One Lady in London: Spring Break Part Five: Cardiff, Wales

After a busy week of procrastinating and ending up doing absolutely nothing, I finally figured I should get around to finishing up my posts about spring break and how I've been occupying my time from then til now, so, here goes.

I got back from the big part of break late on a Tuesday, had Wednesday to wind down/do laundry, and then left again on Thursday morning for a night in Wales. The trip was planned super spontaneously- I wanted to fill the unused week and a half I had of classless days before the final exam period started, and most of my London friends would be away then still on their travels so I figured why not. Knowing everyone else already had plans, I decided to take a leap of faith and planned to go on the trip solo- my attempt to be a big girl. I was a little intimidated at first, but slowly idea of doing something so spontaneously and own my own started to grow on me. I had no idea where to go, and hadn't been anywhere else in the UK, so I picked Cardiff, the capital of next door neighbor Wales. The whole trip was great because I found a cheap hostel as well as train fares, so transport and lodging was less than 50 pounds- not too shabby for a trip out of the country.

The trip ended up being really good, and I'm so glad and proud of myself for doing it. A lot of firsts happened on the trip: first time leaving a country 100% solo, first night alone in a hostel, first time eating out at a restaurant by myself (I've always envied those who are comfortable enough in themselves to do that) and first time just in general navigating a new city without any help. At the end of it, it was a very enabling feeling knowing that I can do things like this, enjoy them, and grow from them.

Cardiff really is a nice city, just not what I had expected at all. It was really, really small, at least compared to the other cities I had just previously been. Honestly, it was probably about the size of my home town of Forest Hill, and definitely smaller than Bel Air or Fredericksburg. The main part of the town could be walked across in 20 minutes or so, and the area on the bay was really tiny, 15 minutes and I could do a lap around it. The part of the city located on Cardiff Bay was beautiful though- it sort of reminded me of one of the smaller towns in the Outer Banks of North Carolina- small docks and piers with little shops and restaurants. Aside from the Cardiff Castle located in the city center, I was surprised by how modern and new all of the buildings were. They were absolutely beautiful, completely unique, but I wasn't expecting that at all. I learned later in my trip that the part of the city on Cardiff Bay had just recently undergone a major regeneration, hence why all of the buildings were so modern.

The best part of the trip though was a 20 minute bus ride outside of Cardiff to see Castell Coch- or the "red castle" as it translates from Welsh. Quick side note: I was shocked that Welsh was still being used. I guess I never really thought about it, I just assumed they spoke English in Wales, but every single sign was in both Welsh and English. I don't recall hearing anyone actually speak Welsh, or that I was aware of at least, but there were signs and ads everywhere in Welsh. Anyways, I debated going to Cardiff Castle which I could walk to, or Castell Coch, and after hearing numerous times Castell Coch being described as a "fairytale castle" my mind was made. The pictures below speak for themselves, but it was so adorable. Think fairytale and you think of Castell Coch- so worth the 5 pound bus ride out and back.

The Cardiff Civic Center has been rated one of the most beautiful civic centers in the world, and even though it was a rainy day, I completely agree. Beautiful buildings are outlined with perfectly manicured lawns and gardens- a great place for a picnic.