Manchester
I'm going to say it now. This is the most gorgeous library I've seen.Disclaimer: This statement may not stand the test of time.
Growing up in Singapore, I haven't been exposed much to victorian, neo-gothic themed architecture. I'm sure there are lots of other beautiful libraries all around Europe, not to mention, the world. But as of now, this is the nicest i've seen.
From the outside, the John Rylands Library looks a little old, slightly dirty and quite rundown. Stepping in to the library, you first come face to face with the library store. Walking past the store, you'll be hit with white washed walls, and extremely bright lights. A modern and sleek design of the area leading up to the entrance of the main library.
I think having the clean white walls leading up to the entrance a very smart move. The moment you step into the corridor of the library, you get a COMPLETELY different ambience.
You see a brown dimly lit corridor with a victorian theme architecture. Entering the different segments of the library, you can read about the different artefacts on display and see shelves and shelves of books displayed from floor to ceiling. The bookshelves seem to say "Do Not Touch" and exude a certain feeling of antique charm and elitism - you know like if these bookshelves were humans, they'd be one of those untouchables. Stern looking, Grandfatherly, Untouchable.
Do you get what I mean?
Before entering the main hallway, we were walking through the different exhibitions, and reading about the different artefacts, looking at old books, etc. And I asked Jerald and his friends "Do people study here?" The lack of tables and chairs made it feel as though it was a museum instead of a functional library.
But alas, we stepped into the main hall with more bookshelves, warm yellow lights, beautiful dark brown wooden tables and chairs, and students actually studying there!
Truth be told, I wonder if they are actually able to study in the John Rylands Library. The gorgeous yellow lights, are so not meant for studying. If I were to attempt to study at this library i'd fail miserably. I think i'll be too distracted by everything around me, the visitors, the books, the displays, everything. Focusing on Pressure, Volume and Temperature (engineering stuff...) would probably be least of my concerns.
Would you like to study in the John Rylands Library? Comment Below!
John Rylands Library - Manchester, United Kingdom
18 December 2014 John Rylands Library, 250 Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester M13 9PP, UK
Plus, the sun sets earlier in Manchester, its colder, its overcast and its rainy (or so I've heard from my frequent conversations with Jerald about the temperature in Manchester. I'm still getting updates till today. Temperature reports mostly haha!)
But, the sun was on my side the first day I was in Manchester! We set out of Jerald's house about 11 in the morning, the skies were clear, the sun was bright, and the temperature was a nice 10 degrees. It was a GOOD day to be Manchester!
Seeing as the weather was great, Jerald and I decided to head to Salford Quay, a place he hasn't been to since living in Manchester.
As you can see from the pictures, NICE BLUE SKIES. It's so rare to have clear blue skies in England that when it happens, its something to rejoice about. Definitely miss seeing nice blue skies, and having the warm sunshine on my face. But don't get me wrong - I'm still very much excited about winter, christmas markets, and Christmas!
Walking Along Salford Quay, we passed by the BBC station. Apparently, The Voice UK is filmed in that said building! I always thought that such a nation wide competition would be held in a bigger more touristy city, my ignorance.
Salford Quay was quiet, and unpopulated. They had offices and shopping areas around the quay, but being it was a saturday, people were probably all still stuck in bed, having a lazy morning. We were able to take a leisure morning stroll around the quay and admire the surroundings. The waters were so calm, and still. Its such a great place for a morning walk, where you can think and reflect about life, or not think, clear out your mind and have some personal time.
A suitable place for a morning run as well - assuming that the weather is great.
When we were walking along the quay, we saw a couple of high-rise residential buildings - they look like the condominiums in Singapore. Living on the lower gorund, I almost forgot what it feels like to live on the 19th floor of the HDB Flats. Jerald and I were discussing about how Manchester is a lovely place to live in and raise a family. Actually, more about how we would like to live in one of the high rise apartments overlooking the quay.
After a nice long walk, we headed to Trafford Centre for some food and window shopping.
Trafford Centre reminds me of shopping malls I see in Asia. Different themes, for different segments of the malls, a uniquely designed roof, nice staircase, something that major cities like Hong Kong and Bang Kok, KL and Singapore do to create a different atmosphere from the normal shopping malls.
Funny how it managed to remind me of home!
The thing I liked about Trafford Centre was its exterior design. I like the dome shaped roof and the architecture of its entrance. Somehow, it sort of brought back memories of Paris.
Manchester is really nice city with the brick red buildings and quiet streets. It has a large number of students, is well-developed, but not as crowded as say London. Drivers are less angsty, ok there aren't as many cars to begin with, plus, buses are much cheaper than in London! I think generally smaller cities exude the same liveable vibe. Less vibrant, but very family-friendly.
Would you live in a city like Manchester?
Morning Stroll Along Salford Quay - Manchester, United Kingdom
11 December 2014 Manchester, UK
This year is going to be my first christmas out of Singapore.Typically, christmases back home consist of my whole extended family gathering at one of my aunt's or uncle's house, having a big christmas dinner, blasting the AC, watching movies, eating chocolates and exchanging presents.
Since this is my first year abroad and away from my family during Christmas, I foresee a very different experience with this festive season.
First difference being: I WENT TO A CHRISTMAS MARKET!
Back home in sunny island Singapore, pre-christmas sales are abundant. Going down Orchard Road/any shopping mall anywhere, you'll be able to find sales on clothes, shoes, toys, everything. Hopping from mall to mall to buy christmas presents for my friends and family became a tradition. Unfortunately, there were no Christmas Markets around.
On the weekend I was in Manchester (visiting Jerald), he told me that Manchester has one of the best Christmas Markets in the UK. Coincidentally, the weather was amazing that saturday evening. We had every reason to visit Manchester's Christmas Market.
Needless to say, many seem to share our sentiments. Stepping into the christmas market was like walking into a human traffic jam - constantly bumping into people, and being shoved from side to side, all whilst slowly inching my way to the various food stalls for some food!
The market was huge and sold things from food, to home furnishings, mini christmas trees and lights, deserts, drinks, etc. Initially, I was more distracted by the flickering lights on the tree, the spinning windmill, and the huge red and white santa snowman on top of the city square. It was gorgeous! The contrast to the dark night sky just made the lights shine so much brighter.
After a couple of minutes spent looking up and being shoved around, the smell of food hit me. Sausages, Crepes, Burgers, I started repeating "I want some food" to Jerald every 5 steps we took.
There were so many different stalls to choose from, some selling the same type of food, others different. Eventually, we settled for a Spicy Hotdog Bun, Bacon and Potatoes, and a Pulled Pork Burger with Apple Sauce.
I was a little unsure about the apple sauce, but everyone seemed to like it - there was a queue in front of the sauce dispenser - so I relented and let Jerald have additional apple sauce in the bun. Turns out, the slight sweetness of the apple sauce complemented the pulled pork pretty well ;)
Almost everyone in the Christmas Market seemed to be either holding a bottle of beer or a mug with steam coming out. Somehow, my brain concluded that the mug contained hot chocolate. However, it was actually HOT WINE. Mulled Wine.
The Manchester Christmas Market served mostly german food, and Germany is known to have one of the BEST christmas markets in the world. This first christmas market experience has me dreaming of all the other christmas markets i'll go to during my winter trip to Berlin, and my Christmas in Prague!
I CAN'T WAIT! Winter Break PLEASE ARRIVE NOW.
Which is your favourite christmas market? Comment below!
Virgin Christmas Market Experience - Travel Linkup
3 December 2014 Manchester, UK
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