Experiencing Bath and Venturing Outward

These past two weeks have been nothing short of busy, as the first round of papers were due, and I've seen and experienced England. Here's a play by play of some exciting things I've got to do:

Bath Rugby Match:

The ASE program got discounted tickets for anyone who wanted to attend the Bath vs. London Irish Rugby game. Although we were standing for two hours, it was great to be a part of something that brings the whole city together (and I had to get my sports fix in somehow because I can't watch hockey over here!) The crowd was really into the game, and a couple of the ASE staff explained the game to us since we had no clue how the game was played. Bath won 33-19, and it was quite the celebration after the victory! 

Rugby Match!

Day Trip into London:

Big Ben

For one of my classes, Ghosts and the Gothic, a study trip was involved as part of the class. This past Saturday, we left Bath at 7:30 in the morning (a bit too early in my opinion for a Saturday) and arrived in London around 10:30. We took the scenic route into the city, passing by Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye. On this trip, our first excursion was the Jack the Ripper Tour. Our guide took us around parts of London where the murders took place, and described the legacies and mysteries behind Jack the Ripper. The second part of the trip brought us across the city into one of the surrounding towns of Twickenham. Here, we toured the Gothic castle/home of Horace Walpole, named "Strawberry Hill". Walpole is the author of what is considered to be the first Gothic novel, "The Castle of Otranto". It was quite the spectacle to see the castle, as it was added to after Walpole died. There is quite the history behind the castle, even after Walpole no longer lived there.

Tower of London

Strawberry Hill

Birthday Week!: 

I got to ring in my 20th birthday here in Bath, and it is definitely a birthday I'll never forget! My only class was cancelled that day, so I treated myself to breakfast (Patisserie Valerie, you know the way to my heart), and did a bit of shopping. My roommate Jeanine and Lindsay treated me to dinner at Sotto Sotto, which is an Italian restaurant right on our street. It was absolutely delicious (my stomach was very happy to say the least) and the waiter surprised me with a Happy Birthday dessert. The girls bought me a small cake too, which was so nice because I'm so accustomed to spending my birthday at home with my family. It was the absolute best way to celebrate the day away from my family. 

Well, there are just a few things I've been up to! I'm planning away my mid-semester break which is coming up soon! I'll have lots of stories to tell, so I'll keep you all posted!