Bath (Abbey): Where Heaven and Earth Meet

Travel writing, like all writing, is as much about the writer as the subject. Visiting a country such as England is deceptive because overlaps exist and values align. There are the obvious differences - centuries of preserved history - and the less overt, but still physical manifestations - narrow streets with bicyclists in high tech gear but nary a helmet. Bath's traffic intersections are as haphazard and confusing as Brattleboro's. Except to locals who zip through. We share that.
To find about attitudes, I have been looking through a sampling of English newspapers. Of course, Barak's visit is big news. It's suggested, with all the more pressing issues, that England has little to offer him except the opportunity for statesmanship and photo ops. Certainly, the shots with the royal family are getting more press than the apparently casual conversations about Libya and Afghanistan. I did note comments about how Obama's father's Kenyan colonial past would have potential influenced his perspective upon England, and the "kerfuffle" about removing the bust of Churchill from the Oval Office. I wouldn't have thought of these items except from a English perspective they make sense. The biggest headlines today appear to be on how Kate outshone Michelle. It's funny how the cost of the different dresses seems important. So, not only did Kate outfashion Michelle, but she did it in a 175 pound "frock." Meanwhile Sam Cameron shows up with designer dress of over 2000 pounds, and shoes of 4oo. I'm amused.
Today, I am repacking for our next stop - Wales. In my original packing, there was a lot of pressure to be economical but thorough. Living out of a backpack and visiting an area of variable weather required some thought. I wondered at the time which items I brought might prove more worthy than others. Now this is shaking down. I wish now that I had a better long sleeve shirt and a novel to escape to. And it appears now that two pairs of shorts are extraneous. Whatever. Part of traveling is making do. I'm sure Barak feels the same.
Goodbye Bath. I love the curved architecture.