On the left, here, you should see a pic of Blaenau Ffestiniog, in Wales - reminds me of Aberystwyth (hope to fix this soon and get a good pic of Aber up). If you would like to see some other really great pictures of various parts of Wales click on this pic. I spent one short semester at The University of Wales, Aberystwyth and felt, when I left, that I had just begun to know it... hills and vales, and sea shore call!
Yes, Pat, I'd like to buy a vowel please. There's a rumor (rumour?) going around that the United States had been planning to send a rescue mission to the old USSR (now the CIS), bringing them some much needed vowels. However the foreign aid was diverted as it was realized that the Welsh needed it more. The language is just one of the things that is great about the country, though, and I say that with absolute sincerity!
I can’t wait to get back to Wales...which I hope to do eventually - I almost turned around and headed back when I got to Newark International Airport. According to my parents I came back with a new vocabulary rather than an accent, although I have been known to say ‘about’ and ‘socks’ like any good Canadian would (no insult intended). Of course what you’re all probably wondering is what my driving was like when I returned to the United States. I didn’t do any driving in Britain, but I’m afraid that I did frighten my mother a bit when I started to drive down the left side of the road the first time I got behind the steering wheel again. Thankfully I’ve avoided hitting and being hit by any cars since I’ve returned. Let’s pray that the world remains safe from confused Americans...er...
Spending time in Wales taught me a lot of things. For instance, it is possible to drink a pint of beer when already drunk and while standing on one's head (no, Mom, I didn't try this!) - it's amazing what they do in pubs sometimes after the doors are locked. Oh, and of course there's the fact that no matter how steep the hill that you're presently walking up, you can ALWAYS find a steeper one to walk up on a day when it's 80 degrees Fahrenheit and you have to return all your books to the library. Once again we reach a full understanding of the idea that there is no such thing as a short cut - Thank you, Ollie. Oh, and have you ever heard of mattress surfing? Well actually it was more like sliding - just don't leave the poor guy to bring in his mattress from the parking lot all by himself, especially if he lives on the 4th floor (or the 3rd, if you're British).
Oh, before I forget (you didn't really think I would, did you?) I'll tell you about the pictures I have here. The one on the right was from a day that a group of us (happened to be all Americans that day) walked up Pendinas Hill, which is on the other side of Aberystwyth from the University, to the monument to watch the sunset. Pictured are, from left to right, Kyle (way in the back there), Bob, Nicole and Nathan.
The picture on the left is directly outside what was my room that semester (Penbryn 7-71, that's Ifor Evans, in case you were wondering). We had played a prank on Ben that night and were waiting for him to get back and discover it - lots of running and hiding in rooms everytime we heard someone coming upstairs and all. Anyway, from left to right we have Anna, Sian, Matt, Big Stu, Ben (different one though), and Olly, with Tin Tin down in front. I think that was the night the guys - sorry, blokes! - dragged Tin Tin, on his mattress, all the way downstairs (we lived on the top floor!) and out into the middle of the car park.
Most people would say I took more than enough pictures, but, of course, there were always a few other events I wished I'd immortalized on film.
While I was in Aber I was a member of the UWA Fencing Club - great bunch of blokes and birds...