Stonehenge and Salisbury

Today we were lucky enough to visit a World Heritage site - Stonehenge!

This was the first of a good number of day trips the International Summer School is taking us on - they have some really great programming for all of the students. It was an early start to the day since everyone had to be on the bus at 7:45, but that turned out not to matter - everyone went to sleep on the drive there, anyway. (And not everyone was on the bus at 7:45. Apparently college kids don't do well with waking up early...who knew, right?)

Once all of the buses had arrived we were able to begin our Stonehenge adventure! We got incredibly lucky and arrived when it was warm and sunny - doubly lucky when you consider that there was a 100% chance of rain. Stonehenge has a free pamphlet and audio guide to provide you with information as you walk, which really helped to enhance the whole experience. Anu and I got a good kick out of how dramatic the opening music was. It kind of fit, though - when I first saw Stonehenge I'll admit that a 'wow' may have slipped out of my mouth.

First glimpse!

We walked around Stonehenge for awhile and got some great pictures - I've kept my promise to myself to take lots of pictures this trip. Normally I'm terrible at documenting experiences, but this time I've done quite well!

An unobstructed view of Stonehenge.

Representing Tulane

Anu and I!

Group shot, just before we left: Anu, Sarah, me, and Becca

After Stonehenge it was back on the buses for a much shorter ride to Salisbury, home of the famous Salisbury Cathedral. It took 38 years to build, but it was definitely time well spent - the detail that went into it just made it even more grand.

Salisbury Cathedral, with the tallest spire in Britain

Obligatory 'proof that I was here' picture

Inside the cathedral

As we learned, Salisbury Cathedral was also a filming location for the Harry Potter movies - we recognized the courtyard from Goblet of Fire as soon as we saw it!

It's just missing Cedric Diggory.

May not have gone to the studio tour, but I made it here!

More importantly, Salisbury Cathedral has one of the only surviving copies of the Magna Carta. It was awesome to be able to see a document that still influences legislation today in some form. Photography wasn't allowed, of course, so I'll have to do with memory. The cathedral also proved that they have a sense of humor - Jay-Z's new album 'Magna Carta' was on display not far from the actual Magna Carta. Well played, Salisbury. Well played.

After the cathedral we grabbed a quick lunch and then explored more of the city. We stopped by the Rifle Museum but ultimately decided to go to the Salisbury Museum, which is free to enter. We never did go inside, though - we got distracted by a "Meet the Saxons" feature outside and ended up sitting on the ground making bracelets. 

Concentrating hard on a beautiful bracelet

We made it back to the bus back to Exeter just when the rain finally started. All in all, it was a pretty great day. Now to figure out what we'll do with our free day tomorrow...