Weekends are free days, so we can do pretty much whatever we like here on the YWAM DTS course. There are shopping trips organised for the residents of Holmsted Manor though, and today I decided to go on one.
The trip started off with a surprise: we were not going to the town I thought we were going to. That was OK though: I've been to both towns many times before. The day for me wasn't about the location, but the people I was going to be spending time with. We were dropped off in Haywards Heath, and told to be back at the same spot at 3pm. That gave us plenty of time to look around.
First stop was a nice cafe I knew, where the others were delighted at the sweet taste of their drinks. I got a bottled drink so I could drink it later in the day if needed.
I left the cafe to try to find some other students who came on a later trip. I'd said to one of them that I would help them figure out how to use their Canadian bank card in our UK cash machines. When I found them, they had already managed to work it out though, and they asked if I could help them get to the train station, as they wanted to go to Brighton for the day. I showed the group to the station, and decided to go too. As my home was on the way to Brighton, I offered them an opportunity to visit a "real" English house. As there were four other students, all from different countries, I thought this might be a nice idea for them. They agreed, and we jumped off the train at the right station, and walked to my house, where they marvelled at English draining boards, sofa arm covers, and instant coffee.
We then set off for Brighton once again. When we arrived, we were all pretty hungry. I've been to Brighton so often, and really should have been able to think of somewhere to eat, but having not been there recently (apart from last night doing the homeless ministry), my memory was failing me. I took a brave step, and asked a random stranger if they knew a good restaurant. They said they did, and to follow him, as he worked there, and was going there then! We followed him, and he led us the the nice Italian restaurant he worked in. We enjoyed pizza, pasta and drinks.
I then had to set off to Haywards Heath on the train again, to make sure I got back on the trip that had been arranged in the morning. I left the others in Brighton, as they said they were going to do a bit more shopping and get a taxi home later. I had to run a bit to get back to the pick up point once I'd got back to Haywards Heath station, but I managed to make it on time to be picked up. That bottled drink came in handy though!
In the evening, I helped clean up the kitchen after dinner, and watched what I belive is one of the best films I've seen: The Matrix.
Today was almost nothing like what I'd expected, but it was fun anyway. Holmsted is in a great location, but it is nice to get out and about a bit too.
