Credit: Stef Campolo / Hey, look it's me!
For blog readers who don't know me. I look that disgruntled all the time.
...or could it just be a result of the monsoon about to devastate Stonehenge?
On Friday, Syracuse U. arranged a free trip to the city of Salisbury and the nearby Stonehenge. I get to be the nine billionth person to pass judgment on these rocks from 3100 BCE.
Snatch'd No. 2: Stonehenge / (3 out of 10)
Price: Adult (16+) tickets cost £6.50
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 15
Location: About 2 hours southwest from Central London
Stupid fact: Each year during the summer solstice, druids, hippies and sun-worshippers go nuts at Stonehenge. Last year 30,000 came. And there was human sacrifice! (just kidding.)
Who likes rocks?*
Ok...well what about really big rocks? Like perhaps...oh I don't know, a stone?
No, that old thing still doesn’t do it for you.
Then Stonehenge probably isn’t worth the trip for you. Sure it’s big-ass rocks stacked in pretty awesome formations. But in the end it’s just rocks. Also, it’s raining. There also might or might not be monsoon-force winds.*
Another beautiful day in England.
To be honest, Stonehenge might have been a thousand times more enjoyable if it wasn’t raining. However, don’t expect to get lucky when you attend. Although Stonehenge was rumored to be built to honor the sun, our professor/tour guide noted he’s never visited Stonehenge on a day when it wasn’t pouring.
I guess, the only fun thing about Stonehenge is using your imagination. It’s kinda cool to think how those stones ended up the way they did. It must’ve taken generations for the formation to be carved put together. There’s tons of theories on how it went down — and what it was used for (everything from human sacrifice to telling time). Still, while standing there, soaking wet, in front of those oversized pebbles all I could imagine is how I’d rather be anywhere else.
SALISBURY CATHERDAL: MADE TO IN-SPIRE
Snatch'd No. 3: Salisbury Cathedral + city of Salisbury / (8 out of 10)
Price: Just a suggested donation for the church.
Hours: Salisbury the city is hoppin’ til the late evening. The church has similar hours for tours as long as no sermons/weddings are happening.
Location: Just follow the Stonehenge directions. You can’t miss it.
Stupid fact: The 404 foot spire on the Salisbury Cathedral is the tallest spire in England. Inside is the oldest working clock in Europe (1386).
Credit: Brad Winckelmann / Salisbury Cathedral
Is that England's tallest spire in your pants or are you just happy to see me?
...does that even make sense?
OK the 750-year-old church isn’t too exciting — except the architecture is super amazing. Oh and there's a cathedral restaurant, which I stole some bread from. That's not cool.* In the Chapter House of the cathedral is one of four original copies of the Magna Carta — which was kind of a big deal back in the day.
More importantly, the city itself is amazing. It’s a quaint little town with everything you’ll ever need all in one awesome plaza. There’s places like a Burger King, a McDonald's and Dominos. (Yes, there’s a pattern here). Actually, there’s just a bunch of cool things in general. You gotta see it for yourself (and if you bother to make the trip, eh I guess you might as well hit up Stonehenge too. Rock on...)
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Foot Notes
*Except geologists, of course. And people that bought these back in the day.
*Might not.
*It was an accident. While scoping out the cathedral buffet, one of the restaurateurs said "help yourself to some bread." Later I found out, she was only referring to paying customers at the buffet. Hmm, it probably looked a bit dodgy since I stuffed three bread rolls in my sweater before making my exit. Anyway, there — I confessed.
3 comments:
That photo is just classic.
I thought the bread you stole was the host to be used in communion. Boy, you're really going to Hell now!
You had that look on your face when I threw you down as a baby to look in your ears.
Thanks for the review.
I have no immediate plan to go to Europe anytime soon, but if I were to be going, Stonehenge probably would have been one of the places I would have visited, simply because you always hear about it. Due to your fine assessment, however, I won't be visiting there!
And yes, that picture truly is classic.
Although the picture of the person in the yellow rainjacket, trying to talk on her cell phone which is pressed up against the outside part of the jacket, is just as funny.
Oh and see what my dad said about the bread. lol that may have been what the bread was intended for! You better watch it, man.
But you confessed, so alas, all will be fine.
Overall, Salisbury sounds quite interesting, I may have to check it out someday.
They wouldn't, by chance, happen to have had steak there, would they? Then you could have a true Salisbury steak!
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