hello friends and family,
our stay in lisbon was warm, beautiful, adventurous and sunny. the streets were all tiled with black and white mosaics, the buildings were painted in happy pinks and yellows, and i've never seen trees so vibrantly green. being next to a oceanic river was just what i needed to mellow out my frazzled mind. i think that portugal is a hidden gem. if you ever need a shoestring vacation, it is the perfect destination.
after lisbon, we finally returned to england! we'd left early in october, and by the end of our free travel i was eager to return. we arrived back in london where we stayed for about a week. the celtic hotel felt like home, with warm and full breakfasts every morning.... oh, the porridge! the bacon! the eggs! also, it was a great chance to see the all the sites i missed the first time, as well as re-encounter all of the sites i'd already enjoyed. without boring you to death, i will hit on three highlights: 1) the British Library! there are amazing texts, and we even heard a reading of beowulf (maybe not my favorite, but an experience nonetheless), 2) running in hyde park. there really is nothing better than a good run with good people in a beautiful and famous park, 3) my friend, alex, who i met in moldova last summer was there. it was great to see him and to spend time with someone outside of the group!
after an absolutely wonderful time in london, we left to go to turnbridge wells via Penshurst, a gorgeous estate of british nobility (such as sir philip sidney). england is in full autumn weather and it is pictaresque. the grass is still green, but the trees have turned into luscious shades of yellow, orange, and red. moreover, england is so hilly that there are good views nearly everywhere you go. and the best part of it all-- its not even that cold! it feels like minnesota's late september, when all you really need is a cute fall jacket and flannel scarf. ahhhh, i love it.
now we are in turnbridge wells at a conference center called salomon's. this place is a really old home that belonged to a very wealthy scientist about a century ago (i think?). while here i've done things-- such as class, seeing a community theater production, going running-- but mostly i've eaten. a lot. and i've slept. a lot. breakfast is full of bacon, grapefruit, cereal, potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, yogurt, and all greasy goodness. lunch has huge jacket potatoes flowing with cheese, bacon and butter, and topped off with candy bars(!!) and dinner is a full course meal-- massive portions of everything: meat, potatoes, vegetables, bread, chocolate cake, chocolate cake, chocolate cake! and to top it all off, every afternoon after lunch we are free to do whatever we'd like. and though (like i mentioned earlier) i have done things, i can't do anything without a deep 2 hour nap first. am i really in school? shouldn't i be stressed? shouldn't i be panicked? where is the anxiety!? for the first time since childhood, i think i might actually be completely and totally relaxed, content, and full.
though i've enjoyed this week of slothfulness and gluttony, i think my expanding waist and i am ready to move on and get back to work. tomorrow we are leaving to go to canterbury, but not before we stop at ashwood forest, famous for its connections to winnie the poo. yes, winnie the poo. yikes, i bet some of you are questioning the rigor of my coursework...
on that note, i'm off. i apologize that my blogs haven't been very cohesive, consistent, or the least bit intelligent. i am saving all of the intelligent things i've learned for when you take me out to coffee when i return... ;) in all honesty, i miss you all very much and i can't wait for january when i'm home and able to truly connect with you.
wishing you well,
anna x
