Lancaster Diary
Hello again! “Fresher’s Week” just ended and Jen, Susan (another
study abroad student from North Carolina) and myself (Erica) took
the train to Liverpool to spend a night with Jen's friend Donnah.
Donnah works and lives at the Royal School for the Blind so after
picking us up Friday evening at the train station, Donnah took us
back and gave us a tour of the school. Its really neat, there's
textured strips of Velcro, bubble wrap or fake grass at the
beginnings and ends of hallways so the kids can feel where they
are. They also have several play rooms filled with colored lights
and sounds, warm waterbeds, ball pits and padded balance beams--so
we played around in there for awhile.
On
Saturday, Donnah took us into the city of Liverpool to walk around
and do some shopping. We were on a mission to find some adequate
clubbing footwear...but we never did find any that we liked.
Instead, we went to a sports store and ended up buying footballs
(soccer balls) and English t-shirts. We walked down Mathew Street,
“Birthplace of the Beatles” and Jen and Susan took a picture with
the statue of John Lennon.
Saturday evening, Susan and I headed back to Lancaster while Jen
stayed in Liverpool. On Sunday, Susan and I ventured into the town
of Lancaster to check out some of the historical sights. We went
to see Lancaster Castle--a tourist attraction as well as a working
prison and courthouse. Susan and I nearly ended up in the jail
after attempting to enter the castle at the wrong entrance!
However, a nice prison guard kindly redirected us.
Here
are some photos of the outside of the castle, we unfortunately were
not allowed to take any photos inside as the building is still a
working government facility. But the interior was amazing as far as
thematic design. The symbol of Lancaster is the red rose and every
archway, every piece of furniture had the mark of the rose on it.
The courtrooms themselves were amazing, being 200 years old, with
hidden passageways and branding irons (used to brand criminals).
We took several pictures of the town from the castle hill and would
have explored more of the town itself, but it was pouring rain when
we came out and our umbrella’s had been left at home. That’s all
for this week, I’m not sure what we’ll get up to next week but in
two weeks we’re planning a trip to London with some of the girls on
our floor so be sure to check back soon!
Cheers,
Jen and Erica
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