Even though I always wanted to believe that I was a traveler, I actually became a traveler only after my one-year long stay in UK. I stayed in Newcastle, and that put me in close proximity to some of the most dramatic landscapes one can visit and stay in - such as the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands, and the lush Yorkshire county. And I am proud to admit that I made full use of and more of this. Anyway, the trip that initiated me was a day-long excursion to York with my college friends. And it is this trip that I am going to look back to today in this Time-Turner Post.
One weird thing about me is that just before I embark on a trip I experience a feeling of dread - be it a solo trip, one with family, or that with friends. And the feeling is strong enough for me to want to cancel the trip altogether. I haven't actually ever cancelled a trip because of this though. I have always chosen to soldier on and as soon as I am on the road, the dread transforms into a feeling of anticipation for the experiences to come.
I remember feeling this same dread right before I exited my home early one winter morning. I was to meet my friends at the train station at quarter to 6. And as soon as I met them, I cheered up instantly. The train journey was a rather short one but the sights of the brightening countryside and the sheep on the hills gave further boost to our moods.
I remember alighting the York station and seeing several historical buildings in the distance. We wanted to head out and start exploring as soon as possible, but we were hungry and had to grab some food first. One of our favorite foods (for any meal) in those days was sandwich and coffee. If not that, we would share a pizza (pizza hut, where we could get unlimited coke and salad, was our favorite). Since this was morning, I think we must have had sandwich and coffee.
When I think of York, following are the main images that emerge. Tall, medieval buildings that flaunt their Gothic towers, buttresses, and arches proudly. A tower of cupcakes that was doing rounds in Betty's Coffee Shop. The Castle Keep that you could scale and walk on the top of. The cobbled streets - this one is strange because actually only a small part of the city, the Shambles, have cobbled streets. And we did not spend too much time here. However, in my memories, the entire York has cobbled streets.
I also remember our detailed exploration of the St Mary' Abbey under darkening skies. The complex was set along the River Ouse and with mold-layered gravestones, hauntingly beautiful ruins, and the lush, green lawns surrounding them, this place is going to stay with me for a long, long time.
This was my first trip in the UK and after this I became more and more daring. Starting with longer trips with friends, I moved on to solo trips. I have done a Time-Turner on one of these trips already. And with the current Covid-19 lockdown, I am going to get a lot more opportunities to write more Time-Turner posts. Stay tuned.
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