Snapshot 8

August 13, 2013

“Royal Adventure”

 

            As summertime was in full swing, I prepared for a trip of a lifetime.  Heading to the UK to see my brother graduate, my family and I made the journey overseas.  While we were over there, we decided to sightsee at different locations.  We visited Cambridge, Bath, Brighton and London on this trip.  I knew the sites I would see would be amazing and the food I would try would be interesting, making this experience in total new and exciting.  I was truly off to a royal adventure, one of which would be perfect: despite my challenges that I deal with every day.

 

            Our first location brought us to Cambridge, the location of my brother’s studies.  While staying on campus, we experienced a lot of walking round, of which was not all level and simple to handle.  Becoming a part of campus, I was put in my own dorm room.  Inside my dorm, I had written documentation of where the rest my family was located.  Michael, room 205.  Mom and dad, room 1O7.  Having no way of calling them, I needed to know where to find them in case of emergency.   

 

            During our exploring of Cambridge, we found a big lake up with canoe-like riding devices, called punting.  Due to the struggle with my balance, it was very difficult to step over the edge and move to my seat.  This was done of course, while trying to maintain my balance.  Once seated and the ride began, I had to keep my guard up.   I needed to grab the sides while the boat was moving in order to stay sitting up and stationary.  Being quite exhausted, our days in Cambridge were quite the memorable experience.

 

            Next location on our trip brought us to Bath.  First thing I noticed, driving on the streets of Bath, were the yield signs that was expressed as “give way.” This interpretation of the road command seemed completely “royal” in the way of saying it.  While in Bath we went to the Romans Bath Museum.  It was here that it was explained that the tradition of bathing in English culture.  The fact that we went to a bath museum in Bath helped my memory connect the two.  This made recall of this visit and museum easier for me. 

 

            Moving on to another location, much more excitement was found.  Going to Highclere Castle, there was much terrain to navigate.  The hills, stone and uneven ground made walking around it difficult.  In terms of recollection, actually being where the show Downtown Abby is filmed helped me remember this addition to our trip.  Having the connection of the location and the TV show helped my memory find a place for this stop on our trip.

 

            Our last location of our exciting travels was located nowhere else but London.  Getting around this wonderful place tested my physical ability.  A form of transportation we chose to use was known as “the tube,” being a train.  This meant we had to hop on and off to get around London.  This transportation device challenged the speed of my ability to physically stabilize myself.  Due to the need for fast boarding and exiting, I strategically propped myself standing up in a corner, near the door.  This position and gave me two handles to hold, which kept me in place. 

 

            Another delight that we found in London was the vacancy for tickets to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Being familiar with the story line, this show was very enjoyable for me.  There wasn’t a new pot and group of characters to learn and remember.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this loved story line, live on stage, easily being able to follow the train of events. 

 

            My first trip overseas ended in success, having many images and memories, of new places, to help piece this trip together.  Despite my struggles, I enjoyed it all the more, finding new ways to get the most out of this experience of a lifetime.  I hope to experience a trip like this again, another kind of royal adventure that may be in store for me.