JDA's Creative Moments: December 2018

England and Scotland tour ,October 11-27, 2018.

Wednesday, 17^th October, 2018

Today is the sixth day of our Southern England tour, and I still look forward with speculation and enthusiasm to see more of the interesting new places. As we proceed toward the charming city of Bath and our couch passing through the picturesque country side, I capture the greeneries of the vast field and some places full of cows grazing quietly without paying any attention to the surroundings. Seeing two cows having symmetrical belt-like white color on their backs as if they are wearing white rags folded in square, arouses curiosity in me for the rest of my life. My phone is almost full and the power almost gone I see if there is any charging station in the bus. Luckily our coach has the facility. Capturing the breath taking landscapes has become

Figure 1Roman Baths

a part of my insatiable hobby and no doubt it has also become a source of of inspiration for my life’s journey.

The city of Bath founded by the Romans as thermal spa is a site for tourist attraction. As we wait for our tickets to get into the Bath Abbey, we see incessant flow of tourists coming in and out. Once tickets are in our hands we are also given a head phone each to carry inside so that we could listen to the descriptions of the rooms as we enter. We learn the details of what we see around and inside the Bath Abbey. Surprising images pops up through the screen, men and women in old Roman robes engaged in day to day activities. It displays the scene of the old Roman way of life in their daily activities.

Coming out to the other side of the Abbey is the balcony where I stand looking down the water below. To me the water reflects the color of stagnant one. The layout of the pond area reminds me of some of historical Mughol Empire’s architectures in India. The history of Bath is related with hot springs. An age tribe called Dobunni erected a shrine in honor of Goddess Sullies as people believed that the Goddess had healing power. Romans invaded Britain during 43 AD and built a religious spa on the site, then turning it in to socialistic center known as Aqua Sullies. When the Romans withdrew in the 5^th century the baths were neglected. It was rebuilt in 18^th century and it is now become a tourist spot and a source of delight. The Georgian architecture of the 18^th century of Bath is indeed a city worthy of admiration.

Figure 2Jane Austen museum

About three fourth of a mile away from the Roman Bath Abbey is the museum of Jane Austen. My friends Myrna from LA and Angie from Philippines are also excited to learn about this museum and hence, we after hurriedly having our lunch at one of the tea houses in the back street, we proceed toward the museum. As the museum is situated on a higher slope we walk up on the slope with bit of strenuous stride. As we realize that we have limited time we walk past without paying attention to the rows of stalls, vendors displaying various interesting goods and items. Once we reach the museum we are astonished to see the two figures standing near the entrance of the museum as if welcoming us. Even though we desperately want to go inside we don’t have enough time and hence we engage ourselves only taking pictures. After bidding farewell to Jane Austen we return toward our coach which is waiting for us. On the way back we are tempted to taste the food on the side street as the smell coming from their cooking so tempting but due to time limit we have to sacrifice our desire to do so.

Walking back with nostalgic memories of my earlier days reading Jane Austen’s books “Pride and Prejudice” and “Emma” come back flashing by. As I have read the book which I purchased recently about Jane Austen, I learn more about her life. She started writing when she was a teen ager and her books were published anonymously with the help of her brother. She never got married and died at the age of 41. Till now she is still one of my favorite authors along with Pearl S Buck, Emily Bronte, Oscar Wilde, William Shakespeare. My favorite modern authors are too many so I prefer to skip the long lists

Visiting Windsor Castle, where the Queen loves to spend her leisure time and Blenheim Palace where Winston Churchill lived and also Shakespeare’s birth place Stratford-Upon- Avon are unforgettable ones. Also visiting the Oxford University which is second oldest university in the world gives me the glimpses of the site where ivy clad colleges famous for its architectural beauty. Christ Church college where scenes of Harry Potter movies were shot are also interesting sites to reckon for. Last not the least is the Stonehenge, named as UNESCO world heritage site, is the most mysterious monument and supposed to have started 5000 years ago and completed 1400 years later. Its construction still defies belief.

After nine days of exciting tour with the group we are now on our own. Walking whole day at Hyde Park, Kensington Park and then having lunch at Kensington Palace café, it will always remain as our memorable adventures. The experience of travelling by train from London to Edinburgh is also noteworthy as we watch the train passes by each and every station till we reach Edinburgh. Scotland has its own beauty and charm. During one day tour of the Highland, watching and listening to the historical and mythological stories narrated by our couch driver we find that she Is no doubt is an excellent story teller and guide. Travelling with the group and later, on our own has become an unique adventure and expanded horizon. Our new friend from Philippines reminds me that friendship is always a responsibility never an opportunity, as we three have had our share of conflicts and compromises. Whatever has happened, I treasure it as part of the sweet memories only, and we bid good bye after hugging each other. As I write this journey I wish to include a quote from “Teach me life.” But the most beautiful things in life are not things. They are people and places, and memories, pictures. They are feelings and moments and smiles and laughter.”