After a fun weekend of shenanigans in London, I parted ways with Mema and Aunt Mona on Sunday. I was headed back to uni in Ormskirk and they were headed to Liverpool. Ormskirk is the small town on the outskirts of Liverpool and we often take the 30 minute train to Liverpool for of it’s variety of restaurants, museums, art galleries, and other things to do. I was so excited to show Mema and Mona around my new stomping grounds!
While I did have to go to class on Monday morning, I was able to join Mema and Ramona for an afternoon on the town. We rode around Liverpool on a hop on and hop off bus tour before looking around the Liverpool Cathedral, which is even larger than St. Paul’s cathedral in London! It’s construction began in 1904 and lasted until 1978. It took much longer than planned to complete as a result of design conflicts as well as lack of resources during WWI and WWII. Today, the cathedral is in the middle of a campaign to restore the roof and do some other renovations. However, as an onlooker, I was very impressed by the beautiful stained glass, wonderful wood carvings of the altar, and massiveness of the ceilings. This was a part of Liverpool that I didn’t even know existed and it was very nice to stumble across the hidden gem.
Liverpool Cathedral – looking to the back
Looking to the altar
The altar
After touring the Liv cathedral and the more modern Metropolitan Cathedral, we made our way to one of my favorite places in Liverpool: The Albert Dock. This is where the Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Liverpool Museum, Tate Art Gallery, and Beatles Museum are located. You can also hitch a ride on a River Mersey Ferry, as was described in the 1964 song by Gerry and the Pacemakers.
Another famous sight along the pier is the Royal Liver Building and a larger-than-life statue of the Beatles. The Liver building is famous for being the home of its two Liver birds. One faces the sea and watches over sailors while the other watches over the city. It is said that if the two fabled birds were to fly away, the city would cease to exist. Because of this, the two birds are tightly bound to the building by chains.
The Beatles and the Liver Building
As we walked back toward the city centre, we ended our day by catching a glimpse of a beautiful sunset over the Albert Dock area and River Mersey.
The next day, we were greeted by snow on the ground! This is basically unheard of in northwestern England – we joked that it was because of us three Snow girls. 😉
Thankfully, the snow didn’t disrupt the roads or transit system, so Mema and Mona were able to join me in Ormskirk where I gave to give them a campus tour. Along the way, we ran into my favorite barista from the coffee stand. I had met her on one of my first days on campus and she has been looking after me ever since I have been here. When she sees me, she always asks how I am and how life in England is treating me. If I ever needed something, I know that she is someone that I could ask. I had told her beforehand that my grandmother and aunt were coming to uni, and she asked that I bring them by so she could meet them. It was so fun to see my two worlds collide a little bit as they met.
After our campus tour, I had to take them to one of my favorite places in Ormskirk: Love to Eat. It’s a nice little shop with yummy pastries and tea.
Unfortunately, our visit had to come to a close. Mema and Mona were headed back to London the next day before their return to the U.S. I was sad to see their train pull away from the station, but I am so thankful for the memories that we made! Ta for now, and I’ll see you in May. 🙂
Mad Travels 