York to Durham

So I haven't posted in a couple days, but that's really because I've been pretty busy doing things! Yesterday I took the bus northward to York. It really amuses me that an across country bus ride that the locals think is long distance took 5 hours, and is about the equivalence of driving from Spokane to Seattle. It is just really a whole new perspective on travel, and really quite cheap too! I made it to York at about 6 last night, and my friend Patrick met me at the bus. We had decided to stay the night there so we could see the town, which is one of his favorites, and quite an enjoyable time it ended up being.
The place we stayed was really very nice. Especially since I was sleeping on an actual bed. We wandered around a bit for dinner, and then decided we wanted to find a pub called the Old Black Swan, which is supposed to be the oldest pub and York, as well as half haunted. Of course it turned out to be a rather difficult pub to locate. We wandered around the downtown area in circles for quite a long time, though it was overall very enjoyable, and quite an interesting way to see the town at night. The best part was when we passed the ghost tour though; identifiable by the man leading a mass group wearing a top hat and carrying a step ladder. They even had one called the ghost jaunt, which sounded rather amazing. Eventually we did find the pub, in a completely different area than we had been looking for it.
The next morning we were provided with a proper English breakfast. Quite a step up from my last week of meals. We then proceeded to wander the entire town, following the old walls around and through the town. We spent most of the morning just wandering in between the sights. Then we decided it was time I had a proper high tea. So we went to Betty's, which Patrick informed me is one of the nicer more well known places to do that. It was wonderful! And a fabulous experience to boot.
After tea, we got our bags and headed to the National Rail Museum. Which awesomely had the Hogwart's Express in it's showroom. So even if I couldn't get through the platform, I still made it to the train!
Not long after that we got on the train and headed for Durham, which is where Patrick is living; and he's nice enough to put me up on his couch. The view of the city was gorgeous coming in, and I really can't wait to explore it tomorrow. He was telling me that this was actually the town which was used for a lot of the Harry Potter movie shots, including his school, so my Hogwart's adventure is continuing-and in the proper sequence to boot! The fact that he goes to school in a castle is pretty amazing to begin with, but the Harry Potter aspects of it make it even cooler in my mind. My adventure is now truly on the move since I've left London, and I feel as though I have seen a lot of neat things rather quickly. Let the fun continue!

Strike!

Today was an interesting day. Turns out the tube workers are going on strike one day a month and this was it. So the whole tube system was shut down. Which meant extra road congestion. So it was 2 hours to get anywhere by bus or walk. I chose walking. I started off the day going to the library. If you could call it that! Tiny, barely any books. Much to say, I didn't stay long. I did end up purchasing my ticket to York though. I leave early Wednesday afternoon by bus. Best part of my day by far though? Passing a guy on his bike who was belting out Jailhouse Rock in a high falsetto. Oh yeah.

I went to a service at Westminster Abbey today, and it was amazing. Not only did I get in the church for free, which including walking past all the major features such as Newton and Churchhill's markers. And the building itself was incredible! To top it all off, I was able to hear the choir sing as well. They are so incredible, and with the accoustics in the room it couldn't have been better. Except that it became so. While everyone was leaving, the organist was playing the Finale from Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. Wow. I had no words. I had to stop walking and stand against the wall so I could listen to the entire thing. And I'm not the biggest fan of organ music, but just the sheer way in which it resonated was more than I could have asked for. Quite a successful adventure I do believe!

Meandering...

Yesterday it was a constant rain all day. But still it was not a heavy rain which is a nice change from Spokane. Since I didn't feel like getting too drenched, as an umbrella only does so much after so long, I decided to make it store and museum day! I started off at Harrod's and wandered through all the different departments. It was rather overwhelming, and I had to leave not long after the perfume department as it was just too much on my nose.
Then I wandered down the street to go to the Natural History Museum. When I got there I was kind of disappointed, not at all what I had been expecting of it, and it had all these weird V&A signs all over, which I thought was an obnoxious way to show patronage and donations. So after wandering through I tried to find the Science Museum which was supposed to be up the street to the East. But when I went east I couldn't find the road! I eventually just ended up at a cafe to get some food and while I was there I pulled out my map to see what I could figure out. Turns out there's a museum called the Victoria and Albert Museum...right BEFORE I would have run into the road I had been looking for. Which meant I had never even made it to the History Museum.
So I turned back around yet again and this time got there for real. And it was an amazing museum! Before I knew it I was being kicked out because they were closing-I had spent 3-4 hours in there. Now I can't wait to go to the science museum which is even more interactive. I was going to go today, but I woke up to sunshine, and decided that meant a walk around day instead.
Thus today became Literary Wanders Day! I started out at Baker Street and hung out in Sherlock Holmes haunts, then I went to King's Cross Station and tried to get to Hogwarts. But alas, Dobby closed platform 9 3/4 on me when I was halfway through. I knew my letter had merely been lost! Then I went to the Globe Theater, and on the way saw the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Then after wandering across the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral I eventually made my way back to the hostel to realize it was only 2! But my legs were tired so I called it a mostly day and just had linner before winding down my day. I think tomorrow I'm going to try to go to Westminster Abbey for a service tomorrow. I looked up when the choir sings and I think that would be pretty amazing to hear.
I found out why my legs have been so restless the last couple days though. I haven't had enough iron, which makes since as I haven't eaten anywhere near my normal red meat diet lately. So I went to buy some alternative iron sources and we'll see if that helps at all. But I think it likely will. Oddly, I'm hoping for a couple more days of rain, so I can see a couple more neat museums without feeling guilty about being indoors the whole time. Whatever happens, I'll just make the most of it! No more photos will be up until my internet connection fixes itself though, as it doesn't stay on long enough to get anything uploaded.

Today was a London adventure. I decided I'd rather walk than take the tube, as it was actually a beautifully sunny day, so I set out through Hyde park around 9:30 this morning to go see the changing of the guard. I got there with no problems, though I did meander aimlessly for awhile since I had the time. Unfortunately though, I was a little dehydrated after my flight (even though I did drink a lot of water mom, it apparently wasn't enough) and I didn't notice it til the crowd started to push and it got a bit warm at the front of the group. I got a little bit dizzy, but there were two very nice London guys and an Australian girl who noticed I was a bit out of sorts and they got me out of the crowd so I could get a drink. (I ran into the two more times after that and they kept asking after me, they were all very nice) Then a little more hydrated and out of the madness of the crowd I was able to watching the changing with little incident. I was very embarrassed though, I had felt perfectly fine until the body heat of the crowd just pushed me over the edge, although I'm tempted to say it was really just shock at seeing the sun since I was expecting rain all week.
After the changing, I made a point to go chug a couple bottles of water, just to be safe, and then I headed on my way, which turned out to be towards Big Ben. I then proceeded to wander around Central London (though I haven't crossed the Thames yet), and eventually ended up at Westminster Abbey. I find it's difficult to locate places here because all the buildings in Central London are in the elaborate older styles, and thus all look similar in their grandeur. Luckily the Abbey was ringing its bells for quite a long time, which made it much easier to locate.
Now I need to decided if I want to go see the Globe and the London Eye tomorrow, or if tomorrow will be Baker Street and the London Zoo! Maybe Platform 9 3/4 will be on the menu too...

Sitting on the plane, if I look out the window I can currently see the far Irish shore. Im not nervous right now though. Excitement is definitely back in on the map. And to make it better were landing an hour ahead of schedule. What an excellent start to a trip!

I saved my letter for landing. UB girls, you're amazing. Best part of my trip so far! The best part is I do in fact remember each of those days you guys mentioned. I'm going to miss you girls so much! Morgan, you will have to tell me about all the new awesome restaurants you go to. Mom, I hope it comforts you that I'm nervous for all the same reasons you are.

And wendi, those toothbrush things are a godsend. Thank you so much for them.

And mom, tell John there was no problem with using all my bags as carryons. So you two will be fine like that for ny, no added charges. Also, thanks for the pictures you put on my camera. :)

I keep hearing phone texts going off and trying to check my phone before I remember I don't have it here. It's also weird to think that while it's almost noon here it's only four in the morning back home still. At least I slept most of the flight and don't feel off kilter at all on that front.

I've spent the last couple hours wandering around Kensington gardens. It was a lot of fun even if it was sprinkling the whole time. I even found Peter Pan! The park has the coolest old gnarly trees too. Very awesome. But I think tonights going to be an early night, I'm awful sleepy since I only really dozed on the flight. So here's to next time!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod

Almost Gone...

I'm sitting in my living room, getting the last of my stuff together. My flight leaves in only 6 hours! I feel much less nervous today than I did yesterday though (thanks Mom), and for that I am thankful. I had originally been going to stay up and make jewelry all night, but I'm very glad I didn't now. I needed those couple hours to function today. It's weird to think that this is the last time I'll be here for awhile. None the less, I'm very excited. I know this is a good step for me, and I know that I am ready for this, but the step is much larger than it seemed even a week ago. So here's a big thank you to all my friends and family supporting me in this decision. It means the world to me that you all have my back. Next time I write, I should be in London!