Wives and Daughters

I recently finished reading Elizabeth's Gaskell's Wives and Daughters. Loved the movie. Loved the book. While reading, I was intrigued by the daily activities of the 19th century English characters. In the morning the ladies would spend time learning and reading books. In the afternoons they would go on walks if the weather was pleasant, visiting people as they walked. The part that I was interested in the most was the evenings. The men and women would dine together for an early dinner (5pm). After dinner the ladies would withdraw to the drawing room. They would visit, crochet or pick a book for light reading. After a while the men would join them (after their smoke or extra drink). The rest of the evening from 6 til about 10 was spent in this room playing card games, giving musical performances or just chatting. I have often wondered what it would be like to live like these ladies did.

Another thing I loved about the book was the integrity of the heroine, Molly Gibson. She was so honest and loyal. Even to those that were ruining her reputation. I loved the trust that was seen in the book. I also loved just how real the characters were. They were all so detailed and unique.

I think I just might go read the book again. If you are looking for a good book, I highly recommend Wives and Daughters.

Creatures

The flying rats (pigeons) of last summer are gone for the most part. Their homes have been removed and they have no more trees to set up camp. Thank goodness! But the peace did not last long. There will always be opposition. Now instead of flying rats we have real rats. The military is tearing down the bungalow-like things that are behind us. Many of them have been empty of human life for over a year. So the rat infested homes are now gone and the rats need somewhere to go.

They can't stay here.

Bring on rat poison.

Spain: Week 28

Platja Montrog 

Our home for the week

Tarragona

On the outskirts of the city was a Roman Colosseum. Because we were visiting from America they let us in free. My imagination wandered all over that place! The gladiators fighting wild animals and men.  

We also spent time wandering around trying to find food. Of course, I found fries. They were good and hit the spot as they always do.

One day we went for a drive and found some neat sights.

Barcelona

I loved Barcelona!!! We started off at a market. They had all sorts of food including fish, candy, and fruits.

 Even a whole booth for OLIVES!!!

Most of our trip was on a bus. It was so nice to be able to just sit and get a tour of the city. Learning as we rode. We got off at a couple of stops. Barcelona is famous for a few things. Gaudi's work is ALL over this city.

A monument to Christopher Columbus. 

Gaudi designed his own "neighborhood" for the upperclass called Parc Guell. It was beautiful!

It is now an open park that anyone can enter. Street vendors bring their products to sell in the Marketplace. The walkways and all the mosaics all over the place were incredible. I would have lived in this neighborhood if I could. 

I just LOVED the Barcelona balconies.  The house on the left is designed by Gaudi.

The Sagrada Familia. The never ending cathedral.

One of the last days we went for a drive and found an old aqueduct built by the Romans. Kelli also found a snake... or so she says.

 

 

Other images from our trip.

England: Week 27

Erin and I made it back to England!! Took us a whole day but it was a very smooth trip. I am grateful that I've traveled here before. I knew exactly what to expect and how to proceed. It was great! I wasn't nervous at all. I did notice though, that with my previous experience I was also not as excited about seeing all the very English things.

I am still very excited to be here. It is surreal to be home. In England. It just isn't as new and exciting.

A few things I noticed today. People are all so different and yet we are all so the same. We are each individuals and different in our physical, emotional and mental characteristics. Yet we are all children of God. We all have good in each of us. I had a lot of time to watch people at the airports. I loved it.

Immigration today is so much easier than it used to be (back in the early 1900s). Thank all that is good!

England is GREEN!!!! And warmer than Provo was (when I left it - now that I'm gone it is all warm).

Jet lag isn't as bad... yet. Though I haven't slept a whole lot in the past 3 days.

The light switch on the outside of the bathroom still throws me off. Why would anyone do that?

We are leaving for Spain tomorrow. Time in the sun. I'm excited. Pictures to come.

Random thoughts...

The England posts begin again starting next week. Erin and I leave for home tomorrow! I can't believe it has come so quickly. I don't feel ready at all. My bag is packed, but I am sure I'm forgetting stuff. It doesn't seem real yet. Then again, it doesn't seem real that I'm done with school or that I have a job with Ancestry.com.

The other day I met someone new and we were chatting. The typical get to know you questions about work and school. It was so weird to not say anything about school and start off by saying I work at Ancestry.com. Nothing about classes or my degree. Just my job. It was awesome!!!

This past week has been one of self discovery. Not super in-depth, but still I learned stuff about me. I can be very loyal. I knew this before, but apparently needed to rediscover it. I am also have a bit of pride. There are things I wouldn't do this week because my pride wouldn't let me. Which probably turned out to be a good thing.