World Cup Mania

I have to admit that I usually don't pay any attention to sports (with the exception of the Olympics and the bare minimum stats during the Stanley Cup playoffs to carry on a conversation). However, it was hard not to get sucked in to all the excitement surrounding this year's World Cup in South Africa. Afterall, I am in England, the home of 'footy'. The signs of excitement and anticipation were impossible to miss for 2 months leading up to the World Cup; even the local buses changed their logo to resemble the England flag.

I loved seeing flags from all the competing teams strung up together all over the place, although it made me feel left out. C'mon, Canada... didn't even qualify?

I didn't actually watch any games, but it was easy to tell when England was playing as throngs of fans gathered in front of every television available decked out in flags, teams shirts, face paint, etc. I imagine it was a similar atmosphere in any major Canadian city during the gold medal men's and women's hockey matches this year. (I'm sooooo disappointed to have missed that!) Pictured below, fans gather around a random television set up in a small shopping centre in the city. I don't know who's playing but it's definitely not England.

During England's games, massive crowds of excited people took over Millennium Square in the city centre where the big screen TV played the match. The photos below are right before the England v. Slovenia match, which sadly ended up being England's only win. 

Poor England. They really do deserve to win it... perhaps their time to shine at their national past time will come when they are the hosts. That would be 'pulling a Canada' ;)

Day Trip to York

So I know I've really dropped the ball lately on keeping this blog up to date. My Christmas Holidays split over Red Lake and Calgary were absolutely AMAZING, but no need to blog when I'm home, right? At any rate, I definitely have a little catching up to do. 

Firstly, right before I left Leeds in December, Chris Wright and I took a day trip to the town of York. For those of you who don't know Chris, he and his family came to Red Lake from Nottingham in 1997-1998 to do a 1-year exchange with a local family. All of the Wrights quickly became very active in the community as well as friends of the family and I'm glad to have stayed in touch. 

But back to the present. So the two of us decided to take an afternoon to wander around the very historical streets of York. We chose a good time to go as it was bustling with activity on a Sunday afternoon just a couple weeks before Christmas. (But it was freezing!!) Oh and as is the norm for most English towns before Christmas, there was definitely an outdoor Christmas market.

One of many very intricate ice sculptures in the streets. I suspect that to the left is a street vendor selling anything from pumpkin soup to mulled wine to sausages.

Typical street in York. I love the narrow, cobblestone streets and tiny shops.

The famous York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe

Climbing to the first tower of the cathedral

Taking a break halfway!

View from the top

We were wondering who you have to be to live in that mansion

Inside the cathedral - the choir began singing but they were hidden in a centre section. The acoustics in that place are amazing. It sounded like you were completely surrounded with ethereal music.

View from the street

Walking along the York City Walls that completely surround the core of the town. Some parts of the wall date back to Roman times.

The cathedral as viewed from the City Walls.

Attractions in Leeds

I was ecstatic to find this video clip, which sums up all of the tourist attractions I have been reading about in Leeds. It's so exciting trying to imagine what my life will be like in just a few months. I don't know what it is about the host of this show, but even without the sound he is unmistakably British... I LOVE it.


Leeds from Enjoy England on Vimeo.