A Family Affair....and Castles!
I’ve traveled quite a bit since college. Italy, London, Spain, Spain again, Australia and New Zealand, Switzerland, Canada and Mexico. And around the states here and there. I love traveling. I love seeing new places and soaking in new cultures. There is something about standing somewhere on the other side of the planet that will always mesmerize me. And when it’s somewhere that has thousands of years of human history it’s even more mind boggling. Wether I’m frantically running from one historic site or museum to another, or watching the scenery go by while on some mode of transportation, eating at a local restaurant, or just watching the local telly, I’m most content while traveling the world.
One thing I have never done though is travel with my family. As much as I’ve seen, my sister has seen worlds more. One of my cornerstone memories growing up is her leaving home at the age of 16 to study abroad in Belgium for an entire year. She hasn’t stopped seeing the world since and I have looked at her travels and adventures in fascination and awe. I’ve seen a lot but it’s always felt minuscule in her shadow. So to get to see a part of the world with her that she hasn’t explored yet feels like 20 years in the making.
But this part of the trip really started with me wanting to give something back to my mom. I could never truly repay her for all that she has sacrificed. Or make up for the hardships she has endured largely to give me and my siblings a good childhood. I live in constant wonder and admiration of her and all that she is. She has always wanted to visit England and so I asked if she wanted to go. And what would make it even better? Having my sister along for the ride! So many months later, thousands of redeemed Delta miles, and lots of planning later, here we are, on the other side of the world.
Our first big day out we spent in London and saw our first real castle! Although they call it a tower...but I’m pretty sure those are actually the same thing, Brits just have funny names for things. It doesn’t get much better than exploring a 1,000 year old building. Honestly, I can’t even comprehend the history but there is something magical about it. I could sit at a site like this for hours and just soak it up....
...but of course it’s me and I can’t possibly “waste” a day sightseeing only one sight. My strategy has always been to do as much as I can until I’m on the brink of utter collapse. So that is what my mom and sister got to experience 😊
One of the cooler things about our day was I got some photography lessons from my two favorite photographers! They taught me all about the F-Stop, the ISO setting and the shutter speed. I was thrilled to experiment with the settings and learn how to really use it to take great photos. I think my photographs will suffer for a bit while I learn but I can’t wait to get the most out of it. It also slowed me down a bit which I know they were happy with.
The history of this place is phenomenal. Did you know Julius Caesar crossed the English Channel himself to bring the island into the Roman Empire (and violently drive out the Celts)? Or that a thousand years of kings and queens have been coronated in Westminster Abbey? Or that Rick Steve’s has the best self guided walking tours?
Have I said I love to travel?
