Chapter 6. It's been a while

So I know I haven't posted in a while. Since my last time, I've had class. As a part of my pre-sessional program through Swansea, we are required to take a course called British Politics from 1945-Now. (Do you italicize class names? I don't even know) It's pretty interesting. The professor is funny, and we go through not only politics, but music and movies as well. What I've learned thus far: Britain had a lot of decline, the Beatles rock, the Sex Pistols are scary, and I saw a movie with Helena Bonham Carter and Professor McGonagall. Cheers.

Not only is Bryn (that's what we call our prof, and that's his first name) our prof, but he's also more than willing to give us awesome ideas about pubs to try and the best places to drink. So naturally we try them out. Wednesday's are student nights and they are crazy! It's called Wind Street (like Whine with a 'd') and it's the place to be! So we go to class and check out pubs. That's my first week in Wales.

Chapter 7. I lied

I lied. I forgot about Wednesday. On Wednesday we have the day off. (Weird I know) So a couple of us (Zani from New York, Carly from Maryland, Taylor from Nebraska with-a-blonde-spot-on-his-head, and Emma whom-you've-met-before) decided to go to Mumbles (it's a place near Gower Peninsula) to kayak! However after we went through all the trouble to get there (bus to bus station, station attendant suggest 2 more busses with half hour wait or cab... we got the cab) we get to the beach to find that the kayak place is only open on the weekends. Definitely didn't say that on the website! So we decided to find an adventure. Oh, this is called Oxwich by the way. It's beautiful also. (Catching a theme here in Wales?) So we find this trail called the Oxwich Trail (creative chaps) which we hiked. No idea where we were going, but it was pretty sweet. We encountered this guy way out of breath who told us the coast was down this trail he just came from, but not to go back up because it sucked. He was great. So we hiked down that way, and my god, it was beautiful! We climbed/hiked/took pictures (yes I swear I'll post them eventually) around the coast, then decided to head back. In Wales, the tide is incredible. It will catch you if you're not paying attention. The tide goes up about 30 feet in 6 hours. Don't worry, it didn't catch us smart kids! But we were conscious of it. So after we headed back to the actual shore, we saw a sign for Oxwich Castle. Obviously we had to go find it. And we did, after like a 10 minute hike straight up hill (behind these poor kids pulling their kayak up the 90 degree incline). So we got there and started taking pictures, and barely walked in when the woman walked up and said it was closed. Damn. So we called the cab and headed back down (waaaay easier) and waited for the cab. Then drove back. And took a nap. Then discovered student night at Wind Street. (Definitely missed breakfast the next morning)


Chapter 8. Field tripping

So, because there's a free day Wednesday, we have class Saturday. Not to fear however, it is a field trip. Today, (actually, technically yesterday) we went to the Big Pit. Wanna guess how it got it's name? (Smallest mine in the world) (Just kidding)

The Big Pit is a coal mine that we got to tour. It was awesome. The tour guide was a guy who had actually worked in the mines, was hilarious, and made fun of us. Also though, it was really cool being able to go down in the elevator (to 120 meters? feet? can't remember) and get a tour of the actual mine. We then had an hour after to wander around the rest of the areas, which was more museum like. So what modern mining looks like, and examples of daily life. We weren't allowed to take pictures until we were above ground so if you were hoping, sorry.

We then ventured off to St. Fagans. On side is like Jamestown, Williamsburg. Basically a recreation of what 1700 Wales looked like. Mostly small house and a lot of farm land, but pretty sweet. Then we walked to the other side, which was a castle. The gardens were gorgeous!! Good thing my phone takes awesome pictures! (and I'm not even being sarcastic this time) However when we got to the actual castle, it was just a manor (disappointing). The manor was on castle grounds so they called it a castle, but definitely not as cool. We couldn't take pictures inside the manor, but it was recreated to look like it did back when they occupied the house. Also, there was a wedding going on while we were walking around the grounds. How cool would that be! Talk about gorgeous. (I will post pictures......) So after the 2 hours there, we got back on the bus, promptly fell asleep, and headed back to Swansea. Then tonight we chill. And blog.

Also, applying for grad school abroad sucks, man. And I haven't registered for classes this semester. Are they trying to give me grey hair?!

But still, loving it! The people are amazing (both Welsh and other international friends), the area is just beautiful, and I can't wait to go to Europe and see more!

Good night, (or good evening since it's 7 there) and I swear I will post pictures.....