Faith!

Let me tell you all a little story. . . . . . . .

The two men who started it!

Back around 1860 there were two men. These men were christian folk who believed like most christians do in the bible etc, but their faith waivered. So they did what anyone would do in that situation, they went for a short walk in the woods. Now no-one really knows what happened in the woods that day but when the two men returned they claimed that they had been touched by John the Baptist and he told them to go forth and create a new branch of christianity called Mormon. Now, this might not be factually accurate (hence why I said at the start it was a story) but that I how I percieved the Mormon religion being created from my time in Salt Lake City. I tell you dearest Bleeders of that story for two reasons. Firstly you might have not experianced the Mormon religion before and so I hope I have enlightened you somewhat and secondly I find it quite scary/amazing/baffleing how and entire city can be created on the basis of what two men claimed to have happened in some woods 150 years ago.

This is the office building for the main
church here in S.L.C. An OFFICE building!

Having said all that Salt Lake City is a really cool little city. It is very clean, very well built (say what you like about the Mormons, they build good buildings) and also very safe. I spent the whole of yesterday just walking around and just marvelling at all the architecture that was on offer. Because it is all so new (in the grand scheme of christianity) it feels like canterbury has been dragged into the 21st century. The churches are all new and modern but with a classical twist on them.

In the afternoon (after a very helpful stop into the tourist information center) I decided to go visit Utah's state capitol. I was hoping to go see the sight of the 2002 winter olympic games but there were no busses to the venue and you could only go there if you had a car to drive, which I did not. The state capitol building was at the top of a very steep hill which I was assured by Mr. Tourist Infomation that no man in his right mind would be able to climb. I then told Mr. Tourist Information that I was most definatly not in my right mind and have a tattoo of Texas to prove this fact. When I got up to the top of the hill (it was steep, oh so steep) I was met with a very dominating building. I am getting this feeling that all state capitol buildings are loosely based on the one in Washington D.C. (domed roof, pillars etc etc) and as this is the second one I have been to outside D.C. I feel that I am becoming a bit of an expert on them. This one thou was amazing, perched right at the top of a hill and surrounded by very expertly mown lawns I was impressed.

A very impressive capitol bulding

I then headed back to the hostel as I still had to book accomidation for San Francisco. After I had done this I slapped on my glad rags and hit the town. Now many people had assured me that alcohol was different here in Salt Lake City and I might not like it. It was, and I did. After some research on watering holes in the city I opted for a bar called 'Cheers'. It was often reffered to as being a 'dive'. I thought that this sounded more like a challenge rather than a bad review and off I set.

It was amazing. I had to give over my passport details before ordering a drink (Utah state law). But they serve proper strength beer in MASSIVE glasses. Before I complained about the Americans definition of a pint. This was no pint, it was probably about a pint and a half in a huge pitcher/mug thing. I drank the night away in this place, chatting to a good few 'Saltys' - as they call themselfs. We put the world to rights and had a ruddy good time. When it became time for me to leave (as I was thinking do I remember how to get back) I asked for the bill. I had 5 of these pitchers. The total bill came to just shy of $15. I couldn't believe it! I left a healthy tip, the 'tip bell' was rung and on my way I went. It was a good 15min walk back to my hostel and although it was a really safe area the alcohol pumping through my body caused me to believe that I was being watched, I upped the pace and got back safely. However strangely I developed a mild case of nipple rash - bizzar.

Just a very beautiful and nice smelling city.

Today I walked to the bus station. It seemed like a good idea at the time, I could walk my hangover off and take one last look at Salty Lake City. I got lost. Eventunally, after walking for a hour with my life on my back I arrived at the station very sweaty. I hopped on the bus and away we went. I hadn't yet seen the Lake in question but today I caught a glimpse of it before I nodded off. I woke up about 50 min later AND WE WERE STILL CROSSING IT! That thing is HUGE!

I really enjoyed my time in Salt Lake. Was nothing like any city I have ever been too. I am not sure if I would go back but only bacuse I think I have done everything it has to offer. Glad I came here though. One thing I will say about the place is that it smells really nice. The architects and garden planners here have planted some really good smelling trees and shrubs. You could be walking down a street and get a whiff of a awesome smelling flower. This happened to me many times.

Now I am in San Francisco for 6 days and I can't wait to start exploring, have wanted to go to this city for so long!

Untill next time,

adios!