Don’t get me wrong, I loved visiting Bath. The city is gorgeous, and the park is so beautiful. (The park attendant even gave us a discount for being students even though we didn’t have our ID!) But, the Roman Baths… were some stinky little rooms. The eggy smell apparently comes from the sulfur from the hot springs that are still active. Some people tasted the bath water (it was treated and safe to drink), but I did not drink it (mostly because I never got to that section of the tour). But, even if I had gotten to that section, I would not have drunk it, especially after Alyssa drank it so quickly that she threw it up again and continued to taste the mineral water for hours.
The architecture in Bath, the museum, and the city, were so beautiful. Because of its Roman influence, the streets and city reminded me so much of Italy. I’ve been to Italy once before, and the straight cobblestone streets just took me back in time. I loved walking through the little alleyways and around the river. Although I didn’t get to see much of Bath, I don’t regret the time I took in the little places I did visit. After eating a very yummy pesto pasta from a small Italian restaurant, Alyssa and Candace, and I went back to the park we had originally discovered and sat in a small patch of shade and flowers. I ate the small lemon cheesecake I had ordered from the restaurant (it was delicious – AND gluten-free!) while Alyssa and Candace devoured a few cannolis (also gluten-free).
After eating and people-watching, we lay in the warm sunlight and soaked in everything Bath had to offer. We listened to the sounds of the birds, which don’t sound like the birds in Arkansas (they were louder and lower pitched). We listened to the children playing “house,” which also doesn’t sound like the children in Arkansas. I still can’t get over hearing small British children speak with a British accent – especially when they’re yelling at other British children about who they want to play in their game. We admired the softer grass that was shiny and inviting enough that Alyssa and Candace took off their shoes AND socks to set the dogs free.
The environment of people all laying on picnic blankets enjoying the park reminded me of how simple life can be without the extra material things. I hate phones and electronics and social media. I actually read a newspaper for the first time in I don’t know how long today. While laying under a tree, bellies full and eyes closed, we all just talked about our favorite things in life, to which I said, “This.” I love the feeling of the grass on my arms and the breeze that moves the branches above me. I love the birds that are chirping their happy songs while I am embraced by their chatter and confessions. I love the children chasing pigeons and the light that flickers through the leaves. I love that when I open my eyes after an unknown amount of time basking in the sun that my vision has a blue hue.
And then, we got up to walk around smelly baths.
Regardless, I love learning about history and love the feeling of experiencing it more. Museums are cool and all, but what’s so much cooler is the ability to walk through the actual location and witness what once was. I loved seeing the stones and gems that had washed up in the drain. These stones had either likely fallen off, or the hot water loosened the clasps that held the stone into rings and other jewelry. What I loved more was fighting a child over the sliding magnifying glass to see the carvings inside the stones.
I will admit, the Roman baths were really interesting, and it is really weird to think about how many people have walked the grounds I was walking. I could hardly imagine what that building would be like 2000 years ago. But, I would give so many things to experience that park again.
Theatre in London U of A 
Great observation about the birds–wow. You’re a naturalist!
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