Castles, Cathedrals, and Cruises OH MY!

This blog entry is from Friday: May 18.

            Our adventure began today by traveling to Victoria's Station where we boarded a coach to take us to Canterbury. The first stop on our bus tour was Leeds Castle it was so big and magnificent. It reminded me of something you would see right out of a story book it was beautiful! This was the first castle I have ever been to unless you count Medieval Times Dinner Theaters as a castle! Around the castle was a huge moat around the base there was also a 9 whole golf course on the grounds! After our tour we boarded the coach and where off to a British monument and the Cliffs of Dover. When we got there we did not really realize until we walked out further we were at the Cliffs of Dover we thought we were just at the monument. The view from on top of the cliffs was magnificent so beautiful you could see  so much of the landscape form there. There was a lot of fog that day but I guess on a clear day you can see France...how cool is that! We then headed to lunch where we ate at a costal Best Western I choose to have fish and chips. I must say I have not had fish in over 8 years but Aunt Kathy told me I needed to try them in England so I did. After I got past the fact that my fish looked like fish I began eating. I kept saying it tastes like fish sticks while dipping them in my ketchup. Then after I got all finished eating and enjoying my fish and chips with ketchup I started to think of Finding Nemo. I than began to think of how I just ate Dory or Nemo! For those of you who dont know me I used to love fish until freshmen year of high school biology.... where Mr. White made me dissect a perch. My job was to break its bones so since then I have hated fish with a passion!
           After lunch we headed to Canterbury. Canterbury is a very cute calm area with lots of history for me it was so much more enjoyable then being in the hustle and bustle of London. In Canterbury we visited Canterbury Cathedral it was beautiful. The outside of the Cathedral just made your mouth drop by how detailed and intricate the stone decorations where. Right before you came into the door they had a set up of the tomb where Jesus was laid after his death with lots of beautiful flowers. Once inside of Canterbury Cathedral your eyes where instantly searching everywhere everything was so unique and beautiful! I was especially drawn to the stained glass windows and the ceiling everything was so detailed and unique to the cathedral. Once I was done at the Cathedral I took a leisurely walk by myself  around Canterbury! I loved it! I felt so free and so invigorated that I was walking around by myself and I felt comfortable. I also loved feeling so confident in myself and abilities to get back to where I needed to go. I think part of it was also the fact that we have traveled just about everywhere as a group or in partners. So this is one of the first times I have been completely on my own and it was SO NICE! To not have to wait on people, do things others wanted to do when I was more interested in something else, and just all those kinds of things. It was extremely liberating to be on my own just me and my thoughts! After leaving Canterbury we got back on the coach and headed towards Greenwich where we boarded a boat on the Thames River. The river cruise was very relaxing and from my seat I enjoyed my blueberry muffin and tea and watched as the city sites went buy.
             After the cruise we headed to the tube station for the hostel! Once at the hostel I had the wonderful opportunity to skype with my boyfriend Austin! It was so nice to talk to someone from back home and that I missed dearly! Don't get me wrong everyone here is nice for the most part....but nothing makes you feel better than the people you love and know! I ended up talking to Austin so long that I ended up missing dinner and time I was done the kitchen was closed! I must say even though I went to bed slightly hungry it was well worth it!