York!

 On Sunday the school used a local tour group to take us on a free trip to York. It was freezing and windy, but I am in love with York!! It is so small, quaint, and green! After we had an hour guided tour around the city we had about 5 hours to do whatever we wanted.  We had so much time afterwards we were able to see all of the (free) sights that York had to offer.  We went to Clifford's tower, walked down by the river, saw the York Minister and walked around the perimeter of the cathedral.  We then walked around the museum gardens for a little and then headed to the National Railway Museum.  To get to the museum we had to walk along some of the famous ancient walls of York which we called 'England's great wall'.  These walls were absolutely amazing and so cool to walk along.

The York Minister-simply stunning.  It is so huge compared to tiny York, but it seems to disappear when you are walking around York.  

Our tour guide told us the meaning of this street, but I completely forgot. But we all had to duck our heads to go through!

It got so cold I had to wrap my scarf around my head like a turban!

The Shambles-we got some really good chocolate at chocolate heaven and then just to the right of the 'Little Shambles' sign we went to a traditional tea room!

The shortest street in York with the longest name-Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate. I would hate to live there and have to list that as my address!

Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate used to be where wives were whipped for nagging their husbands too much

Some stained glass inside the York Minister

Myself outside the York Minister

Some of the medieval wall ruins in the museum gardens

Medieval ruins  

More medieval ruins

After our tour finished we were in need of a heated room and some food.  We headed back to the Shambles and went to a little tea room that was as British as could be! There were no more than 10 tables in the whole place, and you had to go up a tiny staircase to get to most of the tables! I had my first cup of British tea, and I thought that Yorkshire blend was an appropriate choice. It was delicious! I also got a sausage and egg sandwich which was warm and kept me full for our day of wandering through York!

Our British Tea setup

My friend Annik and I

So warm and delicious!

York is famous for its chocolate.  A few miles outside of the city is the Kit-Kat factory.  As you are walking through the city you get mixed smells of different types of chocolate being made-it smelt delicious.  For some reason I was getting smells of pizza as well, I'm not too sure why I was smelling that there wasn't a pizza place in sight! After a relaxing at the tea house we went to a little chocolate store. I got a hedgehog for only 60p and the chocolate was amazing! It was so rich and creamy. I snacked on it the whole day because it was solid chocolate, so it took a little bit to get through all of it.

The River Ouse that goes through York

Myself in front of the River Ouse

Clifford's Tower-Many jews sought refuge here in 1190.  Its a very interesting story, but it is just better to read the full thing online than read my explanation.  Here is the link. 

Clifford's tower again. So so green and pretty! I wanted to roll down the hill

My friend Stasia sitting on the edge of the dock to the River Ouse

All around York they had these signs to all of the main attractions! It was great, we never got lost. I want every city to have a set of these!

Stasia, Anick, and Molly on the walls

Walking along the walls of York.  I thought it was so cool that families were using this as their ways of travel in and out of the city.  We saw a dad with his two children in a stroller heading out of the city.  How cool would it be to get to and from work on a ancient roman wall?

The walls again

Stasia and I on the walls

After walking along the walls and seeing everything in the heart of York we walked about 15 minutes to the National Railway Museum.  It was free to get in so we walked around for a good half an hour and saw all of the trains.  I was really bummed because we arrived too late to see the Hogwarts Express, but oh well! In a couple of weeks I am going on a trip to North Yorkshire where we are visiting HOGSMEADE!

We got to walk under one of the trains-it was sooo cool!

Another one of the city signs, with a map

York is so tiny! In our day of exploring we saw everything that we felt was important!

Outside the York Minister they had a 3D replica of the city

York Minister at dusk

We walked around the perimeter of the York Minister right as it was getting dark, producing some of my favorite pictures that I took.  

A little alleyway 

Looking away from the York Minister-so pretty and picturesque 

More York Minister

The fountain outside the art gallery

After a full day at York the bus took us back to Leeds where we all went to bed because we were so exhausted and cold.  Today is my first day of classes!!!
-G