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me and katie in st james' park Hi everyone,
Since my last entry (only a week ago) much has happened that I’ve been wishing to write about, but unfortunately I’ve been sick in bed for most of the week. Things have started to turn around now and it seemed like a perfect time for an update because the library won’t open until five (when my endless research and essay writing will commence). This past weekend was the start of my weekly field studies which take place mostly in London but will also take me to Eastbourne, West Sussex, Hampshire and an overnight trip to Dieppe. The idea is to have on-site learning which pertains to your individual classes, which while in England means seeing a whole lot of wicked stuff.
On Saturday the entire Arts/Science school went to London for an orientation tour by coach around Westminster and then a walking tour past Downing Street (with a wave to Gordon Brown), through St. James’ Park and all the way to Buckingham Palace(no wave to the Queens, as she‘s off gallivanting somewhere). Unfortunately I didn’t get to pose with a guard in front of the Palace but I did stand with one just outside of St. James’ park where
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very carefully petting the GIANT horse - note the sign to my right I actually got him to acknowledge me and give the MOST subtle nod when I asked him if I could pet his horse. I’m quite proud of that, and thought it was news worthy.
On Sunday morning, after only seven hours to eat, sleep, and get up again at the castle, we drove back to London for two walking tours relevant to my British Studies class. The first was a more historical and informative tour of Westminster which was lead by our professor Eugene (a Greek-German-French-British man, or “European” with an extremely distracting accent). The second was the Jack the Ripper tour of White Chapel. This one, which I’m meant to write a reaction to, was very entertaining. I’d really like to take it again when I’m not so busy being analytical and attempting to form a thesis, because I’m sure it would be quite fun to allow yourself to get wrapped up in the story, the gory details and the theatrics put on by the guide.
However fun that all was though, the absolute highlight of the weekend was Saturday night at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The theatre is built to be an exact reproduction, and on the exact location
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on the way to buckingham palace of the original theatre where Shakespeare’s plays were first seen. The stage is met with the pit, where all the lowest classes of people would stand to watch the performances; beyond the pit the balconies are stacked one on top of the other, not receding like in modern theatres; and above, the roof is completely open to the sky. All of us students - modern day paupers, apparently - stood in the pit for the play. At first, the whole lot of us were complaining about our aching backs and sore feet which had developed over the already long day, but after the first Act, I don’t think any of us were at all aware anymore. I had low expectations about the play, which was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, because I’ve only seen the film version and I thought it was awful. However, it ended up being one of the best theatre experiences I’d ever had, possible tied with Meg’s Comedy of Vanity at York. It was hilarious! Not a chuckle here and there kind of funny, but the bent over, can’t breathe, slapping your knees kind of funny. I have a WHOLE new respect for Shakespeare and really can’t
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buckingham palace wait to go back to the Globe and see another - hopefully I’ll be able to squeeze one in before I leave, tickets are only £5!!
Back at the castle this week there have been a few pub nights, which unfortunately seem to happen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays since we're all gone on the weekend. On Tuesday there was a Pub Quiz which my team, "Mango in a Mango Shell", was winning by a mile... until, by some strange mystery, we all seemed to be losing brain cells and experiencing slowed reactions. weird. Anyways, we ended up fifth, which still isn't bad considering our state.
The rest of the week has been quite uneventful in anything other than runny noses and chest congestion so I’ll leave it at that. Except, I must make quick mention of the weather. It has FINALLY rained! It’s cold, damp, overcast and miserable out. This may seem like a very odd thing to get excited over but I’m actually quite delighted. Until now, all of this so-called “sun” and “beautiful weather” has been very distracting to my British experience, but now I definitely think I’m getting authentic England. Also, I got to break out my
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bored and royal in the gift shop swanky new raincoat! All very exciting to you, I’m sure, but I’ll have to cut you all off now and stop procrastinating.
Hope everyone is well, and that I’ll hear from you all soon!
Nikki
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Brittany
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Mango in a Mango shell- best team name ever!