding it. Here are a couple of pictures looking out onto the city of Edinburgh...

The water you see there is actually the Firth of Forth, where water eventually reaches the North Sea. We toured the castle and likewise viewed the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny - which was amazing! They do not allow photos to be taken in that area, hence the lack of pictures. However I can say it was an honor to be able to view them, and I am very intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Stone of Destiny, where it came from, and why it is so important. Hmmm.... I smell a book idea perhaps!

After touring the castle we decided to explore Edinburgh's underground network of Close's, and went on a walking tour of the most famous of all - Mary King's Close. They did not allow photography in there either, but it was very interesting. Many peasant-class citizens lived in these Close's, often 13 in one small room, and it was hard to believe that people lived and worked in these tight and cramped spaces.  This is a picture of an existing outdoor Close...

Cheryl and I decided to torture our feet even more by hiking up Calton Hill, on the opposite end of town, to see the many monuments and views. It was well worth it in the end, because we saw some of the most beautiful scenery in Edinburgh. This is the National Monument at the top of Calton Hill...

We had been told that Scottish weather was unpredictable, but we were fortunate and had wonderful weather our entire trip! Here is a look at Edinburgh and surrounding cliffs from Calton Hill...

The other monument at Calton Hill was for Admiral Horatio Nelson. The tower can be seen from pretty much everywhere in the city, making it a distinct landmark...

After some more shopping (and walking) we visited the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's residence in Scotland. Not as grand as Buckingham Palace, but I am sure Prince Harry and I will feel very comfortable there on holiday's... What? It could happen!

Today we wrapped up our visit by walking around the city once more - and buying those last few precious items that we (and by we I really mean I) couldn't live without.  I'm happy to be back in Manchester, but I loved every minute of Scotland. I definitely have to go back someday and visit the Highlands. After all, I may be the one to see Nessie and prove the existence once and for all!

I have a major essay due next week, so it is back to the books for me. However I am greatly looking forward to my trip to Haworth a week from Saturday, and then my tour of the Peak District a week from Sunday. So many sights to see, and so little time!

Flat Hannah's Corner

Flat Hannah absolutely loved Scotland! Most of all, she loved visiting Edinburgh Castle. Even though it was an early morning for us, we all had a blast learning the history - and mystery - of this place. For instance, did you know that this castle was actually built on a dormant volcano, or that its earliest records indicate it was first settled in the 2nd Century? Neither did we until our audio guide told us. :) Here is Flat Hannah outside Edinburgh Castle...

Flat Hannah and I also enjoyed visiting a monument for one of our favorite Scottish writers: Sir Walter Scott. After he passed away in the mid 1800's the City of Edinburgh and the Historical Society got together to pay tribute to their famous citizen. Here is Flat Hannah with the statue of Sir Walter Scott, which sits in the middle of the monument...

Flat Hannah is having a great time with me in England, but as our time here winds down we are still trying to see as much as we can - and loving every minute of it. :)

Cheers!

The Lake District and York

What are men compared to rocks and mountains? - Pride & Prejudice


Last weekend my busiest yet, and I am happy to report that I had a wonderful time! After a long week of school and deadlines, it was nice to get away for a bit and have some more adventures. On Saturday morning I woke up early (funny how that is never a problem when I go somewhere fun!) and set off to meet the bus headed for the Lake District. I had thoughts of Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth, and Coleridge floating in my mind all day. This was the place that has inspired many authors over the centuries and I was finally going to walk in their legendary footsteps. When I first began to see the mountains I was in complete awe. It was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined, and my pictures really don't do it justice. I took this picture when we stopped at our first destination: Bowness-on-Windermere...

All the villages that we stopped at were on the outskirts of Lake Windermere, which is the largest natural lake in England. I traveled with two other girls that I met on the bus, Caitlyn (from the U.S.) and Beatrice (from Austria). They were also going on the trip on Sunday to York, so we decided to see the sights together, which made it all the more fun! I have to admit, there was only one thing I cared about seeing in Bowness, other than the beautiful scenery. Beatrix Potter was and still remains to be a big influence on why I like to write and the limitless possibilities of the imagination....

While this wasn't her home and farm, it is the closest I will come to it on this trip, so I couldn't pass up this opportunity! After a short movie about her life and the characters she created, I literally stepped into the magical land that she created in her books like The Tale of Peter Rabbit. I can only describe this place as a fairytale land! Replicas of all her characters were situated in scenes that looked like they jumped from the pages of her books. Here is Squirrel Nutkin and friends...

After we left The World of Beatrix Potter it was time for a traditional English pub meal. And I have to say... I absolutely loved it! Rather than go for the classic Fish and Chips, I decided to go with Chicken and Mushroom Pie, which is another popular dish here that I had yet to try. I was expecting something like a pot pie, and it was - but with a twist! When it came to me piping hot I just had to snap a picture before I tucked into it...

Can you say yummmm? :) It was amazing, and that pretty much ended our short time in Bowness. After loading back onto the bus we headed to Ambleside, which was just a short distance away. There wasn't anything in particular of interest to me there, so our group hiked up a mountain (luckily I was wearing my boots!) to take a picture of a popular local waterfall. It was a difficult walk, but well worth it in the end....

After getting onto the bus - yet again - we headed to Grasmere, home of William Wordsworth. I think this small village was in the most perfect spot. At the base of many mountains, tucked into a tiny area surrounded by farms and sheep, was the final resting place for two of my most favorite authors. William Wordsworth wrote several books of poetry in his time, but I love the writings of his sister, Dorothy, just as much as his. She wrote about the beauty of nature and God in such a delicate way. If you haven't read her journals, I highly recommend them. Here is a picture looking out on the countryside in Grasmere...

This was my last stop in the Lake District, so it was back to Manchester and the big city once more. This area of England is so vast, that I could spend weeks discovering every inch of it. It is definitely a place I will have to come back to some day. There is still so much more to see!

After a very restful night (with not nearly enough sleep!) I was up and at it early again! Sunday morning I climbed onto the bus and set out to explore the amazing city of York. All I can say is... wow! This is the first thing I saw when we rolled into town...

Perched atop this hill is Clifford's Tower. It was originally built in 1068 by order of William the First as his castle in the north. Everywhere I go I am surrounded by so much history. I think I'm learning more here than in any history class I have ever taken! My group decided to tour the York Castle Museum, where we saw some pretty interesting things! This is a dress from the early 1900's, and it reminds me of my favorite program right now, Downton Abbey...

After visiting the museum we made our way to one of England's Seven Wonders, the York Minster. It is one of the largest gothic cathedrals in England, and I was in awe at the sight of it. My pictures really do not do it justice, but I attempted to capture at least a portion of it...

We decided to test our endurance skills and climb the tower, everyone said it had the best views of York - and they weren't kidding! 275 spiraling and claustrophobic steps later, we were exhausted, but looking at an amazing view. You could see for miles and one sign even said that you could see the outskirts of London (very) far off in the distance. This was one scenic view we were lucky to behold...

We decided to spend the rest of the time just looking around town and taking in the city. Here is a picture of the River Ouse that goes straight through the city...

And thus ended my extremely exhausting - but unbelievably fun - weekend. I feel refreshed now that I got to do a bit more traveling, and it was able to sate my appetite until next week when I head to Scotland! I am very much looking forward to visiting Edinburgh Castle (not to mention seeing men in kilts!) so I will be sure to take plenty of pictures while I am there. Until next time! :)

Flat Hannah's Corner

What can I say? Flat Hannah and I had a fantastic weekend exploring England. She loved the Lake District just as much as I did, and wanted to stay there but - alas - I made her come back to Manchester with me. Here is a picture of her on a bridge near St. Oswald's Church in Grasmere, England...

Flat Hannah also loved the castles in York. As we were leaving I just had to take a picture with her and Clifford's Tower....

We are both looking forward to our adventures in Scotland next week, but mustn't get too ahead of ourselves. There is still plenty of homework to be done in the meantime!

Cheers!