Car sickness and cantering...

October 10, 2010

Took a long drive this morning to Wales where we stopped at a gas station and pretty much tried to sleep without any success. Finally made it to the middle of nowhere in Llanthony, Wales and filled out paper (you know? In case I fell off my horse and cracked my head open.), got fitted with a helmet (super sexy!) and then got atop my beautiful horse named Floss. 

Rode for about three hours where I was seriously scared I was going to fall a few times because Floss' hooves kept slipping and she seemed so tired from carrying me. At one point, going down a kind of steep embankment, we all got off our horses and walked them down the street. At the bottom of the street was Queen's Pub where we were stopping for lunch. Ordered a toasted ham and cheese, a bag of chips and a pint of beer (I deserved it after 3 hours on a horse!). Sat down at a table with a couple (Duane and Anna) who came on the trip with us and regaled them with our traveling adventures. 

Got back on the horse and, not really understanding what the lady was saying about people who wanted to trotting being in the back, I sauntered up to the front, which meant I was going to be cantering. Not realizing this until the lady said something about holding on tight or we'd fly off our horse, I held on for dear life. I eventually got the hang of it, but definitely did not enjoy it. ha ha But, at least now I can say that I learned how to canter on a horse in Llanthony, Wales. 

After about two and a half hours, which was entirely too long, we made it back to the farm and changed out of clothes. Settled in for what we thought would be quite a drive to the 11th century abbey we were supposed to look at, but wound up driving about half a mile and getting out. My legs like jelly, I missed the second step on the van and almost fell face first into the ground, but with a random hand who grabbed my hand and my own balance, I managed to catch myself. Took some incredible pictures at the abbey, climbed on places we weren't supposed to, enjoyed a vanilla magnum bar (they are the best ice cream bars ever) and sipped on a pint of cider. 

Back in the van, we started the drive out and, just as I was about asleep, I felt Erin tapping me on the knee, telling me that she didn't feel good. Literally while I was reaching for a bag for her, she puked in the stairway by the door, so I asked Nick, our driver, to stop at the nearest gas station. Cleaned up and after what seemed like the longest drive back to base ever, we finally arrived. Got through the gate and then was stopped by the MPs because of a gas leak, which was literally not even a block from the parking lot we needed to get to.

They finally allowed us to pass and then Erin and I went to get internet, but the street was blocked off, so we couldn't go home. After writing Darrick a longer e-mail, I headed back home and saw the fire fighters in the building as I walked by. Then, when I got to the dorms, I saw a few other MPs walking around the clinic with flashlights obviously looking for something. Very strange night on base. 

Didn't have a very exciting rest of the night. Our toilet broke for probably the hundredth time already (that's an exaggeration, but still, it's quite ridiculous), burned my finger on the stove while I was making Ramen (the knobs to turn on the burners are in a very strange order, so we never really know what burner we're turning on), watched some How I Met Your Mother and am now off to bed. Good night, all!

Things I learned today:

1. How to Canter on a horse! In Llanthony, Wales no less!

2. The abbey in Llanthony is from the 11th century and is still in pretty good shape.3. A pint of beer after riding on a horse for 3 hours is the most amazing libation ever!