Thursday, February 25, 2010

Five Years Ago

I'm sure I've mentioned before that I spent a semester in London (with Caitlin!) and those were some of the best three months of my life. I told someone this recently and realized that it's been exactly five years.

To celebrate the trip and mourn the five years of separation between my dearest London and I (I mean, I lived across the street from Charles Dickens' childhood home and within a five-minute walk from original Jane Austen manuscripts! That's just not something you get to do in Louisville.), let's read old journal entries! I don't journal much, but I do when I'm in Europe. This might be a recurring theme for the next month or two so you have been warned!

Sunday, February 27, 2005 at 12:16 a.m.


Friday [exactly 5 years ago today!] we went to the Tower and saw where everyone died. I saw the tower were Thomas More was held which Brent [friend] was excited about.
 Tower of London
Today was awesome! We went to Alton -- a 15 minute walk to Chawton [Jane Austen's home] -- which turned into a 30 minute walk when we decided to follow the signs instead of the directions we were given. [The directions were to take a right at the roundabout but there were two rights!] The signs took us along the highway -- not the safest place to walk. But I thought it was a fun adventure and reminded me of Elizabeth's muddy walk to Netherfield when Jane was sick -- perhaps my eyes were also brightened by the exercise. ;) [Caitlin didn't think this was quite as cool as I did but at least I walked closest to the road so if we were hit I would've been hit first. I think that was very nice of me.]
 me at Chawton
Chawton had lots of neato things: the topaz crosses Jane and Cassandra wore, a quilt she made with her mom and Cassandra, a handkerchief she embroidered, her writing desk -- even her donkey cart.
 Winchester Cathedral
We were going to go to Salisbury but Stonehenge doesn't open until March. So went to Winchester -- saw the cathedral where Austen was buried and did some shopping and wandering.

It was a lovely Jane Austen day!

6 comments:

HanPlans said...

I wish that I had knew you five years ago then we could have hung out! Aah well will have to wait for your reunion trip or something lol. Then again maybe I'll make it to the States!

Katie said...

There will definitely be a reunion trip eventually! And the US is always a lovely place to visit! ;)

stefanie said...

I have always been wanting to take my husband to London. We never went while we were stationed in Germany but one day, we will definitely visit Great Britain.

Rachel said...

I just discovered your blog and I really enjoyed this post about London! I can't believe it was really five years ago! What a great experience.

Katie said...

Hi Rachel! I can't believe it's been five years either! It kind of makes sense -- so much has changed in the past five years -- but then it seems like only yesterday I was carrying around my Oyster card and taking daily walks through gardens to get to class and literally cooking dinner in a closet!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing 5 months. I've been thinking a lot of London lately. We were so lucky!