Day 12 - We were off, so off we went. Since we had no responsiblities on Campus, we decided to use our National Rail Pass (BritRail) and visit the city of Bath. Bath is the home of the only natural hot spring in the United Kingdom and was a key market and spiritual city during the time England was part of the Roman Empire. We took the 1.5 hour train from Paddington Station, first thing in the morning to make the most of our time. My inner child squealed with delight to be at Paddington Station. I did keep a keen eye open for the Famous Bear from Darkest Peru, but no sightings. The BritRail is a very efficent and easy way to travel and we emencly enjoyed the trip. Megan read book 2 in the Fifty Shades Series, and I planned our weekend trip to Paris and dove into my book on Victoria and Albert (see last post).
Upon arrival, we were greeted with a quaint town that, still today, is a major market place (read Abercrombie to North Face with traditional British facades), and off we went to find the Roman Bath Museum. If you ever get the chance to visit, I highly recommend. The museum offers free audio tours on the rich history of the area. I am fascinated by how the Romans combined thier mythologies/dieteis with local ones to ease the blend of cultures (or ensure Roman domination, depending on your perspective). If you were a subject of the Roman Empire, you might have traveled to Bath to the sacred springs of Sulis Minerva. (Sulis being the British Goddess/Minerva the Roman- Megan posted her picture earlier today). Your goal in such a pilgrimage would have been to absorbe the healing properties of the natural hot springs. As always I was amazied had how the Roman civilization used engineering to build such incredible buildings. Something unbeknownst to me was the role that bathing had played throughout the Roman culture, nor was I aware how far the Roman Bath Houses streatched across the Empire. Did you know that the Roman baths were the inspiration for the Turkish baths that exist today? Having spent an afternoon in a Turkish Bath in 1997, I found this a wonderful world connection. After about two hours of museum touring, we decided that the Motto -"When in Rome, do as the Romans" was just the ticket.
So we spent the rest of the afternoon soaking in the heated pools of the Thermae Spa in Bath. We floated in a roof top pool over looking the fabulous British countryside with the sun shining over head. Yes - you read correctly, it was sunny almost all of the day yesterday!!!!!. In the early afternoon, we took an amazing Spa lunch and then cleared our pores in the aromatherapy steam rooms. What an amazing and rejuvenating day. I have to hand it to the Romans, they did know how to relax. As much as I have loved ALL our travels, this day will definitely rank up there with one of the best!!!!. Our return train to London was equally pleasant and after a light dinner of French Onion Soup, off to bed. Another great day in London.
Day 13 - I would love to quip about the wonders of today, but this is a work trip:). Today, I spent the morning updating lecture notes and this afternoon lecturing. I believe the students are learning a lot, and they seem to be having a good time on this adventure. Tonight, another meal in our room- you can only eat fried fish so many times before . . . Followed by our new favorite addiction, the BBC's Sherlock Holmes. Why such a quite evening at home for our travelers you might ask, well tomorrow we learn to play Cricket.
Cheers,
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