Juanjaime: First time in York: University of York and York Minster

Before I talk about my present adventures at York, I want to backtrack a bit and go to 19 October, 2007. When I first planned an ambitious biking trip from Edinburgh to York (which ended up with me and my bike on the train from Edinburgh to York and then me biking to where my friends lived).

Traveling My WAY!

The purpose of the trip was to basically visit my sister Vivan in York and the gang included me, Boris, James, Simon and Nikki. The University of York is unfairly amazing and pleasing to the eye. With green grasses across the campus and a mini lake running through the main campus. Here's us looking across the lake and admiring the campus scenery. (Boris should have his leg off my bike while posing.)

Vanburgh College (left) and Central Building (right)

Oooo, did I forget to mention all the ducks, swans, birds all over the campus? Apparently they were gifts from the Queen and there are plaques everywhere showing you the variety of ducks. I can sit here all day looking at ducks and do some contemplation of my own.

Contemplating (Should I cook you medium rare or medium...hmm)

I woke up early the next morning to capture morning life of York and the conclusion was there were many...

...Old Man and Dog

...Mist Over Water in front of Central Hall

...Birds on Fallen Leaves

Besides taking in the spectcaular river scenary, Cliffton Tower and The Car Park Incident, there was this pianist sitting at the South front of the York Minster. He basically had his soundboard open with strings and actions exposed and was playing several witty, light hearted music. The strength in his performance is his lack of facial expression and his cigarette that he lit but didn't inhale. The ashes was just tingling at the tip of the ciagrette bud while he played in a fashion that reminds me of the Hong Kong movie star Steven Chow 周星馳 or for that matter, Iu La Yin. I rarely give money to street performers, but he did it with such style that I had to applaude him with my pounds.

I was speechless for the first few minutes after stepping into the York Minster. I tried to look through my view finder but couldn't find the right language to present the magnificent beauty of the Minster. My apologizes to the wonderous craftsman, builders and bishops who forsaw the plan of York Minster for not representing the real beauty of the building. These are some of the pictures I took of the celestory windows inside the Minster.

This is a photo of the ceiling of the chapter house. It is actually much more 3D than it should be, but I had to lie on the floor and hold the camera up in order to capture the whole vaulting, therefore it has a plane quality to the whole strcture. Its vaulting system resembles that of the 'Crazy Vault' at Lincoln Cathedral. One can see white rose motifs on the roofing as well as all over the interior. This is because during the War of the Roses (1459-71), the Henry VI, House of Lancaster (Red Rose) was challenged by Richard, the Duke of York (White Rose). After 10 years of blood bath, the lads at Lancaster won over the rule of England and this ushered to the Tudor Dynasty. This differences can still be seen today in football matches. Lancashire's Manchester United - who wear red - and Yorkshire's Leeds United, who wear all-white.

My Donations to the Minster

Bless You!!

Vivian and Jayson then meticulously prepared us with a lavish dinner with 8 dishes with soup and rice. Starting from top left to bottom right, in order they are 蜜糖雞 (Honey Chicken), 濠油娃娃菜 (Chinese Lettuce), 金茹牛肉 (Beef Rapped Fungi), 清蒸魚 (Steamed Fish), 三椒抄牛 (Coloured Pepper Beef), 蒸水蛋(Steamed Water Egg), 豉油王蝦 (Soy Sauce King Prawn), 士多啤利骨(Strawberry Beef). And I figured one thing, no matter how hard I try, it is impossible to translate names of Chinese dish into English dish which sounds tempting and delicious.

The gang from left to right : Me, James Lai, Sharon, Boris, Jayson, Vivian, Simon, Nikki and Terry.

After dinner, Terry, Boris and I ventured out to the campus to capture some University night life. Turns out to be much more tranquil than the campus at Edinburgh. The photos are blurred because of the moisture and coldness in the air and my lens were fogged up.

Bridge Walk Towards Central Hall