Day Forty-eight Bath Day

I hope you enjoyed Wales as much as we did. With the exception of my working on 2 Papa’s book all morning, today was a travel day. While I worked in the hotel room until time to leave, 2 Papa used the time to walk the streets of Cardiff looking for the Hard Rock Café and some little shops to show me on our walk to the train station. Our train was to leave Cardiff at 1:30 so we planned to head out by 12:00 giving me time to shop a bit. Since Jake and Jamie (Joneal’s son and daughter-in-law) announced a new baby in the family, I’ve been on a mission. Nothing further on that subject except to say, mission accomplished!
The Lord blessed us today with the seat on the train that has a table. WOOHOO! It was perfect and I was able to continue work on the book. Even though the trip was short, it was efficient.
We traveled only one hour to the city of Bath, which is a remarkable city known for its Roman Baths. Located in the south-west part of England, the population is only around 100,000, but in the summer Bath will host that same number in guests per day. The earliest documented high profile inhabitants were the Romans, who of course, took advantage of the unique thermal springs that continue today. Two hundred and fifty thousand gallons a day come up from the thermal springs and the temperature is 109 degrees when it comes out of the ground. It is cooled for people to enjoy it. The Roman remains are said to be the finest in all of Europe. When we told our British friend, Tim, we were going to Bath he said to definitely go to the Roman baths. I said did he mean to actually get in them. He said yes. I said do people wear bathing suits. He laughed and said yes. I said, I wasn’t sure; after all we are in Europe. He said, not that part of Europe. I do plan to visit and wear a bathing suit!
More on Bath. The city’s second high-profile era was the eighteenth century when the town was a popular resort for royalty, aristocracy, and gamblers. They could be found 'taking the waters' at the Pump Rooms, and attending colorful events and parties. When the lifestyle of these rich and famous 18th century folks is described, it almost makes stories of Madonna and Posh seem downright simple. Stories are told of evening walks to display outlandish outfits with hair so high it would often catch on fire as they walked by candle lights and that was the men! Their day started with three hours in the baths followed by lunch, then walking, then tea, then supper, then dancing until late in the night and starting the process all over the next day. Bath’s famous lifestyle was often described by one-time resident Jane Austen, author of Pride and Prejudice for those non-readers out there.
Our hotel looks like a bed and breakfast more than a hotel. It’s actually called a guest house. It’s located in a preserved Georgian townhouse that is connected to what looks like a hundred others. The boulevard it sits on is the widest street in Bath and is said to be the finest Georgian boulevard in Europe. I won’t argue with that. Our room is furnished in beautiful antiques. The look is very cool. If you didn’t see the small TV on the dresser and the blow dryer on the wall in the bathroom, you would think you stepped right into the 18th century.
After we checked into our room, we only had time today for the tour bus. We usually like to do that first anyway in order to understand the city. 2 Papa is the best tour guide. He never forgets anything he’s seen and never gets us lost. After touring, we shopped a little and I had a great conversation with a young shop owner about his life. 2 Papa was very patience as I learned about this young man’s schooling and work experience. We found several fun gifts for the folks at home. Then dinner at Garfunkles and back to the room. Two more hours on 2 Papa’s book and now my blog. Another busy day in Europe!
I tried to show you a photo of a young man in Wales dressed to look exactly like a statue, but for some reason I couldn't upload tonight. In any case, until this young man moved to touch a child, which scared the child to death, he had a crowd gathered, unsure if he was really a statue or a person. I applaud his creativity and this is not really about him personally, but seeing him made me think how often we are fooled by what is not real. We put our faith in things of this world and like this man does, just as we begin to believe it, it will move and our faith will be shaken. If we put our faith in God, He will never change and never disappoint us. .
"The person who believes God, is set right by God—and that's the real life." Galatians 3:11
Talk later.
Hugs, 2 Mama