Farewell

As our journey has concluded, I wish to bid my loyal followers and blog readers farewell. I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences of my journey with all of you.

I will return to London soon and resume my studies at Oxford. I look forward to revisiting the classrooms and learning more new material. If I could leave you now with one word of advice, it would be this:

"Education is the best provision to the journey to old age."
Aristotle

This happens to be my favorite quote of Aristotle's because it is so very true and important. Striving for education keeps the mind and body young. Always strive to learn and be grateful for opportunities to do so!

Goodbye!

Welcome to Canterbury

We finally arrived in Canterbury today after a long and grueling journey and proceeded immediately to the shrine of St. Thomas á Becket.

We all paid our respects to the wonderful man who gave of his life in a most terrible way for what he believed in. It was a very solemn afternoon and a very quiet and reflective moment for all of us. Seeing the shrine today made all the trials and tribulations of the journey worth it.

This experience helped me realize the importance of standing up for your beliefs. If you feel strongly about something, never give up on that belief regardless of the persecution you receive. As I have quoted Aristotle many times, I will leave you for now with a quote of my own:

"Do as you believe and believe what you do. No matter the punishment, you will never regret your actions."

- The Oxford Cleric

A Common Bond

We have made great progress toward the ultimate goal of our journey. That is to say we are nearing Canterbury and the shrine of St. Thomas á Becket.

When the journey began, I was excited at the proposition of traveling with such a diverse group of people. However, I soon realized I had little in common with any of them and the journey soon became miserable. I had no one to share my thoughts or concerns with. As the days progressed, I learned more about each of the other travelers and found some to be very likeable. Others were hard to deal with daily but I have come to understand and respect each of my companions more.

While all thirty-one of us have different views, beliefs, and professions, I have come to the realization that we all have one thing in common: our quest to the shrine.

I started on this journey feeling that all members of the traveling party had their priorities mixed up....except myself, but I now understand that no one is perfect. I may not get along with everyone but I do have this journey in common with them.

Bobbe-up-and-doun

We are here in Bobbe-up-and-doun, a city close to Canterbury. I am very pleased that we are resting here. The people in this city are very friendly to us, and told us that many pilgrims stop here to rest on their voyage to Canterbury.

In this city is a leaper hospital, the Hospital of St. Nicholas. Patients from the hospital support themselves by displaying a slipper that St. Thomas a Becket wore. I highly doubt that they actually had St. Thomas a Becket’s slipper, however, I felt the need to take pity on the inmates, so I donated a shilling. I also had a chat with the leapers, and they are seemingly more intelligent than half the pilgrims I am traveling with to the shrine. I am stating this because people tend to stereotype the leapers and I want it known that they are people too.

We are so very far from home, and I worry that I will never catch up on my reading. I think my social skills have improved over the course of this trip, and I am rather proud of our group’s progress, both in miles and mentally. Speaking of miles, this town has very poor roads, and I dread continuing on tomorrow. In spite of that, I am very anxious to be so close to the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket! Unfortunately, I must be going now, as the Wife of Bath is calling.

My Good Friend The Summoner

Today was quite a day. I ran into a good friend, the Summoner, who told me all about his relationship issues. He was indeed in “love” with this young mistress of whom I do not know. I tried not to laugh, but I simply could not help myself.

I tried to respect his feelings, as he told me about his encounter with this young lady. The Summoner actually thought she would say everything he wanted her to say, for example calling him “Hot Stuff”.

I'm sorry for laughing...the Summoner is indeed a good friend of mine, but hearing him get shut down was too priceless not to laugh about. Honestly, what woman in their right mind would stoop so low as to call a man “Hot Stuff?" Well I must go, for I am late for my readings. Farewell.

Storm of the Year

Tonight, I write to you from under a leaking makeshift shelter. Earlier this evening, I realized that our group is not as diverse as I originally thought.

The skies were a horrid color, to begin with. When we awoke, we ate in silence, just to listen to the horrid thunder that grumbled like the underworld's belly. Dark greys mixed with a strange yellow...and I could immediately tell that we were most definately in for a storm.

But what we got was not a storm...it was more of a disaster. The rains were up to our horses' ankles after only mere moments starting out again. They became frightened, and we made a joint decision to take them up to higher ground.

Thunder ripped the earth, and lightning tore at the sky. Even though I risk sounding morbid, this sight was fantastic. We were all soaked to the bone, and again, I will have to dry my books...but what I gained from this experience was beneficial not only to myself, but in my opinon, to the entire group as well.

We all pitched in to help in the effort of making a little shelter for ourselves high atop a hill. I wasn't able to help that much...but I did deduce the proper method of making a shelter for everyone. In all honesty, I felt pretty...special.

Now soaked, a little hungry, and enjoying a nice, soggy chapter of Aristotle, I feel quite at ease.

Now if you'll excuse me...I believe our delicious smelling meal is ready!

Adieu until further notice.

The Night I met the Knight

Although we have heard the Knight’s tale, I still wondered if I really knew the Knight. All my wondering stopped tonight because I had the chance to meet him.

The Knight and I had a rather intellectual discussion about our trip. We have determined that few others of our intellect are among us. As the day went on, the Knight told of many heroic tales where he triumphed and conquered all. The stories were quite interesting, however, by the end of the day, my ear was weary from hearing them. All the tales had the same plot, that is, until he told of one particular tale.

Yes, even the honest, noble Knight has a secret. He told a tale of love, and by no means was it courtly love. Before the dignified knight became a knight, he had a special someone. The young squire was faced with a decision and had to choose between love and justice. If the squire did not become a knight, he would disgrace his family and kingdom, but if he chose knighthood, he was guaranteed honor and respect from all. And this young squire chose to continue his training and leave his love behind. Although he told the tale as if it was not his, a tear ran down his cheek. I knew that this was the Knight’s secret and I have the utmost respect for him.

Night is coming to an end, and the journey will be continuing in a few hours, so I must go and get some reading done.

The Journey Continues......

Today was a fairly uneventful day on our journey to Canterbury. In fact, it was the most “normal” day of travel we have had to this point. It was the ordinariness of this day that made it special.

Something was in the air today because for the first time we started our travels, NO ONE fought at all. The typical sees several minor squabbles between certain people who don’t see eye to eye. It didn’t happen today; everyone got along.

The weather was also perfect today! In any other circumstances this would seem like just an average day, but the beautiful weather and the interaction between the twenty-nine of us traveling made the day extraordinary.

Dr. Doofus

I had the pleasure of meeting the doctor today. Or did I? He explained his methods of diagnosing and treating his patients, and I must say I feel they are very skeptical.

Horoscopes and the stars are his main method of his expertise. Ha. What a joke. By studying at Oxford, I probably know more about his profession than him! This man is an absolute fraud and anyone who pays him for his “knowledge” is being scammed. Anyone can use the stars and horoscopes to guess an ailment or a cure.

A word of advice to anyone needing medical treatment: AVOID DR. DOOFUS!!

The Story of the Miller

Although I find the Miller repulsive and distasteful, I must admit that his story today was rather entertaining.

The appalling Miller told of the time he danced on top of the table at some seedy tavern while singing "99 Mugs of Ale" in his loudest voice. He said they escorted him from the tavern before he reached ten. In spite of this, the Miller continued the song at the door. He is somewhat of a lunatic. I almost laughed out loud, but I stuffed my face in my book to muffle the giggles. This was a failed attempt, as the Miller saw my smile, and patted me on the back saying "You're not too bad after all, Kid." I guess he's not what he seems. I still do not appreciate his screaming in my ear, but I now have a funny friend.

I must go relax and get rid of my headache from the Miller. What a friend...