It seems like a dream that I was able to travel around Great Britain this summer. It was eighteen days of discovering new places, public transportation, foreign foods, small towns, big cities, culture, and feeling like a tourist and yet a native. I felt alive. It ignited a passion to continue traveling the world. Here’s Part 1 of the travel series highlighting my first 6 days exploring the countryside of England, The Cotswolds, Oxford, and Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Some memories that stand out: The Swan Hotel pub, eating fish and chips by the fire, swapping life stories with my two aunts, cousin, and mom. Mmm crumpets and teas every day. Staying at my cousin’s beautiful home in Northleach (a lovely manor surrounded by rolling hills and sheep farms). Making homemade pizzas. The divine food from Wheatsheaf Inn pub or The Fox Free House pub. British accents. Day trip to Oxford and Stratford Upon Avon (even if it rained the whole day, which made it an authentic English day. Plus, seeing my mother in a giant PURPLE poncho was just hysterical. It screamed American Tourist, as if her iPhone obsessive picture taking didn’t already give it away). Spending time with our cousins Lilly, Eliza and Cal in their country. Meeting the contestants and seeing the filming of reality show Amazing Race on the plane and train. Late mornings with my cousin, Catherine. Exploring to the top of the hill that overlooked the countryside. (This little wiener dog named Henry was our tour guide, and apparently he was convinced he’s a sheep dog. He tried to round up the sheep by chasing them…. but they just stared back at him – Henry would finally get bored and run away. We laughed so hard and then stood to marvel at the stunning green landscape that went on for miles.) An unforgettable afternoon with high tea. Getting stuck on the train in Kingham with our 348234 lb bags. Silly Americans. Jaw dropping views of the beauty- seeing God’s fingerprints everywhere.
These first six days were just the beginning of the Great Britain adventure, and I am thrilled to share more blog posts from London and Scotland in the next few weeks! My hope is through the lens of my camera, I can share the beauty of this world and its people. Enjoy!
