internet, AT LAST!

greetings, dear friends and family...

i feel as though every blog is going to start off with this apology: sorry for not updating; and this excuse: i have no internet access.

i had briefly had a skypephone which allowed me quick access to facebook (lame, i know) and i could skype call my friends and family. however, this recently broke. this, along with a hole in my only pair of jeans, has left me slightly irritated. nonetheless, i am in the lake district and surrounded with incredible beauty... so my irritation ought not be justified by petty disturbances such as a broken phone and hole-y jeans. whatever, i'll get over it.

as aforementioned, i am in the glory of the lake district. before coming here, we made brief stops at lindisfarne (aka the "holy island") and durham. both sites are integral in the beginnings and development of celtic christianity. if you know anything about celtic christianity, these would be interesting visits for you. if you don't, they are still relatively interesting... but not worth blogging about.

most imperative is where i am at now: the lake district. we are staying in keswick (pronounced kessick). it reminds me of a colorado ski town, and is full of outdoors shops, cafes, boutiques, etc. however, most beautiful here is the scenery. we are surrounding by fells (hills) that are lush, populated with sheep and cattle, and decorated with flowing waters (called ghylls). this area is made famous by romantic poets such as wordsworth and coleridge, as well as the famous children's author beatrix potter. as could be expected, we've visited the touristy sites established in honor of these literary figures. without getting into great detail, the sites were interesting and deepened by appreciation for english literature.

before i continue about the lake district, i forgot one important detail: RAIN. unfortunately, we have been walking in and through water this last week. however, it adds to the english experience (right!?...). in the POURING rain, we had a day of "outdoor activities" which included intense canoeing on lake derwentwater, orienteering, and archery (the competition of which i won! a proud moment, indeed). our whole stay here has included a lot of time in nature and a lot of physical activity, the pair of which seems to bring my soul completely alive. the beauty of this place is inspiring, invigorating, and surprisingly spiritual. i wish i could dig roots here and stay forever. but alas, we are leaving tuesday for a day in liverpool and then a week in wales. and then... LONDON! i can't wait.

this "trip" (a term i cringe to use) has been an interesting experience. i keep finding myself wanting to stay in one place and really invest in the people and the culture there. it's hard to be moving from place to place, knowing that what i am seeing is simply a caricature. however, i am alternatively learning how to travel, how to exist amidst a group of people who are very different from myself, and how to exist independent of the people i find comfort in.

alright, i think i've covered all that i need to in a nutshell. although i can't communicate very well, i am thinking of people at home constantly which (in my hopeful heart) helps to retain some connection.

eat a cheeseburger, shop at wal*mart, and listen to country music in my honor. i'll drink a cup of tea, eat a biscuit, shop at boots and listen to the beatles in yours.

love,

anna x