Field Trip

I’ve never been much of a history buff, but regardless of your interests you can’t help but be enamored by Europe’s ancient sites and stories. As Londoners, we felt it was our civic duty to explore England and a few of its most prized landmarks: Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and the Roman Baths.

We signed up for an 11-hour bus excursion back when it was a brisk 40-50 degrees and the idea of spending a day outdoors seemed like a good time. But in the week leading up to the trip, the temperature plummeted and snow began to fall. It was the type of weekend you longed to spend indoors with mugs of hot chocolate and funny movies. Instead, Josh and I pulled out all our winter gear in preparation for the adventure de jour. Part of me was incredibly excited about the trip and the other part hoped it would be cancelled and we could reschedule for a more appropriate time… like June.

Despite transit delays and slowdowns, the tour was still up and running, and Josh and I took our seats on the bus at 8:45am on Saturday morning. Within minutes our talkative tour guide Richard, a proper Englishman with a plaid cap and khaki blazer, made sure the bus left promptly at 9am. He made a point of telling us that tardiness was not tolerated and that any stragglers would be left behind. He then went on to give us all the extended fun we could have if we did happen to miss the bus at Windsor Castle or Bath. If we were stuck in Stonehenge we were basically SOL. After this was well explained, Richard spent an additional twenty to thirty minutes going through the rules and regulations of eating on the bus. Hot foods and hot beverages were strictly forbidden, while sandwiches were encouraged as they are A) easy to eat B) don’t make a mess C) have a neutral odor D) are really tasty E) are simply the perfect food. I do not exaggerate the effort that Richard went through to detail the unparalleled divinity of the sandwich.

The introduction and rule review took up a good portion of the ride and before we knew it we arrived at Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle and official residence of the Queen. As we neared the entrance, it became clear that “residence” is a rather modest term for the 13-acre estate. I wholeheartedly believe they should consider turning part of it into luxe condominiums. I would think there’s plenty of unused space and big money to be had in a self-contained castle community.

Anyway, the castle and its grounds were at the same time massive, imposing and stunning. Inside the castle one could tour many attractions from the Portrait Gallery, full of drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci and photos of the royal family, to Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, a miniature world of dolls and functioning fixtures that looked like the perfect setting for a horror film. We also toured St. George’s Chapel where the infamous Henry the VIII, among other sovereigns, is buried. While grim and sad, it was surreal to stand in the same spot that many of the characters I learned about in school had once stood and are now laid to rest.

Following another forty-five minutes aboard the SS Sandwich, we arrived at Stonehenge. It had just reopened as we pulled in, after being closed due to icy conditions. Some areas were still blocked off, but it’s impossible to miss this towering site.

What makes Stonehenge special (it’s not just a bunch of rocks, ya know) is that it was built nearly 5,000 years ago (sometime between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC) and its purpose still remains a mystery. It’s alignment with the midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset has lead to well-accepted theories that the structure once served as a calendar or perhaps Pagan place of worship and celebration.

Lastly we entered the city of Bath, which reminded me of Prague (yes, folks, I’ve been to Praaague – I told you that would come in handy one day). Our bus left us off in the heart of the Christmas Market, containing stalls of food, treats and crafts. There were kielbasa sandwiches, homemade soups, mulled cider, candied nuts and gourmet chocolates. It was a festive spot to relax and enjoy a bite to eat after a long day in the cold. But before we got to kick our feet up and sample the food, we took a tour of the Roman Baths—an ancient bathing complex built in 60-70 AD.

The Baths, also known by its Roman name, Aquae Sulis, is comprised of three naturally hot springs. These springs are full of minerals and maintain a consistent 46 degree Celsius temperature (115 degrees F). As the story goes, the Romans constructed a barrier around the hot springs and created a public bathhouse. Remarkably, this area is well preserved and many of the original stones, structures and steps are intact today. It’s a sight to see and revere for its longevity and majesty. 

By 5pm it was time to head home. Richard managed to keep to himself and the excursion wrapped up with a lulling two-and-a-half hour ride back to London. The rest, as they say, is history.

Travel Blog About Prague

Two weeks ago Josh and I planned our first Euro-trip to Prague. At the time, the extent of my knowledge on the city was how it was pronounced, where it was located and how long it took to fly there from London. Regardless of the fact that I knew bupkas, I was still eager to go. “Prague” had such a lovely ring to it. I pictured us wowing crowds at an art gallery opening saying things like, “Yes, well, when Josh and I were in Praaaaague…”

Being it our first vacation from London, we spent most of the time leading up to our getaway answering the less exciting questions: How many bags does Easy Jet allow you to take? How are we going to get to Gatwick Airport? What and where is Gatwick Airport? How much longer are we going to have to put our liquids in little plastic bags, because it’s really getting annoying? Etc. By the time we had squared away the logistics, we only had a few days to figure out why we were really going to Prague. We hadn’t the slightest idea what we were going to do, see, or most especially, eat!

I can tell you that after some Internet exploration and a three-day vacation, I am not only in love with the city, but I have newfound respect for it. To begin, Prague is the capital and biggest city in the Czech Republic, and is referred to as the “Heart of Europe”. It’s home to the some of the most breathtaking and cultural sights on the continent, including the Charles Bridge, Astronomic Clock, Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. It’s also composed of architectural styles indicative of the Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance periods, which add a stunning element of visual diversity to the landscape.  

What I think is most inspiring is the fact that these ancient landmarks and structures have managed to survive extensive periods of hardship and destruction, much of which occurred in the Twentieth Century. It’s remarkable that this burgeoning, whimsical city was only freed from Communist rule in 1989, and in such a short time, transformed into one of the most popular and majestic tourist spots in Europe. It’s a testament to the reliance of its people, who I might add are jovial, friendly and fierce in the kitchen…  

Which brings me to my next point—the food and beer! I can honestly say that I am now a full-fledged beer snob. The dark ales, which I preferred, balanced notes of chocolate, coffee and caramel, while the lagers were light and honey-flavored. Each beer was superb and never disappointed, even if it was just the house tap. I’d read that as the French pair wine with food, the Czech pair beer with food. As it turns out, this is so, so true. We had appetizers of pickled cheese and potato pancakes, which perfectly complemented our pints. Main dishes consisted of what I’d classify as heavy winter food—bread dumplings, sauerkraut, beef goulash and pork by the plenty.

The Old Town Square fast became one of our favorite locations for visiting and eating. At one stall, baguettes were carved out on a spike, making a pocket just the right size for hot dogs and ketchup. (It’s a trade secret I’d like to bring to the US.) Other stalls included spits that roasted whole pigs and a life-sized cast-iron skillet that was used to sauté boiled potatoes with chunks bacon and chopped onions. Desserts of rolled dough were roasted on spinning skewers and finished with powdered sugar and cinnamon. When the wind picked up, there was no better way to get warm than with a cup of hot wine flavored with mulling spices. It was like being at the tailgating party of the century. If someone had brought out a football, we might’ve never left!