Nov 10, 2013

Searching

Woot! Woot! Yet another trip under my belt friends. This time I accompanied my UMD group to Bath and Stonehenge. I can't even begin to explain to you the depth of excitement I felt during this trip. Each place contained so much history, and yet they were completely separate of each other. You don't get the opportunity to see stuff like this back home in Minnesota.

We left Worcester bright and early at 7:30am on Sunday morning, and our adventure was officially on its way. First stop: Stonehenge.
It is hard to explain the sense of history you feel in a place like this. The best way I can describe it as a weird mixture of overwhelming connection to all those that have come before you and a suspended disbelief that you are where you are. If that makes any sense. It is unreal.

While at Stonehenge, we were guided by an audio tour around the site that regaled us with all sorts of information about the history of the place, including detailed accounts of the different myths associated with the monument. It turns out that Stonehenge is surrounded in mystery in more ways than one. No one knows how the stones really came to be there, or what their original purpose was. Nonetheless, they are a site worth beholding.

After our short stay at Stonehenge, it was off to the city of Bath to soak up a little more early history. Well actually, we started with lunch at The Pump Room, where I had some of the most delicious potatoes of my life, and then we went to soak up a little history. The baths were amazing! We had another audio tour, and there was a lot of information to take in. Then we had a break long enough to get some chocolate and hit up a Starbucks, before taking a walking tour of the city. Bath is an old Roman town, and their presence is obvious. You can really see it in the architecture. It is like a little Italy inside of the UK. I really loved it there.

Overall, I think the Bath/Stonehenge trip has been my favorite one so far, but there are many more to come before the end of my time across the pond.
 
I haven't really been up to much else that is worth talking about. My first article got published in the school paper, and I am in the process of applying for my internship. My friends and I went to the midnight showing of Thor: The Dark World and volunteered at the animal shelter. But mostly, I have been entertaining myself with Netflix and the occasional movie marathons with my whale pod (which from know on is what my extended friend group in England shall be called).
 
Most of my days in England are pretty much the same as my days were back in the states though. Really the only difference is that I occasionally get to go somewhere or see something amazing. Which really does make the whole trip worth while. But, being homesick and actually having homework are starting to put a damper on the honeymoon phase of my trip. The frustration phase is upon me.
 
I have high hopes for the future though. I go to Italy in a week, and my birthday is coming up! Christmas is just around the corner, and my much anticipated trip to Scotland is starting to get planned. Also, one of my best friends will be visiting in about two months! With all that on its way, I have a feeling I will soon be emerging from this little hole I have dug myself into and will be ready to take the rest of this trip head on.
 
I made a little video about a week ago that was supposed to cover everything I had learned since my last post, but it turns out that my apathy got the better of me, and this post took a little longer to get out than I thought. I will link it below though, just incase you haven't seen it, in the first bullet and add a written segment that will cover some of the rest.
 
What I Learned:
  • You apparently cannot buy Half and Half or Heavy Whipping Cream in England
  • I really enjoy the show Supernatural
  • In England they refer to traditional newspapers as Broadsheets
  • Bread is a lot easier to make than I thought it was
  • It takes about a month for me to get sick of having spaghetti every night for supper
  • Oreos taste pretty much the same in the UK as they do in the US
  • Depending on the distance you want to go, public transportation is not always a great option
  • Putting a bunch of Americans together to watch a movie is a pretty good treatment for homesickness
  • Introducing my friends to D&D may have been a mistake (they get a little crazy)
  • And I am sure some other things that are probably more relevant that what I have shared with you here
I hope that you all are enjoying what I share with you though, and that you will continue to follow me throughout this journey. I have a great support system both here and back in the States, and I cannot thank you enough for everything you guys have given me.
 
I send my love to you all. More soon my friends.