My First Bath

On Sunday I ventured to the city of Bath by myself. I wanted to get out of London and explore the English country side at least once before the start of classes. Traveling solo was a new experience for me but a less daunting one than I expected. The train system was easy to navigate and similar to the Metro North that runs back in NYC. The trip was a spur of the moment decision, making ticket prices slightly more expensive than I expected, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Arriving in Bath, I had no agenda. I booked absolutely nothing and simply followed the crowd from the train station into the city center. Aside from the stunning, ancient architecture, the thing that really hit me first in town was the smell. Bath is famous for their Roman Bathhouses and is often referred to as the “city of pleasure” 

Travelers from all around the world have visited the city to heal, relax, and find comfort. Colorful aromas filled each and every one of the streets. Shops sold special soaps, washing products, and herbs that bring peace and tranquility. Each time one smell faded, a new one emerged. From eucalyptus to lavender, mint to lemon grass, my nose was in scent heaven. 

While bee bopping around town, I met a kind woman who worked at the Jane Austen Museum. As a lover of romance literature myself, I was enthralled with the literary history of the town. The young woman gifted me a map, circling and scribbling down bridges and buildings to visit. I went to each and every underlined point and thoroughly enjoyed using the map to do things “the old fashioned way.” It was refreshing! After my Jane Austen walking tour, I splurged and paid the 20 pounds for the student audio guided tour of the Roman Bathhouses. It was amazing! I couldn’t believe the hot springs still bubbled. 

While looking at the water, the audio guide explained that the Romans didn’t understand how the springs worked. They believed the bubbling surface was due to the goddess Minerva. The audio guide went on to explain hot springs. I was stuck on the Minerva part still. Although science has made it easier to understand things, I couldn’t help but be a little jealous of the Romans beliefs. How nice it must be to live in a world where magic feels real, where it is easy to believe in things bigger than ourselves. 

After my tours finished, I treated myself to a Full English Breakfast. It was delicious but still not my favorite thing. Glad I tried it though. Then, I sipped on some tea, read my book, eavesdropped on some conversations, and enjoyed my alone time. I took the 4:44 train back into London, feeling proud that I had pushed myself to go. I left Bath feeling the way I expect many Romans did back in the day. Fresh and calm. I would recommend Bath to anyone and everyone looking for a good solo trip in the countryside.