Tag: UK

Why you shouldn’t (or should) go on an overnight bus.

Published on by miadervisevicLeave a comment

This week started our fall break, or “reading week.” I decided to use my time to explore the UK even more and head up to Edinburgh, Scotland, with 5 of my friends! With luck, one of my great friends also lives in Edinburgh so I was delighted to catch up with her and hang out. The trip up there lasted about 9 hours, as we had decided to take an overnight bus from London.

Pros: the bus was very cheap (compared to the train and/or plane) and hypothetically you would be sleeping for most of it.

Cons: Something could go wrong, and you’re delayed a while and then can’t go to sleep.

We all started off with high spirits and headed towards the Victoria coach station Friday night, excited to start this little trip to Scotland! Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned. As we got further away from London and towards Heathrow (which is an hour away), a guy on the bus made us aware that he was not completely in his right mind. He was singing, and mindlessly talking when people were trying to sleep. So, at midnight the bus had to pull over and have help from the police in the area, who promptly took him off the bus and spoke to those who were around him. While the incident was calm and handled well, we were about an hour behind the schedule, and we still had 8 hours on the road to complete. Next, was the fact that neither me or any of my friends could fall asleep for more than an hour at a time. I was so exhausted when we finally arrived in Edinburgh! The bright side? I got to see the Scottish countryside during sunrise!

While we were all tired and wanting to take naps, we wanted to hike Arthur’s seat more! So, we separated for some breakfast, where I went and met my friend and dropped off my suitcase at her apartment. And then, off we were to hike Arthur’s seat! Truly, an easy hike up, and it was quite a warm sunny day! However, the wind at the top was so insane, I stumbled and felt like I was getting pushed! It was so much fun to experience the wind, the view, and being with my friend in Scotland!

This trip truly was wonderful, with amazing memories and people. I got to hold an owl, which was so surreal, and explore the Edinburg castle, as well as try the surrounding cafes. We also walked around Dean Village, which was a charming little village that reminded me of Germany and Austria. It was similar to the countryside of England, where it was very silent and a peaceful place to walk around. My friends left 2 days before me, as I wanted to spend as much time with my other friend and in Edinburg as possible! While my friend went to her classes, I walked around more and explored on my own! It was so much fun to explore and go where I wanted to, on a whim. I ended up sitting at a park, journaling, while having a wonderful view of the castle. I also got over my shyness of asking someone to take a photo of me.

However, as the trip came to an end, I smiled at all my memories and the beautiful city, said a “see you later” to my friend, and headed back to London, but this time on the train. I always wanted to take the train from Edinburgh to London (or vise-versa) and it was so much fun to travel like this. I got a window seat, and looking at the beautiful countryside, the sea, and listening to my music made the 4 hours fly by. Alas, there was also something wrong with the train, so about 3 hours in, we had to make a train-switch, which by all means was easy and fast. It shows how things could go wrong in travel, but to make the most of it because it turns out to be wonderful. I still had an amazing trip in both Edinburgh and the train regardless.

Now, here I am after a jam-packed past few days, recounting all of this with a smile on my face. Not to mention Halloween! After Scotland, I celebrated Halloween with my friends. During the day, I walked around a beautiful park, with orange leaves littering the ground, kids dressed up as Harry Potter running around, and swans swimming in the lake. I picked up a delicious chai and chocolate croissant and enjoyed my time walking around, journaling (again) while sitting up against a tree and watching the people walk by. It was such an amazing day enjoying the nature hidden in a city and with my own self. At night, I rejoined my friends and had a fun time dressing up and hanging out with them. By all accounts, I had a wonderful past week, with some incidents, but it all makes for a wonderful story!

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Exploring the English Countryside

Published on by miadervisevic1 Comment

Mixed in with my classes and studying, I’ve been able to explore more parts of London, and England in general. From finding new streets and cute stores, to getting fully out of the city and exploring the Cotswolds. While I love big cities and being able to see people walking about, there’s something about the English countryside that is charming and pulls you in.

I’ve always wanted to go to the Cotswolds. It’s just always been something on top of my bucket list, and now I am happy to say I’ve been able to complete that dream. The Cotswolds, and specifically Castle Combe (rated the most beautiful town in England) draws you in, and make you never want to leave. The brick houses, along a quiet, and foggy street is something out of a fairy tale. When one thinks of “English countryside” this is what they picture.

When I stepped out of the train, I noticed how quiet it was. The cars splashing in puddles was the only sound, other than the song of birds. I was surprised to experience how quiet it was and felt as though I needed to whisper the entire time to preserve the peacefulness. It’s always an eye-opening experience going to a new country (or a new part of a previously visited country), and experience at least a little part of the local’s life. I was drawn in by the atmosphere, and the life of a quiet, small town. People walking their dogs and saying “good morning” to each-other was a normal routine. I loved it. Bakeries and shops, that ran on the honor system and a welcoming atmosphere that felt like a warm hug. It was so different than the life in London, or even my hometown.

Comparing life in a big v. small city/town was very interesting in terms of Castle Combe and Chippenham. Where life is quiet and peaceful in the countryside, everyone knows everyone, and trusts, there was an opposite life in the city, where it’s filled with suspicion and weariness. Visiting the Cotswolds, makes me think about how wonderful a life in a beautiful, quiet town would be (you wouldn’t have to worry about phone snatchers, that’s for sure)!

I loved walking around, and taking it all in, like a breath of fresh air. The mist hanging in the air, and the song of birds sent a wave of tranquility. With vines crawling up the sides of houses and the colors of changing leaves, it was a beautiful sight to see. It was truly autumn here! In London, while it’s chilly, it hasn’t been raining much and the leaves haven’t changed yet, so I was overjoyed to finally see the start of my favorite season in the most beautiful town. The Manor House (which is now a hotel), is a beautiful estate with the most gorgeous manor house, which I’ve decided is truly my dream home. With green, orange, and red vines climbing up the brick house, it was a sight to see, and my breath was taken away. Truly, I have no words to express how marvelous this town was. It’s one of those things that words cannot recreate, and you have to experience it for yourself.

The public transportation there, was also on a leisurely schedule, and would only stop (in the case of Castle Combe) 3 or 4 times a day, meaning you had to time everything perfectly around the bus if you didn’t have a car. My friend and I luckily had no problems with this, and actually timed it perfectly where we had enough time to spontaneously go to Bath!

As we were wrapping up out time in quiet Castle Combe and taking the last of our pictures, we realized we still had a while before our trains! So, we thought to go to Bath, which happened to be only 10 minutes away by another train! With smiles on our face, we headed to Bath and got excited for a tea shop we decided to visit.

Sally Lunn’s Eating House brought the Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, and Pride and Prejudice vibe to life. With delicious pastries and tea, we were transported back into history, and imagined what life would be like back then. The buns and tea were 10/10 (as one would expect in England), and we had an amazing time talking about our favorite moments from this trip (and weekend). After walking around Bath and truly loving the autumn leaves and weather, we headed back to Chippenham, and further, London.

I honestly, will never forget this trip because of the amazing memories I got to make. Checking a bucket list spot off my list and seeing my dream house, as well as seeing my favorite season (autumn) start. If one is ever in London or in England in general, they have to experience the magic of the Cotswolds, as it is indescribable.