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Friday, April 03, 2009

A writer's journey, part 3

There were still some literary elements to the rest of our trip, but it wasn't the full immersion I experienced in Haworth. Nevertheless, I want to give a brief accounting of what else we did there.

After our third night in Haworth, we went for a day trip in Edinburgh. With a 3-hour train ride each way, we didn't have time to do a whole lot there: just ate a large, late lunch, shopped a little, visited the Royal Mile, and saw Edinburgh Castle.

Edinbrough Castle

Inside Edinbrough Castle

The view from Edinbrough Castle

We spent one more night in Haworth, and then returned to London for the remainder of our trip. While there, we visited the British Museum — just the Ancient Egyptian and Greek sections, as that museum is far too big to see in one day). We also went on a day trip to Paris, where we visited the Louvre and a famous English-language used bookstore called Shakespeare and Company.

Shakespeare and Company in Paris

In my element: surrounded by books at Shakespeare and Company in Paris

Even overseas, I can't go into a bookstore without feeling happy — or, as it turns out, without buying a book, even when that means I have to make room for it in my luggage!

After Paris, we had one more full day in London. Michael and I used that day to visit the National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery briefly, with the primary purpose of seeing the original of Branwell Brontë's famous portrait of the Brontë sisters. It's not actually very good, particularly when compared with the other masterpieces in that room; but what I loved was the opportunity to not only see it in person, but also to walk right up to it and stand with my nose practically on the glass.

And that's it — the full story of my first trip overseas. I enjoyed the vacation immensely, but I have to say that by the end, I was more than ready to come home, as I missed my own life — dogs, cats, horse, laptop, and all — very much!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Katherine,
I very much enjoyed reading your blog, and your other page about your 1920s wedding. I am planning my wedding in a similar style. My fiance is English and I attended university in Scotland. I thought you would like to know that you have spelled Edinburgh the way it is pronounced.

Katharine Swan said...

Oops! You're right, Anonymous. I fixed it. Thank you! :o)

That reminds me of a discussion we had about how all the place names in the UK are spelled differently than they are pronounced. I can't remember exactly what it was Michael said, but it was something like (pretending to be British), " 'Yes, we spell it spaghetti, but we pronounce it zucchini.' " I wish I could remember exactly what two words he used, but it was hilarious!

Kathy@TheFlawlessWord said...

Thanks for the vicarious experience. I'm sad it's over!

Katharine Swan said...

You're welcome, Kathy. Me too, incidentally. ;o)

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