brief holiday away

Monday I took a one day holiday via coach (bus) to see Salisbury, Stonehenge and Bath. It was a long day and I didn't get to see everything of course but it was worth it. There is so much history in those places! Stonehenge was impressive but it would have been more so if I could get closer than 25 yds! (just to add some clarity to my "impressive" claim-it basically is a pile of rocks out in the middle of nowhere. What impressed me was the determination people must have had to bring rocks with them and travel a long ways to make a pile. I remember carrying legos around building forts in different rooms in the house but that doesn't really compare)
Salisbury Cathedral recently celebrated its 750th birthday! They added a huge spire to it later without adding to the foundation-little to say problems developed:) Evidentally you can still climb the scaffolding to the top. I saw the Magna Carta as well, the best copy in existence but I can't read Latin anyways. I explored the city and managed to have time to stop at a bakery for a croissant. There were a variety of old structures and pubs in the city, dating back centuries.
In Bath, I spent most of my time at the Roman baths. I've been to some hotsprings in the States but they didn't compare:) Though it is kind of sick to be thinking how old the water is, it is cool at the same time to realise the long, long history of travelers coming to see them. I briefly ran around the city and barely made it back in time to catch my ride back into London! I definitely would like to return to Bath, though when it is warmer. The whole day it averaged 1 degree celsius! There is much more I could say but definitely check out "my photos" link.

a very merry Christmas

Christmas Eve afternoon I went down to hear the "Service of Lessons and Carols" at Westminster Abbey. I had two wait in the queue (line) for about 2 hrs before getting a seat but it was worth it to be two rows from the choir. It was a brilliant performance and I loved that they had the audience sing along for a few familiar songs. Other being concerned about time, I am not sure why they only did 6 lessons instead of the regular 9. After the service, I had dinner with two other families. It was a very English dinner with turkey and stuffing, minced pie, malt wine and Christmas pudding. I loved opening up our bag of wrapped treats, it was almost like having stockings!

Christmas morning I woke up at 6am and rode into central London. It was dark and cold but thankfully it only took about 40 minutes to get to Hyde Park and then I spent about an hour cycling around London. Yes I know this sounds like an odd thing to do for a Christmas morning but it is very rare to have no cars around and have no public transportation running. I got to see the city lights and zoom through major intersections ignoring lights and signs:) I went back to my flat and brought my gifts and cards over to another family's house. We opened our gifts together. I loved being with their kids, a boy and girl, 5 and 3 respectively. They provide the cheer needed on an otherwise gloomy Christmas to get into the spirit. I was given enough sweets to last me a long time, let's hope my teeth last!
that afternoon I rode over to another family's house and enjoyed hearing the kids tell me all about Christmas and what they received. I helped prepare some food for the amazing meal that night. It was a long fun night of eating, singing Christmas songs, playing games, hearing stories and riddles. It was so nice to be invited by so many people to join them in their celebrations, especially since I'm new and away from other friends and family. After biking home that night, I was tired but thankful for a very merry Christmas-plus having Boxing Day following just after was a new treat!
pics: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, Millennium Bridge, Piccadilly Circus

Christmas Time

Last week we had Christmas parties for the youth clubs I run with all sorts of games, prizes and small but much appreciated gifts for all. An older couple who helped introduced me to new games like pass the parcel and "crackers" with prizes inside. I've seen school plays, walked through the decorated streets, explored some open markets, heard carol singers at Trafalgar Square, attempted to go ice-skating with my friends but tickets were sold out, toured Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland. We've not had snow recently and in fact the weather has been pretty clear and even sunny at points-a relief as I'm bicyling around. Sorry for the long break in my posts, I'll try to be more faithful in the new year. Merry Christmas!

pics: Ciao's ice cream wonders in Leicester Square, sadly the closest we got to actually ice skating, rides in Hyde Park, Neal's Yard artsy area,

Bleak midwinter?

Headlines these days are not presenting much Christmas cheer. Unemployment is at 9% in London, Woolsworth and other stores are closing, concerts are being canceled and even caroling nas been banned in certain areas, I and many others will not be with our families...it seems that "Happy Holidays" might appropiately reflect English irony. Many would easily admit that we all played a part in bringing to life an economical "Grinch" who is bent on stealing Christmas YET there is good evidence that the Whos are still going to celebrate. (Hopefully you realise that I am referencing Dr. Seuss' classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas) Of course the rough times have drawn out age old questions about the season, what we're actually celebrating and why, and then perhaps the answers we find will make our hearts painfully grow just like the Grinch's from being "two sizes too small". I for one will search out "whoville" this season-okay I've had my laughs!

ASHA

ASHA, meaning "HOPE" in Hindu/Gujarati, is an Asian themed charity shop that I work at, visit and read in a few days a week. When I'm out on my bicycle, it is nice to stop in to see familiar staff, volunteers, and customers and have some chai tea. The last few weeks I've enjoyed having more time to talk with the customers, hear about their families and work alongside volunteers, most of them high school students, and discuss their classes, interests, and answering questions about life in the States. We're getting new books soon! We sell new and used adult & children's clothing, jewelry, bric-a-brac, books, music, DVDs. Besides the occasional western clothing, I'm still learning the names of some clothing (Sarees, Punjabi suits, kurtas, paijamas) b/c several items have 3-4 different names! As a charity, ASHA supports projects in India and East Africa:
Sugandh--Education for children living in extreme poverty (India)
Dorcas--Women's Development Society (India)
Sahara--Women's shelter and job training (India)
E.H.A.--Hospoital association providing healthcare in many rural areas (India)
Christ's School--educational institution in rural Western Uganda (East Africa)

ASHA has been a unique and joyful place to serve the community and meet new people. I just wanted to give a bit of a summary so you know what I'm referring to from now on:)