Today was an interesting day, to say the least. Orientation is finally nearing its end (not that orientation isn't scintillating, but - as necessary as it is to know what we are doing - it is always more fun to be doing things than it is to be told what one is going to be doing, when the time comes to actually do something.
Today, however, provided a memorable occasion. We went on a field trip to Stonehenge, Old Sarum (an iron age fort used by the Britons, Romans, Saxons, and Normans - it had a Norman Castle, and was where William the Conquerer had the landholders swear allegiance to him before releasing the Domesday Book), and Salisbury Cathedral (that of the 400 ft. spire).
Stonehenge went as planned - we went to go see the mysterious big rocks that have been sitting there for nigh on 5000 years now, as well as the wooden post-holes that have been around even longer (and are currently marked by white circles in the carpark). It was a grey, rainy, blustery English day, but nothing too badd.
Old Sarum, however, provided as formidable for our bus to enter as it was for any number of Romans and Saxons. On the narrow roadd up, as we were crossing the ditch in front of the outer battlement, our bus lost grip in the wheels, and - knocking out a fence - proceeded to try and toss 60-oddd SCIO students and 3 staff members (not to mention the odd driver) into the ditch. It wound up with one wheel off the groundd, rocking precariously (for the 7 of you who might recognize this reference, it was eerily reminiscent of Mom, the Van, and Kentucky). However, Simon Lancaster, our guide, efficiently evacuated us, and soon we were trooping along into the fortress with its castle and cathedral ruins.
There, the wind attempted to whisk us off the battlements, but with the wind and a pleasant rain, touring the area was thoroughly enjoyable. However, our bus was having much less fun, and so we had to go and hire a new one to take us to Salisbury. Getting to this new bus was a rather messy business, involving all 70 of us packing into a little giftshop about the size of the dining room here and waiting, only to go on a log around the circumference of the fort to reach our new vehicle. The path of course was turned to mud by the rain, and the winds and rain only increased. By the time we reached Salisbury, we were a rather bedraggled lot.
Salisbury was more than worth it, however, with its beautiful cathedral, a 220 foot climb to the base of the spire, and a chance to see one of 4 surviing original copies of the Magna Carta.
When the dday ended, we were all wet, tired, and pleased with our trip. Even better, Dr. Rosenberg had pizza and pudding (puddding here meaning desserts of all types) awaiting our return.
To any who is interested, I highly reccomend cordial. Its a great drink, but be sure to dilute it to one part cordial, 4 parts water - any more and it will overpower you.
And now, I have a ship to attend, O Revoir.
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5 comments:
Cheers to memorable experiences that don't leave anyone injured (or worse). Yay for Psalm 91!
RR
So, did your ship sink or are you just having too much fun to let your loved ones on this side of the pond know what's up?
Love, Daddy-O
Though I could obsess about your safety, I enjoyed reading your point of view and your sense of humor. Be sure to have a jolly good time.
I found the Salisbury cathedral, with its wonderful example of English early gothic architecture, to be one of the finest buildings I have ever entered in sheer beauty and pristine medievalness. (That was the cathedral on my computer background for some time last semester.) As I recall, they have a large stone statue of what appears to be a wafer on the lawn. (If you were told what that was supposed to be, feel free to inform me.) In addition, I found the faceless medieval clock and the tombs of the knights fascinating. And this is why I love Europe, amond other things.
That last was supposed to say "among", but I was having techincal troubles as usual and did not catch it.
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