Day Trips Part 3: Stonehenge and Salisbury

So, its no secret that I am probably the biggest nerd in the world. Don't worry you can agree, I'm not ashamed. And now one of my nerdiest dreams has come true, seeing Stonehenge! I have wanted to go to Stonehenge for as long as I can remember. Studying it in elementary school always fascinated me. Its actually all a part of my larger archaeological fascination with megaliths (aka big rocks), seeing that another one of my dreams is to visit the giant statues at Easter Island. Let's be honest, my dad and I may or may not have carved the Easter Island statues out of potatoes when I was younger. (PS thanks Dad, best project ever!) Anyway, I have been super excited about Stonehenge since I bought the bus ticket the first week of classes, like giddy with excitement. Everyone warned me its really boring, but I refused to let anyone stifle my enthusiasm.

My first visit to one of the 7 wonders!

For the record, it is a little boring. I mean, the only thing to do is look at rocks and it was cold and rainy. BUT I still loved it because now I have pictures in front of it and I learned a few new interesting facts. Such as...

Here goes, some of the main myths of how stonehenge got there:

(1) Giants brought the stones to Ireland from Africa and then no one could move them from Ireland so Merlin got frustrated and flew them over himself.

(2) The devil found the stones in Ireland in a woman's back yard. He wanted them for some reason or another so he made a deal with her that she could have as much money as she could count while he was packing up the stones. She thought since the stones were so large it would take him a long time and she would be "as rich as a princess." Turns out, however, that the devil is pretty strong and he picked all up in seconds and she got pretty much nothing. The devil carried the stones and flew them over to England, dropping a few along the way which are still scattered across the English countryside.

(3) Aliens.

Yep, that's pretty much what I learned from stonehenge. Oh, and that the stones came from Wales and were once thought to have healing properties when pieces were dropped into drinking wells. Stonehenge is officially checked off the bucket list!

Since the bus ride was 2 hours long and we were only at Stonehenge for an hour, they drove us to Salisbury too, which was nearby. The main thing in Salisbury is the beautiful cathedral which is home to the largest steeple in the UK, the oldest working clock, and the best preserved of the 4 original copies of the Magna Carta.

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury is also home to a cute town and lots of shops though. Tapas were eaten, tea was had, and stores were entered (though nothing was bought, sadly). Then back on the bus and home again.

Salisbury... Beautiful town and crisp, clean air!

Short post today but don't worry tomorrow is the Chinese New Year parade/festival so updates will follow as well a description of ridiculous London street theatre.