What can be better than going to a town that is the home of the European Nestle? NOTHING. Too bad you can't tour the factory- they don't even put it on the map! However, there was plenty more to explore in this small city, and I had a blast!
The day started early- since York is 2.5 hours north of London by train, we didn't want to waste any time. Who is this "we"? I met my friend Svenja and her roommate Sara at King's Cross. Svenja and I met last year in Germany when I went on a German Study Tour with URI. Now Svenja is living and working in London! It was so nice to see her, and it was a pleasure to meet her roommate.
In order to get to York in time to be able to explore the city, we took the 7am train to York. It was a pleasant trip, and upon getting off the train, the first thing I saw was this sign:
I have never gotten so hungry from such a simple advertisement - to bad they don't put the factory on the city map, and it is not open for tours
After drooling for awhile over the sign, our first mission was to get into the center of the city and find somewhere to get coffee- we were all exhausted. So we left the train station, and the first view we got of the city was this beautiful view with York Minster- the city's cathedral- in the distance.
Our first view of York
After wandering into the City Centre and getting coffee and scones (Svenja and Sara's first!), we headed towards the travel center to find out about getting tours of the city. But not before we wandered upon an inn. Now, usually this would not be a big deal, however this was different. I spotted the Guy Fawkes Mask on the Inn's sign. Then I saw the name: "Guy Fawkes Inn".
The Guy Fawkes Inn
Now, one of my favorite movies is "V for Vendetta". Even though Americans don't know who Guy Fawkes is, the Brits celebrate the death of this man every year- on the fifth of November. As a man who tried to blow up Parliament, Brits get a scarecrow, which they call a "Guy", put a mask on it (the Guy Fawkes Mask), tie it to a stake, and burn him.
So when I saw this inn, I was wicked excited. And then I saw this sign on one of the windows:
OMG!!!!
Yeah. He was born in this building. How cool is that?
Ok, enough on that tangent....off to the travel center! But not before seeing this random guy rolling a piano down the main road. Yeah. A piano. What the WHAT?!?!?!
So we headed to the travel centre and found at that at 1:15 there was a free walking tour of the city. We still had about 3 hours till it started, so we decided to go on a boat tour of the city. It was so much fun, and we learned so much! For example, the local private school, St. Peter's, claims to be the oldest school in the UK. They say a school has existed on this ground since 620 AD. However, another school in a neighboring town also claims this. So how do they settle this dispute? By having a rugby match. Yes. Every year. And whoever wins this match gets to claim they are the oldest school in the UK for the year. Really.
On the boat tour with Svenja and Sara!
By the time the boat tour was done we still had about an hour to explore the town before the walking tour began. We wandered over to the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey, a church that was destroyed during the reign of Henry VIII.
In front of the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey
Jumping picture #1, in front of the ruins of St. Mary's... way too joyful here, considering I was in the cemetery of the Abbey....
After exploring the ruins, we headed to our walking tour. Our guide was a nice old man that could strangle a child with his nose hairs. Really. The tour was supposed to only be 2 hours, but he went over his time limit. By a lot. O, old men and their tangents. Still, we got to see some old ruins and even walk on an old Roman city wall! Pretty cool...
After the tour was done it was around 4, so we headed to the Minster to tour it before it closed. It was a beautiful cathedral, and it took over 250 years to build! And to gage how big it was, the small person in the red coat is me. I am standing about a football field away from the cathedral. Yeah. It's big.
After our tour of the Minster, we headed toward the Castle Museum. Although it was closed, we still got to see the buildings, and right nearby was Clifford Tower. It reminded me of something out of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We stayed there for awhile despite being frozen through and took lots of pictures.
Jumping picture #2, in front of Clifford Tower
The three of us in front of Clifford Tower
By the time we were done frolicking around the daffodils surrounding Clifford Tower, we were cold and hungry. Our trains were due to leave for London in less than two hours, so we headed to a local pub, where I had my first Bangers and Mash. Bangers and Mash is a dish of mashed potatoes and sausage. And at this pub, it has a garnish of onion rings. SOOOO healthy! HA! But it was good, even if it took a year off my life.
Bangers and Mash is yummy, but not healthy!
We finished our meals just in time, and decided to head to the station so we could get good seats on the train. And we were greeted by an unpleasant surprise.
Long story short, due to a massive signal failure all trains to Scotland were cancelled, and slowly all the trains to London were getting cancelled. Only one more train was going to London- the 8:15. And everyone in that station was going to try to get on it. Commence panic.
Also, a detail I should mention. Apparently there was some sort of massive rugby match happening the next day. The station was FILLED with drunk Scottish men wearing kilts. FULL kilts. And they were angry since they couldn't get to Edinburgh. Drunk and angry. Not good. Also, before today, I didn't know that when you wear a kilt, you don't wear underwear. And that it is considered in good fun to flash passerby. This tendency is only more popular when the men are drunk. So, for the hour I spent in the station and the 2.5 hours I spent on the train, I am pretty sure I saw more male genitalia then even the most seasoned doctor.
When the departure board finally lit up with the platform of the last train to London, Svenja, Sara and I booked it to the platform. We were lucky to get seats. At this point I was exhausted and relieved to be on a train to London. And even though our car was filled with loud, drunk Scottish men, I passed out.
Soon enough, we were back in London. It was 11:30. The men were so excited they started singing. Badly. But it was hilarious. What an interesting end to a fun trip! After exchanging goodbyes and a promise to do another day trip together, Svenja, Sara and I parted ways at the Underground since we were headed in different directions.
I returned to my flat by midnight. Almost too tired to do anything, I decided to check my e-mail just in case. And guess what I found?
I HAVE BEEN GRANTED ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT FOR MY EXAMS! This means I will be able to go back to the States on May 8th still! What wonderful news to end a wonderful day!
Until next time, cheers!
x
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