Thursday, October 1st.
I woke up bright and early around 7:30 and started moving around. Apryl awoke shortly thereafter and we got ready for the day, packing and cleaning out the locker, getting ready to check out. We checked out and left out backpacks at the Hostel while we went out. We stopped by Starbuck's on the way out and I had and "extremely fruity scone" and a vanilla latte, which was probably the best coffee I've had a Starbuck's ever. We talked to a nice guy from Canada who was visiting Edinburgh with his son. We had a talk about children's literacy, or lack thereof, and he blamed it on the parents. While this is true, if parents do not encourage their children to read or do not read to them, this finger pointing still does not solve the problem. Kids need tutors. Man, I should really be a volunteer teacher or something. I don't think I would want to be an actual teacher, just like what my friend Mike does. A student helper.
Anyway, we went to the Edinburgh Castle and toured all the sights. The oldest building is St. Mary's chapel, which was built in the 1100's, I think. There was a bunch of theoretical history projected into the tour, just because they are not sure what exactly happened as written records are rare (or do not exist).
They redesigned the castle in the 19th century, and there were some plans for French Castle style, but thank goodness that didn't pull through. It did not fit into the Scottish style one bit. It was very ornate and floofy looking. Not something you would find designed, or thought up by, a Scot.
Anyway, the design was mostly applied to the main gates, although some of the buildings were fixed up a bit.
The Crown jewels of Scotland are stored there, along with the Stone of Destiny (Scotland's Throne, essentially). They were kept in hiding in a chest for 300 years. 300 YEARS!!! Until Sir Walter Scott asked the British government if he could open the chest. Many people were fearful that they were stolen long ago, but it turns out they were exactly as had been left, wrapped in cloth in the bottom of the trunk. In the exhibit, there was enormous buildup about the Scottish kings and Queens of the past, but not a whole lot of it had to do with the actual crown jewels (maybe during so-and-so's reign, a gem was added here, or the style changed a little there), but it is all rather dry and uninteresting, and there's too much of it for me to remember, so I hope you're not disappointed if I skip over to, what I think is, a more interesting part of the tour.
Anyway, after Sir Walter Scott got them uncovered (no wonder he is Scotland's hero), they went to England. They didn't not return to Scotland until the the 1990s, along with the stone of destiny, sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth II. I had not realized it was so recently. All of the Scots were very excited about the return of their Throne and jewels, which brings to light and interesting fact.
The political party in power in Scotland at the moment is the Scottish National Party (SNP). This party is very interested in reviving Scottish traditions (not the witch burnings) and bringing awareness to national pride. Scottish national pride (as if they needed any more of it). There were posters everywhere in Edinburgh saying, "Homecoming Scotland" and "Homecoming 2010" and things like that, with the Scottish flag waving all over the place. What this has to do with the stone and crown jewels is this: in a couple of years, if the SNP can pull it off, they are drawing it up now, there will be legislature petitioning to England and the U.K. to allow Scotland to (A. Have more rights and power as part of the U.K. (B. Remain in the U.K. as at present (C. Separate from the U.K. entirely and have a separate Scottish country. People are buzzing because the Stone of Destiny is resting in Edinburgh Castle now (the ruling place of Scotland), and it is said, as I said in an earlier entry that, "Wherever the stone lies, there Scotland shall be ruled"... Or something to that effect. Since the stone is now in Scotland, it would seem to follow that the Scots should get their own government again.
While I think this would be a great opportunity for Scotland, I think if they get a good amount of votes in favor for a separate country (like the SNP hopes), they are going to need to borrow a lot of money (for government setup, military defenses, etc.), and the world economic state, as it is now, might not be the best place to apply to.
I think, if they do get enough 'yes' votes, it will take many years before the separation actually occurs. At least, I would hope so. I don't think a violent break would benefit anyone. BUT! I am not a U.K. citizen, so I can't honestly say I am invested, however, it is an event worth following.
In Edinburgh castle, we also visited the prisons. Surprisingly, there were many Americans held there during the Revolutionary War. I have some photos of the American markings they found, such as a picture of a man hanging on the gallows with the words "Lord Nord" above it. Lord Nord, was apparently the much hated man who raised the taxes in "the colonies" and, they peg the blame on him, single handedly caused the Boston Tea Party and the fight for independence. When the war was over, all of the prisoners were freed, except for the Americans, because they hated "the rebels".
I was surprised to find so much American history in Scotland. They represented them somewhat humorously, I suppose...
It's so strange to hear what people think America is like. A lot of people have told me they are afraid of the gangsters. Which, I think is hilarious. Or they make remarks, like about the one o-clock gun going off, "If you're American, you'll probably think it's a drive by shooting and take to the ground."... Speaking of the one o'clock gun, we were up in the Castle when it went off... that was fun. I did jump a little, but I didn't think it was a drive by shooting, or whatever.
But really. I can not decipher (as yet) if they poke fun at Americans because they don't like them, or if it's just fun to do. The British kind of poke fun at everyone. And a lot of British people have this feeling that I, as an American, am very competitive with Canada and Britain... Perhaps I am a little bit prideful when I say this but, what do we really have in competition with them? We are all self-sustaining countries... well, mostly. We all have resources, but none of us are lacking in anything that we really NEED. We all have farms for food, and wood (or bricks) for buildings. I met a person who was half Canadian, and he made a face like, "it's bad"... and I asked him, "What's wrong with being Canadian" and he said, "Well because there's a lot of rivalry."
"Between who? The U.S. and Canada"
"Yeah."
I just laughed. For some reason, I never thought of the U.S. having a rivalry with Canada. I just the country ignored them (we pretty much do)... except during the Winter Olympics... maybe that's what he's talking about.
But if you think about it, isn't every country a rival to another? Even if it's just a friendly rivalry, like New Zealand and Australia. Heck, Scotland has an INTENSE rivalry with England, and they haven't been separated, as countries, in over 500 years!
Well, anyway, the prison was interesting. The memorial to "the Great War" (WWI) built in 1929 (I think?) was very beautiful, and definitely designed in the 1920's. There was the heavy, art deco, geometric approach to nearly all the decorations, but it was beautiful. It had all the names of the fallen written in books. And then a special memorial for those unaccounted for. War memorials always make me want to cry. Especially when I see little children running around in them. Maybe this is a little overly sentimental of me, but I can't help it. Just knowing that those kids may not have been here today if a series of impossibly unpredictable events led to their ancestor's survival. Life really is a blessing.
After we saw the Edinburgh Castle, we walked back to the Hostel, but not before stopping in the National Scottish Museum. It was pretty small, but absolutely beautiful, and free. It consists of two buildings but we only went in the permanent display one. The other is used for special exhibits and costs money. Not like I'm opposed to spending money going into a museum, but we didn't have the time. There were many excellent paintings, and the room layouts were wonderful. Classic, but in a different way from Buckingham Palace. Classic Scottish, I suppose, which I was "in tune" with much better. There were also some ancient Greek artifacts which I thoroughly enjoyed. There were Degas, Van Gogh, Monet, Gauguin, and other famous impressionist painter, which I can't remember right now. It was heaven! Many lovely landscapes, as well as portraits. So many nice paintings!
We walked back to the Hostel and picked up our backpacks, and then went in search for postcards. We walked down along the Parliament building again, and saw some TV reporters talking to, I assume, a government member. I got the really mean idea to go up to them and start asking for directions or something, but I decided not to. My evil side is squelched, once again... thank goodness. It's a good thing I've got a strong will to resist such evil urges! Just kidding. Moving on.
Nothing much happened, we just tooled around, found some postcards, and then got on the bus back to the airport. We stayed in the Old Town Edinburgh for our entire stay. Except for when we walked by Princes Street. But we did not go beyond Princes Street in the New Town. I had forgotten completely about it. The Old Town is so lovely and full of sights.
Security was quick and painless and therefore, rather not worth talking about.
In the airport I found some sour candy that was actually sour. And I bought a couple of books, "The Fabulous Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl and "Princess Diaries: Ten for Ten" by Meg Cabot, the last in the series. Needless to say, I became very engrossed with the latter book and read it continually in the airport, on the plane, on the train, on the bus, and in my bed until I finished it at 2am. I knew it would happen. But I willed myself NOT to look at the clock so I wouldn't get tired so I could finish the book. I like the Princess Diaries books to a pitiful degree. It's just, how can you resist all of the teen romance? I completely skipped what most people deem as "high school", so I like reading about it. It makes me feel young again! That's a joke.
Anyway, so, since I had my nose stuck in the book, I didn't really notice anything else...
Friday, Oct. 2nd was uneventful. I slept late and ate a banana...
Saturday, Oct. 3rd, Mary and Zoe (our American Office advisers) took us on a trip to East Sussex. Our first stop was the chalk cliffs at Beachy Head, the famous suicide spot. People come from all over the country just to jump off the cliffs there. There was actually an old wrecked car at the bottom of one of the points. The little kid that was with us said so, but Mary said, "I don't believe you". I looked where the kid was looking, and darned if he wasn't right. It was kind of hidden under some grass, but there it was.
A little grotesque.
But, the government does nothing to stop it. The Samaritans (like the Good Sam club in the U.S.) have taken to patrolling the cliffs. They are located on the South Downs, which is a huge wildlife preservation area. It's about to become a National Park, I think.
After that we went to Afriston, a small "Chocolate Box Village" (as they say here in good old England), and looked around. There was an old St. Andrews (Scotland's Patron Saint) Church and looked at the insides. I split off from the group and walked around by myself for a bit in the graveyard. It was a lovely overcast day. Then I walked on a public path for a bit, then turned and went into the middle of town, down a little lane. It was only wide enough for one and a half people. But I met no on else. I went to the chocolate shop, where I bought some Turkish Delight (yum!), and individual chocolates in Irish Cream, Grand Marnier, Rhubarb, and something else I forgot (but it tasted good... they all tasted so good). I walked around the more residential district of Alfriston and then we climbed in the bus again and off we went to the a small pub for lunch. But not before seeing the "Seven Sisters" which are naturally coursing streams through the South Downs. They were very picturesque, and I hope I snapped a couple of good photos of them. They are just field streams, but vitally important to the wildlife in the area.
We got to the pub, I was so hungry, having not eaten that day, and ordered "Paul's Special", which is cheese and tomato sauce on bread.... it was the best pizza I've had here, so far. And Mushroom Stroganoff, which isn't in my spell checker, haha! I ate a lot. But it felt good.
Lemonade here, by the way, tastes suspiciously exactly like a flat Sprite. With more water.
I played drawing games with Charlie (the kid who saw the car), and we rode in the front seat together to Battle Abbey. Battle Abbey is where they fought the Battle of Hastings in 1066 (what other Battle of Hastings is there?), which was a turning point in Anglo-Saxon and Norman rule of England (the Normans won). Battle Abbey was erected by Norman King William to commemorate the brave Anglo-Saxon warriors, especially leader of the Saxons, King Harold. Battle Abbey was built where he fell. A rather noble gesture by King William, I think. Where they actually fought the battle is just an English field and stands out about as much as nothing. The signs weren't very informative, mostly a lot of, "And the Brave King Harold rallied his warriors!" sort of thing.
The Abbey is very beautiful inside. Very bare, and the years have eaten the polish from the stones, but the vaulted ceiling is still as awesome as it could have ever been. Even though it is not very big, and even though the ages have dimmed it's glory, somewhat, you can still get the feeling that the Abbey was once a work of perfection. They had some of the storage areas still about, and some garden walls were still standing, but the actual original church built was torn down by some idiots in the 18th century. If you know me, you know my extreme dislike for people who destroy ancient buildings or statues, or any art (do not get me started on the heretical burnings of the Alexander the Great's Libraries!!!).
Well, across from the Abbey is a large castle, which is still used today as a school. Lucky kids, I say.
Speaking of kids, in the Garden, there were these things lying on the ground. These things that come off the trees that are called, "Conkers". Apparently, children in the U.K. collect them, tie strings to them, and hit other kid's conkers with their own. If your conker cracks someone else's conker, you've got a good conker. And the point of all of it is to find the best conker out there. Sounds like fun to me! They look like avocado pits. I had never seen them before. Anyway...
The museum was interesting. There were a lot of old Monk's work and some tiles that were on the floor. The most priceless items are on display at the British Museum, so I will have to go there to check it all out. I went up some of the little staircases and found a tiny little room in one of the towers. It was well lit, so I know I wasn't up there illegally or anything, but it was cool because the door hinge pegs were still embedded in the stone.
I was feeling quite sick at this point, so I decided to leave and got a Coke across the street at the little Post Office and joined the others at the van.
It was a pleasant ride back with Charlie. He got a new book: A Thousand Years on the Same Street and kept asking me what I liked better? The building from the 1700s, or the building from the late 1800s? Would I like living in 1000ad, or in the 1400s? Etc. We held our breath going through the tunnel, and I counted how long he could hold his breath (43 seconds...not bad for a 10 year old). He asked me how long I could do it (about a minute) and to show him, but was seriously feeling ill, and I knew I would start coughing uncontrollably if I tried to hold my breath. So, I told him no. He wasn't too disappointed. He just kept asking me to time him until he got too lightheaded.
Riding around with Charlie was the highlight of my weekend. I miss being around little kids. I really do like being around them. So, it was nice to get a break from all the weird college students for a while (yes, I do realize what I just said. I mean it tongue-in-cheek).
Sunday, Oct. 4th, I was sick. And very sick. So, I quarantined myself to my room and (only if completely necessary) the kitchen. I listened to John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and Jason Mraz and slept all day, practically. And I wrote in this journal.
Monday, Oct 5th, I went to my first two classes in five months (THANK GOODNESS): Popular Music and how it is a cultural medium and used by the media.
And
Propaganda, Persuasion, and Political Communication. There is an entire week devoted to Political comics. I am so happy I am in this class.
The rest of the day was spent writing in this journal until 1am and talking to friends.
Tuesday, Oct. 6th, I did not have class, so I did some shopping and explored Brighton a little more. I like the off-the-main-drag Brighton much better than the touristy City Centre. It's much calmer there and friendlier too, in some ways.
Which brings me up to date for today: Wednesday the 7th of the month of October in the year two-thousand and nine. Just like my diploma would say... if I were graduating today. Which I am not.
Today I had Science, Technology, and the Media class, which I am extremely excited about. I was so excited I could barely sit still in class (or was it the caffeine?... I think it was more the subject matter). Basically, the class explores why and how science is used in the media, how it is represented, and why culture plays into what gets researched, what gets discovered, and what gets reported (three entirely separate processes, by the way). It is something I am extremely interested in, and I would love to have a job one day translating scientific text into laymen terms. It's something that would be helpful for both the medical/science world and the non-scientific world. I could help a lot of people understand science better, which would leave to more interest in science as a career. I could be the awesome, almighty middle-(wo)man! Seriously, I could use my love for science and my love for writing to help other people cope with technology. I think that would be awesome.
All of the classes I am taking are graded (the entire year, mind you) on either one or two things. Mostly an essay 60-100%, depending on the class, with a presentation 10-40% of the class. SO, in light of that fact, it's a very good thing I like to read and write essays, because that is practically all I will be doing. Hooray! Seriously, it's not a bad system. However, if it were introduced in the States all of a sudden, into the lives of students who have studied under the test-taking way, for lack of a better term, I am pretty sure most of them would fail. I could be wrong, but the reason why I think this is because in American educational institutions, students are frequently "checked up on" through tests and short assignments (designed to check if the student is absorbing the material properly), giving the student leeway to get a "feeling" for the class, and the professor and how they grade. They would get no chance of this in this England way of teaching. However, since it is a one shot, or you fail sort of system, that might scare American students enough to put in all the time necessary.
I just hope I don't fail miserably. I doubt I will, but you can never be too vigilante about protecting yourself from the, "Aw, I wouldn't do that" syndrome. Never underestimate your own stupidity, that's what I say. Or, never overestimate your own intelligence.
Well, anyway, today, I also played frisbee out in the "inclement" weather. Today, it was inclement at it's best. We're talking flash-flood amounts of water almost all day. We were lucky it cleared up for the hour we played out at "The Level" (a park near City Centre). It was so much fun! I love Ultimate Frisbee and I love the club. So many nice people. Apryl, Daye, and I were the only girls today, but it didn't seem to make much of a difference. We all had fun. We had a few "newbs", a term for "newbies", in case you didn't know. Sometimes used as a derogatory term in the States, but here it is used quite openly and without any hint of malicious intent. Anyway, it was fun, needless to say. I am pretty sure it will always be fun. I don't think anyone would let it get too serious. We had to stand in the bus for the first time ever (I have never seen it so crowded), but that was okay, because we rode to the end so most people left before we got out of town.
We got back to the flat, and I wrote in this, until Apryl sent me a text asking where I was... I had forgotten entirely about our mandatory residential meeting at 6:15. So, I ran changed clothes ultra-quick and ran through the heavy "dew" to the Checkland Building. I felt terrible I was late, but at least I didn't miss it entirely.
Apryl and I walked back to the flat and found a lonely hard hat sitting on a stair... we thought about it. But, we didn't. Steal it, that is. (once again, tongue-in-cheek).
And since then, I have been sitting here, eating my sour candy (I am trying to savor it to make it last), and writing in this journal.
Sometimes, it seems as if this place brings out the immature trickster in me. The one that used to play practical jokes quite regularly. I keep getting devilish ideas, and how to carry them through... not like I didn't get them before, but it seems as if England has presented me with a fresh, brand new batch of opportunities. Heh heh heh (evil laugh).
So, I'm just now getting warmed up and have no other events on which to expound... what can I possibly say now?
I am hungry.
Time for food.
Ciao!
Hannah
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