Entering the Globe is a transformative experience. Even this new replica, built in 1997, maintains the feel of a place swarming with history. Although there is no way of knowing if this replica is accurate or not, (it was based on a poor sketch of the original by a dutch tourist) the atmosphere is made to feel centuries old. When you enter, the actors and workers are dressed in Elizabethan attire, still setting up for the play. A man walks out holding a paper, presumably the set design, and watches the crew setting up. 1600's townspeople are placed in the audience, chanting "Ceasar!" and encouraging you to join in. And then, suddenly, without a curtain speech or introduction, the play begins, and you become enamoured in the production, such that you don't even mind standing in the cold, rainy weather. I mean, at least the people around you bathe more than once a year.
I haven't uploaded anything in three days, and for that, I do apologize. So, here's what I've done in the last few days:
That's pretty much it! I don't have a lot of pictures, but here's what I do have. Rather unorganised, I'm afraid: What a lovely rainbow! It rained a on and off all yesterday evening, so this arc of joy was treasured by everyone in the park.
Yesterday was Sunday, so we were allowed to sleep in a bit later than usual. I had a breakfast at 8:30, the usual time, enjoying an apple, 1/2 banana, and some pineapple. Following this I returned to my room to prepare for the "Literary Wonder Walk," which is put on by Oxford's "Story Museum." It was the best tour I've ever been on, I think. We learned about three authors and heard three of their stories: C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", Charles "Lewis Carroll" Dodgson, "Alice in Wonderland"; and J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Hobbit." Our tour guide, Sophie, and her son, were excellent storytellers. If you come to Oxford, take this tour and go to the museum. It costs £4, but I promise you it's worth every penny. Following the Wonder Walk, I returned to college and had free lunch in the Dining Hall: chips, chicken, and green beans. I did a final revision of my Shakespeare essay and read. I cleaned my room and then went on my daily rounds (I don't go by the main offices and message boards for my classes, so I go by them when I have free time, and call it my "daily rounds.") I was surprised to find that I had a package waiting, and when I brought it back to my room I was overjoyed to learn that my mother had sent some lovely Mary Janes. Thank you, Mother! Also on my rounds I figured out the whole printer nonsense and printed my essays. We had dinner in town with our RA groups, a sort of bonding activity. I actually really enjoyed getting to know my hallmates better over Italian food at Zizzi's of George Street. We walked back from dinner in the rain, and some girls grabbed ice cream on the way back. Just as we reached the cricket park near college, the rain cleared and out popped a beautiful rainbow! All of the students, mothers, professors, and workers in the park stopped to look and take pictures. After we got back to college, there was a "Decade's Dance," where everyone dressed as a different period in history. I went as the (early) 60's. Today, I've had breakfast, gone to a group meeting, been to Shakespeare class, eaten lunch (in my room), and snagged one of the last spots for high tea, tomorrow at 1:45. I am meeting my Genetics partner at 2:00 today to work on our project, and then I have a meeting with the program directors and other hall representatives to give my thoughts on the program thus far. Following that I'll go to Genetics, then dinner and a seminar on Oxford's history. Sherlock is showing at 8:30, so hopefully I'll get to see that as well (I'll be about 15 minutes late due to the seminar). I'll put today's schedule below. I just got back from our first london trip, which was primarily a coach tour through the city, watching the changing of the guards, walking through St. James' Park, and a visit to Covent Garden for lunch and tourism. I had a hot dog and creamsicle shake at "Shake Shack," both of which I thought were pretty terrible. Not highly recommended. However, the rest of Covent Garden was incredible. Beautiful one-of-a-kind shops and circus acts, happy people all around, and excellent musical performances. I went into the Moomin Store (!) and a few others. One, a joke store/toy store, was full of Judy & Punch stuff, which I love. I took a lot of pictures, so I doubt I'll caption them all, but here they are. The first ones are from the water fight last night.
No really, this building, it used to be an inn. See that window at the far end? Shakespeare stayed in that room. And what is it now? A Pizza Express.
Ed took us on a "Shakespeare Tour" of Oxford. We got to see the places he stayed and the streets he walked. His plays may have been performed in the inn yard where I stood in the picture above. Incredible! We also saw the Bodleian Library (the parts that are open to the public) and went into Keble College, where we saw a painting and an allegorical interpretation, which Ed said we should consider when writing our commentaries. After our tour, we stayed in town for a quick lunch of Falafel (for me and another) and KFC (for everyone else). The Falafel was soooo good and as much as I want to try everything, I'll likely be back again. I returned to the college and went to the fields to play the games that were planned, but I was the only one who showed up. It was enjoyable none the less, and I got to play frisbee with the RAs. That's pretty much what has happened today. Pictures after the jump, as always. Isn't that an artsy picture? We had an ice cream social last night, where I enjoyed neapolitan ice cream and gold sprinkles. Afterwards I returned to my room and did some studying, or revising as they say here. My genetics class was excellent, I've met one of the teachers (we have a monday-wednesday teacher and a thursday-friday teacher). She seems lovely, but I can tell it's going to be a difficult class. I'm ready to take on the challenge! We have partners for two of the projects, and I'm lucky to be working with a very nice Russian girl from my dorm. This morning I had breakfast and then read out in the gardens...I tried to take a picture of my shadow, you'll see below ;). We had our Shakespeare class outside today, which was wonderful. I read Lysander in one scene and Starveling (one line) in another. After class I went in to town with some girls, and we had sandwiches. Now I'm back in the dorm doing research for Genetics and working on a commentary for Shakespeare. Pictures after the jump (which means after the "read more" break)
I haven't too much to say today, simply that it's been a lovely (albeit tiring) one. I've had a great Shakespeare class, where we started reading Midsummer Night's Dream. We have a paper due monday on it, 500-1500 words on any <20 line passage. I've also been in to town and had dinner. I picked up an umbrella and a phone. I had pad thai for lunch, and now I'm preparing for my elective. I might post later tonight as well. Pictures after the jump.
It was a long flight, but I certainly had the best imaginable situation. A great seatmate, with whom I shared a macaron, a nice long sleep, great meals, and one EXCELLENT flight attendant, who may or may not have given me a free ice cream sundae with fudge and nuts. Customs was somewhat stressful, but I got through and grabbed my baggage. Paul (Program Director) and William (RA) found me and brought me to the bus group. We waited for a bit and then got on the bus! We arrived at LMH at about 10:15. I've been exploring with a group of people, and we had a lunch (or breakfast for lunch...baked beans, hash browns, tomatoes, and mushrooms.) The gardens are lovely and the buildings are magnificent. More pictures after the jump!
This month I'll be sharing pictures and stories from my summer trip on this blog. In order to familiarize myself with the blogging process, I thought I'd show you how to make a simple eyemask. After the jump...
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About MeI'm a high school student living in Durham, North Carolina. I like Science, Theatre, Shakespeare, baking, and sometimes I update this blog. Archives
May 2015
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