【曼城】曼徹斯特一日遊 @ il Giardino Romantico

University of Manchester的某棟大樓。
One of the many university buildings.

什麼？從去年九月二十二日從曼撤斯特機場入境之後，我就再也沒再踏入曼城一步過了！？大家聽到都覺得有點不可思議。曼城可是大家都逛到不想再逛的地方了，我竟然只到過機場。點點點。一個人旅遊的優點很多，但是缺點就是，若是沒有動力，真的會一拖再拖。所以擇日不如撞日。我隨便選了個日子，告訴我再曼城的朋友說我那天會去。因為話一說出口，駟馬難追。這下子就真的得出發啦。

之前就有稍微看了一下火車以及coach到曼城的價錢。火車£10不到，但coach只要£6.50。既然車程不長，當然是選比較便宜的coach囉！其實說實在的，這可以說是我第一次在英國一個人坐coach呢。認識了許多新朋友之後，有的時候會習慣依賴朋友。這次曼城之旅對我來說最大的收穫不是在於看到的景色，而是除了見到老朋友之外，我那細胞裡『一個人去流浪』的慾望又再度燃起囉！

會這麼說得原因呢，其實是曼城真的跟大家口述的一樣，就是一個大城市。沒什麼特色。就連他們中國城的拱門，都沒我們利物浦的來的要大。不過最令我失望的是，這麼一座大城市的教堂，居然一點看頭都沒有。不過雖然對曼城這個城市非常的失望，但這一趟旅程還是超級有意義的囉。再怎麼說，也都是一種有趣的體驗囉！

A lot of people find it hard to believe that ever since my arrival through Manchester airport in September, 2008, I had not set foot in that city again. It's like one of those cities where people get sick and tired of going because it's so close by. And I had not been, yet! There are many advantages to travelling on your own, but one of the major disadvantages is that there is way too much freedom for procrastination. Therefore, I chose a random date, told my friend in Manchester when I'd be going, to push myself into making actual plans for the trip.

I'd taken a look at the prices, and found that the train costs around £10, whereas the coach only costs £6.50. Since it was not a long trip, obviously I would pick the cheaper option. In fact, this was my first coach ride on my own! When you meet new friends, you tend to depend on them to organise everything for you. The biggest reward from this trip, I would say, would be the fact that I've learned, once again, the fruit and joy of travelling 'solo'.

The reason I say this, is because the city itself, turned out to be a big disappointment. Just like everyone said, there isn't much to see. Even the arch in China Town was significantly smaller than the one we have in Liverpool. But the biggest disappointment is the fact that the cathedral of this urban city, could be so little! Despite the city being a major let-down, it was, nonetheless, a meaningful journey. After all, the experience is priceless.

隨處可見的雕像。左：Robert Peel。右：Duke of Wellington。

參見維多利亞女王。
Queen Victoria at Picadilly Gardens

中央圖書館。Central Library.

莎老頭彩繪玻璃。Stained glass window with a portrait of William Shakespeare.

Town Hall

即將展開的International Festival。

歌劇院。Opera House.

戲如人生。The play mirrors life.

John Rylands 圖書館。John Rylands Library.

介紹到這，就不得不說明一下。這個圖書館，大概是整個曼城裡面最吸引我的地方。因為他號稱收藏了許多老舊文學作品的原稿。但！是！就在我來到這，悠悠哉哉的拍完外觀踏入大門之後，櫃台的人才跟我說：我們要準備關門囉！此時我才驚覺：又是因為天一直不黑，讓我以為時間還早！害的我唯一有興趣的地方竟然看不到。不過我再想，光是這間圖書館，應該值得我為他專門在回來一趟唷！

At this point, I must say that the only site I found extremely interesting was this library. It claims to be in possession of a lot of old manuscripts. However, just as I walked into the entrance, after slowly taking my time in taking shots of the exterior, the receptionist told me: We're about to close! WHAT!!?? This is yet another incident where I'm misled by the lenght of time it stays light out during the summer! Although I had missed the opportunity to see this place, I think the library by itself is worth another visit, don't you?