The Black Lung is Coming to America. Today! Part 7: The End?

Unless otherwise noted, all photo credits go to Niki Erickson, an awesome photographer, a fantastic friend, and a really top notch traveling companion. Thanks, Niki!

Previously, on The Black Lung...Ireland ends on a sour note, but at least we can eloquently express our disappointment about it.

And now, the thrilling(?) conclusion!

The first place we went in Wales was Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. It's the longest town name in the world! There's also a shorter version of the name, but since I can't pronounce that either, it doesn't make too much of a difference. Wales is pretty fantastic in that way. Apparently the name means "St. Mary's Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel Near to the Rapid Whirlpool of Llantysilio of the Red Cave." I guess Llantysilio is a saint of something or other, I don't know, we don't have them in our church. Anywho, we liked this little town, and not just because it had a long name, but also because we got great souvenirs there. I love you, dragon spoon!

Look how long the sign is for this town name! No wonder I can't pronounce it.

 

We spent the rest of the day driving through Snowdonia National Park. I'm sure you're tired of hearing how beautiful everything was, but seriously, so beautiful! The scenery, the towns, even the giant factory we saw from a distance! There is no way for the pictures we took to show how absolutely gorgeous Wales was. So yeah, assume that any pictures of Wales are at least 20 times more beautiful than they appear. Especially the ones with me in them ;). We stayed at the Woodlands Guest House in Powys that night. Do not ask me how to pronounce the name of that town, either. It may be much shorter than the first place we went, but the pronunciation of everything there is crazy town banana pants. Really no clue. I should have taken that Welsh class in college. Anywho, it was another really lovely place to stay. I am converted to Bed and Breakfasts now. I can't go back to Motel 6.

Snowdonia. I think it might be the most beautiful place I've ever been, and that's saying something.

 

More Snowdonia. So pretty!

 

Can't handle the prettiness!

 

The next day was our big Wales excitement-we went to the International Book Festival in Hay-on-Wye! First of all, what a great town. It's called the Town of Books! I think that my entire life has led me to that place. Second of all, book festivals=love. I sincerely adore book festivals. They have the best shops (books)! They have the best attractions (authors)! They have sheep (truth. I've never seen sheep at another book festival, but they certainly had them there)! We did feel kind of like posers, because even though it was a book festival in Wales, the only panel we went to/author we saw was Jon Klassen, Canadian author/illustrator and resident of California. To be fair, all of the British people we had heard of were not there that day. And Jon Klassen was fantastic. If you're not aware of him, look at your life, look at your choices. Seriously though, he won both the Caldecott and a Caldecott honor this year, which is only the 2nd time in history that has happened. Apparently, his latest book, This is Not My Hat, was shortlisted for the Greenaway Medal, which is the British equivalent of the Caldecott. Anyhow, Jon Klassen! We met him, and he signed our books!!!! We also shared some great toursisty excitement about the UK, as well as some jokes about us traveling all the way to Wales just to see him. Basically, we're bffs now.

 Doesn't it seem like I should live in a town of books?

Clearly, I did not know this picture was being taken. But Jon Klassen sure seems fascinated. I must have been saying something cool.

 

After the book festival, we had to leave Wales. Sad face. But we were still feeling good, because we were on our way to Bath to go to the Jane Austen Centre! Let's just get this out of the way upfront. Bath is a beautiful city. Seriously great to look at. And it's was delightful to walk around as well. But we got super lost while we were trying to drive around. Clearly, this is a city that was made before cars, and even though cars are a thing now, Bath will not change! We had to actually stop at a gas station and ask for help. Funnily enough, we had driven right past the Jane Austen Centre on our first go round through town. When we drove past a 2nd time, on the advice of the gas station lady, we saw a man and woman standing outside in Jane Austen type dress and thought that we had missed it before because they hadn't been outside. Come to find out, the lady was actually a statue who is always outside. We're just really unobservant.

Truer words, Jane Austen Centre. Truer words.

 

The Jane Austen Centre was pretty cool. Fun fact I learned while we were there-it's not in the house Jane actually lived in, but it is on the same street/is the same style. The house she actually lived in is now a dentist office! You can bet that if I lived in Bath, I would go to that dentist. Another fun fact-Jane's aunt was once arrested on a false charge and held in prison for months before her trial. Jane's mother told the aunt that Jane and her sister Cassandra would come and stay with her in jail to keep her company until the trial! Luckily for them, the aunt said no. The best thing about the Jane Austen Centre was the dress-up section. Apparently, those styles are not as universally flattering as the movies lead you to believe. Of course, I had no corset (thank goodness!), which might have made a difference.  After the Jane Austen Centre, we wandered around Bath for a while, seeing the Cathedral and the Roman Baths (from the outside, because they were already closed and our money was rapidly dwindling). And of course, we upheld the grand tourist tradition of going to Pizza Hut for dinner.

 I'm definitely saying something with that fan, but I couldn't tell you what it was.

In front of Bath Cathedral and the Roman Baths. It must have been really bright. I'm so squinty!

 

After we left Bath, we off roaded/trespassed a little bit so we could finally get a good look at our favorite fields of yellow flowers. They are so pretty and they smell like heaven. And apparently they're called rapeseed. Terribad name, you guys. Luckily, they're also known as canola, as in what canola oil comes from, so we're gonna stick with that. Apparently they are another yellow flower that British people do not like, but they are a delight for tourists.

 Stopping to smell the flowers. This was not posed. They really just were that pretty/smelled that good.

 So pretty! If I ever get a house, I will have a field of these instead of a yard. And I will have Niki stand in the field to make it even fancier.

 

The yellow fields from the plane on the way home. So vibrant!

 

That night we stayed in Salisbury, and the next morning, we set out to once again try attending church. We were determined this time. Still, we drove up and down the street the church was supposedly on with no success for a little while. Then we decided to follow a girl who looked like she might be Mormon and success! She totally was! Good thing we followed her, because church was in a school, and it was not labeled in any way. Everyone was really nice to us, and the talks were great. They were given by special guests from the London Temple Presidency! I especially liked the brother's talk. He said that often when people leave the temple, they're sad that they have to go back to the "real world." He then pointed out that things outside the temple aren't the real world. What happens in the temple is, because only things that last forever are real. Good, thought-provoking stuff.

On to more frivolous things! After leaving church, we went to Stonehenge! The only bad thing about Stonehenge is that it's very old and fragile (must be Italian), so they don't let you get too close to it. Still, it's very awesome and impressive and mysterious. Plus, at Stonehenge we got those awesome double ice cream cones that have space at the top for two scoops side by side. Love.

 Stonehenge! I wonder if Teen Wolf will talk about Stonehenge since there are druids this season.

After we left Stonehenge, we had our last great experience getting lost on vacation when we tried to go to Windsor Castle. Just know that the road signs are liars, and that even though you can see the castle from the freeway, once you get close, it hides really well. Luckily, we were able to find our hotel, and those guys gave us really good advice on how to find it. Windsor was a really awesome place for our last hurrah of vacation. First of all, the castle is really neat. Second, it's a cute little town surrounding it. I especially enjoyed the historic hopscotch game with the names of the monarchs. Third, and probably most important, there were a whole boatload of attractive men there. Seriously, we saw so many super foxy fellas in Windsor!

A tiny portion of Windsor Castle. Seriously, it's very big.

 

This fantastic game is in the middle of the smallest public park in England.

 

I rule at historic hopscotch!

 

Why is the queen using a phone booth right across the street from her own house? Do royals not own telephones?

 

Then it was time for us to return our car. We felt so free when we got out! Honestly, the car was an essential part of our vacation, and we would not have had nearly as much fun without it, but it was also really, really stressful. And fyi, the guys who worked at this Enterprise were also really hot! I think only hiring really good-looking people probably is illegal, but it's still pretty good business practice. Also, they made us feel very good about ourselves, because we were able to drive for 2 weeks without crashing, whereas another American earlier that day had returned a car about 10 minutes after renting it because they had already had an accident. We're the best! Also, prayer works.

So that was our last night in London. I got to eat Sticky Toffee Pudding one last time, this time with clotted cream on it. Weird, but delicious. It tastes like a mix between butter and ice cream. The next morning, we were off to the airport. Luckily, our flight home was much easier/less eventful than our flight to London. No delays, and also it was during the day, which is a million times more pleasant than flying at night. Plus, airplane technology has improved a lot, so it was really easy to watch movies or tv, which helped pass the time. Unfortunately, airplane food hasn't improved a lot. It was nasty, but I was still grateful for it. And then we were home.

I spent a lot of time on vacation being really, really grateful to be an American, and a lot of time singing the classic Neil Diamond song, "America." That day it was true. I really was coming to American today! We had a fantastic time, but I was really glad to be home, especially once I got back to my house (drove on the right side of the road the whole way. Holla!) and saw what my roommates had made for me. Thanks, guys! It was also pretty fantastic to be able to put on clean clothes, sleep in my own bed, and make my own food. Before we left for vacation, my mom told me to make sure that I enjoyed every minute of it, because I might never be able to go back. I hope that's not true. I have a feeling I was meant to be a world traveler.

 

Awesome sign from the roomies. I took this picture myself. On one end is the British flag, on the other is the Irish one. In between it says:

We were so sad when you left.

Excited to have you back home.

Let's celebrate because Meredith came home!

3 Cheers for our lost roommate!

Oh my...we missed you!

You Must never, ever, ever, ever leave us for so long again!

Everyone twist and shout, Meredith has returned!

Hip hip hooray!

We're Over the moon that you're back!

Simply Marvelous!

England was so lucky to have you for a short while, but America is where you belong-in Baltimore to be exact!

Miss your curly hair.

Did you bring back an English man?

Rrr...for Red Head Guy!

Let's hear your English accent!

Hot Dog, Meredith came back!

I missed you!

Thou art my lady!

Hooray, you're home!

  Put together all the bold letters and you get this message-Welcome Home Meredith. Aw...

To Be Continued...Someday, hopefully.