Say Cheese

Castle Howard

I now have a new favorite place in this world: Castle Howard has to be one of the most beautiful destinations I've ever been to. The following pictures just don't do it justice. We arrived there this morning for our second field trip in the Country Houses class, and even the drive up there was wonderful. Temple Newsam is pretty much right inside the heart of Leeds, but Castle Howard is deep within the Yorkshire countryside. As you enter the estate, grand monuments pass by until you finally approach the magnificent house: a Baroque masterpiece that has had a leading role in many films and television series, most notably both versions of Brideshead Revisited:

Fairly certain that's Matthew Rhys as Mr. Darcy

Today was an especially exciting day to visit Castle Howard because they've been filming a BBC adaptation of Death Comes to Pemberley, PD James's sequel to Pride and Prejudice. It was quite exciting to see all the film crews, and we even got a few glimpses of the cast!

The home itself is absolutely breathtaking: the exterior is grand and gorgeous, and the gardens surrounding it are unmatched. There is a magnificent fountain anchoring the landscape, and trails leading to various landmarks, such as a temple and mausoleum, give visitors a chance to behold Castle Howard and all its glory.

I was blown away by this stunning chapel

Ancient frescos catch the daylight

Artsy (and yes, candid) picture in gorgeous Yorkshire

Inside, the home is jaw-dropping: as you enter the main reception room, your senses are overwhelmed because there are so many ornate details. The dome and frescos surrounding the grand staircase are beautiful, and all the subsequent rooms to follow were splendid, as well. What makes Castle Howard especially appealing is the fact that the Howards still live here. There is a certain lively characteristic that can only be found in a home with a family in it; the library has pictures of their children and the bedrooms have real, 21st century mattresses so guest can be comfortable when staying here. I cannot fathom living in such a heavenly residence (though I wish I was), but I'm glad it's still given the love and attention it deserves.

After touring Castle Howard, we all found ourselves a bit hungry, so we headed to the cafe located at the foot of the grounds. Our group chatted with our lovely (and quite fun) professor, Kerry, and stumbled upon a very delicious cheese.... Now I realize that I love a lot of things, I'll admit to that in a heartbeat....but cheese has a very, very special place in my heart that few things can match (except maybe popcorn and chocolate). So, when I discovered that several people in my group of friends were also cheese fanatics, I was delighted. I was even more excited when we decided to go and buy this delicous cheese for lunch at the estate's deli. It was so scrumptious and absolutely fantastic that I could very openly eat a giant slice of cheese all on its own, and not only avoid judgment, but also be joined in this activity with others. Basically I love the places I've been and the people I'm with. And cheese.

Thanks and gig 'em,
Rachel

Bowling, Temple Newsam and more!

I'm regretting not having posted anything yesterday because now I have to catch-up on the past two, very eventful days! Yesterday started with a skit in class: a simulation of a traditional Elizabethan dinner. We randomly were assigned roles, and, of course, I got the part of servant.....All fun and games aside, it was a neat way to learn about roles back then/make everyone thankful for the way things are now. 

Post-Nando's smiles

After class, we all headed to the City Center in order to eat at a very highly regarded chicken restaurant, Nando's. The food was, indeed, delicious, but our experience was especially wonderful because -- drumroll please --  they had drinks with ICE and FREE REFILLS!!! Do you have any idea how few and far between either of those luxuries are anywhere but America? I'm not even kidding, I think the ice I used in my glass for that one meal exceeding all the ice I've had overseas. It was fantastic. Of course, we went shopping afterward (again), and then came back to meet up with the rest of the gang.

Champions of bowling

The planned social event for that evening was nothing foreign to me, however I am so glad we got to experience it as a group. The Leeds International Summer School embarked on an adventure in bowling, and I must say, it was nothing short of exciting. I've bowled since I was a little kid, yet I still lost to someone who needed an explanation on how to roll the ball down the lane because he's never played before!! How does that even happen?! Despite my terrible game (I did end up doing alright the next round), I had so much fun hanging out with my new friends. It's times like these when I realize how similar we all really are: it could be a bowling alley anywhere in the world with people from all sorts of countries, and everyone will still be laughing at their gutter balls and receiving high-fives for their strikes. Sorry to be so cheesy, but it's true! To celebrate, we went to a local pub and had a great rest of the night.

We definitely were meant to wear these clothes

Today, our class got to examine some ancient books dating as far back as 1602. I was quite nervous to be handling such delicate and historic artifacts; luckily nothing went wrong, and it was a very neat experience. We took a lunch break and then embarked on our first field trip: Temple Newsam, a country house located right outside Leeds. The home was exquisite: each room displayed a different style (Baroque, Georgian, Jacobean, etc.) and had so much personality. I particularly loved the wallpaper and wish someone could reproduce it for me! Aside from all of the historical significance, the estate itself is a very fun place (it also helped that I adore the people I was with). After passing by a kiddy dress-up activity, we couldn't resist but to play along! We explored the gardens, as well, soaking in the spectacular weather and admiring the great beauty of Temple Newsam. The fun continued this evening when I introduced my friends to Wagama, which of course they all devoured. Soon we'll go out again, and I can't wait to see what other memories we make in my new favorite city, Leeds!

Laying in the grass, giggling

Picture time!

Thanks and gig 'em,

Rachel

Afternoon Tea (and being Cheeky Monkeys)

I just cannot emphasize how much I am in love with Leeds!!! This is such a wonderful place, and I never want to leave! (Okay, I do miss everyone at home....but I'm going to be very sad to go, and I'm saying that only having been here a few days!) My love for the English culture was strengthened even more when we had the privilege of enjoying "Afternoon Tea". Rachel taught us Americans everything we need to know about having a proper afternoon tea: what types of finger sandwhiches are served, how to properly pour and treat the tea, how to spread your clotted cream and jam, etc. The tea and treats were delicious, but I must say, the ice water was the most enjoyable part for everyone because there's been a heat wave all week! I thought Yorkshire would be chillier, but I guess I brought the warm weather from Houston (sorry Leeds....).

Anna and I are authentically English, don't you think?

Beautiful stain-glass roof

So much exquisite detail!

After our scrumptious cultural experience, we window shopped through all of the gorgeous Victorian Arcades (an open air mall with a glass roof that keeps out the rain and snow) that identify Leeds. You see, these are very important in British history because they survived the bombing during World War II, unlike so many other buildings from previous eras. Each is beautifully ornate and feminine; you can't help but stop in awe of their elegance, as well as the posh shops that are the current tenants. 

Thin Mints, my favorites!

As we moved from arcade to arcade, we discovered some American gems: on this side of the Atlantic, they have TK Maxx (instead of TJ....no idea why.....) AND WE FOUND GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!!! I have no apologies for freaking out -- they're such a big deal when the Girl Scouts sell them back home, and for them to be in a store IN ENGLAND...crazy!!!

After parting ways with Rachel for a little while (we miss her already!), the other girls and I headed to some staple-British shops, Primark and Top Shop. Primark is absolutely fantastic because it's as cheap in price as Forever 21, but with better styles and quality. Top Shop is a bit pricier, but they still have really nice and fashionable clothes. Here in England, everyone dresses so much cuter than back home (no Nike shorts and baggy t-shirts), and it's fun to want to look presentable every day. I'm sure I'll get tired of it soon enough, but I wish the States were a bit more formal -- we'd look so much nicer!

After a less-than-exciting burrito (it was no Freebirds or even Chipotle), we headed back home where several of us foreign exchange students chatted in the Common Room and shared YouTube videos that are popular in our home countries. Apparently the "Leprechaun in Alabama" never made it out of the US, but "Fenton the Dog" and its subsequent parodies are all the rage in Australia. Just goes to show you learn something new everyday :)

Thanks and gig 'em,
Rachel

PS- The title is simply my way of incorporating some of the fantastic English terminology into my vocabulary; we've had so much fun and are completely baffled by the things these Brits say!

Loving Leeds!

My goodness, I can't believe it's only been 4 days since my program started (and only 1 day in Leeds)! It feels like I've been here forever because we've already done so many neat things. I really can't believe that yesterday I was in London....

A very lush view of the Palace

Sunday we took a walking tour of the city and saw pretty much everything you could possibly imagine visiting in London: Leicester Square, the West End, Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, etc. Although my feet were aching, I was engrossed every minute in the hustle and bustle of such a historic and beautiful city. In case you all were wondering, we walked over 22 miles this past weekend; Rachel wore a pedometer to prove it!

How beautiful is Leeds's City Hall?

After a delicious and traditional English "Sunday dinner" at lunchtime (roast beef, potatoes and yorkshire pudding), we hit the road and traveled north to the Yorkshire lands I love so much. We had finally arrived at Leeds!!! We were quite exhausted from the long day, so after a short tour of the area surrounding campus, everyone went to sleep, including myself.

This morning, we woke up and met some of the other foreign exchange students and then headed to our first class. The way the Leeds International Summer School program works is that you take two courses consecutively (each are two weeks long) from the morning til early afternoon. My first class is about Country Houses (basically Downton Abbey) and the roles they, as well as the aristocratic families that occupied them, served within society. I absolutely love this topic and cannot wait to see what I can learn from this course, as well as all the fabulous field trips we get to take to these gorgeous mansions.

After class, several of us went to lunch at a delicious asian-noodle restaurant and then headed back to campus for tours of the university and library and to receive our student ID cards. A few of us then went shopping and got to see the fabulous Victorian city center: a hub of shopping, culture and just all around life. I had liked what I had seen of Leeds previously, but this really blew me away.

Gigging 'em with Rosemary!

We then attended the welcome reception dinner for all the international summer school students, where I had the pleasure of meeting so many more wonderful people. I became fast friends with several kids, so a group of about 10 of us went to a few local pubs -- at one I even met an Aggie traveling with some of her friends. (We got lots of weird looks because we instantly acted like we were best friends, but that's just the Aggie Network for you!) I am so glad I've already gotten to know them so well because we all had a blast! The fun continued when we came back to our dorm to find the rest of the students and social assistants hanging out in the common room. Turns out the world is a pretty small place because it was so easy to click with everyone. I cannot wait to strengthen these friendships, as well as make some new ones soon!

A great group of people from the Leeds International Summer School

Thanks and gig 'em,

Rachel

London From All Angles

My program has officially started, and I must say, I love everything about it! There are only 5 girls, including myself, going to Leeds, and each of them are wonderful. Our program coordinator, Rachel, is fantastic, and I can't wait to spend more time with all of them, especially in Leeds!

Literally on top of the world

Currently, we are staying in London with the other API England students, getting oriented both in program details, as well as in all things English. For the others, they are adjusting to life in London, but for us, this is simply a lovely holiday weekend in the city before school begins on Monday in Leeds. As much as I adore London, I am so excited to go to Leeds, which, based on our orientation earlier this morning, is such an interesting and vibrant city.

Gig 'em from a bird's eye view

We've done so much these past two days: Yesterday after arrival, we dropped our things off at the flat and took a walking tour of the neighborhood and then went on to the British Museum. After zipping through the highlights of the BM, our Leeds group traveled to the London Eye, which was well worth the long wait time. I'm not afraid of heights generally, but even I was a bit uneasy when we were on top of the gigantic ferris wheel. But the sights were incredible, and I'm very pleased we got to do it.

New friends at the Tower Bridge!

We went to bed early that night because we were so exhausted, so it wasn't too bad waking up bright-and-early to go to our API orientation. Once there, we learned all about school, safety and funny things that British people do that Americans don't understand (and visa versa) -- let me tell you, there are quite a few! I'm very grateful to have Rachel because she is someone who won't laugh at us when we have silly American questions!

After orientation, we took a very uncomfortable ride on the Tube to the Tower of London, which was immensely crowded. Luckily, I was able to see the Crown Jewels, which, of course, I oohed and ahed over. Tonight should be lots of fun, too, and tomorrow we travel to Leeds -- check back soon!

Thanks and gig 'em,

Rachel

Below My Feet

Well, I'm back. Another 8+ hour plane ride later, I find myself back at Heathrow. It's 9:00 AM here, which means I'll be sitting at this lone coffee stand outside arrivals for another 3 hours until my group meets up at noon. Seems like an opportune time to write, don't you agree?

Before I continue, I'd like to voice my praise for British Airways, the airline I've been using the past couple of weeks. The food and entertainment services have been excellent, and when we were in a pickle last week trying to get home, they were extremely helpful and understanding. Every attendant has been nothing but friendly and considerate, even humorous. (One male attendant said to his female counterpart, “If we were married, would you listen to me even less?” as he was trying to get her attention, causing everyone in the immediate area to chuckle.) This is a travel blog, and I feel the need to highly-recommend the airline I've been so pleased with the past 3 times I've flown.

As I sit here waiting, I can't help but feel a nauseating mix of excitement and anxiety. I think I adapt quite easily, but this is pretty darn scary. Not only am I in a foreign country, but I don't know a single person here. Now, this is England, so thank goodness I don't have to worry about a language barrier. And it is just four weeks (I applaud those who go abroad for a semester or more). Aside from the fact that I didn't go with a Texas A&M group, I've got it fairly easy compared to others who study abroad. But still, this is new to me, and I can't help but be frightened.

Despite my fears, I am beyond excited for what's to come. This has been a very trying week (see previous post), so I know how lucky I am to be here. I'm so grateful for this experience; I owe a wealth of gratitude to my parents and grandparents for not only making this study happen but also for giving me the desire to go. I come from a long line of passionate travelers, and I'm so blessed to constantly be inspired to step outside my comfort zone and see the world. I will miss my family terribly, yet I know how happy they are for me to get to do something as amazing as this.

Bring on the adventures to come and the stories I'll have to tell.

Rachel

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

PS- Shout-out to my best friend, Julie, for making her annual Summer Mix-CD for myself and our two other best friends, Haylie and Ashley – you got me hooked on the Mumford and Sons song that is the title of this blog. If you're not a fan of this band, shame on you. Listen to the lyrics, and you'll know why it's been the anthem of my summer.

Update

Some of you may be wondering why I haven't been posting the past few days. The reason is that our trip ended unexpectedly due to a family emergency back home. We got a phone call on Friday night telling us that my grandmother had suffered a stroke and was in critical condition. We immediately packed our bags and got on the first available flight back to Texas.

My grandmother made it through surgery, but she is still in a very fragile state. We are so grateful that she is doing as well as she is, and we are beyond blessed to have each other. My parents, sisters, aunt, uncle, cousins and I have been the image of unity and support: we are all committed to my grandmother's recovery and giving her as much love possible.

Concerning my upcoming study abroad program in Leeds, I will be returning to England on Friday to participate in it. Though it will be very difficult to leave my family at such a hard time, everyone is in agreement that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and that my grandmother would be furious if she found out I didn't  go. I will also start posting again once my program starts.

So please keep my grandmother and our family in your thoughts and prayers: God is with us and are faithful knowing He will get us through this difficult time.