Canterbury Tales

Today our entire program went as a group to the castle at Dover and to Canterbury for the day. It was great being with the group and traveling together, mixing and matching with different groups that would explore different places. The castle at Dover also boasted an extensive underground tunnel system employed by the Brits in case of Napoleon's armies crossing the Channel. Since then, they were modified during World War II and used as an intelligence center to plot against the Nazis and was the center of communications for the evacuation of Dunkirk. While below, we were subjected to a somewhat lame simulation of life in the tunnels (the Churchill bunker here in London was better) but overall it was fun.
Afterwards, we had a bit of time to explore the castle itself (I would've like it to have been the other way around). The castle was amazing and I enjoyed the step back in time to the era of Henry VIII. The roof of the castle afforded an amazing view of Dover and the famous white cliffs. The only problem was we were so hurried for the castle part that it was barely a crash course in Tudor era life. Afterwards we were whisked away to the beach that allowed for another amazing view of the Channel and the cliffs. Then it was back to the bus... chop chop!
Lastly we trucked over to Canterbury and spent the remaining time wandering the quaint village. It took me awhile, but I finally experienced my first British fish & chips (I'm still partial to my New England fare). It was tasty and the ales the pub offered were spectacular as well. After walking for a bit we headed to the cathedral in Canterbury... the main attraction. It's massive! Unfortunately there was a graduation ceremony that cut off the main naive, but the plethora of chapels and the crypt were gorgeous and awe-inspiring in the least. One of my historical heroes, Thomas Becket, once made those hallowed halls his sanctuary and I could feel the history reverberating through the caverns.
Now we're back and I have some friends from Pepperdine's Florence program that are over, so now I'll attend to them. Luckily those naps on the bus, though, recharged my batteries. Time for a night out on London!