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busy busy bee
There is a magpie that lives outside my window. They say that magpies mate for life. The one out my window is always alone so I think his mate may have died or else he just never met the "one." Either way, he has decided that we're roommates because he's always sitting outside my window like the roommate no one ever officially invited in. I think he was uninformed about a few social "norms". He starts singing quite loudly around 4:30 in the morning! Maybe he thinks I should be getting up earlier? I haven't had lectures to attend so I don't have anything scheduled to be getting up for in the morning, but contrary to my magpie's opinion, I have been getting up plenty early! I have been seizing my days around 8 and packing them full of last minute sight-seeing, reading on the beach, packing in time with friends I won't see for who knows how long, visiting Rotarians I have met, and studying in between!
<-- My housemate Lauren, and I at the Roman baths in Bath, England. One week ago today we took the train to Bath to explore the historical village. Bath was established around 43 AD by the Romans, who called it "Aquae Sulis," because of the hot springs. The only hot springs in the UK, they used the naturally warm water to heat the largest public bath in all of the Roman Empire. That's what is behind Lauren and I in this picture, and although you're not supposed to touch the water, I couldn't resist and it is warm! I have to say, now that I've been to Rome and see Roman architecture and remains in pretty much every city I've visited, I cannot help but be totally impressed. Those Romans were busy, efficient and obviously intelligent. I love going to the gym-- and they started the trend sooo long ago. 
<-- Sunday, my friend Ceridy and I went to explore some of what the Brecon Beacons have to offer. The Brecon Beacons are the mountain range in South Wales, forming the centerpiece of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It was stunning and we got a perfect day. Our first stop was at the Dan-yr-Ogof caves. Claiming to be the largest show cave in all of Europe, it was massive. This photo is from inside one of the smaller pathways, but the next photo is from inside one of the larger caves. 
<-- This is the "Cathedral Cave." They actually use it for weddings sometimes! It wouldn't be my pick of wedding location, but how unique! Truthfully, the photo doesn't really do it justice either because it turned a bit to the left so you can't see any of how big it is that way and all of what is behind me. There was a spot in one of the caves where you got quite a ways back and it was blocked off to the public. We found out later that only people a part of a special caving club can continue on because its not lit and a bit more rugged terrain, but that it continued on at least 20 more kilometers! These caves were the most amazing caves I've ever seen in my life!
<-- After exploring the caves, we drove to Glynneath, still in the Brecon Beacons and hiked along one of the rivers. It reminded me a lot of hiking in Oregon, dirt paths along the water up and down mountain sides. Every so often trees would open up to a breathtaking waterfall. We got to this one and there was a family sat down picnicing. Their dog, as you can see, was enjoying the water. It was picture-perfect. We were enjoying ourselves so much we didn't even realize we'd hiked for over two hours! It was awesome!
<-- Yesterday I caught the bus to Aberdare to visit Robert and Marilyn Bratman, Rotarians I had met when I visited the Aberdare Rotary club in November. We've kept in touch since, and I wanted to see them at least once more before I headed back to the States. Of course a simple visit is just not how the Bratmans roll. Marilyn took me to a cute little museum and art gallery in Aberdare, spoiled me with "study treats" from Tesco, and then we picked up Robert before going to a local pub for lunch. After lunch we had tea and chatted at their home until I had to catch the last bus back to Swansea. The Bratmans have been such wonderful people to have connected with!
<-- The pub that Robert and Marilyn took me too was out of fish and chips so I opted to try the "American burger" they offered on the menu. I don't know if you can tell from this photo, but it was THE BIGGEST piece of burger meat I've EVER seen in my entire life! I couldn't help but laugh-- it was 20 ounces!!! I think I maybe ate a fourth of it before calling it quits, but I couldn't help wondering where the pub owner had gotten the impression that American burgers are that huge?!
<-- My housemate Lauren, and I at the Roman baths in Bath, England. One week ago today we took the train to Bath to explore the historical village. Bath was established around 43 AD by the Romans, who called it "Aquae Sulis," because of the hot springs. The only hot springs in the UK, they used the naturally warm water to heat the largest public bath in all of the Roman Empire. That's what is behind Lauren and I in this picture, and although you're not supposed to touch the water, I couldn't resist and it is warm! I have to say, now that I've been to Rome and see Roman architecture and remains in pretty much every city I've visited, I cannot help but be totally impressed. Those Romans were busy, efficient and obviously intelligent. I love going to the gym-- and they started the trend sooo long ago.
<-- Sunday, my friend Ceridy and I went to explore some of what the Brecon Beacons have to offer. The Brecon Beacons are the mountain range in South Wales, forming the centerpiece of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It was stunning and we got a perfect day. Our first stop was at the Dan-yr-Ogof caves. Claiming to be the largest show cave in all of Europe, it was massive. This photo is from inside one of the smaller pathways, but the next photo is from inside one of the larger caves. 
<-- This is the "Cathedral Cave." They actually use it for weddings sometimes! It wouldn't be my pick of wedding location, but how unique! Truthfully, the photo doesn't really do it justice either because it turned a bit to the left so you can't see any of how big it is that way and all of what is behind me. There was a spot in one of the caves where you got quite a ways back and it was blocked off to the public. We found out later that only people a part of a special caving club can continue on because its not lit and a bit more rugged terrain, but that it continued on at least 20 more kilometers! These caves were the most amazing caves I've ever seen in my life!
<-- After exploring the caves, we drove to Glynneath, still in the Brecon Beacons and hiked along one of the rivers. It reminded me a lot of hiking in Oregon, dirt paths along the water up and down mountain sides. Every so often trees would open up to a breathtaking waterfall. We got to this one and there was a family sat down picnicing. Their dog, as you can see, was enjoying the water. It was picture-perfect. We were enjoying ourselves so much we didn't even realize we'd hiked for over two hours! It was awesome!
<-- Yesterday I caught the bus to Aberdare to visit Robert and Marilyn Bratman, Rotarians I had met when I visited the Aberdare Rotary club in November. We've kept in touch since, and I wanted to see them at least once more before I headed back to the States. Of course a simple visit is just not how the Bratmans roll. Marilyn took me to a cute little museum and art gallery in Aberdare, spoiled me with "study treats" from Tesco, and then we picked up Robert before going to a local pub for lunch. After lunch we had tea and chatted at their home until I had to catch the last bus back to Swansea. The Bratmans have been such wonderful people to have connected with!
<-- The pub that Robert and Marilyn took me too was out of fish and chips so I opted to try the "American burger" they offered on the menu. I don't know if you can tell from this photo, but it was THE BIGGEST piece of burger meat I've EVER seen in my entire life! I couldn't help but laugh-- it was 20 ounces!!! I think I maybe ate a fourth of it before calling it quits, but I couldn't help wondering where the pub owner had gotten the impression that American burgers are that huge?!
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