Gerflankel.

My trip has been going on long enough that I feel like I am completely assimilated. And then things happen that remind me that I am just a newbie. I went to Cardiff today and had a bit of a shopping spree and a huge exploration. It was lonely though. I had such fun looking at everything, but it was not much fun doing it alone. I was fine doing the shopping bit, (Hollis I found you a present), but walking around, having lunch, getting a castle tour lacked something without having a companion.

It was on the way back that I had some issue. I managed to go to a different train station that I got off on, and was very, very confused. The place I needed to go to, Taff's Well, was not on the list of stations. Like the way the lightrail says "Mall of America" in one direction and "Downtown" in the other, but does not have the stations in between. Of course, you can just look on the map, but the Cardiff Central station had several lines, and I saw 7 platforms, but I think that there were more.

I made it to the right place in the end thanks to the help of some random people and train workers. It helps to ask. I always feel so in control when it comes to directions. I love reading maps and do not mind getting lost. For awhile I was actually trying to get lost in south Minneapolis so that way I could find my way around.

Thats why I was not prepared to the terror I felt when I realized that I did not know where to go. I have no cell phone, no real knowledge of the area other then a map, and no one to share my fear or to help me. Its things like that that shake up my confidence in myself. Makes me feel more like a tourist.

Other then shopping, I went to Cardiff Castell (castle), which was lovely. I paid extra for a guided tour (my uncle recommended it) and I am really glad that I did it. Through the tour I was able to see a lot of rooms that no one else could see. They were all lavishly set up and one room was worth a huge amount (I cannot remember how much) because the ceiling was made of Welsh gold and lots of expensive marble. I have loads of pictures and will make a separate post with them.

Feeling a bit tired, so I will finish this post later.