So we've been home almost a month now. And in some ways it feels like I never left. Southern Indiana looks about the same as it ever did. Television is still full of commercials. And Tiger continues his drought. Sometimes I think the past three months abroad only equated to about 5 minutes at home, as if London is in the same time-zone as Narnia.
But then I slowly recall a semester's worth of memories; standing in the Sistine Chapel, witnessing a Wayne Rooney hat-trick, drinking a Guinness on the top of Dublin, and experiencing it all with a group of people I have come to call my friends. Many of them were people I never would have had the pleasure or privilege of meeting if it had not been for our mutual decision to embark on a journey with such extreme circumstances. The things we experienced inadvertently brought us together and will inextricably link us forever. And I can honestly say that they taught me just as much about myself, as our various destinations did about the world.
So I guess it makes sense that as I return to the 'real' world I also lose all of the the people that shared in my fantasy. Not to say that we weren't looking forward to getting home; Taco Bell, ESPN, and free re-fills were just some of the things we were looking forward to back here in the states. Not to mention all the family and friends we had left behind.
But after a week or so, the nostalgia begins to wear off. And as much as I love the fact that I am 5 minutes and 1 dollar away from a cheesy delicious burrito, it pales in comparison to we've had for the last three months of our lives. Yeah it's awesome to get back to Muncie and see some old faces. But how is this supposed to replace London? How can I go back? Maybe this past semester was just supposed to whet my appetite for something bigger, something more. And that's how I came to realize Muncie is just like Taco Bell: it may be cheap and convenient, but I don't want it for the rest of my life.
So thanks to all of you who have followed this incredible journey, read my blog scribblings, and viewed my mini-docs. Having the blog really kept me grounded at times; no matter how far away I was. For the entire time I knew that all my friends and family were only a click away.
CHEERS!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Letters to America- "The Empirical Hangover"
When I was little I watched a lot of movies. And naturally my fondness of history lead to many of them being in the genre historical fiction. Two of my favorites were The Patriot and Braveheart. Now if you’ve seen these two movies you of course know who the good guy is- Mel Gibson. And the villain? Why, Great Britain of course: the Empire of all Empires.
But why? Surely the ancestors of noble men like Lyndon Sly, Phillipa Owen and Garreth Bayliss (our teachers) couldn’t carry out the atrocities portrayed in these films. Perhaps Mel Gibson is not only Anti-Semitic, but also Anti-Britannic? Sadly, that is not the case.
The truth is there was a time when Great Britain truly was Great. Indeed, by the turn of 20th Century they had amassed the largest Empire this world has ever seen. And they, like all before them, were guilty of various imperial crimes- from apartheid to the oppression inflicted in the British Raj. But hey, that’s water under the (Waterloo) bridge.
Today the U.K. enjoys a comfortable, yet pivotal, position in the world. (They can leave it to us to repeat history). They have watched all their former colonies and possessions slowly break off one by one. With Hong Kong being the most recent to defect in 1997. The Sun used to never set on the British Empire, but now it barely even shines in London.
But how have the British people dealt with their new place in the modern world? Are they bitter? Are they proud? I’ve found it to be a little bit of both. Some will condemn the actions of their government just like any sensible citizen would. (That is at least one thing Americans and Brits share: criticizing their administration). But they can not be too critical, for their country’s past is deeply woven into their everyday lives.
Just as Americans overlook the fact that the same guy that wrote “All men are created equal…” was himself a slave owner, Brits must neglect that their revered royalty allowed such despotism to occur abroad. But it’s hard to start anew when the past is so ubiquitous. For the legacy of empire is truly evident in the British life and culture.
That was one thing that really struck me when I first came over here. You can’t walk down the street without running into some sort of war monument or memorial. Whether it’s Cleopatra’s needle or the Nelson Column, the city is riddled with vestiges to the military triumphs of the past. I think it’s still a great source of pride for the Brits. But it’s also a constant reminder of what was.
And in some ways England holds on tightly to that unraveling yarn of the past. They are proud to claim that they only ones who still drive on the “right” side of the road. The reason everyone else doesn’t is because they were told to by Napoleon when his empire had conquered most of the west. The British never were.
They have also held on to their currency, the beloved pound, even while the rest of the EU has switched to the Euro. (In retrospect, this has been a very good move as the pound is doing much better in the global market at the moment). They also make America look almost bilingual with their reliance on the English language. Granted, I bet per capita England has higher number of citizens who speak more than one language. But for a city that has the most diverse population in the world, I’ve never seen one sign that was not in English (not withstanding foreign food restaurants).
That is especially odd when you consider the number of tourists that come through it each year. I mean, you couldn’t even navigate the various museums if you don’t know English. And they know it too. To me the message is clear: get on board with English or get left behind. Luckily, the British Empire was also the biggest exporter of the language. So Americans can thank them when they find it to be used so widely.
They also hold on to some objects of the past in a much more literal sense. Those English-only museums I mentioned earlier are full of artifacts from around the world; many attained under illegitimate circumstances. The British Museum, for instance, holds a number of artifacts who’s custody is now in dispute: most notably the Rosetta Stone and the Benin Bronzes which have been claimed by Egypt and Nigeria, respectively. Both of which were at sometime or another under British control.
But the transition from the antebellum Britain to today can also be seen in a very real way. Just go and see how many ships are being made in Newcastle these days. Or how many cars they’re making in Birmingham. The outsourcing of Britain’s manufacturing economy has crippled many cities. The ironic part is that they have been replaced by some of their former colonies. For instance, India now produces twice as many cars as the U.K.
Although I have to say Brits seem to take it in stride. Of course there are those in the deep Labour Party, and those anti-Thatchers like in Billy Elliot, that do fight on behalf of domestic commerce. But for the most part the attitude seems to be ‘get over it’. Like, if we can’t build cars we’ll just do something else. I’d say most people here work to live, not live to work. So who cares what it is you actually do?
For example, I met a very nice elderly couple in Brighton that seemed quite well off- they were happy anyway. He had been a mailman all his life until he got laid off, then he drove a bus until he retired. She still worked as cashier at Sainsbury’s. Yet here they were on a Tuesday afternoon enjoying a pint together after a nice day of shopping. And they were nice enough to take time to talk to two nosy Americans.
So who cares if all the factory jobs have left the country. But is there any thought as to what is coming in? For a nation that is so proud of its tradition and history, I expected a little more resistance to the influx of foreign cultures into it’s society.
I guess it was inevitable though, after Britain’s deep ties with all these nations around the world. They are inextricably tied with many of them, and I think on some level the British people recognize this; the reverse invasion of their former colonies was to be expected.
I find it no coincidence that the most popular dish in Britain is Chicken Tikka Misala. The dish is thought to have been invented in Punjab, on the border of British-ruled India. It was then brought back by the British troops posted there. Instances like this happened all over as servicemen abroad brought back other customs and goods from around the world. And so it began.
But it goes beyond food and economics. It effects something much closer to the Englishman’s heart: Football. A game invented and perfected by the British that is now the most popular sport in the world. How bad do you think it stings when they get beaten out in group play of the World Cup by those 13 colonies they used to own. (Not to mention it took place in South Africa, their old friend.) Or when the majority of Premiere League footballers are non-British? It seems that was one imperial export that came back biting.
I truly admire the British people’s tolerance of other cultures. They seem to welcome all types from all over. Even if it means some one standing on the left side of the Underground escalators (a horrid crime I would never dream of committing after living here!) On the other hand, Americans can barely share one border with out trying to build a wall on it.
I’ve been surprised to find little fear over the loss of identity that could occur if this keeps up. Who is going to order Toad in the Hole when you can get Curry? Who is going to scout footballers in Britain when you can go to Spain or Brazil? Who is going to want to build an epic memorial for the 3rd Afghanistan war?
And English may be their language, but right now there are more people in China learning it than there are people in England. And they can only dream of having the GDP per capita of Qatar (which also happens to be hosting the 2022 World Cup.)
But you couldn’t tell any of this from living in London. They still see themselves as the center of the world. And maybe they are. Not only is it one of the most diverse cities in the world, it has long histories with more countries than any other. Some of the most important events in history have gone thought this country. And that makes it connected with almost everybody; a lowest common denominator in a way.
And if anybody is willing to take on that responsibility, it is the British. Not only because of their past role as the world empire, but also their unwavering spirit in the face of change. Nobody knows better than them that you reap what you sow. But hopefully the past doesn’t come back to haunt them. And neither will Mel Gibson.
But why? Surely the ancestors of noble men like Lyndon Sly, Phillipa Owen and Garreth Bayliss (our teachers) couldn’t carry out the atrocities portrayed in these films. Perhaps Mel Gibson is not only Anti-Semitic, but also Anti-Britannic? Sadly, that is not the case.
The truth is there was a time when Great Britain truly was Great. Indeed, by the turn of 20th Century they had amassed the largest Empire this world has ever seen. And they, like all before them, were guilty of various imperial crimes- from apartheid to the oppression inflicted in the British Raj. But hey, that’s water under the (Waterloo) bridge.
Today the U.K. enjoys a comfortable, yet pivotal, position in the world. (They can leave it to us to repeat history). They have watched all their former colonies and possessions slowly break off one by one. With Hong Kong being the most recent to defect in 1997. The Sun used to never set on the British Empire, but now it barely even shines in London.
But how have the British people dealt with their new place in the modern world? Are they bitter? Are they proud? I’ve found it to be a little bit of both. Some will condemn the actions of their government just like any sensible citizen would. (That is at least one thing Americans and Brits share: criticizing their administration). But they can not be too critical, for their country’s past is deeply woven into their everyday lives.
Just as Americans overlook the fact that the same guy that wrote “All men are created equal…” was himself a slave owner, Brits must neglect that their revered royalty allowed such despotism to occur abroad. But it’s hard to start anew when the past is so ubiquitous. For the legacy of empire is truly evident in the British life and culture.
That was one thing that really struck me when I first came over here. You can’t walk down the street without running into some sort of war monument or memorial. Whether it’s Cleopatra’s needle or the Nelson Column, the city is riddled with vestiges to the military triumphs of the past. I think it’s still a great source of pride for the Brits. But it’s also a constant reminder of what was.
And in some ways England holds on tightly to that unraveling yarn of the past. They are proud to claim that they only ones who still drive on the “right” side of the road. The reason everyone else doesn’t is because they were told to by Napoleon when his empire had conquered most of the west. The British never were.
They have also held on to their currency, the beloved pound, even while the rest of the EU has switched to the Euro. (In retrospect, this has been a very good move as the pound is doing much better in the global market at the moment). They also make America look almost bilingual with their reliance on the English language. Granted, I bet per capita England has higher number of citizens who speak more than one language. But for a city that has the most diverse population in the world, I’ve never seen one sign that was not in English (not withstanding foreign food restaurants).
That is especially odd when you consider the number of tourists that come through it each year. I mean, you couldn’t even navigate the various museums if you don’t know English. And they know it too. To me the message is clear: get on board with English or get left behind. Luckily, the British Empire was also the biggest exporter of the language. So Americans can thank them when they find it to be used so widely.
They also hold on to some objects of the past in a much more literal sense. Those English-only museums I mentioned earlier are full of artifacts from around the world; many attained under illegitimate circumstances. The British Museum, for instance, holds a number of artifacts who’s custody is now in dispute: most notably the Rosetta Stone and the Benin Bronzes which have been claimed by Egypt and Nigeria, respectively. Both of which were at sometime or another under British control.
But the transition from the antebellum Britain to today can also be seen in a very real way. Just go and see how many ships are being made in Newcastle these days. Or how many cars they’re making in Birmingham. The outsourcing of Britain’s manufacturing economy has crippled many cities. The ironic part is that they have been replaced by some of their former colonies. For instance, India now produces twice as many cars as the U.K.
Although I have to say Brits seem to take it in stride. Of course there are those in the deep Labour Party, and those anti-Thatchers like in Billy Elliot, that do fight on behalf of domestic commerce. But for the most part the attitude seems to be ‘get over it’. Like, if we can’t build cars we’ll just do something else. I’d say most people here work to live, not live to work. So who cares what it is you actually do?
For example, I met a very nice elderly couple in Brighton that seemed quite well off- they were happy anyway. He had been a mailman all his life until he got laid off, then he drove a bus until he retired. She still worked as cashier at Sainsbury’s. Yet here they were on a Tuesday afternoon enjoying a pint together after a nice day of shopping. And they were nice enough to take time to talk to two nosy Americans.
So who cares if all the factory jobs have left the country. But is there any thought as to what is coming in? For a nation that is so proud of its tradition and history, I expected a little more resistance to the influx of foreign cultures into it’s society.
I guess it was inevitable though, after Britain’s deep ties with all these nations around the world. They are inextricably tied with many of them, and I think on some level the British people recognize this; the reverse invasion of their former colonies was to be expected.
I find it no coincidence that the most popular dish in Britain is Chicken Tikka Misala. The dish is thought to have been invented in Punjab, on the border of British-ruled India. It was then brought back by the British troops posted there. Instances like this happened all over as servicemen abroad brought back other customs and goods from around the world. And so it began.
But it goes beyond food and economics. It effects something much closer to the Englishman’s heart: Football. A game invented and perfected by the British that is now the most popular sport in the world. How bad do you think it stings when they get beaten out in group play of the World Cup by those 13 colonies they used to own. (Not to mention it took place in South Africa, their old friend.) Or when the majority of Premiere League footballers are non-British? It seems that was one imperial export that came back biting.
I truly admire the British people’s tolerance of other cultures. They seem to welcome all types from all over. Even if it means some one standing on the left side of the Underground escalators (a horrid crime I would never dream of committing after living here!) On the other hand, Americans can barely share one border with out trying to build a wall on it.
I’ve been surprised to find little fear over the loss of identity that could occur if this keeps up. Who is going to order Toad in the Hole when you can get Curry? Who is going to scout footballers in Britain when you can go to Spain or Brazil? Who is going to want to build an epic memorial for the 3rd Afghanistan war?
And English may be their language, but right now there are more people in China learning it than there are people in England. And they can only dream of having the GDP per capita of Qatar (which also happens to be hosting the 2022 World Cup.)
But you couldn’t tell any of this from living in London. They still see themselves as the center of the world. And maybe they are. Not only is it one of the most diverse cities in the world, it has long histories with more countries than any other. Some of the most important events in history have gone thought this country. And that makes it connected with almost everybody; a lowest common denominator in a way.
And if anybody is willing to take on that responsibility, it is the British. Not only because of their past role as the world empire, but also their unwavering spirit in the face of change. Nobody knows better than them that you reap what you sow. But hopefully the past doesn’t come back to haunt them. And neither will Mel Gibson.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Roma, Firenze, and Venezia
For our Spring Break, 10 of us packed up and flew to that giant boot of a peninsula known as Italy. There we hoped to find good food, rich history, and of course some good-old fashioned partying. Needless to say, we were successful on all counts.
ROMA
Our first stop was probably the most obvious: Rome. As the center of one of the world’s greatest empires for over 500 years, and the head of Catholicism for almost 1,500 years, it’s no wonder why there is so much to see in this great city. Walk down any street and you’re bound to stumble upon some ancient Roman ruins. It is, without a doubt, the most preserved of any modern city. The Coliseum and the Pantheon (both almost two millennia old) are still standing today for millions of tourists to marvel at annually. To this day the Pantheon still boasts the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world. While the two-thousand year-old Coliseum dwarfs most college stadiums of today.
Then it was on to Vatican City, home of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. (VC is in Rome, but is technically its own sovereign state). As the largest church in all of Christendom, it’s no wonder visitors of St. Peter’s feel quite diminished upon entering. It’s no accident either. The original builders wanted worshippers to feel miniscule when compared to the awesome power of the church. Conversely, Michelangelo’s Sistine was much smaller than I had anticipated. This may have had something to do with it being packed full of people. But that doesn’t stop you from appreciating the vastness of his work, which covers the entire ceiling and every wall (See it). This was one of the few places that photography was not allowed. It was also weird to have the guards shush the crowd every few minutes or so.
The most unique place we saw though was an area dubbed ‘Area Sacra’, Latin for ‘Sacred Area’. It was just a fenced off ruin of an old Roman Temple. Like most ancient parts of the city, it was about 20 feet below the current street level. But the odd part was that it had been converted into one big cat sanctuary! The few minutes we were there we spotted about 50 cats just hanging out about the ruins. They have all been tested and vaccinated and live solely off of charity.
FIRENZE
After a few days there, we took a train north to Florence. Florence is regarded as not only one of the most romantic cities on the planet, but also one of the most beautiful. And between the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the statue of David, I have to agree. The Duomo is a 16th century cathedral sporting the largest brick dome ever constructed by man (it is also painted on the inside, in my eyes giving the Sistine a run for its money.). The Ponte Vecchio is a one-of-a-kind bridge in the heart of the city; unique because its sides are made entirely up of shops- and because all of those shops are jewelry stores. More than one of the girls in our group found their wedding ring while there. And although the David is now indoors, it nonetheless adds to the beauty of Florence (not to mention there are two replicas placed around the city.) David is impressive not only because of Michelangelo’s perfection of the human form, but also because the sheer size of it. I had always imagined it as a statue on the normal human-scale. But, including it’s platform, it towers over you at nearly 25 feet tall!
We also found the best pizza we had in Italy at a place called The Clubhouse (not very Italian, I know). However, pizza in Italy is not how we Americans think of it: cheese is used sparingly, most come in personal size servings, and they never pre-cut it for you! You usually just have to resort to folding it over and eating it like a taco. I also had a delicious egg, bacon, and BBQ sauce bagel for breakfast one morning. (Not Italian I know, but just saying).
VENEZIA
For the last night is was off to Venice, the city on the water. Venice has got to be the most unique city on Earth. I don’t know of any other that claims hundreds if not thousands of bridges, a nautical public-transit system, and lacks any kind of roads whatsoever. It’s the one place where tourists don’t have to worry about crossing the street! But for a city with such a rich history of civic pride, it was despairing to see it have fallen into such a commercial state. A city once renowned for its Opera, mask making, and gondola boats has become some elaborate tourist attraction. The word ‘Opera’ is used quite loosely (the one we saw had a four person cast and only featured one song!). Literally, every other store you pass sells cheap Masquerade masks that were probably mass-produced somewhere in China. And the romantic idea of a private gondola ride down the intimate canals has been reduced to some slimy git harassing you on the sidewalk (“La Gondola? La Gondola?”). This was no more romantic than the Middle-Eastern street-vendors in Rome selling fake sunglasses. But it would take more than that to ruin Venice for someone. When all else fails, you can always just buy a bottle of wine and sit down next to the water. However, it would have been nice if it got above 40 degrees while we were there.
3 cities, 4 hostels, and 7 days later, we were all exhausted. Although our week-long adventure had been quite draining (physically and fiscally), it was still a great success. But I never could have guessed how good it would feel to come back to good ole’ London. For as unique as Italy is… there’s no place like home.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A'dam good time...
Our first experience traveling into continental Europe was, surprisingly, not a disaster. After a slight hiccup at the airport in London (don't trust EasyJet, that's all I can say) it was smooth sailing to the Netherlands. Most signs in the airport and train station were in English, which was good because my Dutch is a little rusty.
However, the only things not in English there are the street signs! It took about 15 minutes of us looking for Oudezijds Voorburgwal St. before we decided to follow the guidance of Manny, a South African International who seemed to know his way around the city. At first, I was a little cautious about leading 12 Americans (10 of them girls) down some strange alley with a random foreigner, but he assured me we were safe and I made sure we stuck to the main streets (or canals, rather.) Ten minutes and a nice conversation later, we arrived at the The Bulldog. Happy to have found our hostel and even happier to not have gotten robbed, I gladly tipped Manny (for the record, I never actually asked his name- Manny is just a guess) the 10 Euro he had surreptitiously told me would get him to the shelter for the night. Apparently, he had just been helping out tourist groups in order to make some money while awaiting his return home.
So now the hard part was over and we could finally relax- which, as you might imagine, isn't that hard in Amsterdam. Our hostel had its own bar and lounge on the first floor where guests could get a drink or enjoy anything they might have purchased at the Coffee Shop next door (also owned by The Bulldog!). The lounge seemed to be specially designed for "Coffee" lovers; two televisions (one for XBOX and one for Discovery Channel), plenty of comfy couches, pool tables, a bar, and a fish tank. It didn't hurt either that the kitchen was open until 11 p.m.
But after a while of enjoying that scene, we figured it was time for something a little more touristy. So we caught a tram uptown and checked out the Heineken Experience, a tour/museum of all things Heineken. The best way I can describe it is Willy Wonka for adults (if you consider 21 to be adult, that is). It was just room after room of beer appreciation, but done in a very modern and interactive way. For instance there were these camera stations you could stand in front of and record either a video or still photo, and then you could e-mail them directly to your friends who aren't in Amsterdam ( the result being them hating their lives.) And since Heineken is the Champions League sponsor, one room contained a re-play kiosk that was loaded with every impressive goal, and was search able by either team or player. But the best part by far were the free beers at the end. After walking around a beer factory with cottonmouth for almost 2 hours, you can imagine how satisfying the freezing golden liquid really was.
The remaining details I have either forgotten or omitted for various reasons (The first being I literally forgot it happened). The second though, is that no body can be told what Amsterdam is, you have to experience it for yourself. It's like seeing a picture of the Sistine Chapel: it doesn't really do it justice. So to all my friends, Go! Go now! This second-hand smoke will never compare.
However, the only things not in English there are the street signs! It took about 15 minutes of us looking for Oudezijds Voorburgwal St. before we decided to follow the guidance of Manny, a South African International who seemed to know his way around the city. At first, I was a little cautious about leading 12 Americans (10 of them girls) down some strange alley with a random foreigner, but he assured me we were safe and I made sure we stuck to the main streets (or canals, rather.) Ten minutes and a nice conversation later, we arrived at the The Bulldog. Happy to have found our hostel and even happier to not have gotten robbed, I gladly tipped Manny (for the record, I never actually asked his name- Manny is just a guess) the 10 Euro he had surreptitiously told me would get him to the shelter for the night. Apparently, he had just been helping out tourist groups in order to make some money while awaiting his return home.
So now the hard part was over and we could finally relax- which, as you might imagine, isn't that hard in Amsterdam. Our hostel had its own bar and lounge on the first floor where guests could get a drink or enjoy anything they might have purchased at the Coffee Shop next door (also owned by The Bulldog!). The lounge seemed to be specially designed for "Coffee" lovers; two televisions (one for XBOX and one for Discovery Channel), plenty of comfy couches, pool tables, a bar, and a fish tank. It didn't hurt either that the kitchen was open until 11 p.m.
But after a while of enjoying that scene, we figured it was time for something a little more touristy. So we caught a tram uptown and checked out the Heineken Experience, a tour/museum of all things Heineken. The best way I can describe it is Willy Wonka for adults (if you consider 21 to be adult, that is). It was just room after room of beer appreciation, but done in a very modern and interactive way. For instance there were these camera stations you could stand in front of and record either a video or still photo, and then you could e-mail them directly to your friends who aren't in Amsterdam ( the result being them hating their lives.) And since Heineken is the Champions League sponsor, one room contained a re-play kiosk that was loaded with every impressive goal, and was search able by either team or player. But the best part by far were the free beers at the end. After walking around a beer factory with cottonmouth for almost 2 hours, you can imagine how satisfying the freezing golden liquid really was.
The remaining details I have either forgotten or omitted for various reasons (The first being I literally forgot it happened). The second though, is that no body can be told what Amsterdam is, you have to experience it for yourself. It's like seeing a picture of the Sistine Chapel: it doesn't really do it justice. So to all my friends, Go! Go now! This second-hand smoke will never compare.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Oxford,
I've always been proud of Ball State University. I know it's not the greatest school in the world. But for our size and our location we hold our own. My honest feelings have always been that I wouldn't rather be at any other school... but then I went to Oxford.
We're talking about a school so historic that it is 4 times older than our country. So prolific that its alumni include 40 Prime Ministers, around 50 Olympic Gold Medal winners, oh and 12 Saints! Not to mention the various authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Aldous Huxley, and Lewis Carroll. Either this place has perfected the art of molding minds or the art of attracting them.
As a lifelong reader of some of those names it was a rather spiritual experience for me to visit their Alma Mater. Not to mention that several locations on the campus were used as sets in the Harry Potter films. I was literally walking in the foot steps of Tolkien, Lewis, and Potter: the 3 most important names in fantasy literature.
Being there it's easy to see how these guys could be inspired in such a fantastic way. They merely had to emulate their epic surroundings. Tolkien sees the Norman Castle Mound and comes up with a Hobbit hole. Carroll uses the secret door in the Great Hall and sees a rabbit hole. Whether they meant to or not, these guys couldn't help but incorporate their real-life experiences at this epic school into their fictional stories.
But at the same time as I was so elated at visiting a place with such significance to me, I couldn't but think how Ball State paled in comparison. This got me seriously depressed about my future prospects. I mean, I have no Libraries designed by Sir Christopher Wren to study in. No cafeterias that were the inspiration for Hogwarts. And I can't see Tolkien writing Lord of the Rings at effing Dill St.!
Yet somehow I saw a glimmer of hope. Maybe these people made their environment, not the other way around. Maybe they were going to do what they did all along, and Oxford was actually lucky to have them. And that was when I vowed to do the same for Ball State: to make my school proud, to give it a legacy... to make it my Oxford.
We're talking about a school so historic that it is 4 times older than our country. So prolific that its alumni include 40 Prime Ministers, around 50 Olympic Gold Medal winners, oh and 12 Saints! Not to mention the various authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Aldous Huxley, and Lewis Carroll. Either this place has perfected the art of molding minds or the art of attracting them.
As a lifelong reader of some of those names it was a rather spiritual experience for me to visit their Alma Mater. Not to mention that several locations on the campus were used as sets in the Harry Potter films. I was literally walking in the foot steps of Tolkien, Lewis, and Potter: the 3 most important names in fantasy literature.
Being there it's easy to see how these guys could be inspired in such a fantastic way. They merely had to emulate their epic surroundings. Tolkien sees the Norman Castle Mound and comes up with a Hobbit hole. Carroll uses the secret door in the Great Hall and sees a rabbit hole. Whether they meant to or not, these guys couldn't help but incorporate their real-life experiences at this epic school into their fictional stories.
But at the same time as I was so elated at visiting a place with such significance to me, I couldn't but think how Ball State paled in comparison. This got me seriously depressed about my future prospects. I mean, I have no Libraries designed by Sir Christopher Wren to study in. No cafeterias that were the inspiration for Hogwarts. And I can't see Tolkien writing Lord of the Rings at effing Dill St.!
Yet somehow I saw a glimmer of hope. Maybe these people made their environment, not the other way around. Maybe they were going to do what they did all along, and Oxford was actually lucky to have them. And that was when I vowed to do the same for Ball State: to make my school proud, to give it a legacy... to make it my Oxford.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Greenwich (Gren-itch)
Yesterday we visited the old naval city of Greenwich. Sitting right next to the Thames on the outskirts of London, it basically served as the gateway to the empire for over 300 years. But it's most famous contribution to the world is the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) which was established at the Royal Observatory. It is also home to the Prime Meridian, from which all time zones are based. So technically the observatory itself is in both the East and West hemispheres.
This was crucial to the expanding global economy. The Prime Meridian also helped ships determine their position in the seas. They would keep a clock on the ship and at Noon, Greenwich time, they would measure the angle of the sun in their sky. The further the sun was from the noon position, the further they were from home. This was the first time sailors could determine the position laterally not just vertically.
And although these methods are now obsolete due to modern GPS, it was the peak of technology in its day. The Royal Observatory even had a time ball on top that rose and drop every day at 1. This was so all the sailors in the ports knew the time- and when to break for lunch. The ball does the same thing to this day.
But in addition to the historical sites, Greenwich the town also has a lot to offer. We found a quaint little cheese shop on one of the side streets that had more varieties than I ever thought possible. There was goat cheese, French cheese, Dutch cheese, cheese with nuts, cheese with fruit in it, etc. But I, the timid American, just chose the first one that had "cheddar' in the name (I was NOT disappointed). After that we strolled down to the Trafalgar Tavern for a beer while we soaked in the view of the Thames and Canary Wharf, London's financial district. We even sampled the customary whitebait: little fried fish that are native to the Thames. And we're talking the whole fish- eyes and all.
Between its historical significance and unique culture, it was no surprise in 1997 when it was named a World Heritage Site.
This was crucial to the expanding global economy. The Prime Meridian also helped ships determine their position in the seas. They would keep a clock on the ship and at Noon, Greenwich time, they would measure the angle of the sun in their sky. The further the sun was from the noon position, the further they were from home. This was the first time sailors could determine the position laterally not just vertically.
And although these methods are now obsolete due to modern GPS, it was the peak of technology in its day. The Royal Observatory even had a time ball on top that rose and drop every day at 1. This was so all the sailors in the ports knew the time- and when to break for lunch. The ball does the same thing to this day.
But in addition to the historical sites, Greenwich the town also has a lot to offer. We found a quaint little cheese shop on one of the side streets that had more varieties than I ever thought possible. There was goat cheese, French cheese, Dutch cheese, cheese with nuts, cheese with fruit in it, etc. But I, the timid American, just chose the first one that had "cheddar' in the name (I was NOT disappointed). After that we strolled down to the Trafalgar Tavern for a beer while we soaked in the view of the Thames and Canary Wharf, London's financial district. We even sampled the customary whitebait: little fried fish that are native to the Thames. And we're talking the whole fish- eyes and all.
Between its historical significance and unique culture, it was no surprise in 1997 when it was named a World Heritage Site.
Monday, January 24, 2011
"Should I put the Kettle on?"
This is the informal way of saying "are you staying?" in British. Making a pot of tea is the traditional thing to do when you have company: pull out the fine china, the Earl Gray, and maybe set out some biscuits (cookies) for good measure. And for a nation that drinks almost 200 million cups of tea a day, you can imagine how common of a phrase this actually is.
Today in class, Lyndon taught us the proper way to make a pot of England's favourite beverage (beer is a close second). You start by warming the pot- pour a little boiling water in and just swish it around. This ensures that when you pour the actual water for the tea in it doesn't immediately cool down. Once the pot is warmed, you add the actual tea leaves. The rule of thumb is one teaspoon for each person, and then one for the pot. This way you're guaranteed enough for everyone and there will always be some left for a refresher.
Then you add the boiling water and stir. When pouring you use a strainer that rests on the edge of the cup; this will filter out any leaves. Now it gets interesting (or as interesting as making tea gets). The typical additions are milk, sugar, honey, and lemon. And what you put in your tea can actually say a lot about you. For instance, it's still seen as middle class to add your milk first. This is a holdover from when china was rare and you didn't want it cracking by pouring the hot tea first. While the upper-class would either have fine china that wouldn't break, or enough replacements not to care.
Then again, 95% of the tea drank today is made with teabags. So this traditional process is becoming more and more of a lost art. And I can't ever see Americans giving up their Starbucks for more work and less caffeine. I personally will stick with Diet Coke!
Today in class, Lyndon taught us the proper way to make a pot of England's favourite beverage (beer is a close second). You start by warming the pot- pour a little boiling water in and just swish it around. This ensures that when you pour the actual water for the tea in it doesn't immediately cool down. Once the pot is warmed, you add the actual tea leaves. The rule of thumb is one teaspoon for each person, and then one for the pot. This way you're guaranteed enough for everyone and there will always be some left for a refresher.
Then you add the boiling water and stir. When pouring you use a strainer that rests on the edge of the cup; this will filter out any leaves. Now it gets interesting (or as interesting as making tea gets). The typical additions are milk, sugar, honey, and lemon. And what you put in your tea can actually say a lot about you. For instance, it's still seen as middle class to add your milk first. This is a holdover from when china was rare and you didn't want it cracking by pouring the hot tea first. While the upper-class would either have fine china that wouldn't break, or enough replacements not to care.
Then again, 95% of the tea drank today is made with teabags. So this traditional process is becoming more and more of a lost art. And I can't ever see Americans giving up their Starbucks for more work and less caffeine. I personally will stick with Diet Coke!
Friday, January 21, 2011
It's a Bloody Brilliant Day in the Neighborhood
I thought I'd take this time to give a little insight into where we're living. Of course, you all know I live in London, but it's such a vast city that that's like saying you live in New York City- it doesn't really narrow it down at all. More specifically we live in the City of Westminster, one of the bigger boroughs in the city (here pronounced bur-uh NOT bur-oh). So actually, this isn't very specific either as Westminster stretches from the Thames (Parliament and the Abbey that bares its name) all the way out to our flat on Kilburn. ( Our Flat on Google.)
Despite what the locals have told us (a Taxi driver related it to Harlem) we have found it to be completely hospitable. He probably said that because our neighborhood is mostly black and Arabic, which can make for an even bigger culture shock for a bunch of white kids from Indiana. But it really hasn't been unnerving at all- you begin to realize that Londoners come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. It's not like in the States where if someone has an accent or different color skin you automatically assume they are a foreigner- people here can be 2nd or 3rd generation and still retain their entire culture. In fact, just around the corner (literally) is the city of Brent, which is so diverse that over 55 languages are spoken there.
Of course the main benefit to this diversity is the FOOD! We can walk right up the High Road and get the most authentic Curry, Lamb Kabob, or Halal meat this side of the Mediterranean! The shop owners are all very friendly, and most speak better English than kids I went to high school with. And there's always the more traditional pub- The Queen's Arms- right next door if we want to kick it British style. We are always in there for the free WiFi which has made us quite familiar with the staff and owners. (The girls love to rub it in our face that they often get free drinks during their frequent visits.)
We're also enjoying the location of our flats. Although we could be closer to Central London, the Underground and Bus system makes it really easy to get wherever we need to go. You can see on the map that if we just head down Kilburn High Road, we'd run straight into Hyde Park, and the West End beyond that. Not to mention, we live two blocks over from Abbey Road!
This may not help at all, as I know looking at a map of the city can be quite intimidating. But I promise you, once you've walked the walks and had a look around, it really is quite an easy city to get feel for. Well that's all for now- today we're going to go try and find some locals to play (their) football with.
Any questions, just ask!
Despite what the locals have told us (a Taxi driver related it to Harlem) we have found it to be completely hospitable. He probably said that because our neighborhood is mostly black and Arabic, which can make for an even bigger culture shock for a bunch of white kids from Indiana. But it really hasn't been unnerving at all- you begin to realize that Londoners come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. It's not like in the States where if someone has an accent or different color skin you automatically assume they are a foreigner- people here can be 2nd or 3rd generation and still retain their entire culture. In fact, just around the corner (literally) is the city of Brent, which is so diverse that over 55 languages are spoken there.
Of course the main benefit to this diversity is the FOOD! We can walk right up the High Road and get the most authentic Curry, Lamb Kabob, or Halal meat this side of the Mediterranean! The shop owners are all very friendly, and most speak better English than kids I went to high school with. And there's always the more traditional pub- The Queen's Arms- right next door if we want to kick it British style. We are always in there for the free WiFi which has made us quite familiar with the staff and owners. (The girls love to rub it in our face that they often get free drinks during their frequent visits.)
We're also enjoying the location of our flats. Although we could be closer to Central London, the Underground and Bus system makes it really easy to get wherever we need to go. You can see on the map that if we just head down Kilburn High Road, we'd run straight into Hyde Park, and the West End beyond that. Not to mention, we live two blocks over from Abbey Road!
This may not help at all, as I know looking at a map of the city can be quite intimidating. But I promise you, once you've walked the walks and had a look around, it really is quite an easy city to get feel for. Well that's all for now- today we're going to go try and find some locals to play (their) football with.
Any questions, just ask!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Westminster Abbey
I can honestly say I saw something today that I've never seen before, nor that I ever will again. Westminster Abbey is the home to over 5,000 tombs and memorials of England's most celebrated people. Not just Kings and Queens- but Poets, Scientists, War Heroes, and any other person that has served their Country or God (King Henry VII, Sir Isaac Newton, and Geoffrey Chaucer to name but a few). This now secular cathedral basically serves as a Valhalla for Englishmen. But that's not to say there aren't some American tributes as well: a plaque commemorating FDR, a congressional Medal of Honor awarded by us to the unknown British soldier, even various memorials to American writers in "Poet's Corner".
The weight of history really hits you hard once you step in the doors. To think of all the coronations and weddings that have taken place there over the last 900 years is staggering. Even the original coronation chair built in the 13th Century is still there (and I have a feeling it will be used again in the coming years).
No place has ever truly made me feel so connected to history as Westminster Abbey did today. But the most astonishing part is that it makes you realize "history" is not over by any means; it is being experienced by us everyday! Kings and Queens will continued to be crowned there. Royal couples will still get married there (see for yourself in exactly 100 days). And the greatest minds and hearts of present day will continued to be remembered there.
With this in mind, I lit a prayer candle for my brother Jamie there today. So as you see, history is never over. Plus, I know he'd enjoy the company.
The weight of history really hits you hard once you step in the doors. To think of all the coronations and weddings that have taken place there over the last 900 years is staggering. Even the original coronation chair built in the 13th Century is still there (and I have a feeling it will be used again in the coming years).
No place has ever truly made me feel so connected to history as Westminster Abbey did today. But the most astonishing part is that it makes you realize "history" is not over by any means; it is being experienced by us everyday! Kings and Queens will continued to be crowned there. Royal couples will still get married there (see for yourself in exactly 100 days). And the greatest minds and hearts of present day will continued to be remembered there.
With this in mind, I lit a prayer candle for my brother Jamie there today. So as you see, history is never over. Plus, I know he'd enjoy the company.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
"You sound like you're from London!"
They say time flies when you're having fun. But it must be at a stand still when you're having a ball. It's been almost a week now, but most of us would say it already feels like we've been here a month. This has nothing to do with the speed of clocks, but rather the content of our time.
The first few days stretched an eternity as we slowly explored our new surroundings: learning the Underground, getting lost only to find our way around, and finding the best place to get a pint. I can tell you already that the Underground really is quite simple, not to mention the best way to travel in the city. A funny side note: Londoners DO NOT talk on the tube. So it's always embarrassing when a group of 15 of us Americans hop on and disturb their peace (especially if we're on our way out for the night!) And as far as exploring, there's nothing quite like getting lost and stumbling upon Trafalgar Square- finding yourself staring up at Big Ben. Although technically, nobody can see Big Ben as it is the bell inside the tower, not the tower itself (I know, I'm a pretentious Brit already).
We have found some great places to have a drink though. The George and The Old Bell really stand out as my favourite. It's funny, Pubs are here are more opulent and classic than most churches or courthouses back home. Mind you, they're probably much older as well. The only down side is that most close their doors by Midnight at the latest. Then you have to continue to a club or bar that has a late-night license. This can sometimes be an adventure unto itself! I don't think we've ever walked through Piccadilly Circus without split up.
Time was further compounded yesterday when class started. For our first session, we met ON Tower Bridge at 9:30 a.m. We then took about a 5 hour walk down the Thames as our Professor Lyndon gave us an abbreviated history as only a Brit could tell it. It really puts in perspective when he says "your Revolution" or "our Queen". It also helped that each person in the group received an historical figure to research prior to the walk. Then, once we were at a location relevant to that person, we could hear their story first-hand; it was incredibly insightful to hear Ann Boleyn show us herself where she was beheaded (Tower of London FYI). Not only did this help put certain histories in context, but made remembering the various monarchs much easier. I've been into world history for years, and only now could I tell you the differences between Victoria and Elizabeth or Richard and Henry(s).
But the best part wasn't hearing the history, it was seeing it! That day on the Thames alone we saw Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, The Millennium Bridge, The Tate Modern, Cleopatra's Needle, Parliament, and Big Ben. Then just around the corner was Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, and The National Gallery. We only went in the Gallery for about an hour (yes, like most museums in London, it's FREE) but that was enough time to hang out with some dudes named Botticelli, Monet, and Van Goh.
I promise to have pictures up soon. I already would but it was raining the majority of yesterday and I'm waiting for a nice day to really do it justice. For although this extended week seems to have lasted forever, today is the first day we've actually seen the Sun.
Cheers!
The first few days stretched an eternity as we slowly explored our new surroundings: learning the Underground, getting lost only to find our way around, and finding the best place to get a pint. I can tell you already that the Underground really is quite simple, not to mention the best way to travel in the city. A funny side note: Londoners DO NOT talk on the tube. So it's always embarrassing when a group of 15 of us Americans hop on and disturb their peace (especially if we're on our way out for the night!) And as far as exploring, there's nothing quite like getting lost and stumbling upon Trafalgar Square- finding yourself staring up at Big Ben. Although technically, nobody can see Big Ben as it is the bell inside the tower, not the tower itself (I know, I'm a pretentious Brit already).
We have found some great places to have a drink though. The George and The Old Bell really stand out as my favourite. It's funny, Pubs are here are more opulent and classic than most churches or courthouses back home. Mind you, they're probably much older as well. The only down side is that most close their doors by Midnight at the latest. Then you have to continue to a club or bar that has a late-night license. This can sometimes be an adventure unto itself! I don't think we've ever walked through Piccadilly Circus without split up.
Time was further compounded yesterday when class started. For our first session, we met ON Tower Bridge at 9:30 a.m. We then took about a 5 hour walk down the Thames as our Professor Lyndon gave us an abbreviated history as only a Brit could tell it. It really puts in perspective when he says "your Revolution" or "our Queen". It also helped that each person in the group received an historical figure to research prior to the walk. Then, once we were at a location relevant to that person, we could hear their story first-hand; it was incredibly insightful to hear Ann Boleyn show us herself where she was beheaded (Tower of London FYI). Not only did this help put certain histories in context, but made remembering the various monarchs much easier. I've been into world history for years, and only now could I tell you the differences between Victoria and Elizabeth or Richard and Henry(s).
But the best part wasn't hearing the history, it was seeing it! That day on the Thames alone we saw Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, The Millennium Bridge, The Tate Modern, Cleopatra's Needle, Parliament, and Big Ben. Then just around the corner was Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, and The National Gallery. We only went in the Gallery for about an hour (yes, like most museums in London, it's FREE) but that was enough time to hang out with some dudes named Botticelli, Monet, and Van Goh.
I promise to have pictures up soon. I already would but it was raining the majority of yesterday and I'm waiting for a nice day to really do it justice. For although this extended week seems to have lasted forever, today is the first day we've actually seen the Sun.
Cheers!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Welcome to LondonTown
YES. After three delays, one missed flight, and uncomfortable night spent at O'Hare, we finally made it. We got through customs (with our duty-free liquor purchased on the flight) and made it to the flats around Midnight. Most places in the neighborhood were closed, except a nice little Fish & Chips spot we had to try. Contrary to what we heard previously, they do in fact have Ketchup to put on your chips (fries). Although, salt and vinegar is a much more popular choice.
The flats are perfectly adequate: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a kitchenette, and a common room (sadly lacking the Gryffindor-esque fireplace of my dreams). The flats sleep 8 but since there's only 7 of us guys, we have one extra bed in ours. The girls are in the other 3 and then there are 2 more occupied by students from Arizona State Univ. My one complaint is that Brits don't use a sheet- just a comforter. That will take some getting used to.
We woke up early this morning and went and got our Oyster cards for the subway (Underground). We have yet to test out this subterranean means of transportation as we spent most of the day walking. After we got our cards, Matt and I went in search of Paddington Recreation Ground to see if we could find a football (soccer) game to join. Instead we ended up getting lost. But found our way back an hour later by spotting the steeple of St. Augustine's, which is just down the road. London is actually a pretty navigable city once you get the hang of it. The hardest part is remembering which way to look when crossing the street! We had a couple close calls and almost ended up as Mini-Cooper hood ornaments.
Then at noon we all went down to Westminster City College for orientation. Lucky for us, the school just got renovated and is quite impressive. We are actually the first Ball State group to enjoy its facilities (pictures coming soon). In addition to that, our classroom is the penthouse of the building. And due to it's floor to ceiling glass windows, we have a 180 degree view of the city stretching from Wembley Arena to Downtown. Another big plus is our Brit teacher Lyndon Sly. Not only is he a fellow Tottenham supporter, but as a local he has great insight into the functioning of our daily lives. Probably the most important info he gave me today was that Londoners don't tip bartenders, although offering to buy them a drink is more than welcome.
After a late lunch at a local pub, we are now back at the flats having a little siesta before going out tonight. Incredibly, it is about 50 degrees outside! But our hopes of comfortable weather were dashed when Lyndon informed us that this is quite abnormal for January, and that it will return to the traditional temperatures next week. Bollocks!
The flats are perfectly adequate: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a kitchenette, and a common room (sadly lacking the Gryffindor-esque fireplace of my dreams). The flats sleep 8 but since there's only 7 of us guys, we have one extra bed in ours. The girls are in the other 3 and then there are 2 more occupied by students from Arizona State Univ. My one complaint is that Brits don't use a sheet- just a comforter. That will take some getting used to.
We woke up early this morning and went and got our Oyster cards for the subway (Underground). We have yet to test out this subterranean means of transportation as we spent most of the day walking. After we got our cards, Matt and I went in search of Paddington Recreation Ground to see if we could find a football (soccer) game to join. Instead we ended up getting lost. But found our way back an hour later by spotting the steeple of St. Augustine's, which is just down the road. London is actually a pretty navigable city once you get the hang of it. The hardest part is remembering which way to look when crossing the street! We had a couple close calls and almost ended up as Mini-Cooper hood ornaments.
Then at noon we all went down to Westminster City College for orientation. Lucky for us, the school just got renovated and is quite impressive. We are actually the first Ball State group to enjoy its facilities (pictures coming soon). In addition to that, our classroom is the penthouse of the building. And due to it's floor to ceiling glass windows, we have a 180 degree view of the city stretching from Wembley Arena to Downtown. Another big plus is our Brit teacher Lyndon Sly. Not only is he a fellow Tottenham supporter, but as a local he has great insight into the functioning of our daily lives. Probably the most important info he gave me today was that Londoners don't tip bartenders, although offering to buy them a drink is more than welcome.
After a late lunch at a local pub, we are now back at the flats having a little siesta before going out tonight. Incredibly, it is about 50 degrees outside! But our hopes of comfortable weather were dashed when Lyndon informed us that this is quite abnormal for January, and that it will return to the traditional temperatures next week. Bollocks!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Like a Kid on Christmas
Greetings to all those who are reading this for the first time, my name is Matt Holden and along with Jared Windler we will be contributing to this blog about our studies abroad. Currently we are holed up at the Indianapolis Airport waiting to take off, and due to delays it looks like we will remain here just a little longer.
Studying abroad is something we have always talked about, and now that it is coming to fruition it seems very surreal. As if our anticipation wasn't already high enough, these last minute delays are only adding to it! The fact that the next time I will be writing on this blog will be while I'm residing in London is very hard to believe.
This blog will mainly be used to document our adventures abroad for those of you that are at home. Mostly it will consist of comparisons between the two countries and how it affects us as college students.
This story begins with us at the airport, counting down the minutes as if with our arrival christmas comes as well. How it ends however, has yet to be determined. Like you, we have no idea how this series of posts will fit together, but I suppose that itself is the allure of the blog. To see how our story ends, stay tuned!
Studying abroad is something we have always talked about, and now that it is coming to fruition it seems very surreal. As if our anticipation wasn't already high enough, these last minute delays are only adding to it! The fact that the next time I will be writing on this blog will be while I'm residing in London is very hard to believe.
This blog will mainly be used to document our adventures abroad for those of you that are at home. Mostly it will consist of comparisons between the two countries and how it affects us as college students.
This story begins with us at the airport, counting down the minutes as if with our arrival christmas comes as well. How it ends however, has yet to be determined. Like you, we have no idea how this series of posts will fit together, but I suppose that itself is the allure of the blog. To see how our story ends, stay tuned!
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