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Published: February 12th 2009
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Well, I reached the summit of not 1, not 2, but 3 mountains! During OP on Tuesday, we hiked for over 7 miles in about 5 ½ hours. But it wasn’t just a hike; we were really climbing up the side of a mountain with our hardcore boots and ice-axes. I had never done anything like it, so I really enjoyed the adventure. It has snowed more here than they are used to, so at times there we were knee-deep in snow. Also, we were nearing white-out conditions, where we can’t determine where we are because the clouds and the snow blend together. However, we navigated ourselves up the mountain very well. At times I was leading the pack creating the path. When we got to the top of each peak, the clouds cleared which was perfect timing. We had enough time to take a picture, and then the clouds would come back. Coming back down the mountain was almost more difficult because we had to make sure our footing was secure and we didn’t slip. That day, although physically demanding, was an absolute blast!
A lot of things I do here are physically demanding, simply because I don’t have
a car. So we walk down to Lower Bangor to shop, and carry our groceries up the huge hill! I also joined the gym near by to do my workouts for volleyball. Jenna, Sara, and I are usually the only girls in there doing Olympic lifts, so we get some odd looks on occasion. One guy even asked Sara if she was a body builder! In addition to lifting, we have just joined the ‘Super Seagulls Volleyball Club’! They play volleyball a bit different than we do, and it isn’t as big of a sport here, but it is still fun to go and play. I am enjoying that because it allows me to get out of my room and break a sweat (as if I didn’t sweat climbing 3 mountains the day before)!
We recently walked down to a few sites in Bangor, like the Cathedral and the museum. In the U.K., a cathedral determines the status of a town. So Bangor is actually a city because it has a cathedral, otherwise it would be a town. In fact, Bangor Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the U.K., built in 525, so it was full of history.
One local student asked me, “Fancy going on a walk?” So we walked across Menai Bridge and over to Angelsey, the island at the northern tip of Wales. We walked through rain and hail, but it was still fun. On that walk I saw a stop sign for the first time. They have round-a-bouts where streets meet and stop lights where pedestrians cross. When we cross we have to make sure we look to the right first because they drive on the left side of the road, but we are getting more used to that now.
We took another fieldtrip with Tecwyn on Saturday over to the Isle of Anglesey. We went to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogoch, Penmon Priory, Beaumaris Castle, and Llanddwyn. That first place, as I mentioned earlier has the longest name in the world (don’t ask me to pronounce it), and really all that is there is a train station and a souvenir shop. Penmon Priory is like a church and holds the oldest Celtic Crosses in it. There is also a holy well there, as well as a dovecot, which is a pigeon house for harvesting pigeons to eat. Tecwyn said he didn’t like pigeon meat, and I
can’t imagine anyone would. But that’s what they did in the 17th Century, so I learned something new, I guess. Beaumaris Castle was neat because there was a moat around it, and it had a special room as a chapel. Again, it was fun to explore every ‘nook and cranny’ and see how they would defend the castle if attacked. From the top of the castle we had a great view of Snowdonia and the mountains we would soon climb! We also had a great view when we walked over 2 miles on the beach at Llanddwyn. This view was really spectacular because we saw the beach, the Menai Strait, Bangor, and the Snowdonia Mountains! It was even better when the sun began to set over the lighthouse at the end of the island.
With all this walking, you would think I can’t keep my body fueled, since I have to cook my own food. But I assure you, I am coming up with some clever combinations of food. I had an orange, a baked potato, and some spaghetti for dinner one day. I’ve had eggs for at least one meal almost every day. I have found out 4
ways not to make breaded chicken. I have made cereal a meal more than a few times. I found really cheap yogurt that I have for breakfast when I’m in a hurry. I make ham and cheese sandwiches for OP and eat those at the top of mountains. You get the picture. I have a few more chicken breast to experiment with, since I haven’t figured out a good way to make the chicken I want to eat.
I have learned a lot about washing my own laundry in the sink as well. After sweating through a few layers of clothes during OP, I had to wash up some clothes and the machines are rather expensive, so I just do it in the sink. It’s a workout to ring out a pair of jeans!
I have also been learning about planning trips and traveling. Next week, I am booked to travel to London. The week after that, I am going to Amsterdam, and we are booking our Spring Break plans soon as well.
Everything I’ve been doing has been so much fun and I know there is so much more to come, so I’m just soaking it all up! Whether on the beach, or in the mountains, I am taking in the view and making the most of my time no matter what altitude I am at.
I’ll give you the next update after London!
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