Another week, another blog post from my journal. This week I disclose the rest (almost) of my journey in Birmingham. The place was fun, and I certainly would like to go back and spend at least another day there (possibly two as I explore the surrounding countryside). When looking back on my trip, I realize now that at this time, the fact I was out and about and traveling alone hadn’t really entirely sunk in. I was still astonished by the little things and excited just to be out and about. What glorious fun. Anyways, without further adieu, my journal entry about Birmingham, England.
The following pictures are of my accommodation in Birmingham.
Saturday, June 13th 15:32 (Birmingham)
Long day out and about in City Central. I’m glad I went by the RBSA yesterday and stumbled on the Heritage Society brochure. After breakfast (lackluster, but filling) and a short conversation with the Welsh girls (still don’t know the third’s name, and I didn’t go out with them last night) I started my self guided tour. I picked the closest landmark I knew (St. Paul’s Church) and started navigating the best I could by the meager map provided in the brochure.
I went by St. Chad’s Cathedral first. There was some sort of procession or mass or prayer going on, so I deemed it best to return later. My course of travel then took me down through City Central and back up through a shopping center. My next significant destination was St. Phillip’s Cathedral. I went inside this magnificent building, but more on that later. I need to go out and will record more of my journey later.
The following pictures are of St. Phillip’s Cathedral.
17:03 (Birmingham)
From the hotel, it is a 20 minute walk to the New Street Station. This is important as my trip to Edinburgh begins there. I did this particular walk to make sure I would make it to the train in time. If I had missed it I would have had to wait something like two hours before the next one, and it would have thrown my trip off slightly. Very important thing to know…
But enough of that and back to my wanderings through Birmingham. I got to St. Phillip’s Cathedral and took a brief look inside. The experience was awe inspiring. Inside was definitely larger than the outside. The ceiling seemed to stretch up beyond the walls outside, but the truly breathtaking spectacles were the stained glass windows. The depicted several things, of which are better described in the handout I received from the curator of the building. I left St. Phillips and wandered down through the shopping district and back out at the Victoria Square. I took a gander at the courthouse and a memorial to a mayor who got the gas and water on and even went into the central library. I ended up looking through a couple guidebooks on Edinburgh and wishing I had brought something to write on. Oh well, live and learn. From there I walked across the square to the BMAG (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery). It turned out to be more art gallery than museum, but I didn’t mind. There was quite a lot of spectacular stuff to see. I even took a couple pictures. After wandering through there I headed further west and went through a war memorial called ‘The Hall of Memory.’ As I write this, at 17:32, I’ve been suddenly overcome by a sleepy spell. It would mess with my sleep schedule, I won’t give into it. I’ll get my second wind soon. After finishing this entry, I’ll head downstairs and use the computer to research hostels. I think I know where I’ll be staying in Edinburgh, but I’d like to confirm and get their address and contact info. Back to my wanderings!
After visiting the war memorial, I snapped a couple photos and wandered back to St. Phillips, for the priest had recommended returning later to see the west stained glass window in its glory. So, I did. While waiting for the sun to come out from hiding I sat on a bench in the churchyard and was approached by an elderly man who started out conversation with: “Nice water you have there,” referring to the 2L bottle of water I had purchased earlier. The man wasn’t all there and I think he just wanted for someone to listen to him. I indulged him and after he finished his tea, which he said was the best gift but would be forgotten, he bid me good bye and walked off. I went into the cathedral and enjoyed the sun coming through the stained glass window. I then decided it was time to head back to the hotel. I stopped by St. Chad’s on the way. Now, St. Chad’s is dwarfed by skyscrapers all around, but I can almost guarantee that inside it is a different matter. Imagine, if you will, my description of St. Phillip’s and triple it. The interior was enormous and grand. The stained glass windows were magnificent and I was awestruck by it all. I have little doubt why people can feel God (or whatever) in buildings like this. The architecture is designed to shock and awe people and leave them with such an astonishing feeling it would be difficult to deny feeling something. After that, I came back and started writing about my journey today. I didn’t go to everywhere on the brochure, and I almost regret not planning to spend another day in Birmingham, but Scotland calls, and I think there is only enough stuff to occupy a partial day without a car or very in depth searching. Anyways, that wraps up my day so far. Time to go clock some computer time.
The following pictures are of: The War Memorial, a fashion fabric exhibit in the museum (I thought it looked creepy and awesome), Victoria Square, Yours Truly, and the outside of St. Chad’s Cathedral.
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