Nearly a Month!

I am remiss. I should have said many things in the past, uh, month. But I have been a bit busy in the mean time, I assure you. So, a recap:

I got home, safe and sound; British Airways again delivered good food, and fabulous movies. My time at home was filled with visiting relatives and friends, and somewhat stunted. I arrived home on May 2, very late, and departed on May 19.

This time, I flew into London, and didn’t continue on to the continent. Instead, I found myself in a rental car with my parents, struggling to stay awake as we headed to Wales.

I should explain my newfound fascination with Wales. I’m of Welsh descent, and of all my ethnic extractions, it’s the one I cared least about. I mean, it takes a lot of effort to be Irish and English, keeping up with all that history, and the folk songs and traditions. Not to mention the cultural tensions. And then, I had the whole Polish thing; defending my heritage from those who would mock me. Doesn’t leave much time for Wales, which hasn’t been to verbal in the last few centuries to make me take notice.

And then came Russell T. Davies, and his new “Doctor Who”, and spin-off of “Torchwood”. Now, I’ve been a Whovian for some years, and really love the old series and its endless quarries; but the new one seems to find it necessary to highlight Cardiff, and all of “Torchwood” is set in Cardiff. My interest? Piqued. And that’s how I found myself in a hotel in Bridgend for four days.

The second day (because the first never really counts), I saw iron works and the Big Pit coal mine. The second day was Cardiff city, including the Doctor Who exhibit. The fan girl in me giggles at the memory. Third day was Swansea and castles, and Arthur’s Seat. Fourth was Caerphilly and driving back to England and Swindon.

I remember lots of sheep and rocks from the country, and the simple beauty of the place. I really did love Cardiff, and would love to go back for an extended time. Much as I love London, Cardiff is just so much calmer and easier to live in, I think.

Which brings me to now; I’m in London, in the little one room apartment I get to myself for the next three weeks. I arrived last Sunday to start my second study abroad program. I get to stay settled in one city for a month, and really get to know London.

It’s been a busy week. I’ve been up early and home late everyday, and each day is packed with walking tours and shows and all sorts of goodness. It feels as though I’ve done so much I could never really catch up on everything, and certainly not tonight. I have to be up for a Stonehenge excursion early in the day, and I’m feeling a bit under the weather at the moment. Could be all the rain, or any number of things, like my lack of proper rest these few days.

I’ll give a better update, and my feelings on being back here soon. Suffice to say, I’ve seen David Beckham live, and on the day of his 100 caps. Life is good.