Bath fieldtrip

The lovely town of Bath, even in the rain, holds significance because of ancient Roman Baths. This complex was built 2000 years ago. The guide previewed what the captain and classmates would see in the complex, "everyday life of the Roman City and ancient treasures from the Temple of Sulis Minerva, goddess of wisdom and healing."

The captain meditated on this profound place, before deciding perhaps he too would attempt the ancient rituals...just maybe, these baths would instill him with wisdom of the Oracle and so he dove in!

"The baths themselves still bubble and steam with water from the hot spring," the guide told him. In Roman time, the legend goes, a pig wallowed in the springs. The healing and cleansing properties of the water removed the spots of the pig and left the pig shiny and clean. Observing this, a soldier with leprosy decided he too might benefit from the healing wonders. And so he too soaked in the sacred waters and emerged clean of ailment. A public alter, complete with animal sacrifices such that augurers could foretell people's future, still stand at the site, along with elaborate designs for how the wealthy would bring servants to attend to their needs, scrub their skin, and leave them to do business with others so wealthy.

"After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the baths became derelict and eventally collapsed, to be covered by mud and water till their rediscovery by the Victorians...it was not until the 17th century that the Golden Age returned and this site again became the social centre of Bath."

To our delight, the city currently sports an entire collection of original art-pigs (here are Yandi and the captain enjoying one such symbolic art piece). These reminded the captain of his own familiar town of Austin where the city sports art-guitars as a symbol to the music capital. Here, the legend of the pig finding the healing and wisdom properties of the waters is celebrated with pig sculptures! City wide, these pigs can be seen everywhere from prominent display at the Abby and in the park, to tucked away markets and inside shops (see photos). Later this season, the town will auction the pigs in order to raise money for a good cause.