Sheep Shout Out!

This is a Sheep Shout Out to Uncle Pat and Aunt Lee. These are, in fact, the first sheep I've gotten close enough to take a picture of. I mostly see multitudes out of bus windows. I think the reason that most people believe sheep are cute is because they're actually thinking of lambs, which are adorable. Sheep, like many people, do NOT age gracefully. Unlike our fine species, this is without exception. Also, lambs actually gallop about and what not. Sheep more just stand there. So much for the joy of youth.

You may be interested to know that there is sheep poop ALL OVER the Rhossili mountains (see the pictures a few posts below) but the sheep apparently just project it over there, as they're all in this enclosure a few yards away. Now if that's an image that doesn't warm the cockles of your heart....

My room.

This is my room. It's not fancy.


My lovely corkboard, complete with an American Dollar I found in my purse when I got here. I was going to exchange it, but since it's only worth 60 pence, it really makes a more functional keepsake, don't you think?

This is allegedly a heater. I say allegedly because it has yet to heat.

My bed.

The view from the door. All right, listen, don't be jealous.

Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day, Matt sent me roses and this really cute bottle holder with a bottle of Shiraz. I thought you might be interested to see Will the Waiter, as he is allegedly called. According to Matt, he "thought I might need a servant." Indeed, I do.

The Gower: Rhossilli Bay

This is Gower, by Rhossilli Bay. We went there and to Swansea today. I will explain the pictures more later.

Coal Mine!!!

Just pictures for now, text to come later.

This was last weekend's trip to Big Pit, a coal mine. Coal was the largest industry in Wales for a long time. For some years in the 1800's, the immigration to Wales was second only to the immigration to the US--and it was due to the coal industry.

An Actual Footpath

From a walking path about an hour's walk from Carmarthen town.

On Sunday, our friend Edd took us to an actual footpath that was not, in fact, a hospital. It lead to a really lovely river. I enjoy this picture.

CARDIFF: My Favorite Trip Yet

Sadly, as revealed by this violent graffiti, the city of Cardiff has a very serious gang problem.

The second half of our Saturday trip took us to Cardiff, "Europe's Youngest Capital," the largest city in Wales, and the cleanest metropolis I've ever laid eyes on. The entire center of the city is designed for pedestrians only, so it's really easy to get around. There are tons of quirky and wonderful shops.

Allegedly the world's first record shop. Favorite find: Depressed Celts, Volume I

Various city scape.

Many of the windows in this chapel were dedicated to the deceased Cardiff-born soldiers of the first and second world war. I particularly liked the inscription on this window: "when you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today."

Apparently, in Cardiff, people who wait are much thinner than people who cross with care.

More city. Green green green.

This....is a hot pink limo. Obviously.

Cardiff Castle!

Cardiff Castle.........AGAIN!

Various Civic Welsh buildings, exhibiting large classical sculptures.

A building!! Probably full of offices! Possibly full of workers! Possibly full of joy!

The Welsh History Museum

Last Saturday, on our way to Cardiff, we stopped at the Welsh National History Museum, where we saw many fine things. It's an outdoor museum designed to take visitors through the stages of Welsh life, ranging from modern times to the ancient Celtic villages.


This was built in 1902 to allow people in the village near here a place to read newspapers and also a public meeting room for weddings and the like.

This is a very good picture of a very real fat bird. I was proud of it.

This is a barn dating from the 1800's.

This is a Celtic hut, me, and Mareika.

Hospitals are not Public Footpaths

We had an interesting/embarrassing experience in Carmarthen last Sunday, upon attempting to find a public path to walk on that would take us into a more natural setting. Well, first, we ended up deadended in a farmer's backyard. He had a very aggressive dog who didn't seem pleased with our prescence, so despite the welcoming gaze of the cows pictured below, we hurried on our way.

Then, we happened upon a huge sign reading "St. David's Park!" It lead to a huge, beautiful stone building with a perfectly manicured lawn. We thought to ourselves, "Ah! We've made it! We've found the single public park in Carmarthen!"

We saw a sign for "Reception" and jumped at the chance to get some good advice as to where the best public footpath might be. Striding confidently into the reception area, I asked the receptionist, "Where's the best place for us to start walking?"



She stared at me blankly. Kindly, I repeated myself, a bit slower. My friend Mareika, who is from Germany, chimed in to help me clarify.



"This," the receptionist stuttered, "is...not a public park." We apologized, explaining that we were students at Trinity, and asked if we still might get permission to wander about.


"Well," she said, taken aback, "It's not a public park. This...this is a hospital." Silence reigned.

We strode back out the door quite without the confidence with which we had entered.



It turns out that St. David's Park originated as Carmarthen's mental hospital. It also turns out that there's a sign in the window reading "Bladder Screening, Floor 2" which should have tipped us off that perhaps it wasn't the place for a pleasant afternoon stroll.



Lesson learned, culture shock experienced. Sometimes, a park is just a park. Usually, St. David's Park is a hospital.



Love,
Gina