Monday 8 April 2013

Aliens, Shakespeare and Paris Pickpockets Oh My!


Yes! It is truth! You're eyes do not deceive you nor have I altered this photo in any way! WE'VE GOT SUNSHINE AT HARLAXTON!!!!! And we're lovin' it! According to the locals England has put on its' roughest winter in FIFTY years just for us. This week we've FINALLY been allowed a peek at the English sun and let me just say it is indeed loverly. :D

Only two more weeks at Harlaxton and three more weeks in this incredible country and already I miss it terribly. The minute people started talking about 'Departure Procedures' I wanted to run screaming into the Harlaxton wood and never come out. I've been in love with England for the majority of my love and these beautiful three months have only made that love stronger. I can't imagine waking up without the scent of the country air, the choral music upon entering classes, the fish and chips! I knew this place would be captivating but I had no idea just how much so. I fear there will be much whining these next several days....

It's been a whirlwind few weeks with the SciFi Weekender, a visit to THE William Shakespeare's home town and five days in the crazy city of Paris. I've seen more than I could possibly tell and have learned so very much.

I knew from the get go that the month of March would be the crazy one but wasn't entirely prepared for just how crazy. The first weekend was consumed with one of the best trips in the entire semester. The SciFi Weekender is an excuse for full grown adults to act like children. It's great. The costumes, the toys and the all out insanity is just a total blast. The first time I went back in 2010 it was great but not nearly so large an event. It's now become a huge fantastical adventure for the entire family. All I could think about was how much my own family would've loved it. If ever in England or Wales during those chilly months you could do worse than join this great group of complete nerds for a weekend of awesomeness. :D

Unfortunately, homework and regular classes are required in the midst of all this 'funness'. It's ridiculous, I know. But there are some perks to even schoolwork. As a required field trip for my Shakespeare class we toured the lovely little town of Stratford Upon Avon one Saturday and ended the day by attending the Royal Shakespeare Company's opening performance of Hamlet. It was incredible. I saw where William Shakespeare was born, where his remains now lie and walked all over the streets which he frequented throughout his lifetime. The entire town is charged with almost a palpable electricity of sheer talent. I don't know how anyone lives in that place without experiencing random bouts of brilliance. Stepping out of Shakespeare's church into a light spring rain in the early afternoon sun I was struck with verse myself. It can't be helped. There so much history. So much depth. Just so much.



Paris. Ah Paris. I had a completely pre-conceived idea about Paris, France. I really should've known better than to form an opinion based on nothing more substantial than film and photos but alas, I did not. It's really nothing like either of those things. There's a completely different sort of feel to Paris as opposed to say London or Bath or even San Antonio. If I had to choose a city that was even slightly similar I'd have to say Austin. The history is still there, pushed back into neatly arranged corners for the tourists but the rush and hustle of the modern era has really taken precedence. The Eiffel Tower, The Mona Lisa, Notre Dame, OSCAR WILDE'S GRAVE!!!! All amazing and breathtaking experiences. It was a fantastic, whirlwind weekend of cultural exposure that'll I'll never forget but it was very different from England. The appreciation of history for its' own sake just wasn't there. Though Paris does seem to beat England on one front...there policemen, security and even their ice cream men look like they belong on the front of a men's fashion magazine. It's nice. Go for a visit. ;)

One of the highlights, possibly the highlight of the month occurred only yesterday when I was invited to go along with some friends to the exhibition for the excavation of my very favourite English monarch King Richard III. It was utterly fascinating. The tour, though brief, gave an extensive explanation for the reason they dug where they did and just how they determined that the skeleton found was in fact the king. I also visited the Guildhall of Leicester, a building that was standing when Richard himself rode through town to his final battle. The hall has been standing there since the mid 1300's. As is often the case in this country, I felt so very small and insignificant. Nothing makes one contemplate the meaning of ones' own mortality than standing in the midst of 600+ old history. I walked around the Leicester Cathedral where Richard will be interred next year. If at all possible I would very much like to be present for that event.

(Tomorrow: Hometowns, Purchasing A Professor and This Generation.)



Something I Miss Now: My Family.
Something I Will Miss: Flapjacks. (The British kind are waaaay better than ours!)


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Life At Harlaxton 2013 Sub Folder #9 Weekend In Paris