Wales Trip!

Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!

Hey friends!  As you know, I just got back from an INCREDIBLE spring break trip to Wales! I learned so, so, SO much, and I really love Wales.  Like, I would live there if given the opportunity.

Myself and three other ladies went over and stayed in Cardiff with a friend and alumna from our university.  We met amazing people and made some new friends!  Then we stayed in London less than two days and hit just the highlights of the city to close our trip before we flew out.

This post is pretty picture-heavy, but I couldn't help it!!!  The whole country's like a postcard everywhere you look!  (I borrowed a friend's camera and I didn't realize it would have a time stamp on all the photos..... darn it.....)

I also didn't dress vintage every day as I was considering.  There were a couple reasons for that: First and most importantly, I don't like sticking out in cultural contexts that I don't know.  I didn't feel like drawing more attention to myself (than being an American already does) when I wasn't sure what was going on culturally all the time.  Second, it was pretty frigid the whole time.

Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
super cute B&B we stayed at in Cardiff
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
The B&B was run by an older lady that made us these DELICIOUS traditional breakfasts for us every morning!  It's been so sad to come back and not have that waiting for me when I wake up.
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Croeso- Welsh for "Welcome"
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Some of the sights around the area.  So much history!
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
I've never seen so many country flags outside of America, and it was great!  I think people should love their country a lot.  (Not to mention, how cool is the Welsh flag?!  Come on, it's got a dragon on it!!!)
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Caerphilly.  This castle from the 1100s was attacked and a part of it was damaged.  That leaning tower has been leaning like that for hundreds of years!

Some things I learned in Wales:
- cwtch: Welsh for a hug, snuggle, cuddle, or cozy place (now one of my favorite words ever.)
- Wales and England are NOT the same thing.  The countries in the UK are important to their people.  They're not like states in the U.S.; they mean more.
- Wales is kind of the "stepchild" of the UK.  The Union Jack has elements of all the other countries' flags except Wales.
- Welsh were historically (and even now) very patriotic and fierce fighters.
- "Water" doesn't have a "t" in it.  It has a glottal stop.
- Welsh is a very melodic, sing-songy language, and Wales produces a lot of musicians and singers.
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
So many old churches and cathedrals are around
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Some of the peeps in our group walking down a very picturesque street.
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!

Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
a Welsh hymn book 
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Some new friends took us to the cinema and invited us to stay at their house after!  They're precious people.
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
This was one of the most interesting things to me.  Many churches had plaques like these on the walls, floors, or pulpit listing the names of men who had died in war, most often the Great War (World War I).  As the girlfriend of an airman and hoping to be one myself, that kind of honor for the men who died was very dear to me and I appreciated it.  It's not about the politics of all the wars; it's just about remembering selfless service and appreciating it.
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
All the ladies in my group as we help paint a kitchen
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Now in London, at a pub eating my first fish and chips!  It had to be done.
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Pardon the blurriness, but this is me at Her Majesty's Theatre seeing "Phantom of the Opera"!!!  SWOOOOOON!  DREAM COME TRUE!!!
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
The London sights 
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!

Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
We went to a Sunday morning service at Westminster Abbey.  It was my first time in a high church service, and it was really interesting.
(Also, I have pictures of me doing this pose all over the world, I'm not just being weird.  It's tradition.)
 
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Come on, it's necessary.
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Peter Pan stood right there on that clock!!! Haha.
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!

Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!
Shakespeare's Globe
Flashback Summer:  Wales Trip!

Where else do you randomly see famous author's homes as you're out and about?  This is Herman Melville's home, the author of "Moby Dick".

8 comments

  1. I love it! So glad you had a lovely time over here in the UK. You're right though it is very cold over here at the moment, even had snow on Monday, but it's not unusual for this time of year. During the summer it can be very hit or miss but sometimes we get some wonderful sunny days and those days make the rain and snow so worthwhile.
    Hope you enjoyed the fish and chips!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I DID enjoy the fish and chips! I wasn't sure what I would think of it because I'm not a huge fish fan, but it actually didn't taste very fishy. I rather liked it!

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such great sights! I love all of the history and architecture. Westminster Abbey? Her Majesty's Theatre? Amazing. This place is definitely going on my Bucket List. Thanks for sharing your trip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, you are welcome! We can talk about it more soon, too. Sorry I've been so busy this week!

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello,
    I'm trying to buy tickets for the Phantom of Opera, but i've never been in Her Majesty's Theatre.
    Those places in the Grand Circle (more less ROW F, center) have a good view of the stage? is it too far from the stage?
    I was googling for interior views of the theater when i saw your photo.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sat on the left side in the balcony (if you're looking at the stage), and I felt like I could see everything except a bit of the left corner of the stage. Of course, floor would be better, but balcony was still amazing nonetheless!

      Delete