MAN oh MAN! I'm already two weekends behind...how did that happen (and I may only have time to write about one, as I am leaving for GERMANY in a quarter of an hour-eek!)!?!?! Well, I suppose the most important thing is not this blog, but to appreciate this life right? So, to put it simply, I have been amazed by so many things I have experienced in the past two weeks! I have been to two different countries! And have had a blast at Harlaxton.

On Friday, February 20th I left for North Wales on a school trip. We left at 8am and stopped in Chester, England for lunch. Chester was a very cute little town, famous for the second most photographed clock (after Big Ben)...and not much else:) We just wandered about a lot, and took pictures.

The Chester Clock

Some old church ruins

At 3pm we arrived in Llandudno, Wales. I couldn't even believe it. I was told that this was one of the most beautiful trips, but the rumors didn't do justice. We were right on the seaside, in a cute little hotel, with two mountains on each side. It was breathtaking (in part because of the strong winds:)). The first thing we did was settle into our hotels, and then we BOOKED it to the mountain! I can't even describe it. I had so much appreciation for the moments I spent up there! Once to the top, the sun was getting lower, and the photo ops were wonderful! I may have mooned AND flashed the ocean...shhh don't tell:) Once it was dark, we headed to the local Asda (walmart UK style) and I had a wonderful dinner planned of bread, an apple, and cheese. MMMMMMM! After dinner for some others at KFC (lame!) we hung out in one of the hotel rooms (we packed quite a few people into one little room...but it was fun!). Around 10pm we went to the beach to watch the waves. Then a few of us went to a pub for some beer and Karaoke! One of the best nights yet, it was SO fun! I sang a bit of Grease, and also some Sonny and Cher on request of the operator...though I don't think he was impressed since he knew all the words, and I knew none. It was fun anyhow:) The town was actually eerily deserted, but we found entertainment despite that.

On our hike....if you follow MY right arm in the picture...the the last building on the block that my hand is touching is our hotel (that probably didn't make sense...oops:))

What we climbed...it's a lot steeper than it looks;)

Deep thinking right there

The boys were making me quite nervous with stunts like this...they just wanted "sweet!" photos ha...I guess I can't blame them..:)

Chillin' in the Hotel

Karaoke!

Saturday we left at 9am for Caernarfon Castle. Another castle...yay (hehe)? For lunch we stopped at Portmeirion Village. I don't really know how to explain it; so I will let our trip guide do it! "The village was built by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1972. It had always been his dream to build his own private village on some romantic shore. Portmeirion is surrounded by three sides by over 70 acres of woodlands known as the "Gwyllt". The mild coastal climate allows plant species to grow here that can only survive under glass further inland." It was this weird touristy village you had to pay to get into, it was meant to be a little Italian style village with lots of bright colors etc. It was cute, but bizarre. The coast was really cool because since the tide was out, we could basically walk on where a bay usually is. Pretty. After that we went to Llechwedd Slate Caverns. The tour was about as exciting as the title describes. So...not:) We headed back to Llandudno around 4. That night we just pub hopped and explored the streets a little more. At the castle...

Well that's reassuring...?

At Portmerion Village beach...it says "Jorja"

Sadly, this is before my camera ran out of battery...so the following are photos stolen from others:)

Sunday we left around 10:30am. We stopped to take pictures at a waterfall, and then went to the village of Betws y Coed. It had lots of gift shops and food and pathways. After people ate lunch, somehow we all ended up at a spot on the river that had a waterfall. I started climbing the rocks to sit on a ledge, and soon I saw the boys climbing down this very slippery looking ledge across the river from me. They explained "don't move, we're coming to you!". Bad idea. For about the next hour, we (and about 30 other tourists on the bridge how started to make an audience for the stupidity of these "American boys") watched the three of them try to cross the river on these itty bitty rocks that, if they were to fall, they would surely fall into the waterfall-to their death...or at least paralization. They only had one minor slip that ended in a wet pant leg, but in the end they did survive. We left at 2pm and were back in time for dinner!

Climbing at Bewts y Coed

Overall it was one of my favorite trips, and was SO fun!

I hope all is well, miss everyone terribly...

halfway point was a few days ago....AHHH!