The people of England are fabulous. They have the driest, funniest sense of humor, and they are very quick-witted. They are also some of the kindest, friendliest people I have ever met. The people in central London weren't my favorite because there were a lot of immigrants and it had a very different feeling from the rest of the country. It's said the United States is very fast-paced and time-oriented, but a lot of people in London are in a bigger hurry and pushier than the people in New York City. However, once we got away from the busier parts of the city, it wasn't so bad. As we were trying to find the flat we were staying in our second to last day in London, two different legitimate British men saw us lugging around our huge suitcases with confused looks on our faces and asked if we needed help. A third British man let us into the flat building and let us borrow his phone while we waited for another guy to show up and let us in the flat. I was so grateful for the genuine goodness of those three men that day who were so willing to stop and help us when we were too prideful to ask.
Outside of London, everything is very chill and relax. Drivers are very courteous (except they do like to drive 50 mph down curvy, narrow roads, while Jonathon clutched the wheel going 35). The countryside is gorgeous and the people are great, though they are horrible at giving directions. Whenever we would ask for directions, we would get lost. I had a horrible time finding the location of my conference because the directions given were very general. Once we got to campus, we had no idea what building to go to, but thanks to Jonathon's brains we were finally able to find it. My favorite horrible-direction-giving experience occurred at the temple. There were like no temple workers anywhere (it was so strange!), so after our session, we went back to the front desk and asked the man there where the cafeteria was. He simply said, "Go down the stairs and follow your nose." We didn't know what stairs he was talking about, so we just walked around until we found them, and then once we got to the bottom, we turned the wrong direction. Would it have been so hard to say "Turn right at the bottom of the stairs"? Silly man! We got lost countless other times as well.
For one of our nights there we stayed with older couple--mid to late 50's--in their home. After we arrived, we were invited out to their conservatory for drinks and a good chat. We talked to them for an hour and half. They were so entertaining! They'd been to Bryce Canyon and loved it, as well as to the U.S. 7 or 8 times. They loved Americans and Jonathon and the man--Roy--had a good time comparing the differences in driving between the two countries. Roy loves our safety rights. In England, you can't turn left on a red no matter what.
In talking about where we'd been and where we were going next, the couple found out we were going to Preston. June said, "That's a funny place to go. There's nothing there!" They paused and then said, "What, are you Mormon or something?" We laughed and said we were, to which Roy said his two sisters and mom were converted, but then made it very clear then didn't want any religion preached to them. We could respect that and were just surprised to find people who knew Mormons. It was cool. They were a very neat couple. Very kind and hospitable and completely understanding of our not drinking tea or coffee in the morning (even if they did think it's weird. P.S. EVERYONE drinks tea and alcohol. It's social thing. Just what they do). Anyways, I think the main reason they don't want to hear about religion is because they don't know what they are missing. They are happy with their lives and don't see a need for it. But someday I am sure they will find the truth. I am grateful we got to meet them and learn more about English culture and life from them.
We didn't come in as close of contact with anyone else while we were there, but we had the opportunity of talking to numerous people. The Brits love to make fun of Americans and our lack of history. Everywhere we went, they would be like, "This building is hundreds of years older than your country!" And it was so true and kind of mind-blowing. We went to cathedrals that were built in the 1000's. And we went to one estate--Chatsworth House (Pemberley)--that was built in the 1560's. That's still over 200 years before the U.S. gained independence and 50 years before the first permanent settlement. It's crazy. The history in England is incredible and the old palaces, castles, cathedrals, roads, buildings--all of it is breathtaking. I loved it all!
The main reason for our trip was my conference, but we spent such little time at it that it felt like it had very tiny significance to rest of what we did. However, the conference did go very well. I learned a lot from my presentation and I learned how to adjust my argument if I ever go back and work more on that paper. It alsofurther testified in my mind that I do NOT want to go on to get my Ph.D. As far as we could tell, I was the only Master's student there. There rest of the people that we saw who presented were professors and Ph.D students, so that was neat being the youngest in education there. If anything, it shows pro-activity and dedication on my part. But after witnessing the culture of the whole event, I don't care about books and research and whatever other nerdy things they were talking about and discussing while I was there. I don't get excited about lectures. I don't get excited about collaborating and sharing research. I don't get excited about writing. Academics are boring. BOR-ING. I can appreciate them for what they do, but it is certainly not the life for me. So, don't ask me while I'm studying English because I'm not entirely sure. (Ok, that's a lie, but it certainly doesn't fit in line with most people who are doing what I'm doing.) I am grateful for the opportunities I've had and the things I've learned while studying English--especially while getting my Master's--but I am anxious to get done and move on with my life.
Our trip to England was an incredibly wonderful experience. I can't even choose a favorite part, I loved all of it! Jonathon's favorite part was Canterbury and the cathedral there. He would recommend for everyone go see it. And he would say Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) was my favorite. I have to admit, I got super excited and loved every minute of being there. But our whole trip was my absolute favorite. Here's a highlight of some of the things we got to see and do:
- Shakespeare's Globe Theater
- Tower Bridge
- Tower of London (old prison and castle of royalty, where the crown jewels reside)
- Big Ben, Parliament
- Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham and Kensington Palaces
- London Eye
- Canterbury Cathedral
- Dover White Cliffs
- Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
- Jane Austen's house and grave
- Stonehenge
- Stourhead Gardens (scenes from 2005 Pride and Prejudice)
- Chatsworth House (Pemberley in 2005 Pride and Prejudice)
- Bath and the Roman Baths
- Shakespeare's house and grave
- Warwick Castle (medieval castle)
- Preston (where the first Saints of England were converted and baptized)
There are many more experiences I could share and things I could say, but for lack of space and time, I'd better leave it at this. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We love sharing about our trip! I am just so grateful for the opportunity we had to go, and I'm especially grateful for a wonderfully supportive husband who made it possible for me to fulfill my dream. About a year ago I made a list of everywhere I wanted go and everything I wanted to see in England. That list had over 30 things on it, and Jonathon let me take the reigns and plan out everything. There were 5 or so things we didn't see due to time constraints, but they weren't a high priority -I have to see this!- kind of thing. In 10 days, we traveled all over Southern England and had the opportunity of seeing so many great things and meeting so many wonderful people. I never thought I'd make it Europe in my early years of marriage, but with a lot of planning and prayer, we made it, and for that, I am grateful and so very blessed.
