Skype.

The internet in the village of Llanpumsaint has been tricky...but I've still been able to have Skype chats with my family, which is great.

My sister, Whitney, and I even had a Skype dance party...it was brilliant.

Lovies Whit xx.

Bath, England.

A few weekends ago, Al and I took a little trip to Bath. Its a couple of hours from West Wales....just over the bridge to England.
It's a small town with a big town feel....still quaint, but bustling. Lovely public parks, and great shopping.

We stayed in a sweet Bed and Breakfast, and visited the Roman Baths.
We walked where the Romans walked on the ancient stone pavements around the steaming pool. The Romans built this magnificent temple and bathing complex around Britain's only hot spring. The ruins are beautifully preserved.
It was very cool.

Bath reminded me of parts of Rome..and maybe that is why I liked it so much.

The Cinema.

Saw a few films this past week....
Going The Distance with Drew Barrymore, The Town with a Mr. Ben Affleck, and of course, Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem.

Drew B. and Justin Long were adorbs in Going The Distance...it's the best Drews looked...really cute, great wardrobe. Her relationship with Justin Long was perfect (you can tell they have/had an off screen romance).
Being an expert on long distance relationships...I found some similarities (um, liiiiike it is very difficult..)...but overall it was just a silly, cute and fun film.

Alun and I had a date nite to see The Town and it was fab. I've always had a thing for Ben Affleck.
He wrote, directed and starred in the film. He is good...and that Boston accent...nice!
The standouts were Blake Lively...she was great. And of course, Jeremy Renner. He was brilliant.
Good story...nicely done.

I also saw Eat Pray Love. I was very excited ...since I had just finished reading the book.
The film had a lot of differences. Some good ...some bad.
It wasn't my fave Julia Roberts film (that would be Notting Hill), but the scenery was amazing...pasta, Naples, elephants, Bali and Javier Bardem.

Cardiff Mardi Gras (Gay Pride Cardiff, UK)

When I lived in Los Angeles, I went out to the gay bars...with the gays. I loved it. The music is always good and the boys appreciate a good pair of shoes.
Since living in the West Village of Manhattan...I have been in the centre of gay pride for 4 years.

I will say..that without a doubt, the Welsh gays know how to have a good time.

WOW.
Mardi Gras 2010.

Eat Pray Love.

I finished the book.
I enjoyed it and will see the film (James Franco is in the film).
I will admit that India, the pray part, was my least favorite section of the book.
The author, Elizabeth Gilbert, experienced and shared so many great things in Italy and Bali...I didn't think India compared.
However, I do understand that part of the journey and why it was necessary...I just favored the wine, the pasta, the medicine man and Felipe ;)

At the end of the book there is a preview for Gilberts next book ...Committed..which is the story of what happens after eating, praying and loving.

She writes something about being in a long distance relationship...
A fish and a bird may indeed fall in love, but where shall they live?

I quite liked this...

I will keep you updated on my thoughts of the film.
x

Paxton's Tower.

In my quest to see as much of West Wales as I can ...and that Alun wants to show me...we visited Paxton's Tower.
It is situated on a hilltop near Llanarthney in the Towy Valley, Carmarthenshire.
Wonderful views of the Towy Valley....

These old buildings are one of my favorite things to see, trying to figure out who might have lived there, why they were built...and who dined in the banquet rooms.

This particular structure has the most amazing views...
Hmm...squatters rights??

For a brief history of the Tower and why it was built..clink on the link.
http://www.ammanfordtown.com/paxton_tower.htm

Britain's Next Top Model.

I've watched both versions now, America's Next Top Model and Britain's Next Top Model...and if I had to pick the winner ...it would be Britains Next Top Model.
For sure.
Mainly because Tyra Banks is annoying and Elle Machpherson is not.
Also, Welsh fashion designer Julien MacDonald is SOOOO bitchy!
Love it.

Ffos Las.

It was Ladies Day at the Ffos Las racecourse.
What a blast...
The weather was amazing.
A day of dressing up, drinking wine, and betting on horses...
Perfect-o!!

Awards for fave cafe and fave deli in town....

After a month of testing and trying cafes in Carmarthen...I have chosen my favorite.
My top pick for a cafe is ...THE CAFE AT NUMBER FOUR.
I always have a nice freshly made sandwich...and the tea is delish.

My favorite specialty deli is ...BLASUS.
Blasus means 'tasty' in Welsh.
The proprietor is about my age...and she sells delish pastas and cheeses and tomatoes and chutneys and mustard and spreads and crackers.
Blasus would fit in the West Village of Manhattan ...easily.

Wednesday is market day in Carmarthen.

Each Wednesday, since I've been over here...I cruise down to Market Day in Carmarthen.
I like taking the bus with all of the little old gals...same ladies each Wednesday.

I usually get fresh cheese and meat ...and breads. All sourced local.
At some stalls ..I am known as the 'American.'

I also go to Top Shop ...a lot.

Update...it's been a month!

The weather this week has been brilliant.
SUUUUNNNYYY!...WOOOO HOO!
Alun is working in a coastal town today called Aberystwyth, so I tagged along.
I brought the lap top and decided to blog away.
I'm sitting in a cafe, and I have had 3 mugs of tea.

I am going to walk around and check out the town.

Wanted everyone who is reading to know that all is well in Wales. It has been about a month since I arrived...and Alun hasn't kicked me out yet!! Ha.

More updates later xx.

Quiz nite...good friends.

The village pub, The Railway Llanpumsaint, has a quiz nite each month.
This particular nite also happened to be their 3 year anniversary party (I've actually been going there for 3 years)!!
Aluns good friends, Dylan and Edryd came with, and brought their lovely ladies..Llinos, and Llinos.

A fun nite of yelling out wrong answers to tough questions.

My first agricultural show!

My new friend, Llinos T., took me to the Pembrokeshire County Show.
There were tons of animals...pigs, sheep, horses, and cows.
We saw a pig win the first prize...it was the biggest big I've ever seen. Ever.
I sorta felt bad when I ate a pork sandwich later in the day, yikes.

Anyway...check out the pig guy, he was cute... for a pig guy.

It was a nice day of animal and tractor browsing...
If only I had a farm.

I'm in love with a donkey....

Cheeky, I know...

On the walk to the village, there is a sweet and adorable donkey.
I am crushing hard on him, he responds when I yell 'Donkey, Donkey'...I always stop and chat...and I bring him apples and carrots.
He is really cute.

Donkeys have a lifespan of 30-50 years..and they are very friendly and common pets.
I think I will get one..and name him : Sir Burro Jack Bottom Donkey.

**Props if you got that Shakespeare / ass reference ;)