I felt "star struck" walking through the city of Bath. It was full of culture and history, more than that tiny city could hold. If this was a cartoon, you'd see the city swell up and ready to explode!
I decided that a filtered coffee and a chocolate crossiant would be an excellent way to start my day of exploring...Bath disagreed with me. Nowhere in the city do they take credit cards and I mean NOWHERE!! So, I went to the "cash machine" to get some pounds (not dubs, dad-b). Another issue occured. My PIN number for my debit card doesn't work. It doesn't make much sense but, my theory is that my bank is so small and only in two areas of PA that maybe it doesn't have the quick strong connection needed to draw money out but, since it is also a Mastercard maybe that's why it still works as a creditcard (Thank God!!). So, I ran back to my hostel to get the "emergency" cash my brother suggested I bring just in case my card doesn't work and I need to get a room for the night while I have someone wire me money (HEY! Chocolate is just as important as a hotel room, Johnny!!). Then, ran to the "Money Shop" to exchange USD for BP. Well, Slap my knee and call me henry! The exchange rate in Bath is worse than London OR it just went up that much more since I left London. The rate was $1.68 to £1, that's almost 2 DAMN DOLLARS!!! AAAGGHHHH! Well, I was pissed! I thought "ya no what?? If Bath is guna steal my money???!! I'm guna eat ALL their food!!!" So instead of the Chocolate deliciousness, I went next store to Cafe Retro and sat down to begin my revenge! I had scrambled eggs topped with smoked salmon all on brown toast with so much butter, the toast was floppy! MMMMMMM.... floppy!
After breakfast, I walked to a "bus station," really it's just a lamp post with a sign on it, and bought a ticket for the CityTours SightSeeing bus ride on a traditional red double decker bus. The tour took us all over the city! I saw the Bath Abbey, the Roman Baths, Sally Lunn's (still not sure what that is), Guildhall Market, Parade Gardens, Pulteney Bridge, City of Bath College, Botanical Gardens, and so much more (don't worry!! Pictures are coming I promise!). The most interesting thing I learned that although Bath considers Jane Austin their "daughter," she actually HATED the place!!! She wrote to her sister saying "this place is shallow, pretentious, and boring. All we do is walk up and down the streets." That sounds like something I would write to my Maggles (my sister).
Next, I walked through the Abbey. It took me 10 mins. It is very beautiful and majestic but, it wasn't that big. I was able to see everything, read up on the history and take pictures for my mom. To be honest, the Roman Baths were right next door and I REALLY wanted to see them. (See mom? I went to church for you!) After I exited the abbey, I went next door to the Roman Baths. Once again, I picked up an audio device so I could learn as much history about the temple as my brain would allow. The Baths were only discovered 150 years ago. No one knew they were there until three archeologists started "poking around" Bath and found it. The baths are naturally heated by an underground geiser. The romans believed the baths had healing powers, so everyone from young children with physical handicaps to wounded soliders to the elderly would bath in these waters believing that their illnesses would be cured (I wanted to jump right in but, the tour guide from the bus told us that there was so much bacteria in there that it wouldn't be a good idea. However, I did see one old lady stick her fingers in there and I almost threw up on her!!!). I spent at least 2 hours inside the temple learning about the roman and the goddess of wisdom (Katie Hola...oh I mean) Sulis Minerva. When I left, I was feeling inspired and "high" on pleasure and experience of the baths. No sooner did I step onto the cobble stones was I approached by a monk. We started a discussion on God and religion (I won! lol just kidding). Then, of course he asked if I could spare any change for the "feed the hungry" program the monks were holding for the children of Africa. I gave him £1 (all I had at that point) and he gave me a book. He said "you look like you would appreciate this." The book is called "Chant and be Happy."
There have been several instances where things like the monk and the book have happened to me. My backpacking trip is starting to feel like a pilgrimage.
