"One night and one afternoon in York" a York Travel Page by Carmanah

After a short stop in Coventry, we were on our way to York. I remember feeling anxious about my plans that night.

"Did they get my postcard? Will they remember?"

I was thinking about my dad's cousin Felicity whom I had written to during my second day in London. Felicity lives nearby York and I was supposed to have dinner with her that night. I had attempted to phone her twice back in London, but unfortunately I got the wrong phone number. My dad had written to Felicity ahead of time asking if they would like to meet me when I arrived in York. They responded with an overwhelming "YES!". My schedule said I'd be in York in the evening, but it wasn't until I sent Felicity a postcard from London that she was able to find out when and where I'd be.

Around 5pm we arrived at our hotel. It was a gorgeous hotel located in the farmlands outside of York. It was like a grand manor - a typical Georgian mansion with pillars outside, and classy pub inside with curvy staircases leading upstairs. For a high school group, this was probably our most impressive hotel yet.

When I entered the hotel, Mrs.McCarthy (my drama teacher/chaperone) tapped me on the shoulder. "Robyn? This is your aunt..." I turned around, and there was Felicity! She gave me a big hug and it felt as if I had known her forever. She definitely felt like family! We exchanged the typical, "Wow, it's so nice to finally see you - how's your trip?" chitchat, and then I had to go unpack, as I still had my suitcases in hand.

While Felicity waited in the lobby, I quickly went upstairs and changed into my red plaid skirt, my black sweater and tights, and my black dressy boots. I had a dressy outfit perfect for such a night. I then stashed my bags in the corner of my room, and with my camera in hand, I ventured back into the lobby. All my friends told me to "have fun", and the teachers, Mr. Hobson and Mrs. McCarthey smiled and waved as I left with Felicity.

In the car waiting was Felicity's boyfriend Phillip, and her daughter Katharine. We were heading into town - York that is - for what was probably my most memorable dinner during my time in the UK!