Day 111 - Aberystwyth

On Saturday morning we made the (approx. 1 hour) drive to Aberystwyth (prounounced just how it's spelled) and made several scenic stops along the way. It was beautiful! And the weather was perfect.

They first gave me a tour of Aberystwyth, including the University of Wales, the castle, the harbor, and Constitution Hill. Then I was given a 'backstage' tour of the National Library of Wales, to the areas where the public is not allowed to go.

I had lunch with some very interesting people including the National Librarian of Wales. After that, we went to a lecture about Richard Price, a Welshman who had a significant impact on America. Price was a theologian, mathematician, and close friend of Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers. He encouraged the British government to let go of the American colonies (and thus, was very unpopular in Britain), and is believed to have inspired some of the wording of the Declaration of Independence.

After the lecture I met even more interesting people, including some of the most prominent Welsh scholars/authors. I also met a former member of Parliament whose biography is one of the more prominent books in Welsh book stores.

There's just too much more to say. After another spectacular drive (back to Porthyrhyd a different way) and one of the best dinners I've had since leaving America, we watched the Rememberance Day service on TV, which was very interesting.

posted by Matt @ 11:59 PM