Thursday, May 31, 2001

Early in the morning we set out to the north, to the medieval city of York. That morning we also almost had a communal heart attack as Danny lost his Britrail Pass while inside the train. Eventually, after an announcement through the PA, the pass suddenly reappeared. Sometimes you don't ask and simply give thanks. That sour episode behind, we were off to York.

The medieval majesty of York, with York Minster in the background.
Day 3: May 31, 2001

Walking into York was, literally, like walking back in time. We had to round the medieval walls from the train station to one of the gates, modern invaders storming the walled city (and hopefully getting a better reception than invaders centuries before). From there we trekked down twisting narrow streets until we reached the York Youth Hotel, a two-story building in a quiet little street just off the main road. Packs left behind, we hit the town center.

Coming from living in big cities, and after visiting a big city, the charm of old York was almost overwhelming. We stopped along the way, York Minster in view, marveling at the wealth of picturesque sights everywhere around us. It was interesting that, amidst our normal funny banter, each of us in turn would go silent, deep in reverie, contemplating the scene around.

Lari, Danny & Yvonne, York Minster in the back.
Day 3: May 31, 2001

After a while of rampant photo shooting, we walked down the street to see that most marvelous Gothic cathedral, York Minster Abbey.

York Minster towers majestically over the streets of York.
Day 3: May 31, 2001

We did a tour of the cathedral and learned a bit about its history, like the story of the man who swam under the church and gave his life to strengthen the endangered foundations from the swampy ground underneath. What makes people have this kind of faith? It's amazing. Our reveries done, we kept touring the streets of medieval York, eventually reaching the old medieval merchant street, The Shambles. The street used to be the butcher's market, while today it is a pedestrian shopping mall, although one encased in 600 year old half-timbered buildings that exude rustic charm.

Danny, Lari & Yvonne (right)
check out the stores of The Shambles.
Day 3: May 31, 2001

We eventually had lunch in a side street, watching a street performer in a small square, and in turn, being watched by the locals going about their daily business. After lunch, we went to Jorvik, the attraction featuring the history of Viking York (York used to be the capital of the Viking kingdom of north England). It was basically long lines, bells and whistles, animatronics and a nice-but-small museum. We should have skipped it, but what the heck. You live, you learn. At the very least, the sight of two animatronics Vikings "doing it" was worth the price of admission. And no, this is not a joke, it is for real. 

After the small fiasco of Jorvik, we decided to skip other sights, concentrating on the best sight of all, York herself. We wandered through the tiny winding streets, finding site after amazing site: half-timbered houses 3 times older than our country, tiny soot-covered churches with packed graveyards in their backyards, the nearly-intact medieval walls of the city, which we walked for a long stretch, falling in love with the city from above.

Our stay in York was only for a night, so after we had dinner at an Indian restaurant and chilled out for the evening. Lari stayed at the hostel and wrote in her journal, while Danny & Yvette hit one of the pubs, Firkins. Eventually we all went to sleep, quite tired but looking forward to the next day, when we would be heading north into Scotland.

Yvonne becomes a burrito in order to sleep at the York Youth Hotel.
Day 3: May 31, 2001

To Day 4: Edinburgh