I had some tea and spent a little time in my hotel room this morning after waking up. But it soon became 11 o’clock and time to check out. I figured I would go check out Nexus café in normal working hours for lunch, but I had some time to kill before that, so I went shopping to get some food and laundry detergent. I walked around town some more, too. I just followed the signs that point out the important attractions around the city. I went and saw town hall, and then it was getting to be lunch time, so I walked back.
I was pretty much the only one in the café. But it was really good. I had a nice jacket potato and some tea. I took a closer look at one of the exhibits on display there that had something to do with keys. It was interesting, and I definitely enjoyed having a nice meal there. I finished up and still had some time before my train was leaving, so I figured I would go check out the John Rylands Library.
As I walked to the library, I saw a giant statue of Abraham Lincoln. Last thing I would have expected, but I am sure there is some important history behind it or something. Then, on to the library. A guy that works at SMU sent me an email with some church people he knows in Manchester and also suggested I stop by that library. I did, and it was pretty interesting. They have one of the oldest pieces of a printed Gospel. It is just a little sliver of the Gospel of John. They also had several other interesting pieces in their collection and hundreds and hundreds of books. It is really more a museum than a library, although I think students can study some of the collection they have there.
I walked back towards the train station, although I still had a lot of time. I made my way back through the shopping center and saw a bunch of different street performers. One old guy who was doing some horrible dancing (but also drawing the largest crowd), and a string trio were two things that attracted my attention, but for very different reasons. I finally got
tired of just walking around, so I made my way back to the Piccadilly Gardens and sat for a while to read.Soon, it was time to go get the train, which was nice and relaxing. Maybe a little too relaxing since I dozed off quite a bit. But I soon got back. And this is where things really got interesting. I was walking out on the street behind two guys. I was still a little tired from the ride, but I heard they were talking about Methodism and churches, so I listened in a little more carefully. Before long, I overheard one guy explain that he is the general secretary of the Methodist church (which is pretty much the head guy, and one of the first guys I contacted over here thanks to Elaine). Not long after that they split up and I passed them, but then I stopped and decided to go back and at least say hi to Martyn, the general secretary. I introduced myself and explained how I knew him and said that I just wanted to thank him for the help he had been months ago. He of course did not remember, but offered me a ride back to Cliff. I graciously accepted and got to talk with him for a good 10 or so minutes as he drove me right to the door of the college. It was probably the most unexpected, astonishing experience I have had while I have been here. Not to mention I did not have to wait or pay for a bus.
After that, I cleaned my clothes (which my mom will be thrilled about) and hung around my room a little. I knew there was going to be a barbeque this evening and knew that it started when I heard music blaring throughout the grounds. I soon went down and joined them. We had some delicious burgers and hung out for a while. I do have to comment that whoever’s ipod we were listening to has great taste in music – Rick Astley, The Final Countdown, S
mash Mouth, (later) some BSB, Queen, all the good classics to make a good party. This whole time of being at Cliff has definitely made me feel right at home, and has reminded me a lot of my time back at SMU (with some very noticeable differences, of course).A game of boules started and I at first watched to see what it was, then jumped in. We played for a very long time, but it was a nice game that does not require a ton of concentration, so we could talk and sing and just chill outside in the wonderful evening. Eventually, a group went to go see Transformers, but I stayed behind. Some of us wound up watching Prince Caspian, which just seemed more appropriate to watch over here.
It was a good day with lots of expected, and unexpected fun.
What I learned:
Apparently the United Methodist church in the States (through the Bishops) has recently established a committee of people to function very similarly to the Fresh Expressions team over here. It is a big commitment with some money being put into it. I think what he was talking about is called “Rethink Church.”
You never know who you’ll meet on the streets.
How to play boules, which I learned is a French game but highly associated with Southern, posh Britain.
A couple other students here are DMB fans, but most British people do not know who the band is.
"Never Gonna Give You Up" was Rick's first video and was shot in 1 day in a West London athletic club. Gotta go find that place next week.
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