I woke up more enthusiastically today for breakfast and managed to sneak away a bag of cereal for a possible snack later (which I realize probably sounds much less impressive than it felt like to me at the time). Then I went back to my room and wound up falling asleep again for 2 hours. I did not want to, but it just happened. Nevertheless, I finally woke up and got a move on. I went to the Tube station and decided to go out and check out all the Wesley stuff.
So, I made it out there and after going the wrong way only once (but getting some lunch in the process). I went to Wesley’s chapel, which is also right next to the house he lived in for the last part of his life. I walked into the church and looked around. There were a lot of memorials to other people in and around the church and it seemed pretty cluttered. Yet, it was still a nice sanctuary and felt very homey. I then walked down to the bathroom, mainly because someone told me that I really needed to check it out because it was cool. So I went to see for myself. It was cool, although I don’t know if I would say that is a must for anyone else’s trip to England. Then I went out to John Wesley’s grave and walked around the chapel. When I got to the front I got out the map to find where the museum is, and a guy sweeping outside asked if I wanted to see the house. So, I said yes and he said that a tour had just started, so I joined them. The guy giving the tour was really good and I learned a lot about John Wesley’s personality and just how “methodical” he really was (even to the point of organization and daily schedule). It made me think that I might not really get along with him very much, or at least that he was probably not very much like me. He had a pretty cool house and then we went back through the chapel some and into the museum, which was small but interesting.
I left there and tried to find Aldersgate St. especially the place where John Wesley had his turning point. I looked all around, and only found a church that had some plaque to the Wesley brothers. I decided it was not worth it to keep looking, so I got on the tube and went to some parks. I got really sleepy on the tube, but made it to a stop and got off. I then started walking, although I did not really know where. I eventually stopped and looked at my map and realized that I really should have waited two more stops on the tube. So, I kept walking. Eventually I got to the parks I was destined for, and walked around a little. It was nice and I finally found a spot to sit down and pray and read some. It was really good and much more restful than any of the sleep I unintentionally got today.
I then found some dinner and got on a tube to go home. When I got off at the station I intended to switch to another line, but found that the two I could take were both down. So, I decided to walk since it would not have been a terribly long walk. I again set out, not really knowing where I was going and after a while checked my map, turned around, and kept walking (I am beginning to understand why that analogy is so often used with repentance and now understand how tiring and how much work turning around and walking back where you came from is). After a while I saw a bus station and decided that it would be fun to try a bus (and nice on my feet, not to mention I still did not really know where I was going), so I spent some time figuring that out, and finally got on a bus that I at least expected to take me to the right place. And, sure enough it did. So I finally made it home and relaxed to some amusing British TV and tea.
What I learned:
It really is better to look at your map before your start walking somewhere, unless you want to walk a lot. (Although you wouldn’t get to see some interesting stuff that way).
Some people (who I assume are Methodists) really really really like the Wesleys and all that concerns them. Two men on the tour with me really were interested in every aspect of Wesley’s life and probably knew about as much as the tour guide.
Dogs all act the same no matter what country they are from.
I then found some dinner and got on a tube to go home. When I got off at the station I intended to switch to another line, but found that the two I could take were both down. So, I decided to walk since it would not have been a terribly long walk. I again set out, not really knowing where I was going and after a while checked my map, turned around, and kept walking (I am beginning to understand why that analogy is so often used with repentance and now understand how tiring and how much work turning around and walking back where you came from is). After a while I saw a bus station and decided that it would be fun to try a bus (and nice on my feet, not to mention I still did not really know where I was going), so I spent some time figuring that out, and finally got on a bus that I at least expected to take me to the right place. And, sure enough it did. So I finally made it home and relaxed to some amusing British TV and tea.
What I learned:
It really is better to look at your map before your start walking somewhere, unless you want to walk a lot. (Although you wouldn’t get to see some interesting stuff that way).
Some people (who I assume are Methodists) really really really like the Wesleys and all that concerns them. Two men on the tour with me really were interested in every aspect of Wesley’s life and probably knew about as much as the tour guide.
Dogs all act the same no matter what country they are from.
Apparently it is one of my neighbors’ across the street birthday today.
Your blog and pictures are great. If you get a chance ride the train up to Bath - amazing Roman Bath and the town is wonderful - a must see. Also, take a side trip to the other side to Dover. Hit every museum & cathedral that you can- fabulous history. Take care - call your mom often. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers throughout your journey.
Susan (counselor friend of your mom)