Thursday, November 8, 2007

Fish 'n Chips, Lights, and Roller Coasters

Last Saturday in the early afternoon, I headed to Blackpool with Amy, Lisa, Jo, and Paul (Lisa’s ex-boyfriend/Demi’s dad). It was about a two hour drive through windy country roads past Manchester and Liverpool. It is a seaside town—one of the most visited in the country. It is known for fish and chips, tacky lights, games, and rides. As we were driving through the English country-side I was able to do a lot of thinking. For one, I am still amazed at the natural beauty of this country. The grass is so green—shocking for a girl from the desert! I love watching the sheep grazing in the grass. I’m also still shocked sometimes that I am actually living in England. It still hasn’t hit me 100%. I also noticed how relived I was to get out of Buxton. I felt this huge weight lifting off me. It was a freeing afternoon!

We arrived around sunset (yes, the sun is setting around 4pm!) and Amy, Paul and I bought wristbands to ride the rides at Pleasure Beach. It is the English equivalent to Six Flags. The main attraction of Pleasure Beach is a roller coaster called The Big One which is the largest roller coaster in Europe! After going on a couple of rides including The Big One we walked down the boardwalk a way until we found more rides. Paul paid for Amy and I to do a bungee-esqe ride with him. In this particular ride you are strapped into a sphere and then catapulted into the air!!! It was terrific! I loved it! And I have it on DVD, just in case no one believes me!

After that thrill we searched out a place to get fish and chips. This was my first fish and chips experience. It’s nothing too spectacular, but no trip to Blackpool is complete without it! While we were eating our fish and chips we saw the fireworks put on for Guy Fawkes Day (more in a later blog). We then met up with Tammy, Matt, Demi and her friend Sarah, and Binod who had just arrived from Buxton in Blackpool. We went on a few more rides and then headed back to our cars to look at the illuminations.
Every year from the end of August to the beginning to November Blackpool puts on Illuminations along the boardwalk as a tourist attraction. They are very cheesy and tacky, but it was fun to see them none-the-less. After seeing the Illuminations we headed back to Buxton, arriving home around 1AM. It was a terrific day with friends, adrenaline and a nice escape from Buxton!

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