6/17 Vibrant York

I am really enjoying walking around this city, even though I have not walked this much in years and my old muscles have not been happy.   

First, I did not realize when I planned coming here for five days that most of the center of the city was closed to traffic, and thus was a pedestrian mall.  This means you cannot just hop of public transportation or take a cab if you want to go somewhere.  There are cabs and buses, but you have to walk a couple of blocks to get to them, as frankly, while you are at it, you might as well just walk to wherever you were going.   

They do, however, open up streets to limited traffic after 8 pm and before 10 am so that shopkeepers and residents can bring in deliveries of things which cannot easily be carried in.  

Here are some photos of tourists and others walking around the center pedestrian-only areas: 

 

There are a lot of restaurants in the area, and this one provides food and very loud music for the dinner hour and later. 

 

 

This is Shambles, which is a market.  There has been a market in this spot as far back as Roman and Medieval times.  

 

 

The buildings also vary in age and architectural style.   

 

 

OK, the entrance to my hotel is in this photo, but it is very hard to find.   

 

 

Here it is--just a doorway to a pathway.  I have been having trouble finding it, even though I know where it is, so I have walked past it quite a few times!! 

I spent about an hour visiting the famous York Minster today, so I am planning to go back tomorrow and spend more time there.