After a great night sleep in a much nicer hotel, we depart for York.  As is Contiki tradition, we're introduced to our "day song".  This is played each day when we get on to the bus (Orson's "No Tomorrow").  During the ride, we sign up for optionals and spend most of the ride going to the front of the coach (bus) and introducing ourselves.  We arrive at York after noon and begin a walking tour to get an overview of the city.  

With free time in the afternoon, a few of us visit the excellent Castle Museum.  Outside, we can view Clifford's Tower, site of a 12th century Jewish massacre.  Sadly this is a common theme in traveling.  Just like in Vienna,  when too much money was owed to a Jewish banker, the scene ends in tragedy. 

We head back across town to Yorkminster.  Like St. Paul's in London, I tour around and climb to the top for some panoramic views.  It's a good excuse to get a little exercise (traveling always wrecks havoc with my normal diet and exercise).  I get back to the hotel, drop off some things, and head to dinner.  

After dinner, most of the tour go on a "ghost" tour. Since I'm not a believer in ghosts, I was more interested in getting some good night photos.  Despite it being after 9:30pm, it wasn't dark enough for that.  I pay some attention to the ghost tour guide (who is good) and wonder why they don't just call the Ghostbusters.  I guess that would put the ghost tour guides out of business.  I thought it interesting that our guide said that most ghost sightings were reported by women.  I tend to think that ghosts are made up like gremlins and Eskimos so I just can't get that into our admittedly enthusiastic guide. 

We return breifly to the hotel before going across the street to a super cheesy 80s club .  The music was fun and there are pac-man's on the wall along with a picture of Mr. T.  It's after 12:30am and a group of us return home for some sleep.  

View the York photo album