London Days and the English Countryside

First of all, I just want to say sorry it has been so long since I've posted!! The past couple weeks since Fall break has been my time to recuperate and focus on feeling closer to 100%, and I'm glad to say a lot of positives have come out of my all my efforts. :)

After break, I knew something had to change with the food I was able to eat from my school's cafeteria, which sadly wasn't much - mostly salad and fruit. After meeting with the head of the catering staff and voicing my many concerns, I am now on a meal plan that offers more well-balanced, hot meals every day! Success!

The first week after break I didn't do too much in the city, just took it easy, rested a lot, and wrote a paper for my English class. I did see a couple plays, one called The Events on October 28th, and another called Liola on November 4th. I really enjoyed Liola - it was one of my favorite plays that I've seen in London so far. On Friday the 1st, I took a trip to Greenwich Village and spent some time at the market there. I love Greenwich because of it's rich maritime history. There is a huge sailing ship there called the Cutty Sark that was once used for trading, and I was able to tour it! So cool!

On Sunday the 2nd I finally met up with a friend from London that I made a couple years ago named Megan! I went to her house and had lunch with her family, and it was absolutely fascinating to spend time with a real British family in a real British house! I'm so lucky to have opportunities like that to experience real British culture - and I can say I absolutely love everything about it :)

This past weekend I went to York and the English countryside with a few girls from my study abroad program. All I can say is, if you ever want to come to England and experience the "real Britain" - York, Fountains Abbey, and Haworth are the places you want to go. York's narrow cobblestone streets, crooked houses, and numerous chocolate shops would make anyone fall in love, and I sure did!!! :) 

We left early Saturday morning by coach and got to York at about 2 in the afternoon. We immediately set out on a walking tour and first got to see Yorkminster Cathedral, York's parliament building, much like Westminster Abbey in London. After that, we got a tour of the city itself, then had some free time to shop. We went back to the hostel that night, and Sunday morning left around 8:45 to visit Fountains Abbey and the town of Haworth.

Fountains Abbey is a huge monastic ruin (demolished by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries). I was absolutely overwhelmed by the beauty of the place - even though it was a ruin. I honestly think that's why I liked it so much. All I've been seeing are the same huge, opulent cathedrals and churches, and I just felt so much more history and raw beauty here. It's hard to describe if you weren't there.

After that, we wound around the narrow countryside to the town of Haworth where the Bronte sisters lived and wrote. Now, if you know me at all, you'll know I was SO EXCITED about this part of the trip because I love the sisters' work so much, especially Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. We toured the Bronte Parsonage Museum, and then spent a little time in the town for lunch. I found a place that had gluten free sandwiches - YUM :)

Overall, I had a fantastic time in York and exploring the English countryside, and I'm so glad I got to see it while I'm abroad!! 



Lots of Love,
Casey