One Month In Wales

A month ago today, I was arriving in Manchester. Time, stop...please.

Here's what I've been up to recently:

Valentine's Day:
On Valentine's Day, Maddie, Harriet, Alex and I went to a nearby pub, Belle Vue, for tea (tea = dinner...ok, British slang) and some live music.

Belle Vue is really nice. They have open mic and quiz nights as well, and some really delicious £5 deals for food/drink.

Saturday, 15/2: (look at me writing the month/day all British and backwards)
There was a student unions/club fair called "Serendipity" on Saturday morning. I signed up for the Film Society, Photography Society and a Minecraft Society. Now, I just have to make an effort to show up to meetings/screenings.

That night, we went to a Traffic Light party. I don't know why the clubs here are really intent on having themed nights every week, considering only a handful of people bothered wearing red, yellow or green to this one. The drinking/going out culture is really different here compared to America.

Sunday, 16/2:
On Sunday, the Australians and I went to Chester, England. It's only a little over an hour by train, and costs about £7 each way with a rail card. It's a really beautiful and upbeat city.

When we arrived, we had a pub lunch at a place called the Old Queens Head. I had a broccoli and cheese pasta bake, which was very yummy. (Basically every time I eat out, I try to order something that I know I won't realistically cook for myself back in the hall.)

I had a little fiasco with my point and shoot camera - while in Primark, all of a sudden my leg was wet and I realized my water bottle had opened in my bag and everything got soaked. Well, not everything. Luckily it didn't get to my DSLR, but the point and shoot is officially donezo. It's a goner. RIP.

After shopping, we walked around and found the Chester Cathedral.

Then we walked around the roman walls surrounding the city and explored a bit, before catching a train back to Bangor. 

We didn't stay too long, but I wasn't bothered because I already had a train ticket booked to go back in early March to meet up with my cousin who had picked me up at the airport.

Monday, 17/2:
On Monday (yesterday), Maddie and I took an adventure (seriously though, it's a far walk) to Tesco. Tesco reminded me of Costco (not because you could buy items in bulk, but more in the sense that everything you could ever want/need is there). We probably spent a good two/three hours there.

There was a 90's pub quiz at night, but we opted to stay in and watch 10 Things I Hate About You (which is a nice change from how much Harry Potter we've been watching). This Thursday there is a 90's night at a club...Alex wants us to go as S Club 7, but I suggested we go as the Spice Girls (Alex being Baby Spice, of course).

Misc:
I've noticed that everyone eats everything on their plates here. It's not like I don't want to finish my meals, it's just I'm small, overestimate how hungry I am and the portions are too big. I feel like an unappreciative and wasteful American (the latter is probably true).

Harriet, Maddie and I have officially booked a ferry to Ireland. We will be exploring Ireland the first two weeks of Easter Break (6-18th of April). Then, Maddie and I are flying from Dublin to Edinburgh (screw you, Ryanair, for increasing your fares in one week) to meet up with Alex for the last week of break. So excited!

I met with my course advisor (they call them 'tutors' here) today. I told her I was hoping to get some sort of unpaid volunteer/work experience in media/production while here (either this semester or over the summer), and she got me in contact information for someone who hopefully will be able to help. Unfortunately, it looks like the whole not speaking Welsh thing might be an issue.

Coming soon to a computer screen near you: Chester Vlog.