I really like Liverpool.  I had heard that it was a dirty, ugly city, the home of the "great unwashed," but I didn't find that to be the case.  It has some great waterfront views, and there always seems to be a busker or two around to supply mood music.  And, of course, it's the celebrated birthplace of the Beatles.  What's not to like?

I learned that Liverpool is one of the only, if not the only city to have a street with a church on both ends.  When we first stepped into the Anglican cathedral, I was struck by how ancient it seemed.  This was my first experience with a British church, and I was naive enough to think that if it looked old, it was old.  It struck me as odd, then, to see a neon sign on one of the walls.  I was shocked to find a neon sign in a church at all, but especially in one so "ancient."  When the priest told us how young the church really was, I was really surprised.  But I still think the sign was a bit tacky.  It seemed like it should be in Liverpool's Catholic cathedral instead.  And what a strange church that is!  It looks like a spaceship!  My first thought when I saw it was that it looked more like a Church of Scientology than a Catholic church.  The inside was interesting, though.  I like how the sun shines through the blue stain glass windows; it makes them look more like neon lights.  

I think it's really awesome how Paul McCartney has started a performing arts college in Liverpool.  Apparently every graduate is guaranteed a chance to meet him.  He comes to every graduation, and afterwards buys everyone a round of drinks and talks to all of the graduates about their plans for the future.  It makes me want to go there, just so I can have a drink with Paul McCartney.