York

Medievalists Abroad and the Holy Grail

Starting at the beginning of the trip there was a thought that I had, what can I find while going through all of Europe?

Anyway, when we landed in Manchester we hopped onto a bus to head to our hotel. There was not too much happening on the bus ride, we just met our tour guide, Emmeline and made it to the hotel quickly and quietly. It seemed like everyone was tired from the flight to Manchester, I know I did not sleep a wink on the way. We were all very lucky and got our rooms the moment we got to the hotel. I was put in a room with Thomas. I did not realize it at the time but that was truly a great stroke of luck for me. Anyway going about the day we all had some fun visiting the church and the town hall. Then we all split up for lunch and then most people went back to the hotel. In the group chat there were plans to visit Old Wellington about the time I was about to take a nap. After a quick nap I was still exhausted and Thomas just got back to take a nap of his own. I was not going to go to the dinner because I was exhausted but Thomas was going and said I should as well, so I did. About an hour later, eleven of us were waiting in the hotel lobby to go and see the oldest pub of Manchester. On the way there I ended up having a conversation with Rosemary and then one with Gabby. We made it to The Old Wellington where everyone got all sorts of different things to try. I had a wonderful Wild Boar and Chorizo Pie, which was amazing. The conversations at the table were lively and fun and overall it was an amazing time. We all went back to the hotel and I somehow could not fall asleep, so I went looking for a decent jacket. (Quick sidebar: Why the hell does everything here close so early? Five o’clock closing, what in the entire world? How can someone get something important that they need? It was quite the culture shock. Anyways.) I went back to the hotel after failing and promptly fell asleep. The next day, we had a quick look at a museum then most of us ended up heading to a really cool compact mall. The most intriguing thing there was this wall of funny cards. Then about eight of us went to go and see the Salford Lads Club, where the Smiths did an album cover shoot. On the way there we came across the most wonderful sight in all of Mancester. In this random park there in the suburbs of Manchester there was a set of swings. These swings were set up like a pentagon and we ended up spending quite a large amount of time on these swings. The swings of friendship we called them. Plenty more happened in Manchester but I feel I should go over the events of the Old Star Inn from our first night in York. This night was fun. Everyone from the trip ended up in this bar and we all ended up having a blast. I had a great conversations while I was there and had a lot of fun. So what is the most important part of the trip to me, what I found that I did not expect to find. My holy grail of the trip was the friends I made there. Honestly, it was a little shocking.

Location: York,England

During the abroad experience in England there were so many different places that caught my eye, but my top two were York and London. For this blog post I have decided to write about York! The travel days to a new place were always exciting, very worth it, but tiring due to the long amount of time on the bus and early morning. I loved exploring on the first day where we walked through the shambles and got to see all the little shops around the heart of york while making our way to York Minster. York Minster has so much history from the original building, to being struck by lightning and burning down, crowning of new power, and even the stained glass. Learning about the history of stained glass was definitely something I did not expect to be learning about on the trip. Our expert went into depth on some of the different windows and brought us around showing us some that were made specifically to tell a story including “the first advertising” which was kinda funny to think about. Another part of this trip was the high tea, honestly it was a little underwhelming; I expected there to be more going on and I think all of us were so hungry that we didn’t really have the time to savor the food. The sweets were a little weird, but the scone was really good. I loved the jam and cream cheese-like spread(I can’t remember what it was called), I would definitely have more of those!

Throughout the trip my classmates and I had plenty of time to bond and this was the city where it all definitely got close and more acclimated into the area and more willing to go out and adventure. We adventured and walked around the roman walls as a group and took some photos on the wall. Honestly I was expecting the walls to have a little more to them other than a short pathway. I was hoping to see more areas maybe where weapons were kept, but even if there were those areas it may be hard to preserve for that long of a time, I was surprised to see a lot of the roman walls still standing. We ended up at a pub the first night where we all hung out and talked about anything and everything before going back to the hotel for the night. The second night a large group of us had dinner together and the time went so fast that we were late to our next activity, a ghost story walking tour. We learned a lot about people who died and haunt the area(York is known to be the most haunted place in the world) like, someone who owned a school and the children haunted him, criminals, and children who died after being accused of having the plague by the whole town.

The weirdest thing we did was going to the Viking museum, honestly i hated the smell of it sooooo much. I know it’s supposed to preserve the history which includes the smell of it, but I wish I was nose blind at that very moment. There was no escape in that place since we were on a ride. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy seeing how they lived and their diets, the dyes they used and their little markets but the smell was so disgusting.

This trip was so amazing and I would not change my experience for the world, even if one classmate was different, I feel the trip would not have been so great and I will cherish this experience for a long time.

Stories in the Stained-Glass Windows

Whenever I hear that some famous person probably walked exactly where I am walking in museums, galleries, or restaurants, I have a hard time believing it. The linoleum floors look just as shiny as they did before and I feel no powerful presence left behind. As I walked up steps indented over time by hundreds of pilgrims wanting to see the Canterbury Cathedral for its miracles, I felt that presence. This was not the powerful presence of one, but many. People from all different backgrounds and all across Europe came to this one place, sometimes undergoing many trials. Some never arrived at all (I say that looking at Chaucer’s famous The Canterbury Tales—a text that I have read at least three times by now). I had achieved what Chaucer’s characters were unable to do and have left my mark on the stone that have already been eroded by so many before me. …And I’m just a wee English major.

While in England, we visited four amazing churches: the Manchester Cathedral, the York Minster, the Westminster Abbey, and, of course, the Canterbury Cathedral. Each one presented its unique charm and can easily be called marvels of medieval architecture. I held my breath entering each churches’ immense halls and was enamored by the history they held. Crypts and chapter houses presented something that was unlike anything I had seen before in churches. These churches are still in action today meaning people can come in for services, just like people hundreds of years ago would have.

As an art enthusiast and medieval fantasy writer, these churches were a feast for the eyes and imagination. Designed with Gothic aesthetics, they comprise of many small details. While waiting for friends or taking a break in an unsuspecting corner, I often found myself next to small carvings of dragons, flowers, and demons that would have been easily overlooked if I hadn’t stopped then and there. Since churches are built over the span of many years, the different aesthetics of the time shine through, making these structures the ultimate work of collaboration.

My favorite part when it comes to the designs of the churches however has to be the stained-glass windows. They are a dash of bright color, a symbol of light, and a story. No, really! This where the term “story” comes from when we refer to the height of buildings as stained-glass windows are meant to be read from the bottom to the top. It’s such a unique way of telling religious tales, regulating natural light, and honoring the creativity of artists at the time. I was particularly fascinated by the Great East Window depicting the Biblical story of creation at the York Minster which took ten years to renovate by 2018 (definitely worth it) and the Miracle Windows in the Canterbury Cathedral which depicts the many miracles of St. Thomas Becket. The latter windows display their stories in circles, which was unique from the other churches, and were in stunning condition. I am thankful to have been able to see these churches with such an amazing group for the creative inspiration they gave me and the history they held. Should you find yourself in England and wish to embrace your inner art/history enthusiast side, I highly recommend checking out a church. You never know what you’ll find!

Thank you for reading!

Teodora Buzea

Becoming a Culinary Enthusiast in York

Oh, York! How ever would I be able to sing all its praises?! From the York Minster to the Jorvik Viking Centre; a cruise down the River Ouse to a downright hilarious Ghost Tour—There is just so much to talk about in this historic location! As I sat down to write this blog, I took a deep breath, grabbed my mug of tea, and decided to talk about my journey through York via the essentials: food. I wouldn’t consider myself a foodie… much. I just appreciate the culture, history, and creativity that go behind dishes and the ability to reflect and form strong friendship bonds through dining.

Let’s set the scene: It’s the second day of our trip to England and we just finished visiting the beautiful York Minster. With grandiose stained-glass windows and a rich history, the York Minster found itself becoming my favorite cathedral/church while in England. The Minster began to be built in 1220 and wasn’t considered complete for over 250 years. You know what has existed longer than that and can be completed in about thirty minutes? A British Pie! Savory and warm, the pie is a staple of any British pub or restaurant, and I had the pleasure of sampling three different kinds during this trip. In York, I had a wonderful wild mushroom pie with gravy on top. When not topped with gravy, the pie can be a very portable type of food. The thick crust holds the meat or vegetables at the perfect temperature until it can be cracked open and enjoyed. I wonder if the people responsible for the building of the Minster had the pleasure of eating something similar to the pie. I sure hope so. I rate this pie a 10/10!

Most of my culinary journey in York took place on the third day, so it is time to set the scene yet again: It’s a Sunday. Service at the Minster has just ended, and I’m waking up thinking about the Ghost Tour I went on the night before. York is considered England’s “most haunted city”. Aside from ghosts, one may also find… Vikings! At the Jorvik Viking Centre, we traveled through a recreation of a Viking village with really well-made animatronics (and, for a second there, I thought they were actors!). Under this centre, an archeological dig took place and uncovered the remains of a Viking village. By the time our adventure in the centre was over, I felt compelled to try a close-by food truck’s self-proclaimed “Viking Burger” featuring wild boar patties with loganberries and leeks. The sweet berries brought this burger to the next level and the leeks paired with them very well. Did you know that leeks were the original symbol of Wales? Some Vikings also spoke versions of Old Welsh too! To this burger, I give it a 11/10! (I am a food enthusiast; not a food critic.)

For our next culinary adventure, there is something I must admit: 95% of my liquid intake is tea. I love tea, and when I saw we would be going to Betty’s Tea Room, I dashed over to YouTube to learn proper tea etiquette in England. The concept of afternoon tea stems from the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna. She felt that the time between lunch was a wee bit long and that just some small snacks and tea during that space would be acceptable. It’s the perfect time to invite some friends over and engage in gossip too! I couldn’t agree more, Anna! The tea was positively divine, and I experienced two types: Betty’s Afternoon Tea Blend and Pi Lo Chun Green Tea. They paired perfectly with the teeny tea sandwiches, scones, and macaroons. Oh, how I wish I could be there once more. Before I left, I made sure to buy a box of the tea blend for home. They don’t call me Tea-dora for nothing! (Actually, nobody calls me that, but it’d be a great name if I ever opened a tea store or brand.) Tea-riffic tea! Tea-n out of tea-n!

Like any meal, the best way to end a trip in York is with deserts. After finishing my packing for the expected train ride to Cambridge the next day, I opened a small box and was graced by tiny treasures. Chocolate! York is rather famous for its chocolate. If you ever had one of those chocolate oranges, then think of York the next time you eat one because that was the place it was made. I learned that, before the famous chocolate orange, Terry’s dabbled with chocolate apples and chocolate lemons. I love citrus flavors, so a chocolate lemon sounds delicious. This time, I tried chocolates with flavors like rhubarb, strawberry coconut, and mixed berry. There were six in this box, so I think a fair score is… 60/10!

Thus ends my culinary escapades in York! Seeing the sites, eating the food, and making friends are definitely memories that will not be forgotten. If you ever get the chance to visit this wonderful city, I hope you can find joy in the culinary scene too! There are plenty of restaurants that offer vegetarian options and I was thoroughly impressed with how servers and staff generally make it a habit to ask parties if there are any dietary restrictions. Bon Appetit!

Thank you for reading!

Teodora Buzea

The Charms of York

The first time I truly felt like I was finally in Europe was when we first touched down in York. With their quaint little side streets and beautiful architecture, I was able to fall in love with the city almost immediately. We visited this charming city on our second and third days in England, and I am so glad that we did. Going into this trip, I was expecting to only enjoy my time in London. Once we arrived, I realized that I would actually come to enjoy York the most.

After a horrifying first day (filled with non-Covid related sickness and extreme jetlag), we hopped on the train from Manchester to York. Grace and I, being in charge of the bags (see picture below), stood the whole time. I was gradually becoming crankier as the train journey continued, wanting nothing more than to lay down. I was in no mood to attempt to navigate a new city already, and wanted nothing more than to get to our hotel room and take a nap.

All of those negative thoughts went out the window immediately once I stepped out of the train station. I was greeted by beautiful streets and beautiful people, becoming infatuated with the city almost instantaneously. We walked the streets and visited some cathedrals (a pattern that I initially thought would get really boring really quickly—it never did) and searched the area for the best coffee.

We even got to play dress up, getting a glimpse into what life was like in Medieval York. During times when we weren’t admiring the stained-glass windows of the cathedrals and minsters, we were roaming the streets, trying to find a place to eat that could accommodate the eleven of us… spoiler alert, we rarely could. It was during these times that I probably had the most fun. Walking the busy, Harry Potter-looking streets made my inner fantasy-loving self extremely happy. Despite getting lost multiple times (some advice for future students on this trip… make sure your GPS is in walking mode, not driving), we managed to find hidden gems that allowed for us to make some pretty awesome memories.

The best part about York, to me, was the people. The energy we received from them was extremely welcoming, and I truly felt like I belonged there, despite being too American for my own good. A lot of the time, I was worried that we would be judged for being tourists; however, the people of York treated us like friends. From the guys at the pub who recognized our accents and wanted to talk about American football, to the lovely bartender who was genuinely interested in our lives back home, I have to say that it was the one time on our entire trip that I didn’t feel like a tourist.

Leaving York was a very sad day for me. Despite only being there for two days, I never wanted to leave, and I felt more attached and connected to it than I had in any other place on this trip. It was by far my favorite city that we visited. I encourage all future students going on this trip to keep an open mind about where you are going… you never know what you will find!

Emma Stack

Our Time in York

One of the places on my bucket list to travel to during my life was England. So when I saw that there was a study abroad to England that would also count for credits toward my major I knew that I had to sign up. The entire trip was an amazing experience but some of the best moments that I experienced were in York. York has a rich history throughout all of England’s history. From the anglo-saxons to the Romans. Because of this history it had an appeal that was unique to it that no other place we traveled to had.

This picture was taken from the wall that surrounds parts of York. These walls are unique because they were built by the Romans to provide them protection from attackers. It is one of the last standing of its kind in England. We are walking along it to get to the York Minster church to receive a guided tour.

The two pictures above are from the York Minster Church. This combined with the surrounding buildings is a beautiful example in the change of architecture over time. We were given a guided tour of the church and it was absolutely beautiful. It is very old and because of that has a very different style of architecture than that of churches in the United States. On top of that the stained glass was one of a kind and all of it we saw in England was very unique.

After the tour we were done for the day and had the rest of the day to ourselves.

The next day we woke up bright and early and got ready for the day ahead, and what a day it was. We started by walking to the Jorvik Viking Centre and it was amazing. They had you get on a ride that guides you through what archaeologists have found and recreated of a viking settlement. The animatronics were all throughout the ride simulating tasks that viking people would have actually done in the past. But watch out the actions are not the only thing that the creators have simulated. They have also recreated the smell of the excavation site when it was discovered. And let me tell you that it does the job, it smells like one would guess it would… really bad. But it did provide us with a more authentic experience in throwing us into the past.

After this we got to visit Barley hall which is a reconstruction of what a medieval town house would look like. Sadly I did not take any pictures of it. After this excursion we had a few hours free until we had our final planned event for the day.

Finally after a day full of fun we had tea at Betty’s Tea Room. It was an amazing experience with especially since I love drinking tea. We had a great time with the various foods, desserts, and teas that we ordered. I especially loved the desert. I also had two pots of tea, one black blend and one mint blend.

Overall the time we spent in York was a blast and I I would definitely go back if given the chance!