July 6-7

So today I got up early and did some sprinting and hill work and then after I did pilates. After that we all got packed up and left to head off to London. Our first stop on the way was at Conwy castle. One interesting side note about the town Conwy is that it is where many artists would travel to paint because it is so beautiful. The castle looked just about the same as the other ones but it was still really cool. The towers were very tall and it was cool because at this castle we were able to walk up to the top. I was reading up on the castle and I found out that when it was made it cost (what would be the equivalent to) 75 million pounds! It really was amazing. I tried to imagine how it was finished. And I pictured where the draw bridge went out and what the scenery must have looked like then.
After that we got on the bus for a long day of driving. However we did have some VERY interesting stops along the way. Our next stop was Benbow Pond. This was a church history site. This farm is where Wiford Woodruff stayed with John and Jane Benbow and baptized several hundred converts in the farm pond.
Our next church history site that we visted was the British Camp, Malvern Hills. This is were Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards met and decided to print the Book of Mormon and a new hymnbook in Englad. It took about 15 minutes to walk up to the top of this hill, it was a pretty hard hike but really worth it. Once we were at the top we could see for miles around us. Also it was very windy and we got some pretty neat pictures.
Finally, our last stop of the day was at Gadfield Elm where we saw the oldest mormon chapel in the world. Some brief history about it: Gadfield Elm chapel, originally built by the united brethren in 1836, served as a center for the rapidly growing congregation of “mormons” from 1840 until 1842. during this time a number of prominent LDS church leaders preached here, including Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff, who were later to become the second and fouth presidents of the church. After the new converts emigrated to America the chapel fell into ruin. Over 150 years later, local church members purchased the chapel and restored it. In May 2004 the chapel was given to the church. During a meeting helpd in the chapel, president Gordon B. Hinkley personally received the deeds of the chapel. The chapel itself was so cute and while we were there another large group came so we were trying to pack over 100 people into the small place. After leaving that we headed out for a very long remaining bus ride...i was so ready to be done traveling on the stupid bus. Now we are in LONDON!! it is sooo cool. we drove by the place where mary popins was filmed (awesome haha) everyone knows that is a classic. Also, one interesting fact is that London is one of two cities in the world that is two cities in one. Rome is the other city. but London is made up of London and also Westminster which is in the inner city. in 2012 with the olypmics London will be the only city to have three cities within its boundaries because they will be adding a new city called "olympic city."
Our Flat is soooo cool. we are living in one of the most wealthy places in all of europe. it is amazing!!!! we livin in a very old but quaint building over looking a very nice part of town. we start class tomorrow and i am actually excited believe it or not.