over cobbled stones
Hey everybody!
York was fantastic! It's tiny, old and full of great places to explore. My personal favorite is the old city wall that goes nearly around the whole inner city. It's great for a walk (it's free) and it gives you a good first look at the city. Even after being in York for a while I still used it to get straight back to the hostel without getting lost somewhere in the many little alleys. If you need a break from the stream of tourists I'd recommend the part from Micklegate to Skeldergate Bridge which is far more deserted than the rest mostly because there's not much to see. Well at least no tourist attractions but I personally found the locals' houses and backyards quite interesting, too.
Then there's of course the Minster that as if it wasn't fascinating enough on its own offers an amazing view from the main tower and Roman ruins in the Undercroft. Apart from that every little alley has either an old church, sweet shoppe or pub. This morning I had a second late breakfast before going into the Minster at Crumb Cupcakery which I can only recommend. If you are a sweet tooth York is the perfect town for you anyway, at every corner you can buy fudge or chocolates, cakes and there's a lot of traditionally made ice-cream sold on the streets. Now that the weekend has started unfortunately the crowds of tourists got bigger.
Escaping the masses I just sat in the warm afternoon sun at the river Ouse & read some of A Casual Vacancy. Then I took a last stroll along my favorite part of the city wall. Tomorrow I will have a look at the railway museum (which is supposed to be really good) and then take a train to Manchester.
A loud hen do just outside my window (that must have been drinking heavily for some time judging by their singing) reminded me of the fact that it's a Friday night and staying in wasn't really an option. So I went into the city once again. I can't understand why once British girls head to a club they somehow feel the necessity to wear skirts or dresses that can hardly count as a wide belt. Anyway I went past these horrendously dress up clubbers stumbling along in their 10inch high heels in search for a late cup of coffee but everything had closed down already some hours ago. Passing the ghost tour I was on yesterday with a little knowing smile I went down the same route he took us on at the end. Not because there used to be an orphanage here and the souls of mistreated children are supposed to still haunt this place. But because by swiftly taking a right in through a little passage just across Cross Keys right behind the Minster you get from the touristy part of town into the normal one. The calamity of these neat red brick buildings just two parallel streets away from the crowded alleys and shops is simply astounding. Leaving the heavily trodden path usually turns out much better than following the rest like a dumb sheep.
So long
Anja
York was fantastic! It's tiny, old and full of great places to explore. My personal favorite is the old city wall that goes nearly around the whole inner city. It's great for a walk (it's free) and it gives you a good first look at the city. Even after being in York for a while I still used it to get straight back to the hostel without getting lost somewhere in the many little alleys. If you need a break from the stream of tourists I'd recommend the part from Micklegate to Skeldergate Bridge which is far more deserted than the rest mostly because there's not much to see. Well at least no tourist attractions but I personally found the locals' houses and backyards quite interesting, too.
Then there's of course the Minster that as if it wasn't fascinating enough on its own offers an amazing view from the main tower and Roman ruins in the Undercroft. Apart from that every little alley has either an old church, sweet shoppe or pub. This morning I had a second late breakfast before going into the Minster at Crumb Cupcakery which I can only recommend. If you are a sweet tooth York is the perfect town for you anyway, at every corner you can buy fudge or chocolates, cakes and there's a lot of traditionally made ice-cream sold on the streets. Now that the weekend has started unfortunately the crowds of tourists got bigger.
Escaping the masses I just sat in the warm afternoon sun at the river Ouse & read some of A Casual Vacancy. Then I took a last stroll along my favorite part of the city wall. Tomorrow I will have a look at the railway museum (which is supposed to be really good) and then take a train to Manchester.
A loud hen do just outside my window (that must have been drinking heavily for some time judging by their singing) reminded me of the fact that it's a Friday night and staying in wasn't really an option. So I went into the city once again. I can't understand why once British girls head to a club they somehow feel the necessity to wear skirts or dresses that can hardly count as a wide belt. Anyway I went past these horrendously dress up clubbers stumbling along in their 10inch high heels in search for a late cup of coffee but everything had closed down already some hours ago. Passing the ghost tour I was on yesterday with a little knowing smile I went down the same route he took us on at the end. Not because there used to be an orphanage here and the souls of mistreated children are supposed to still haunt this place. But because by swiftly taking a right in through a little passage just across Cross Keys right behind the Minster you get from the touristy part of town into the normal one. The calamity of these neat red brick buildings just two parallel streets away from the crowded alleys and shops is simply astounding. Leaving the heavily trodden path usually turns out much better than following the rest like a dumb sheep.
So long
Anja