LONDON

9.10.2005

Uncanny as it is, my dad had a business conference at the exact time I needed to be in the UK. Therefore I stayed in this very nice hotel with the BEST view (the Tower of London) at his company’s expense! And did I mention we saw England’s champion cricket team!! They were staying at the same hotel. Lots of paparazzi. I’ve concluded London, perhaps all of the U.K. is strange, here is why:

•You have to pay for the toilet! (well in public areas)
•There are no trashcans around, so you have to carry your trash with you, and they actually hire people to pick up trash on the streets when they could just purchase a large garbage can to minimize their work!
•Their toilets come in too many shapes/forms/flushing methods/lever placements, it’s so confusing!
•They sell Condoms in both male and female bathrooms…no wonder London is so populated.
•Their street signs are high on building walls where, especially, drivers would have a hard time to see them.
•There are so many one way streets that I’m scared to cross the street. I thought I had the look right, then left method down, and then all of a sudden a car comes from another direction and I don’t know where to look!

But on top of that, it’s beautiful here! It is very green here with large parks that are full of life. There are enormous buildings on every street that just breathe history. I love it! The weather has been sunny warm—it knew the Schaefers were coming. Though, my hair is awfully frizzing, it must be humid or something. Sunday, my dad and I went to Greenwich—a 20min. subway ride from downtown. It had the Royal Observatory where I stepped on the Prime Meridan of the WORLD! Bwa ha ha—oh the power. We also visited the largest Nautical Museum in the world and stopped in some cool OLD buildings where the Tudors (royal family) were born. I saw ALL the sights with some AWESOME tours! Definitely take walking tours if you come here, you really get a feel for the city. The theatre district is just huge! There are too many plays/musicals/dances to choose from—at least 25 diff. theatres within a square mile. I saw Les Miserables-my favourite-and that was very well done. It had a huge turning stage that made the staging fantastic. I also saw STOMP with my dad. It was interesting, but dragged out with some weird parts, but an interesting beat. My legs are absolutely dead now from all the walking. My knees really hurt so I could always count on a good sleep at night because I’m so exhausted….like now. G’NIGHT

My hotel room (paid for by my dad's conference-sweet!)

The view from my hotel room. I drooled the first time I opened my curtains. The Tower of London is in the background--a medieval fortress and where the crown jewels are kept now. Beyond this is Tower Bridge.

Tower Bridge at Night. I loved walking along the Thames at night. It reminded me of Paris..not that I've been to Paris, but what I imagine Paris to be, although Paris would be more romantic somehow.

Changing of the Guards. Not too exciting because I couldn't see anything. The marching bands that marched (duh) through the gates sounded neat, but too many pushy people so I didn't stay long. The sun was blazing at this point and it was sooo hot! I didn't think to bring my sunglasses! oops.

View of Buckingham Palace from a bridge in St. Jame's Park. That was the cutest and most quaint park! It had this pond running all through it, and if someone felt so inclined they could buy sitting time on the many lounge chairs situated throughout the park. Of course no one would pay to sit in a chair, so everyone sat on the grass. There was dozens of different birds, including Canadian Geese, so you really have to watch where you sat because we all know what geese can leave....

Trafalgar Square was awesome! I don't think it will ever be empty because it's so large and such a great spot to eat lunch and see the tops of the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye..etc. The statue at the top of the pillar is of Lord Nelson, who defeated Napolean at the Battle of Trafalgar. There was a huge celebration here when England won the 'Ashes' back (cricket). I was special because the team stayed at the same hotel as us and I got to see them up close! Of course, I had no idea who they were, but now that I think back, I should've gotten their autograph and sold it! bwa ha ha!

The Houses of Parliament..need I say more? It looks like the building is made of gold! It's pretty spectatcular.

This is a medieval street. They had no sewers, only the slightly deeper midle section of the street. People would throw their chamber pots out the window to this spot, but before they did, they yelled "Garde l'eau"..err I think. Anyway the British word 'loo' (bathroom) comes from this saying. And when people would hear this, they would run under the eaves of the nearest house so they didn't get hit with a pile of crap. While under the eaves, and with the thin material the houses were made of, they could hear everything inside..hence 'eavesdropping'. :) I thought that was kind of interesting.

A lovely church built by Wren. You can't see, but there's a gap at the top, so it's like 4 arches that meet and then the steeple on top--really neat architecture. This church was turned into a little park. It was the most peaceful thing I've ever seen, with all the different flowers and ivy all over the walls that still stand high.

Westminster Abbey--one of the oldest churches in London. It houses many dead people, like Elizabeth I and Mary I, Sir Charles Darwin strangely enough, many other Kings and Queens and all the rich people who wanted to be royalty. Here is where the coronation of the King/Queen takes place. The chair used in this ceremony is traditional since the first King, Edward the Confessor, was crowned. Unfortunately it was graffitied by some school kids no doubt and now sits very high were no one can reach it.

St Paul's Catherdral. Another church by Sir Christopher Wren. I was absolutely stunning, breathtaking more like. There's not really any funny stories with these pictures because I was touring by myself and took pictures of all the scenic things I like. Sorry if this sounds like a history book.

GREENWICH

9.11.2005

Greenwich is the center of longitude and by which all other time zones are measured. The climb to the Royal Observatory where I took the picture of the Prime Merdian was absolutely brutal. It also holds the largest Nautical Museum in the world, which was really the reason my dad wanted to come here. It was a nice town, very green and open, with lots of book and antique stores. I can't imagine spending more than a day there though.



This view is taken from the "Queen's House" where a delightful 'Coastlines Revealed' exhibition was happening. The building on the left is the old Royal Naval Hospital which houses the beautiful 'Painted Hall' by Sir Christopher Wren, a famous architect. All the walls are painted, hence the name, and look as though I am in Buckingham Palace. Just next to this building by the River Thames is where an old Palace used to stand before being destroyed in war. It was where King Henry VIII and his daughters Elizabeth and Mary were born.

LEEDS -- DAY 1

9.14.2005

I am actually here! I can’t believe it!! For those of you I continually told I would not get into the programme, I was wrong. But it’s never been so good to be wrong. I still feel that if I pinch myself hard enough I’ll wake up from this dream. It just seems too unreal to actually be living in a country I could only picture and heard about in History Class. It’s truly an unbelievable feeling and I know how fortunate I am to receive this opportunity…. And then I saw my room. WOW. It’s a single room, smaller than Loretto’s single rooms I think. A square. It’s wedged between a washroom that flushes weird and a shower that has sensors to make a noise that doesn’t shut off for 5 min. when someone enters. The warden (super don) told me it used to be the estate of a wealthy family and my area of the house used to be the servants area. Of course, I would NEVER let a little (haha it’s a pun) thing like that put a downer on my day. I walked around campus with my dad and discovered it’s quite a large campus. It’s also a good 35 min. walk for me... I can feel my knees hurts already. Once I got settled with my bedding, reorganizing of the bed and lots of pictures and unpacking it really is a cute and cozy room. I’m know I’m going to love it. I absolutely love the grounds and surrounding areas. The trees are gigantic and green with old stone houses and walls making me feel as though I’m in a Jane Austen book. I will take pictures and put them up as soon as I get my internet. I can’t wait for the internet, or rather any human interaction for that matter. My house seems to be empty and it’s creeping me out. Supposedly there are 3 other exchange students but I don’t know where they are in the house. I actually got lost and couldn’t find the door outside. I’m just glad nobody saw me trying to open every door in frustration. I went to make a phone call in the main building and that too was empty and scary. If I didn’t have a lot to read up on or pictures to decorate me room I would go crazy. Thankfully I finally heard a noise and went downstairs to the sound of the TV. I found my Warden and we talked for a bit. Afterwards I could finally sleep in peace knowing there was someone else in the house.


my room! Everyone in my house seems to have a room double the size of mine or quadruple. And they all are in singles too! Many should be in doubles but haven't got a roommate. It gets really hot in here. But I'm scared to leave the window open when I sleep because they scared me about always closing your window for there are a lot of thefts.....even though I'm on the second floor, still, maybe thefts climb walls well.

DAY 2 - Sept.15

9.15.2005

For the past three days it has been beautiful weather and I forgot how relentless Mother nature could be. I bet it’s 8 degrees or lower outside now and the rain has turned into this never-ending mist. The evil and forceful wind does not help the situation either, I’m saturated with water, cold and alone. Not a fun morning. I only talked with a few people at an info. workshop and then went shopping for some hangers/hairdryer etc. because I felt so miserable. Finally, I met another exchange student from California in the computer room at Tetley and he and I hungout the rest of the evening. Relief! I’m not the only student here feeling so alone, in the sense that it’s deserted on my residence grounds. I think it’s our location as well, because we are so far from the campus. I can’t wait until the other students move in, then it won’t be so quiet. I’m playing my music in the meantime to fill in the silence.
I really do need to buy rubber duckies soon, maybe even a poncho that goes to my shoes. Hahhaah..or not. I never thought that wearing a raincoat and carrying an umbrella you could stick out so much in this type of weather. Boy was I wrong. The locals were walking around in their t-shirts this evening with no umbrella. It’s as though they don’t even feel the nasty wind and the rain that is slowly soaking their shirt. Whatever, I’m warmer and dryer. And on that note I’m going to head in and see if I can get a better nights rest tonight…lots to do tomorrow

i need a phone. badly

9.16.2005

Even though the sun was shining all day today, it felt like November weather. I've clearly been in colder weather, but it's odd going from summer weather to winter weather. Oh well, I'll just have to start wearing a scarf and gloves. I've noticed all the France exchange students wear a scarf.

The city centre where I was looking around was really nice. No cars are allowed in the 2 square blocks so that's fantastic. The buildings look in good condition--not old or worn down--and it is very clean. The buses are very efficient too, which is great for me because I've been taking the bus 4-6 times a day. They come every 10 min. or less. Headingley, the area of town I live in is full of students and an older age population. There doesn't seem to be too many families at all. But the townspeople I have spoken with here are super nice and VERY helpful. I am quite impressed. They have come up to me asking if "I'm okay?" It makes me feel like I look sickly ill, but they really are asking if I need help. Probably because of the confused look on my face that doesn't go away. lol. And unlike what some of the Brits told me back home, the Leeds accent isn't that bad. It is noticably thicker than in London, but it has more character here. :)

I finally got around to look at phones today, and boy are they expensive!!! Pay as you go is about 20p/min, so that's 40 cents a min locally. Therefore £10/$21 will only get you 20min. of talking time! That's disgusting because I paid $36month of unlimited time back in T.O. I'll have to open a bank account here to get a contract plan which is cheaper, it's just a big and long hassle to open one. My £5 phonecard sucks! It's only giving me like 15 min. of talking time..which doesn't make sense because the operator said it was 2p/min. with a 5p start up fee. gahhhhhh, i'm so frustrated with it because I want to call home and talk about my mobile options. That's why I really want a mobile, because incoming calls from anywhere are free for me! wink wink!! call me whenever!!! :)..errr, just not after 8pm Canada time, b/c I'd be sleeping.

SCARBOROUGH

9.18.2005

Even though I heard rumours of this town being small and dirty (ah hum, Phil) it was quite pleasant. I was told it would be very cold being on the coastline and all, but it was the hottest day yet! I walked around with other international students (obviously, seeing as it was only international students who went) most of whom spoke Spanish. They spoke Spanish so much, that they talked more than they walked. Another Canadian from Western named Melissa, and a Mexican named Alfonso and I managed to break away from the group. This was after we had yummy fish and chips for lunch. I figured I couldn’t get fresher fish anywhere else, so if I was going to eat fish and chips, it might as well be there.

The strip along the beach had about 10 different arcades and 20 different gift shops. It reminded me of New Jersey, and it reminded Melissa of Maine, so we really didn’t feel as though we were in England here. Except of course when we walked up the MASSIVE hill (the town is built on a hill) and could see up close an old castle...which was really a fort. There was a huge rock concert the night before so we weren’t allowed on the grounds. Oh well, we walked around the perimeter and snuck in at another exit point for a quick view. There’s actually a golf course inside!! This fort was massive!! We also visited a cute church, walked around the boardwalk, went on a boat ride up the coast and almost rode a donkey on the beach, but it was only for children! Darn kids get everything! Lol. Melissa and I really wanted to do that, it’s not everyday you can ride a donkey on a beach! Maybe in another town…
The bus ride only took an hour and a half, but it felt like longer. It honestly looked like Ontario’s farm regions, except where there were a few more trees along the perimeter of the fields and more hills. I even saw a RED horse..it must have been painted or something, that looked too weird to be real.

Scarborough Castle

Cute church

Cliffs all up the coast like this. Scarborough Castle on the top.

Later that night half of Tetley took the bus into town to the first Freshers parties. There were soooo many people giving flyers out in Headingley that day, it was chaos. Little did I know it would only get worse. Anyway, the queue was too long at one place, 6 of us went to find somewhere else. It turned out to be a foam party! I honestly have never had so much fun at a club. EVERYONE was dancing and really into the music, perhaps because they were all wasted, but w/e, the was unbelievably enthusiastic. The music as AWESOME! They played everything, from Bryan Adams (summer of ’69) to Cotton-Eyed Joe and Saturday Night (Dance Mix ’95) to Queen (bohemian rhapsody) to Oasis (the Brits loved that!) EVERYONE was singing along, until the foam came out, b/c then you’d have to close your mouth else you’d swallow the bits of foam that shooted out..mmmmm. It was so sticky and dried hard, my face felt like it had one of the mud masks on! hahaha, it was fun..until I sliced open my finger trying to get something of my shoes (it turned out to be a chunk of glass). It was really gross, and it still hurts. It actually looks like a wart now. Ewwwww.

REGISTRATION

9.21.2005

In one word, it was BRUTAL!! First I had to go and sign up for courses in long queues in this large gymnasium. Then once you had all your courses, I had to go and check that my fees were paid, then I had to stand in a long line outside. Eventually this line went into a tent...and just when you think you're at the end, it take you into another hall which is twice as big, therefore twice the lineup! I stood in line for 2 hours. before everything was complete. Thank goodness for the entertaining guy in front of me. He was from Kent. I've noticed no one at the Uni is from Leeds, everyone moves out of their home city to go to Uni. Unlike Toronto, where everyone from TO goes to TO. We started chatting and that helped the time go past MUCH faster. I wonder if I'll ever see these random people I seem to meet and talk to again. I dout they'll remember me, b/c I always look different. Big hair, hair up, glasses, contacts...people don't recognize me here most of the time, it takes them a double glance. I walked to and from campus (40 min. each way) so my right knee is now killing me like it did in London. Geesh, I thought walking was low impact and running was bad for the knees. Anyway, I've concluded I shouldn't walk both ways to campus b/c it's too painful.

I saw Pride and Prejudice tonight at a cinema 2 min. from my house. It was cute,, much shorter than the Colin Firth one...this Mr. Darcy seemed more like Darcy ought to be, I suppose b/c he was younger looking. It's still rather unrealistic to be like "oh I love you" just after they did sometihng nice for your family, and not having spend anytime w/ them. gah, but beside that I still love that story! I started reading the book this summer, but it was awfully slow. The movie matched the book exact (word for word). I can't believe most of the guys from my house actually came to see it..maybe they didn't know is was a girly movie...poor guys.

I think everyone in my house has moved in! We have like the international house--a Nigerian named Jacob who always laugh (so we're destined to get along well), a tall German named Ralph-very nice, a quiet Russian named Eugene, a very quiet Chinese named Wyn (i think), a girl from Poland named Aleksandra, and 2 black girls who no one seems to know b/c they keep to themselves--so I'm assuming they're exchange students. The other 7 students are all first years and from various parts of the UK. They're new like me to the Uni, so it's nice not feeling too confused w/ registration and all, because everyone's in the same boat as me! :)

BRISTOL--Sept.22

After the first bus to Bristol was full, I had to trek back to Headingley and book my ticket online. There was this moron agent who was useless and ignorant and misinformed me. He does not belong in the customer service business. On the bus ride a sat beside a very nice girl and we chatted the whole way. She had a thick northern accent and it took 4 tries to correctly pronounce her name..Carla. It sounded like she was saying Kala.

I arrived safely and met past British exchange student Duncan at the station. Only the station I was dropped off at was not the one where I told Duncan to meet me, so I had a bit of a trek. And if I thought that was a trek, I was wrong. It was all uphill to Duncan's flat! A GOOD 20min. walk. We made it in one piece and I honestly went to bad soon after I was so tired. It didn't help I was out until 3am the previous night. Look at a map of where I went:
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/mapcenter/map.aspx

It was a rainy Bristol when I awoke. Duncan blamed it on me. But his kitchen smelled, so I blamed that on his old, rotting milk. Eventually we made it outside in the miserable weather to the popular suspension bridge. We walked across it and that was about it...lol, not anything special. Duncan said that many people try and jump off it and surprised to only break their legs b/c of the silt (or something like that) and when the ambulance arrive, they have a go at the paramedics.

A pigeon flew into the pub where we were eating. I thought it was quite funny. It startled a man sitting by the window. I would have peed my pants if I was him..I don't like pigeons...And then we just walked around the hilly city. Not much else. It was nice and green, with a river running through it, and on a good day, one could see Wales from the bridge.

The steep hill up to the University entrance (the tower).
St. Peter's Church which was bombed in the World Wars. It looks complete from this angle, but weed were growing inside the ruined walls. Cute park and ruins of Bristol Castle right around here as well.
Look at the second posting on the left. I have no idea... hahaha!

BATH--Sept.23

In one word, Bath was breathtaking. Walking around for the first time I was just in awe. I arrived at sunset and after walking in a HUGE circle to find my hostel that I blatantly missed. It was very colourful and a lot of stairs to my room on the top floor. It was EXACTLY what I imagined a hostel to be. Lots of young foreign people, lots of dorm beds, and lots of commotion. I couldn't believe how deserted Bath was at night. My hostel was a 2 min. walk from the ancient Roman baths situated on a hot spring. Right across from the Baths was the grand Cathedral and Pump House, where the spring water is pumped to drink. I was also surprised to find Bath so new looking. The light coloured Bath stone had been recently cleaned in most of the city. The buildings all looked the same, square blocks. There was no intracate design like the medieval and gothic roofs, but very high-class shopping and expensive restaurants. I imagined Bath to be quaint and picturesque, with cute little shops, but no, it was soooo expensive there! It was beautiful by the river and the park--which you had to pay to get into!!!! IMAGINE THAT!

To get through the evening I came across this tour called "Bizarre Bath" which was not a historic tour at all, but just a comdey tour. It was actually pretty funny...and got weird at many parts. One funny part was when a kid yelled something stupid at our group and the comedian said to us "It's a wonder how that sperm got through."

I was up super early the next morning..probably because I went to sleep so early because I had nothing to do. Given this, I was the first person in the Roman Baths :) WOW! There was this steaming coming from the water. The temp. is kept at 46 degrees celsius. It was so surreal to stand on something so ancient and so full of history! Holy crap! People actually used this! It was pretty amazing. I took like 50 pics just of the Bath. hahhaa. I managed to make it to a free walking tour of Bath which was great!! So informative! Our guide was even cool enough to bring pictures and maps etc. to help explain things. I LOVED the Assembly rooms we went into. They basically were large rooms where public functions took place in Victorian times, such as balls. They were gorgeous and so elegant. I actually ate lunch there because I couldn't find anywhere else!

I really just wanted to get a good look at the country so I caught a bus up this massive hill to Beckford's Tower. It's not very well known I don't think b/c it's outside the cty centre, but I'm so glad I went! There was a spectacular view of the Cotswolds (hills) all around. You could see all the houses embedded into the hill side and horses in the fields miles away. The map said to keep an eye out for those white horses made into the hill. Sadly, I did not see this. boooooooooo. It was so nice to be in the open air, especially because it was nice weather! It was very tranquil and peacefull up there. The walk down the massive hill was tough. I think I still have shin splints. But the pain was worth it because it was so nice to get out of a city.

The river.
A bridge. lol. But this is not just ANY bridge! It has shops on it!! One of five in the world I believe I read that was built to house..well shops.
A top view of the baths with some dude to the right. I think these statues were Roman emperors? I can't remember.
Looking down into the bath. You can see the steam! oh la la!
Run-off from the "King's spring", the hot spring the Baths were made from. You could feel the heat just standing there!
The King's Bath. It was used in the 19th century to "heal" sicklings. People would sit in here up to their necks for 2 hours. Oh and there were actually BUBBLES! Not because the water was boiling, but b/c of some sort of chemical reaction...strange.


I think this is the frigidarium, also known as the cold bath everyone jumps in to cool off all the oils and dirt that was scraped off of them by servants [remember Alice! :) ]...it's neat because I learned ALL about the things that go on here in Roman Culture class. woo hooo! Oh and all those shiny things in the pool are coins that people have thrown in for good luck. I couldn't believe the number of $ bills. Honestly, who throws $ notes into a pool?? duh.

If you can imagine, there used to be a floor on top of these tiles...so that the fires from beneath could heat the room where the floor is. Coooooool!, or should i say, HOT! lol.

One of the Assembly Rooms. *taken from a book. Just like Newport, R.I.!

The Royal Crescent. There were actually a lot of this rounded architecture in a couple spots in Bath. There are really houses, even though I know it looks like it could be a Parliament building.

A view of the Cotswolds (Englands name for this large hilly area in the South East)

One of the "white horses" embedded in the landscape that I did NOT see from the tower. Sighhhh. That would've been cool. I did see a few towers of Warwick castle on the bus ride though. :)

um, landscape. *drool
Beckford's Tower and encompassing cemetery

OXFORD--Sept.25 & 26

Oxford was awesome. When I got there, I again walked in a large circle to find my hostel. I suck at getting my bearings. My hostel was REALLY loud and busy. Very intimidating. The staff were not very friendly so I just wanted to get out of there. I went to walk around and get a bite to eat, and there were soooo many drunken people on the streets! It was only 8:10pm!!!! The Uni is right beside the shopping/bar district, so it was very busy at night...not like Bath. I went to a Chinese restaurant and was given a huge portion of sweet & sour chicken w/ rice! It's funny to hear a British Chinese person...not expected.

The next day I switched hostels and it's the best thing I did! My new hostel was sooooo much cleaner, the staff was super helpful, and such a cozy intimate atmosphere. There were a lot of Australians too! I met these 2 Canadian guys, Jack and Koichi, from Ottawa. They were awesome! Jack offered to show me around that afternoon. Then we met up with Koichi and went to a bar called the Turf. Oh my, the girls style I saw there was as if I was back in the 1980s. They had teased hair that look like a birds nest, stretch pants with weird skirts on top and tons of jewelry and make up! EWWWW! HAHAHA. I hope their style doesn't influence mine, it seems to be a trend here. After the Turf we got a taxi to another bar in the suburbs (farmland) called the Trout. It was gorgeous there! and there was a LIVE peacock just walking around!! :O I was scared it was going to peck at my butt! On the other side of the river there were live cattle and all sorts of animals. After a yummy dinner we header over the river to the remains of what Jack said was a nunnery. It was really neat. We ended up walking home along the river and farmland. It was so beautiful. We had to dodge a bunch of cow shit, but that wasn't the least of our worries b/c it started to get dark FAST. I turned out to be like an hour walks on this straight line along the river. I honestly was getting scared of twisting my ankle falling into a hole and there was no way off the path unless we went all the way back. I was soooo happy to see lights! And this person on a bench came out of nowhere, he scared the crap out of us.

I felt like I'd known these guys for years! We got on really well. They have a VISA to work in the UK for a year. Koichi is actually living in Switzerland now! It's crazy! I could imagine myself doing that. I don't know how much my mom would like that...haha, oh well! The next day I just toured around to all the colleges, some of which you had to pay to get in! As you can imagine, I opted NOT to pay! lol...I actually snuck into a few that we not open to visitors. I'm becoming a rebel! bwa ha ha. No, but I do feel incredibly independent and brave to travel off by myself on a whims notice. It's a good feeling. :)

A typical hostel room

Soooo many bikes! yeeesh!
St. John's College, the richest college!
This bar is where C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia) and J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings) often met to discuss their books and advise eachother! NEATO. eh Kirsten?
New College. The real medieval wall that once encompasses the city of Oxford.
Path in Christ Church College meadows. I felt like I was in an Ivy League school (duh) in the U.S. and that rowers could pop out at any moment! It was really cute and peaceful!

Christ Church College. Where they filmed Harry Potter!!! I didn't go in though b/c it was too expensive.
Me and Jack @ the Radcliffe Camera--part of the gignormous library. It has like 10 levels below ground I think the tour bus said.
The Trout. Super awesome pub! And great food! yum!
The ruins of a nunnery.

CHESTER--Sept. 28

Chester was cute and quaint. It had a lot of old looking stores with the black and white patterns. It also had what was called "the Rows" and simply was 2 tiers of shops, which doubled how much I shopped! not a good thing. I couldn't help it! It was so rainy and cold that my hands were going to fall off b/c they were so cold. I did manage to get some good deals though! After shopping I went to the amphitheatre, and I wasn't impressed at first. It really looked like nothing. I managed to hear about the free archaeological tour, which was super! It told you everything about the culture, and what exactly we were looking at. Extremely cool to be standing on something so old! It gave me shivers! Also b/c where I was standing people were tortured and killed, not a pleasant thought. It made me want to become an archaeologist...but I suppose most cool, old relics are discovered by now.I walked around the old medieval wall...which really didn't look medieval. My bus was at 8:30 and I was bored by 5:30 because everything closed then!!! So I watched "the 40 yr. old Virgin" in the cinema. It was quite funny and cute! I would recommend it! That was about it in Chester...it would have been better to tour in good weather. I could've seen more that way.

A REAL Roman Amphitheatre!! It doesn't look like much, but the archaeologist made it all make sense...it's just not much is left to show b/c it's all been taken away throughout the years. Only the foundations are left.

The rock in the middle is the exact centre of the ampitheatre! There would have been a metal that you could chain people to (so they wouldn't run away) and chain animals. This is where a lot of public burnings took place. CREEPY, yet cool. I know, I'm sick.

The foundation on the left is where the 1st amphi. stood. The foundation on the right is the extended 2nd. amphi. stood. Lighter, softer sand has been found outside there "walls". This is where they'd throw the light sand that had been tainted with blood out.

The Cathedral.

Chester city streets. Notice the white/black wooden buildings, very English. LOTS of shopping!