This past weekend, Beck and I went on a trip to Bath (the English pronounce it like it rhymes with 'moth'), where we got to see Bath Abbey, The Jane Austen Center, Royal Crescent and Circus and of course the Roman Baths. It was a two and half hour drive on a bus both ways. The country side is really beautiful to see. Since it has been raining everyday since April there is plenty of flowers and green hills which I imagine are much more beautiful when the sun comes out.
In the Bath Abbey. It's a lot like Westminster Abbey in that, it's a big church with a bunch of dead people in it.
Outside of the Abbey.
There are angles climbing up the ladder on the front of the Abbey.
The guy that built the Bath Abbey was named Oliver King. Hence, the olive tree and crown just above it.
We did a little shopping.
It was such a cute little town.
Okay, this way to The Jane Austen Center.
I tried to read Jane Austen once. It was a difficult. I think maybe I will see the movies first and then have another go at the books. I did, however, enjoy the exhibit.
Jane Austen was engaged for one whole day. You know that saying: 'Maybe you should sleep on it', Jane accepted the ring, slept on it and then gave it back the next morning. She realized she didn't love him enough.
We got to put on hats from Jane's era.
Ceiling at the entrance to the Roman Bath House.
There it is. It actually smells weird. So I learned that there was a British king owned pigs, and they were filthy. Not just rolling in the mud filthy, but open sores and diseased kind of filthy. So, this British king Bladud, found the spring where the bath was built. He had put his diseased pigs in the water and they came out sparkling and without illness or sores. This Bladud guy suffered from Leprosy and saw what the water did for his pigs so he jumped in and rid himself of his own disease. Then, they built up this Roman Bath so that others could hang out, get massages, worship goddesses and all that jazz.
The Abbey in the background, the bath just below.
Bath ruins.
Alter.
Running water.
I had curled the bottom of my hair, but of course it rained so it did absolutely nothing to help my look.
They let you drink a glass of the water. It's suppose to promote health. So if you have a sore throat, have a cup full and you'll be better in no time. Skip that whole apple a day thing.
It tasted like dirt.
Around the city.
Another side of the Abbey.
Cute park.
He wanted his picture taken.
A brief history: So I've been semi-busy here in London. I have completed my first summer session. I passed my bio history course and am very grateful that I don't have to sit through that anymore. I have started my next course which is Modern Popular Music-BEST. CLASS. EVER! We started out by learning the history of the Blues and are now discussing the beginning of Rock and Roll. We listen to music and talk about Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Little Richard, Chubby Checker, The Who. This week, we are going to a concert in central. No one big, just a small night club venue.
Also, I had a really hard time last week, missing out on celebrating the 4th of July. It's my favorite holiday. It was really hard not being able to celebrate with my family. However, my Uni offered a BBQ which I attended with 3 other Americans and a Brit. We couldn't get the BBQ to light though, but it didn't matter because it started raining so we just went inside and fried them in a pan. After class that night, I head to my Relief Society presidents house (She and her family are American) where we had hot dogs, hamburgers, fruit salad, s'mores, home made ice cream, corn on the cob and all the good American, traditional 4th of July food. Then the best part, we lit sparkler! It was enough for me to feel like I celebrated. During the day, I played a patriotic play list on 8tracks.com and I wore my red shirt.
I've added two new pages to my blog. You will find them at the left of the screen. Check them out if you want.
Susan 'Neither prideful, nor prejudice' B.
