Chapter 1 Train Journey to York
I thought Bath was the loveliest city in England... until I came to York. Before I go on about how beautiful historical York is, I shall speak of an interesting event on the train again. It becomes an exciting place to meet people in the train now (lot more easier than being on a plane)!!
I boarded the GNER train to York, the journey was 2 hours, I found my seat and it was besides this old lady. She's definitely an oriental lady, I didn't know how it got us started... Probably I did flash just a tiny smile ;) She was heading to Edinburgh to visit some friends, another 3 hours more than me. We were talking about how she first came to England (she holds a British passport) and why I was here... blah blah blah. Slowly we moved on to a lot of her past, it was when I began to get curious and asked a lot of questions. My only grandma couldn't speak to me in English or proper Mandarin so I never had this chance to hear about her World War II stories. This is amazing when she actually related her experience to me, how she escaped from the Japanese, joined the British, got a scholarship in England, married her husband... and now her children and family are all over the world! She must be in her 80s... and I've now one more person in London to visit. Also got contacts of her kin who are in Singapore, whom are doctors or entrepreneur. Her brother was the first Chief Justice in Singapore, wow, must be someone influential then!
Chapter 2 Haunted York
York is a beautiful, can't think of a better word to replace beautiful! The city itself says a lot of its history and that's what makes it so special. I love the city walls surrounding the city centre, walking around them gives you a good view of York and at the same time you can probably imagine how it was used for defence during the wars.
The little streets, little shops... really got me there. I was in a bookshop for soooo....... long, I couldn't remember because they have such fascinating and unusual book collection. I bought one titled "101 things to do before you're old and boring". York minister was worth a visit and a climb to the top of its tower; you can't miss the St Mary Abbey remains in the Museum Gardens; and of course the usual museum sightseeing.
York is said to be the most haunted city, so did they say the same about Edinburgh!! They have a couple of ghost walks going on, I picked one rumoured to be the scariest. It turned out to be more entertaining in fact, the guide was hilarious ;) And the rare coincidence is I actually bumped into a group of people on this ghost walk whom are later going on the same Scotland 5 day tour!!
Going around York nearly made me crippled, but I can't get enough of those "gates" they have around the city. The last 2 hours before my train up to Edinburgh, I decided to chill out in the hostel lounge and watched a video - such a good idea!!
----- End of Scottish travels I -----
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