York

It's been quite a long time since I've updated.  I would try to say the reason is because I've been busy going out and doing things, or doing homework and school stuff, but, really, it's because my mom figured out how to use Skype and Facebook, so I haven't felt the need to keep her updated via blog.

So, York!

York is very close to Leeds.  The train trip took about one hour going there, and less coming back, depending on how many stops the train made.

The first main features I noticed upon leaving the train station, where this giant ferris wheel and the imposing York Wall.  I found myself missing the London Eye, and London in general, looking at the ferris wheel.

York Wall

Naturally, I climbed up onto the York wall, and began to venture in the direction I hoped would lead me to the city center.  I was not disappointed.  The wall itself was quite a fun walk.  The path is narrow, and there are only railings in the particularly elevated areas.  It makes sense to me, after all, you'd only be defending against invaders from one side of the wall. 

I soon came to the end, where there was a bridge that needed crossing.  There were some interesting buildings around the bridge, one was a cafe, possibly a repurposed toll station, and I'm not sure what the other is.




Below in the images are the bridge and the cafe.

Café

Bridge

   
 After crossing the bridge, I wandered through a park and found a museum.  I didn`t enter the museum, because of the admission fees (if I remember correctly), but did very much enjoy the park, and these very large ruins nearby

A lovely day for a walk in the park!

Check out the people for scale!  I think this may be the remains of a cathedral?

Upon leaving, I heard the sounds of bells, and remembered that the York cathedral was a recommended sight to see.  Following a few signs, I made my way towards the ringing.  Nearby, I stopped to take a picture of the much more humble looking Catholic church

How cute!

Before reaching this giant, imposing monster.

I've been around England, and I've seen some pretty massive cathedrals and abbeys (notably St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey in London), but this still caught me off guard.  Once again, they changed a generous entry fee, so I didn't see much of the interior.  A lady remarked to me outside that it used to be free admission for everyone.  Oh well.

The blurriness of this photo saddens me,
but the brightness of the coats enlightens me

My money was latter spent buying fudge from these friendly gentlemen.  It was rather fantastic.  I choose a slab of the chocolate orange fudge, and was delighted by the happiness and smiles and rainbows that emanated from the dapperly dressed staff.





I'm noticing that I'm bombarding you, the reader with photos.  I hope you're OKAY with that.

Happy belated Bonfire Night, by the way.

I came across this on an inn in York.  

"Remember, remember 
The Fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot."

Bonfire Night is a big celebration in England, and outdoes Halloween for firework displays.

The Shambles - Note the narrowness of the path
and the overhang of the buildin

I found The Shambles, which is one of the oldest streets in England.  According to the street's official website, the Shambles is, "mentioned in the Domesday book (making it date over 900 years)..." I didn't even know this when I was there; I thought the Shambles were likely 500 years old, not nearly 1000!

On this street, I treated myself to discount icecream, and bought presents for my mom and for Aunt Kathy.  

Mum says that she has safely received their 

York Lucky Cats in the mail.

I determined that Donald likely wouldn't fully appreciate a Lucky Cat, which was an excellent decision, because I found something more appropriate, yet very similar, for him the next day in Scarborough. 

I then found a Viking Museum, and definitely determined that to be cool enough to pay admission to visit.  I was not disappointed. 

Fun facts I learned about Vikings:
- Vikings invaded and inhabited York (Jorvik!) 1000 years ago

- Hair combs at the time were made out of bone/antler, and costed around £400

- People who couldn't afford combs washed their hair in horse urine to kill bugs, and keep it blonde and soft

- People drank more beer than water, because waste polluted the wells.  Beer was distilled, and therefore safer to drink

- People ate oysters as cheap snacks
- I'm pretty sure I saw a human coprolite, which I later saw featured on QI

The more you know!

So, this concludes my day in York, early October.  Let me know if you've read this, and I can determine whether I should write about Scarborough and Belgium.  Ta ta~