Farewell, London...
London was an amazing experience. Thirty-three days of the best and worst times of my life. Study abroad is a formative experience. It takes you out of your comfort zone and questions what you take for granted. You have the benefit of being cut off from your home community (in a sense), which allows you to focus can learn so much. This "bubble" also challenges you by asking you to face new troubles without your full home support.
Study abroad was a testing time for me, but I do not regret it. I was given such an amazing opportunity. I learned things I can take with me and utilize for the rest of my life. I am filled with joy over the place of familiarity London holds in my heart. London is a dear friend now, and I only hope to get to know her more over the years.
Study abroad was a testing time for me, but I do not regret it. I was given such an amazing opportunity. I learned things I can take with me and utilize for the rest of my life. I am filled with joy over the place of familiarity London holds in my heart. London is a dear friend now, and I only hope to get to know her more over the years.
Love always,
Melissa
Great Missenden and the Roald Dahl Museum
Scented Chocolate Bar Door
Great Missenden is a village about thirty minutes outside of London by train. It is a small, relatively well-off village and has a very homogeneous population. It was the home of author Roald Dahl, famous for many children's stories such as (my favorite story ever written) Matilda, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, James and the Giant Peach, and perhaps the most famous, Charlie and the Chocolate factory. The last was inspired by his own school days.
Great Missenden's library is the one Matilda visits in Matilda. There is also the edifice of an old pumping station Dahl worked at. His grave is in the the graveyard of the main church.
I visited the Roald Dahl Museum while I was there. It is mainly oriented towards children but still enjoyable. The doors to the first exhibit, about Dahl's childhood, are the famous Wonka Bars and are scented! I learned a lot about Dahl's past that I never knew. I was not aware of how much his stories were inspired by events in his life. I also enjoyed his advice on writing. As a creative writer, I found this very beneficial.
Great Missenden's library is the one Matilda visits in Matilda. There is also the edifice of an old pumping station Dahl worked at. His grave is in the the graveyard of the main church.
I visited the Roald Dahl Museum while I was there. It is mainly oriented towards children but still enjoyable. The doors to the first exhibit, about Dahl's childhood, are the famous Wonka Bars and are scented! I learned a lot about Dahl's past that I never knew. I was not aware of how much his stories were inspired by events in his life. I also enjoyed his advice on writing. As a creative writer, I found this very beneficial.
Love,
Melissa
Brighton Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion is a palace built in Brighton by the Prince Regent, later known as King George IV, in the transition between the 18th and 19th centuries. The George IV was a fan of the Orient and chose an Indian exterior while the interior is largely Chinese-inspired. The palace began as a large farmhouse rented by the George IV. He chose architect John Nash to complete his dream.
Notably, the interior is a fantastic demonstration of Chinoiserie. In that time, most people never traveled. Those who did would paint what they saw and bring back textiles and artwork for European artists to imitate. Thus Chinoiserie is the European interpretation of Chinese culture. I thought this was fascinating.
Another interesting thing about the Pavilion is that it is a very intimate palace. It is not as large on the inside as many palaces and does feel like the vacation home it was meant to be. Even the royal apartments are very small. Queen Victoria stayed here with Prince Albert for a while but is reported to have hated it. However, when she sold it, she took many cartloads of its furnishings for her other residences.
Notably, the interior is a fantastic demonstration of Chinoiserie. In that time, most people never traveled. Those who did would paint what they saw and bring back textiles and artwork for European artists to imitate. Thus Chinoiserie is the European interpretation of Chinese culture. I thought this was fascinating.
Another interesting thing about the Pavilion is that it is a very intimate palace. It is not as large on the inside as many palaces and does feel like the vacation home it was meant to be. Even the royal apartments are very small. Queen Victoria stayed here with Prince Albert for a while but is reported to have hated it. However, when she sold it, she took many cartloads of its furnishings for her other residences.
Love,
Melissa
South Downs and the Seven Sisters
The South Downs is a range of chalk hills in the south of England. I visited during my trip to Brighton. By buying a bus "saver ticket" for under 5 GBP, I was able to ride the "coaster" bus along the coast (obviously) and board and depart as much as I like within one day.
The South Downs is relatively unpopulated. It is home to many farms. You can see a lot of sheep. The region is home to many foot paths.
The most famous area of the South Downs is the set of seven connected peaks known as the Seven Sisters. I rode the bus to Birling Gap and walk to the cliff edge and turned west and had the magnificent view of them featured in the photograph on the left. I walked from Birling Gap to Beachy Head and saw two lighthouses. At Beachy Head, I boarded the bus and returned to Brighton.
The cliffs were stunning. The walk was exhilarating. I would highly, highly suggest it.
Fun Fact:
The Seven Sisters are often used as a stand-in for the Cliffs of Dover in movies because the Seven Sisters are less developed. However, the Seven Sisters are higher than the Cliffs of Dover.
The South Downs is relatively unpopulated. It is home to many farms. You can see a lot of sheep. The region is home to many foot paths.
The most famous area of the South Downs is the set of seven connected peaks known as the Seven Sisters. I rode the bus to Birling Gap and walk to the cliff edge and turned west and had the magnificent view of them featured in the photograph on the left. I walked from Birling Gap to Beachy Head and saw two lighthouses. At Beachy Head, I boarded the bus and returned to Brighton.
The cliffs were stunning. The walk was exhilarating. I would highly, highly suggest it.
Fun Fact:
The Seven Sisters are often used as a stand-in for the Cliffs of Dover in movies because the Seven Sisters are less developed. However, the Seven Sisters are higher than the Cliffs of Dover.
Love,
Melissa
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a large Gothic style church with high vaulted ceilings, dark colors, pointed arches, and flying buttresses. It is a lot darker and claustrophobic-feeling than St. Paul's Cathedral.
Since 1066, it has been the coronation church, and seventeen monarchs are buried there.
Henry III began the present church in 1245. It is one of the prime examples of Gothic architecture in the country. It has inspired much of the Gothic revival styles seen at many universities and cathedrals built beginning in the 18th century. .
The abbey is home to a varied treasure of art including famous paintings and sculptures, amazing stained glass, complex tiling, textiles, and more.Some of most significant people in the Britain's history have been buried or honored here including Charles Dickens!
Since 1066, it has been the coronation church, and seventeen monarchs are buried there.
Henry III began the present church in 1245. It is one of the prime examples of Gothic architecture in the country. It has inspired much of the Gothic revival styles seen at many universities and cathedrals built beginning in the 18th century. .
The abbey is home to a varied treasure of art including famous paintings and sculptures, amazing stained glass, complex tiling, textiles, and more.Some of most significant people in the Britain's history have been buried or honored here including Charles Dickens!
Love,
Melissa
Richard III
Richard III is a dramatic and complex play by William Shakespeare. I enjoyed reading it, even though it was confusing at times. The production at the Globe Theatre was quite an experience. Seeing a play in its intended setting certainly adds something to the show. Seeing this play at the Globe was a conduit for time travel. The setting allowed me to become more absorbed in the play and added an air of authenticity to the show.
The director did a good job on this play. All the casting was excellent. I really liked Mark Rylance as Richard III. Also, all of the women characters were played well by the male actors.. I liked how the director chose to be true to Shakespearean times and cast men as the female characters. It allowed for a more authentic experience. I have always wanted to see a true Shakespearean play, and I have only seen men play women where it was meant to be comedic.
One thing I really liked was how costuming was used to distinguish factions. Richard III and those on his side all wore earth tones such as gold, bronze, brown, and black. They were deep, very masculine colors, which emphasized his ruthless violence. Queen Elizabeth and her family were dressed in pale golds, champagnes, and pastel shades, emphasizing their delicacy. Queen Elizabeth’s and her entourage’s costumes were also frillier and more embellished than Richard III’s and his entourage’s costumes, which were barer around the collar and cuffs and featured less adornment.
Even though we had to stand for almost three hours (true "groundlings"), I really enjoyed seeing this play. Everyone should see a Shakespeare play in the Globe Theatre once in his or her life (if not more!).
The director did a good job on this play. All the casting was excellent. I really liked Mark Rylance as Richard III. Also, all of the women characters were played well by the male actors.. I liked how the director chose to be true to Shakespearean times and cast men as the female characters. It allowed for a more authentic experience. I have always wanted to see a true Shakespearean play, and I have only seen men play women where it was meant to be comedic.
One thing I really liked was how costuming was used to distinguish factions. Richard III and those on his side all wore earth tones such as gold, bronze, brown, and black. They were deep, very masculine colors, which emphasized his ruthless violence. Queen Elizabeth and her family were dressed in pale golds, champagnes, and pastel shades, emphasizing their delicacy. Queen Elizabeth’s and her entourage’s costumes were also frillier and more embellished than Richard III’s and his entourage’s costumes, which were barer around the collar and cuffs and featured less adornment.
Even though we had to stand for almost three hours (true "groundlings"), I really enjoyed seeing this play. Everyone should see a Shakespeare play in the Globe Theatre once in his or her life (if not more!).
Love,
Melissa
Bath Excursion
On Tuesday, July 10, 2012, our study abroad group made an excursion to the city of Bath. While there we visited the famous Roman bath ruins, the Royal Crescent and a museum house on it, and the flat of our two teachers that are married (to each other).
The city was first established as a health spa destination due to its fashionable, natural hot springs in 60 AD. The Romans used the site for health and worship and named the city Aquae Sulis. Bath was also extremely popular and famous today for being fashionable during the time of Jane Austen, as a health "getaway". Jane Austen also resided in Bath, and there is a museum about her there. Another notable destination is the Royal Crescent which is a semi-circular row of houses around a green area. These were famous Jacobean homes. No. 1 Royal Crescent is now a museum, which I toured with few other girls. The home is not true to its individual history but rather an overall demonstration of what the homes on the crescent would have been like. It was a lot smaller than any other house museum I have been to visit. Interestingly, the Jacobeans were obsessed with symmetry and installed a false door to mirror the real door in many rooms.
I really did not like the Roman baths. It was not any different than I imagined in pictures. It was also dark, underground, crowded, and stinky due to the sulfur. I felt nauseous the entire time. Someone less claustrophobic and less sensitive to sulfur would enjoy it more.
I did really enjoy seeing my teachers' flat. It was really a unique experience that not everyone is blessed to have. Not only did I appreciate and treasure the private insight into my teachers' lives, I also appreciated the glimpse of a British home. We stayed for tea and strawberries, and the visit to their flat was one of the best parts of my trips (and one of the best things about Meredith professors), Priceless!
The city was first established as a health spa destination due to its fashionable, natural hot springs in 60 AD. The Romans used the site for health and worship and named the city Aquae Sulis. Bath was also extremely popular and famous today for being fashionable during the time of Jane Austen, as a health "getaway". Jane Austen also resided in Bath, and there is a museum about her there. Another notable destination is the Royal Crescent which is a semi-circular row of houses around a green area. These were famous Jacobean homes. No. 1 Royal Crescent is now a museum, which I toured with few other girls. The home is not true to its individual history but rather an overall demonstration of what the homes on the crescent would have been like. It was a lot smaller than any other house museum I have been to visit. Interestingly, the Jacobeans were obsessed with symmetry and installed a false door to mirror the real door in many rooms.
I really did not like the Roman baths. It was not any different than I imagined in pictures. It was also dark, underground, crowded, and stinky due to the sulfur. I felt nauseous the entire time. Someone less claustrophobic and less sensitive to sulfur would enjoy it more.
I did really enjoy seeing my teachers' flat. It was really a unique experience that not everyone is blessed to have. Not only did I appreciate and treasure the private insight into my teachers' lives, I also appreciated the glimpse of a British home. We stayed for tea and strawberries, and the visit to their flat was one of the best parts of my trips (and one of the best things about Meredith professors), Priceless!
Love,
Melissa
World Pride Parade
The World Pride Parade for 2012 was a group excursion on July 7, 2012. The World Pride Parade began in Rome in 2000; it was founded by the group InterPride. In 2006, the event was hosted in Jerusalem, Israel. After the 2014 parade in Toronto, Canada, the parade will be held every five years following (Pride).
The London festival was meant to last for two weeks, and the actual parade was meant to have many floats, street entertainment, concerts, and a large celebration at its end destination in Trafalgar Square. However, Pride London ran into financial problems and could not raise the needed funding, and all the previously mentioned intentions were cut completely or down to a smaller scale.
Attending the parade was definitely an experience. It was good to see so many people able to express themselves to such a supportive audience. I did not witness any backlash (though I am sure there was). It was a much smaller scale than I expected. However, it was just as flamboyant. One thing I did not enjoy was some of the heavy nudity. Regardless of one's sexuality, I really do not want to see that!
Source:
Pride Toronto. Pride Toronto to Bid for World Pride 2014. Pride Toronto. Pride Toronto, 08 Sept. 2009. Web. 25 July 2012.
<http://www.pridetoronto.com/pressreleases/2009/090908%20PT%20to%20bid%20for%20WP2014.pdf>.
The London festival was meant to last for two weeks, and the actual parade was meant to have many floats, street entertainment, concerts, and a large celebration at its end destination in Trafalgar Square. However, Pride London ran into financial problems and could not raise the needed funding, and all the previously mentioned intentions were cut completely or down to a smaller scale.
Attending the parade was definitely an experience. It was good to see so many people able to express themselves to such a supportive audience. I did not witness any backlash (though I am sure there was). It was a much smaller scale than I expected. However, it was just as flamboyant. One thing I did not enjoy was some of the heavy nudity. Regardless of one's sexuality, I really do not want to see that!
Source:
Pride Toronto. Pride Toronto to Bid for World Pride 2014. Pride Toronto. Pride Toronto, 08 Sept. 2009. Web. 25 July 2012.
<http://www.pridetoronto.com/pressreleases/2009/090908%20PT%20to%20bid%20for%20WP2014.pdf>.
Love,
Melissa
Speakers' Corner
Speakers' Corner is the north-east corner of Hyde Park in London. This is an environment where public speaking and debate are allowed. I visited on Sunday, July 22, 2012. It was a very interesting experience to say the least. I am not sure that it still fulfills its intended function. There seemed to be little well organized debating, more yelling, and an overall feeling of fanatics simply venting...and hatred. Instead of feeling uplifted by this sense of liberty and area of supposed philosophy, it simply felt like hateful people saying hateful racist, sexist, and specific religion-attacking things. It was not done in a educated and proof-oriented way; it was a matter of who could yell loudest or shock the audience the most. I was highly disappointed by this experience.
Speaker's Corner origins are in the 19th century. Many groups illegally protested in the area that is now Speakers' Corner. In 1866, there was an infamous riot between the Reform League and the police, which was heavy in violence. In 1872, Parliament conceded to the public and gave the authorities of Hyde Park the right to allow public meetings. Speakers' Corner was officially established (Speakers' Corner Trust).
Since then, Speakers' Corner has been home to highly educated protesters and productive debate. It has been frequented by the likes of Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, George Orwell and more.
Source:
"A Brief History of London's Speakers' Corner." Speakers' Corner Trust. Speaker's Corner Trust, n.d. Web. 24 July 2012.
<http://www.speakerscornertrust.org/library/about-free-speech/a-brief-history-of-londons-speakers-corner/>.
Since then, Speakers' Corner has been home to highly educated protesters and productive debate. It has been frequented by the likes of Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, George Orwell and more.
Source:
"A Brief History of London's Speakers' Corner." Speakers' Corner Trust. Speaker's Corner Trust, n.d. Web. 24 July 2012.
<http://www.speakerscornertrust.org/library/about-free-speech/a-brief-history-of-londons-speakers-corner/>.
Love,
Melissa
Village Excursion: Rottingdean
Mock Windmill
After taking a forty-five minute train to Brighton and exploring for a while, I bought a bus "saver" pass for 4.40 GBP, which allowed me to get on and off the local buses as many times as I desired within the day. Bus lines 12, 12a, and 13x travel along the coast from Brighton to Eastbourne and stop at many of the towns, villages, and other destinations along the way, including Rottingdean, Saltdean, Seaford, and the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre. On my way to Birling Gap to see the magnificent Seven Sisters, I first rode the bus to the village of Rottingdean. This was not random. I was aware of the many villages in East Sussex but wanted to visit one that had more to offer than the merit of being a village solely. While researching the neighboring villages (to Brighton), I discovered that Rottingdean was only a fifteen minute bus ride away and was the home of Rudyard Kipling. It also has a windmill and St. Margaret's Church. Rottingdean is home to approximately 2,500 people.
(continued below)
Rudyard Kipling's House and Gardens
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) is a quintessential British Imperialism period writer. He is most famous for The Jungle Book (which includes the short story "Riki Tiki Tavi") and Just So Stories. Notably, he was chosen to be knighted many times in his life but refused every time.
Kipling's house, The Elms was built by William Ridge in 1745, and was originally inhabited by Kipling's uncle, the famous pre-raphaelite painter Edward Burne-Jones. He rented the house from 1897 to 1902; in 1899, his eldest daughter died. He no longer felt happy and moved to Burwash. When the house went on the market in the 1980s, the Rottingdean Preservation Society bought the adjoining gardens and opened them to the public (Phelan). Unfortunately, his house is not a public site.
The Windmill
This black mill has been maintained by The Rottingdean Preservation Society and is known as "Beacon Mill". It was erected on a single-storey brick base at the present site in 1802. It is currently on a golf or cricket course, so I did not get too close to it. It was r
St. Margaret's Church
St. Margaret's original tower was built during the Saxon time period. During a pirate siege, it was even used to protect the villagers. However, the pirates set it on fire and burned it to the ground. The tower was rebuilt many times over the years. The chapel features stained glass windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and he is buried in the church's cemetery.
The church was one of my favorite places I have visited here. I truly felt a sense of peace in the chapel and even more so in the private secluded garden among the headstones. It is a peaceful quiet place and quite an escape from Brighton or London.
Sources:
Phelan, Julie. "Kipling's House: History of the House." My Brighton and Hove. 20 Dec. 2004. Web. 22 July 2012.
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) is a quintessential British Imperialism period writer. He is most famous for The Jungle Book (which includes the short story "Riki Tiki Tavi") and Just So Stories. Notably, he was chosen to be knighted many times in his life but refused every time.
Kipling's house, The Elms was built by William Ridge in 1745, and was originally inhabited by Kipling's uncle, the famous pre-raphaelite painter Edward Burne-Jones. He rented the house from 1897 to 1902; in 1899, his eldest daughter died. He no longer felt happy and moved to Burwash. When the house went on the market in the 1980s, the Rottingdean Preservation Society bought the adjoining gardens and opened them to the public (Phelan). Unfortunately, his house is not a public site.
The Windmill
This black mill has been maintained by The Rottingdean Preservation Society and is known as "Beacon Mill". It was erected on a single-storey brick base at the present site in 1802. It is currently on a golf or cricket course, so I did not get too close to it. It was r
St. Margaret's Church
St. Margaret's original tower was built during the Saxon time period. During a pirate siege, it was even used to protect the villagers. However, the pirates set it on fire and burned it to the ground. The tower was rebuilt many times over the years. The chapel features stained glass windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and he is buried in the church's cemetery.
The church was one of my favorite places I have visited here. I truly felt a sense of peace in the chapel and even more so in the private secluded garden among the headstones. It is a peaceful quiet place and quite an escape from Brighton or London.
Sources:
Phelan, Julie. "Kipling's House: History of the House." My Brighton and Hove. 20 Dec. 2004. Web. 22 July 2012.
Love,
Melissa
Brighton
Oh Dearest Seaside Town
I loved Brighton! Brighton is a seaside town in Sussex (southern England) and is only about 45 minutes away by train. It did not seem long at all. It was wonderful to get out of London for bit!
One nice thing about Brighton is that it is terribly easy to navigate. I did not prepare as much as I would have liked and had no problems. I simply procured a map and bus time table from the information desk in the train station. After looking at it for all of two minutes, I set off into the city. Almost every "destination" can be reached within a fifteen minute walk.
Brighton has three main shopping areas. The first is the North Laines is a fascinating Bohemian quarter. It is filled with vintage, retro, and the handmade. The Lanes is a newer and upscale shopping area featuring brands like AllSaints Spitalfields and more. The last is Churchill Square, which I did not visit. It is just like a mall at home.
Brighton is famous for the Brighton Dome and Royal Pavilion (journal entry on this later!). These buildings are Indian architecture and look like they are straight out of the Arabian Nights. They were absolutely gorgeous to see. Brighton also has the Brighton Pier, which is like Coney Island (all on a pier) and the Brighton Wheel, which is a smaller version of the London Eye.
The coolest thing (literally) about Brighton is the beach! It is so windy and is a pebble, not sand, beach. Walking on that the first time was surprising! I did not expect that it would be difficult to walk on. I took a single pebble as a keepsake.
One nice thing about Brighton is that it is terribly easy to navigate. I did not prepare as much as I would have liked and had no problems. I simply procured a map and bus time table from the information desk in the train station. After looking at it for all of two minutes, I set off into the city. Almost every "destination" can be reached within a fifteen minute walk.
Brighton has three main shopping areas. The first is the North Laines is a fascinating Bohemian quarter. It is filled with vintage, retro, and the handmade. The Lanes is a newer and upscale shopping area featuring brands like AllSaints Spitalfields and more. The last is Churchill Square, which I did not visit. It is just like a mall at home.
Brighton is famous for the Brighton Dome and Royal Pavilion (journal entry on this later!). These buildings are Indian architecture and look like they are straight out of the Arabian Nights. They were absolutely gorgeous to see. Brighton also has the Brighton Pier, which is like Coney Island (all on a pier) and the Brighton Wheel, which is a smaller version of the London Eye.
The coolest thing (literally) about Brighton is the beach! It is so windy and is a pebble, not sand, beach. Walking on that the first time was surprising! I did not expect that it would be difficult to walk on. I took a single pebble as a keepsake.
Love,
Melissa
South Downs/The Browning Version
A (Somewhat) Contemporary Drama
David Hare
Introduction
The Browning Version is a one act play by the quintessentially British playwright Terrence Rattigan. For the Rattigan centenary in 2011, the Rattigan estate asked David Hare to write a companion play. South Downs is that play and also one act. Both plays center on a transformative act of kindess in an individuals life. They share the common setting of British boys' public school (American private boarding school equivalent). However, Rattigan's piece is set in post-WWII; Hare's piece is set in the 1960s.
South Downs
South Downs is an amazing introspection on being an outsider, a non-conformist, in a streamlined and uniformed world. This is a world where order is kept for its own sake and enjoyment, not for any logical reason forgotten long ago. It centers on Blakemore, a young student with irregular behavior. The remaining primary cast consists of three younger students, one older student prefect, a reverend, a male professor, and a mother.
In parts, South Downs was quite awkward, intentionally, but awkward all the same. Blakemore is described by some as resembling one with Asperger's syndrome. He is almost socially inept and self-unaware. While I pitied him, I never witnessed much character development. Character development is necessary to fully attach to a character and to elicit my full sympathies.
The Browning Version is a one act play by the quintessentially British playwright Terrence Rattigan. For the Rattigan centenary in 2011, the Rattigan estate asked David Hare to write a companion play. South Downs is that play and also one act. Both plays center on a transformative act of kindess in an individuals life. They share the common setting of British boys' public school (American private boarding school equivalent). However, Rattigan's piece is set in post-WWII; Hare's piece is set in the 1960s.
South Downs
South Downs is an amazing introspection on being an outsider, a non-conformist, in a streamlined and uniformed world. This is a world where order is kept for its own sake and enjoyment, not for any logical reason forgotten long ago. It centers on Blakemore, a young student with irregular behavior. The remaining primary cast consists of three younger students, one older student prefect, a reverend, a male professor, and a mother.
In parts, South Downs was quite awkward, intentionally, but awkward all the same. Blakemore is described by some as resembling one with Asperger's syndrome. He is almost socially inept and self-unaware. While I pitied him, I never witnessed much character development. Character development is necessary to fully attach to a character and to elicit my full sympathies.
The Browning Version
The Browning Version was ten times better for me than its counterpart. I was so moved by the story of the aging professor, Crocker-Harris, who had been betrayed by his wife, dreams, and employment. Like South Downs, it explores the life of one who at one time wishes to be liked but is not, as well as an act of kindness that allows that character to gain confidence and command. This piece shared cast with its counterpart, with a few additions and subtractions. Basil “Queer” became Crocker-Harris and was fantastic. I have never felt so strongly for a character before this. He was the epitome of everything Rattigan intended him to be. He evoked sympathy without pity and was simultaneously weak yet strong. This piece had much more character development than South Downs. You were truly give a private moment of emotional outburst from a hurtful and private time in the professor’s life. Overall I really enjoyed this dual production; both acts are worth seeing, as each has a slightly different view point. This pair was an insightful introspection into (yay for alliteration) schooling and conformity. |
Love,
Melissa
Leighton House Museum
A Notable Person's House
Back of the House
The Leighton House Museum is one my favorite sights in London. It is a "must see" if you have any interest in art, architecture, interior design, or the Middle East. Sound like a weird combination? Not for Lord Leighton, an avid traveler, scholar, and primarily, artist, who found inspiration all over the world.
Frederic Leighton was born in Scarborough in 1830. His father was a doctor, and his grandfather had been primary physician to the Russian royal family. From this, he amassed a large fortune, which cushioned Leighton throughout his live by means of allowance. His parents worried about his career choice but encouraged him. Leighton stated, "My parents surrounded me with every facility to learn drawing, but strongly discountenanced the idea of my being an artist unless I could be eminent in art". Eminent he became; Queen Victoria bought his first major paintin in 1855. He became President of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1878. He was ennobled before his death from heart failure in 1896. Leighton was the only British artist to have been awarded this honor, and he is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.
Frederic Leighton was born in Scarborough in 1830. His father was a doctor, and his grandfather had been primary physician to the Russian royal family. From this, he amassed a large fortune, which cushioned Leighton throughout his live by means of allowance. His parents worried about his career choice but encouraged him. Leighton stated, "My parents surrounded me with every facility to learn drawing, but strongly discountenanced the idea of my being an artist unless I could be eminent in art". Eminent he became; Queen Victoria bought his first major paintin in 1855. He became President of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1878. He was ennobled before his death from heart failure in 1896. Leighton was the only British artist to have been awarded this honor, and he is buried in St. Paul's Cathedral.
The first floor includes the staircase hall, the Narcissus Hall, the library, the famous Arab Hall, the drawing room, and the dining room. The second floor is home to the silk room, the studio, and the bedroom.
The staircase hall, Narcissus Hall and Arab Hall flow together, featuring a breathtaking display of glazed turquoise tiles, gilt painting, a Turkish chest turned into a seat (see photo to the right), Arabic writing tiles, and more. The peacock is a symbol of the Aesthetic art movement Leighton is associated with. Oscar Wilde is a fellow Aesthete. The Aesthetes detested the ugly darkness of Victorian Britain and wanted to revel in beauty. |
The library is also Leighton's study. It is home to his desk, displaying the sheer number of tasks he had. His library is large and varied, and I itched to pick up some of the beautiful old books. The room seemed so correct; I could almost picture him sitting in his chair, scribbling away furiously. This room also features his Rembrandt etchings (the ones on display are reproductions of those he owned). This room also holds his family portraits, most notably those of his two sisters Augusta, his younger, and Alexandra, his older. It was they who saved his house for Britain after his death.
The museum is excellently orchestrated and organized. Each room has a podium holding several hand outs on topics from "Leighton's Life" to "Leighton's Finances". Each podium also has guides specific to the room, featuring background information, numbered photos with explanations of the room's contents, and when turned over, a photo of the original room and contents. The original photos were fascinating (and not horribly different from the restoration thankfully). The restoration was tastefully done, and the feeling of the house was truly preserved. The museum also had the nicest staff I have encountered.
Fun Fact:
Leighton's muse was model Dorothy Dene. It is rumored that George Bernard Shaw drew upon their unusual relationship for the characters of Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, respectively, in his play Pygmalion (1912).
The museum is excellently orchestrated and organized. Each room has a podium holding several hand outs on topics from "Leighton's Life" to "Leighton's Finances". Each podium also has guides specific to the room, featuring background information, numbered photos with explanations of the room's contents, and when turned over, a photo of the original room and contents. The original photos were fascinating (and not horribly different from the restoration thankfully). The restoration was tastefully done, and the feeling of the house was truly preserved. The museum also had the nicest staff I have encountered.
Fun Fact:
Leighton's muse was model Dorothy Dene. It is rumored that George Bernard Shaw drew upon their unusual relationship for the characters of Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, respectively, in his play Pygmalion (1912).
Love,
Melissa
Tower of London
You may know it as the home of the Crown Jewels. However, the Tower of London is much more than that and has a fascinating history. In the early 1080s, a massive stone tower was built by William the Conqueror at the center of his London fortress. Through the following centuries, Britain's monarchs added to the fortifications. During the Medieval period, it became a refuge and seat of royal power. Then the Tudors began the tower's infamous prison history. During the bloody Glorious Revolution , Londoners feared the tower's potential for the king's use. However, it remained in the control of Parliament. Oliver Cromwell destroyed the Crown Jewels during this time. Then came the Restoration period, when the tower fell out of use as prison and became the Office of Ordnance. At this time the new Crown Jewels went on display.During the 19th century, the Office of Ordnance, the Menagerie, the Royal Mint, and Record Office were relocated, and the moat was drained. Renovations began, and the tower officially opened as a public tourist destination.
Famous prisoners and deaths here include Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, among others. I also learned that Elizabeth I was imprisoned here while still a princess by her half-sister Mary I. Guy Fawkes was also tortured here after his assassination attempt on James I.
Exhibits include The Crown Jewels, The White Tower, Royal Beasts, The Medieval Palace, Prisoners of the Tower, and the famous ravens.
I found the Royal Beasts exhibit most fascinating. It truly allowed me to understand the mindset towards exotic animals in that time. The caretakers had no idea what they were doing. They kept a polar bear on a chain so he could fish in the Thames River! None of the animals had the conditions they needed to be healthy, and human interaction was too free. Many suffered attacks by chimpanzees, bears, and big cats, and a large snake almost killed one keeper.
If you plan on going, you should definitely book your ticket online! The price is less than on-site at 15 GBP. I also got to skip the "queues", which is always a plus!
Famous prisoners and deaths here include Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, among others. I also learned that Elizabeth I was imprisoned here while still a princess by her half-sister Mary I. Guy Fawkes was also tortured here after his assassination attempt on James I.
Exhibits include The Crown Jewels, The White Tower, Royal Beasts, The Medieval Palace, Prisoners of the Tower, and the famous ravens.
I found the Royal Beasts exhibit most fascinating. It truly allowed me to understand the mindset towards exotic animals in that time. The caretakers had no idea what they were doing. They kept a polar bear on a chain so he could fish in the Thames River! None of the animals had the conditions they needed to be healthy, and human interaction was too free. Many suffered attacks by chimpanzees, bears, and big cats, and a large snake almost killed one keeper.
If you plan on going, you should definitely book your ticket online! The price is less than on-site at 15 GBP. I also got to skip the "queues", which is always a plus!
Love,
Melissa
Wicked!
Last week I went to see the musical Wicked! I am a long time of fan of Frank L. Baum's books, the original movie, and Gregory Maguire's re-imagining, which is my favorite. I was hesitant to see the musical because from what I had heard, I assumed the story was different than the book. However, The Wizard of Oz movie different than Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and I enjoy both. The story of the musical is indeed different than the book, but not much of significance is lost (I was perturbed at the character of Fiero in the musical). Approaching the musical as an entirely different version helped me to digest it more smoothly.
Wicked is the tale of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. It explores the classic story of Oz from a new perspective, where the Wicked Witch of the West is equally victim and villain. The story line truly makes you sympathize with her character, as it explores broken dreams, friendships lost, broken hearts, and more.
The musical is a very fun affair featuring several light-hearted upbeat songs. The musical is family friendly and only has one "almost" kiss, which is quite a departure from the book which was strangely sexual at times. I really enjoyed going and believe anyone would enjoy it!
Wicked is the tale of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. It explores the classic story of Oz from a new perspective, where the Wicked Witch of the West is equally victim and villain. The story line truly makes you sympathize with her character, as it explores broken dreams, friendships lost, broken hearts, and more.
The musical is a very fun affair featuring several light-hearted upbeat songs. The musical is family friendly and only has one "almost" kiss, which is quite a departure from the book which was strangely sexual at times. I really enjoyed going and believe anyone would enjoy it!
Love,
Melissa
Imperial War Museum
The Imperial War Museum London is a cohesive display of the lives of those affected by war, beginning at the First World War to today. The first exhibit you walk into is an impressive display of large tanks, vehicles, airplanes, and weapons like canons. Another impressive display is the temporary (and free) A Family In Wartime which follows the story of a single family during WWII. The following galleries explore the historical origins and implications of wars individually, as well as displaying objects from that period ranging from medals to a woman’s dress. The museum does a fantastic job, like its counterpart, the Cabinet War Rooms, to demonstrate to wide-ranging and often domestic effects of war. This enriches the education it offers by making it holistic. You are given insight into details of war that never crossed my mind for consideration. There is also a Holocaust exhibit, which is very moving and difficult at times and includes a model of a concentration camp. One exhibit explains the origins of the Victoria and George crosses. “The George Cross is only awarded ‘for acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger’… The Victoria Cross is the ultimate symbol of valour in battle (Royal).” One of the most fascinating exhibits was Crimes Against Humanity, an exhibit on genocide. I was not the only one crying in the exhibit theater.
The Imperial War Museum London is one in a family of five museums including IWM North , IWM Duxford, the Churchill War Rooms, and the historic ship HMS Belfast. It is partially government funded. Admission is free. Fun fact: The museum is housed in what was Bethlehem Royal Hospital, better known as Bedlam, the infamous mental hospital (Harper 276).
Sources: Harper, Damian. London. London: Lonely Planet Publications, 2012. "Royal Engineers George Cross and Victoria Cross Awards." George Cross and Victoria Cross Awards. 11 July 2012. <http://www.army.mod.uk/royalengineers/history/654.aspx>. |
Love,
Melissa
British Museum
The British Museum is one of London’s most famous and most visited attractions (more on that momentarily). The museum draws an average five million visitors annually. It was founded in 1753 at the bequest of the “cabinet of curiosities” belonging to royal physician Hans Sloane (Harper 85) . In 1759, the British Museum was opened to the public.
I found the museum to be entirely overwhelming. I never planned on seeing the whole thing in one day. I saw the Sutton Hoo Ship-Burial, Ancient Middle East, China, India, & Asia, and the North American Room, and made a beeline to the Rosetta stone in Ancient Egypt. Out of the most famous pieces on display, I saw the Mummy of Katebet, the Rosetta Stone, the Sutton Hoo Ship-Burial, the Mosaic Mask of Tezcatlipoca, and the King’s Library. The sheer amount of objects and information can be scary. However, I limited what I saw in one day. I plan to return and see the rest. The main problem with the British Museum is how many people, school groups specifically go there. Calling the museum to find its least busy day and time would be an excellent idea. All the children, languages, and information chaotically swirling around were just too much for even my minor case of claustrophobia.
I found the museum to be entirely overwhelming. I never planned on seeing the whole thing in one day. I saw the Sutton Hoo Ship-Burial, Ancient Middle East, China, India, & Asia, and the North American Room, and made a beeline to the Rosetta stone in Ancient Egypt. Out of the most famous pieces on display, I saw the Mummy of Katebet, the Rosetta Stone, the Sutton Hoo Ship-Burial, the Mosaic Mask of Tezcatlipoca, and the King’s Library. The sheer amount of objects and information can be scary. However, I limited what I saw in one day. I plan to return and see the rest. The main problem with the British Museum is how many people, school groups specifically go there. Calling the museum to find its least busy day and time would be an excellent idea. All the children, languages, and information chaotically swirling around were just too much for even my minor case of claustrophobia.
The British Museum is unique and special in a few ways. First, it is open late on Fridays until 8:30 PM. It also has special, "hands on" displays throughout the exhibits. At these stations, a museum attendant allows the visitor to handle an artifact and gives its history. I have never seen this done anywhere else. Currently, the museum is running a few free temporary exhibitions, including The Horse: From Arabia To Royal Ascot, Picasso Prints: The Vollard Suite, and Modern Chinese Silk Paintings (my favorite). The British Museum offers a 1-hour and a 3-hour plan for exploring the museum on its website.
Sources:
Harper, Damian. London. London: Lonely Planet Publications, 2012. |
Love,
Melissa
St. Paul's Cathedral
“St Paul’s is the cathedral of the Diocese of London. The Diocese is made up of five episcopal areas: Willesden, Edmonton, Stepney, London and Kensington. Four of these have an Area Bishop, to whom the Bishop of London, The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Richard Chartres, delegates certain responsibilities. The Bishops are assisted by Archdeacons. Archdeaconries are further divided into deaneries which are groups of parishes”(Cathedral).
St. Paul’s is an amazing historic treat. It has been a place of worship for over 1400 years and is an essential piece of London’s famous skyline. The unique dome is over 300 years old and is the creation of Sir Christopher Wren. Structurally, it actually consists of three domes inside each other. One famous feature of the dome is the Whispering Gallery. The design of the dome lends acoustically to carry one’s words around the opposite side of the dome.
St. Paul’s is an amazing historic treat. It has been a place of worship for over 1400 years and is an essential piece of London’s famous skyline. The unique dome is over 300 years old and is the creation of Sir Christopher Wren. Structurally, it actually consists of three domes inside each other. One famous feature of the dome is the Whispering Gallery. The design of the dome lends acoustically to carry one’s words around the opposite side of the dome.
Under the dome is a compass and epitaph for Wren by his son. Translated from Latin, it reads “Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you” (Harper 148). This is truly touching when absorbing the ornate glory of the cathedral. There are barely words to describe it. As we attended a service, I actually found the humanistic wonder of it to be distracting from the spiritual purpose. Elsewhere on the ground floor, you can find a memorial to the Duke of Wellington and the high altar. The church’s crypts have been repurposed to house a restaurant as well as memorials to famous figures, including Florence Nightingale and William Blake (Harper 148-149).
Source: “Cathedral & History”. The Chapter of St. Paul’s Cathedral. 11 July 2012. < http://www.stpauls.co.uk/Cathedral-History> Harper, Damian. London. London: Lonely Planet Publications, 2012. |
The views pictured above were captured on the roof of One New Change, a building complex adjacent to St. Paul's Cathedral.
Love,
Melissa
Museum of London
The Museum of London is by far one of my favorite destinations in London. Located on the London Wall, it is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free! The museum is laid out in chronological order. The museum begins London's history on the ground floor at 450,000 BC and ends with modern times on the second floor (the first floor is a currently closed theatre and stair landing). There are free guided tours on specific topics offered almost every thirty minutes!
The museum showcases London in its various stages of time, as it moved and changed to become what it is today. The first gallery, London Before London, illuminates the ancient settlements from before the capital was established. It transitions into London’s Roman era. Here you will find many fascinating models depicting early civic developments. Continuing through this floor, the exhibit travels through the Saxon, medieval, Tudor and Stuart eras. The final exhibit is about the Great Fire of 1666. From here you enter the modern galleries. In Expanding City (1670s-1850s), many jewels and decorative wares are displayed. From this room, you enter Pleasure Gardens, a display of the costume of the time. The personal highlight of the museum, an amazing Victorian street re-creation, follows. The exhibit explains the beginnings of consumerism as demonstrated through shop windows and Christmas presents in the Victorian times. Featured are a milliner, toy store, pawn shop, pub, tailor, and more. The museum then transitions through each exhibit to modern times, featuring 60s mod dresses and memorabilia from the Queen’s previous jubilee. On a side note, the gift shop is very good. There were many books on Charles Dickens and London that I had never seen before, wonderful postcards, and a beautiful commemorative bone china set for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee- and all at good prices! I purchased a Dickens’ book titled Night Walks, a personal account of his insomnia-fueled night wanderings through London. As somewhat of an insomniac myself, I could not pass that up! Love,
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Parliament Tour and More:
Parliament, Churchill War Rooms, St. James's Park, Green Park, and Hyde Park
June 30, 2012
On Saturday, our entire group toured the Houses of Parliament.Photos were only allowed to be take outside and in the main chamber. Our tour guide, Tony, was very entertaining and very well informed. I took many notes on what he taught us.
The Houses of Parliament were first commission to be built as the Palace of Westminster by King (Later Saint) Edward the Confessor but suffered considerable fire damage first in 1512 and more devastatingly in 1834. Architect Charles Barry won the bid for his design for reconstruction and was assisted by Pugin who is famous for his work in the Gothic Revival style in the 19th century.This reconstruction was done during the reign of Victoria and Albert. Albert chaired the fine arts commission and had a heavy hand in designing the interior decoration and established a theme for each room.
The reigning monarch still attends Parliament once a year in May to start Parliament, in what is known as the State Opening of Parliament. In the House of Lords, there is a throne for the monarch. When Queen Elizabeth II is accompanied by the Duke, a throne is brought in for him also. His throne is one inch shorter than hers.
Parliament originated in the times of feudalism. The reigning monarch would take counsel of all the lords, dukes, and barons of the land to ensure their continued support of the monarchy. This began to happen more regularly. In 1265, representatives of the burgesses (bourgeoisie) were invited to counsel with the king. This continued to happen until it became custom. Parliament is composed of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Members of the House of Lords are also called "peers'. Today there are only ninety-two remaining hereditary "peers" in office. The rest have been removed. Additionally, the speaker of the house is a female, Baroness D'Souza.
Seeing the physical set up of Parliament really helped me to understand how it functions. Lessons on Parliament seemed so confusing in the past. This is mostly because it is quite different from the American government, which is complex enough to understand. When you see how the layout accommodates the process, it suddenly makes much more sense.
The Houses of Parliament were first commission to be built as the Palace of Westminster by King (Later Saint) Edward the Confessor but suffered considerable fire damage first in 1512 and more devastatingly in 1834. Architect Charles Barry won the bid for his design for reconstruction and was assisted by Pugin who is famous for his work in the Gothic Revival style in the 19th century.This reconstruction was done during the reign of Victoria and Albert. Albert chaired the fine arts commission and had a heavy hand in designing the interior decoration and established a theme for each room.
The reigning monarch still attends Parliament once a year in May to start Parliament, in what is known as the State Opening of Parliament. In the House of Lords, there is a throne for the monarch. When Queen Elizabeth II is accompanied by the Duke, a throne is brought in for him also. His throne is one inch shorter than hers.
Parliament originated in the times of feudalism. The reigning monarch would take counsel of all the lords, dukes, and barons of the land to ensure their continued support of the monarchy. This began to happen more regularly. In 1265, representatives of the burgesses (bourgeoisie) were invited to counsel with the king. This continued to happen until it became custom. Parliament is composed of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Members of the House of Lords are also called "peers'. Today there are only ninety-two remaining hereditary "peers" in office. The rest have been removed. Additionally, the speaker of the house is a female, Baroness D'Souza.
Seeing the physical set up of Parliament really helped me to understand how it functions. Lessons on Parliament seemed so confusing in the past. This is mostly because it is quite different from the American government, which is complex enough to understand. When you see how the layout accommodates the process, it suddenly makes much more sense.
The Churchill War Rooms was not an event I expected to enjoy. It is one of the five branches of the Imperial War Museum. It is a required sight to see for class which is primarily why I went. I also wanted to view it to tell my dad and brother, who love war history.
Yet I was extremely surprised. The war rooms are not only about fighting. You learn a lot about domestic life during the war and what it was like to live underground for a long time. You realize more fully the sacrifices people made. After the end of WWII, the war rooms were mostly sealed up as they were. All the rooms were photographed, and only a few were emptied to be used for storage. These rooms have been fully restored to exactly how they were in the photographs. It is fascinating to see time standing completely still. My favorite piece of history was actually three tiny sugar cubes. Funny, right? Sugar was extremely hard to procure during the war. When one officer got his sugar, he secreted it away in his desk. In 1945 as everyone abandoned their desks, the sugar remained there, forgotten, as the doors were shut. When the IWM reopened the rooms, they found the sugar right were he left it. |
The second park we strolled through was Green Park which adjoins Buckingham Palace. Green Park does not have very many flowers. It is a slightly more "hilly" than the other parks. It has very pretty shade trees and is picturesque in a Thoreau way.
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I walked back with a few friends from the war rooms to Kensington Square through the connecting park system.
The first park was St. James's park which is very manicured and has a wide variety of flowers and waterfowl. There were full sized swans among other birds. The last park we went through was Hyde Park, which is the closest to campus. Hyde Park is home of The Serpentine and Diana Fountain. It has an array of flowers as well, but not as many animals as St. James's.
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What I noticed most about all three parks is how much more effective they are than green spaces in the North Carolina. The parks mentioned were very busy with all ages, races, genders, and ethnicity brought together. The amount of interaction and use of space was amazing, and many people were very friendly. They also have carts selling drinks and ice cream cones,and for the most part, parks are very family friendly places.
Love,
Melissa
Kensington Palace, Leichester Square, and the National Gallery
June 29, 2012
On Friday, Aysar, Kelly, Madira, Kayla, and I went to tour Kensington Palace, which recently underwent a $18.8 million renovation. It reopened March 2012. I am not sure what it looked like before, but it was very nice. They have an interesting addition of modern art and sculpture, exhibits, and interactive media to the historical artifacts. The juxtaposition was interesting, yet it lent a less "authentic" feel to the museum.
The palace has housed an array of royal residents, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Princess Diana, and William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It was built in the early 1600s as the home of the Earl of Nottingham and was acquired in 1689 by the monarchy.
Today, it is divided into two sections. The first is the private wing for members of the royal family to live. The second is the historic state apartments which are open for tour.
The exhibit is divided into four sections. On the ground floor is the temporary exhibit "Diana", described by the official tour map as "glimpses of a modern princess", which includes photos of her, the dresses from those photos, and even the designer sketches for those dresses. The first floor houses "Victoria Revealed". It takes you through the rooms where Victoria spent her childhood and houses many artifacts from childhood to her Diamond Jubilee in 1896. It includes nine rooms featuring her childhood, Red Saloon, her love story, Albert's death and mourning, and the Royal Jubilee. The second floor hosts "The Queen's State Apartments' with six rooms which were the royal apartments for Queen Mary II (17th century) and "The King's State Apartments" of King George I and II (mid seventeenth to eighteenth century) with 8 rooms. These two exhibits cover subjects like Queen Mary's miscarriages and the ins and outs of court life.
The palace has housed an array of royal residents, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Princess Diana, and William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It was built in the early 1600s as the home of the Earl of Nottingham and was acquired in 1689 by the monarchy.
Today, it is divided into two sections. The first is the private wing for members of the royal family to live. The second is the historic state apartments which are open for tour.
The exhibit is divided into four sections. On the ground floor is the temporary exhibit "Diana", described by the official tour map as "glimpses of a modern princess", which includes photos of her, the dresses from those photos, and even the designer sketches for those dresses. The first floor houses "Victoria Revealed". It takes you through the rooms where Victoria spent her childhood and houses many artifacts from childhood to her Diamond Jubilee in 1896. It includes nine rooms featuring her childhood, Red Saloon, her love story, Albert's death and mourning, and the Royal Jubilee. The second floor hosts "The Queen's State Apartments' with six rooms which were the royal apartments for Queen Mary II (17th century) and "The King's State Apartments" of King George I and II (mid seventeenth to eighteenth century) with 8 rooms. These two exhibits cover subjects like Queen Mary's miscarriages and the ins and outs of court life.
After Kensington Palace, we ventured on to Leicester Square to hunt for the half price ticket kiosk. There are a lot of theatres and non-authentic discount ticket places in the area. It took us quite a while, but two girls did get tickets to see The Lion King. From there we headed to Trafalgar Square.
Trafalgar Square (tra-fall-gur not traf-ull-garr) was designed by John Nash in the early 19th century. However, over the years it became overrun with vehicle traffic and not a city center. In 2000, prior London Mayor Ken Livingstone schemed to transform the square to fulfill Nash's true intentions for it. Now it is a bustling pedestrian plaza. The square commemorates the victory of the Royal Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar against the French and Spanish during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. The square houses two fountains, four plinths, and Nelson's Column in the centre.
The square is also home to the National Gallery, founded in 1824. It is home to over 2000 Western European paintings and is one of the largest in the world- a do not miss event. The Sainsbury Wing hosts paintings from 1260 to 1510. It is composed of 16 rooms and is home to Boticelli's Venus & Mars. The West Wing houses High Renaissance paintings of the 16th century, most notably Michelangelo and El Greco. The North Wing covers the 17th century and features Rembrandt and Rockeby Venus by Velazquez. My favorite wing was the East Wing, which covers the 18th and 19th centuries. Here you will find British landscapes by Gainsborough and Turner, impressionist, and post-impressionist paintings. This is home to Sunflowers by Van Gogh, more impressive in person than in photos. It was very interesting to try and glimpse pieces of Britain's history through the impressive square outside and the paintings inside. I much enjoyed the landscapes. I wonder what places outside the city might match those images in aesthetic. I would really like to visit the countryside. Admission to Kensington Palace is 12 GBP. The National Gallery is free to the public. |
Love,
Melissa
First Classes And My Solo Wandering
June 28, 2012
Today I had my first classes. Breakfast starts sometime around 7 or 7:30 AM and lasts until 9 AM BST. Class begins at 8:30 AM, and my first one ends at 10:30. Then, my second class begins and lasts until 12:30 PM. I am taking IDS 301, which a British culture and history through study abroad sort of class and Modern Drama, with a focus on British modern drama. I like both my classes fairly well, and they move at a nice clip content and workload wise. However, I have never had 2 hour classes before. Now I have two back to back.
For my modern drama class, our teacher led us on an excursion to the National Theatre, which is on the South Bank in London. The National Theatre presents many modern and classic dramas, as well as experimental theatre in the green open space in front of the theatre. We are touring the theatre this Friday, July 6. Our excursion today was to purchase the texts for our class. What we read is designed around what is currently playing in London while we are here. I am rather excited. We are reading Democracy by Michael Frayn, The Doctor's Dillemma by Bernard Shaw, South Downs by David Hare, The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan, and Richard III by Shakespeare (even though it is not modern). We also chose two other plays individually to compare to the required works. I chose Top Girls by Caryl Churchill and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, whom I love.
While I was there, my group learned of a free circus performance in the outdoor theatre showing later that day at 6:30 PM.I decided to attend. The show was Take Your Seats by Circus Space. In fact, it was a performance by Circus Space graduates of 2012- graduating with a BA Honors Degree in Circus...yes, you can actually run away, join the circus, and get your degree. Try that one with parents.
However, Take Your Seats was not clowns in a car, lions, or any of the "wow" factor of the usual circus. These were highly trained athletes and artists, the only terms to describe these graduates. Their intricate acts of flying, trapeze, balance, and coordination highlighted their extreme finesse and dedication. They are doing what they love, and I admire and support them for it. The show was directed by James Roberts, and the National Theatre described it as "a sardonic look into the intense world of the modern debating chamber". This piece of theatre was full of drama and message, an experimental look into the urban condition, into consumerism, and the work force. It asked the questions "what drives us" and "why". It was performed with little equipment, special effects, or set. It was stripped and raw. The performers wore variations of workwear and demonstrated a sense of monotony and frustration. While only lasting thirty minutes, it stayed on my mind for the rest of the night, as the questions raised ran through my mind.
For my modern drama class, our teacher led us on an excursion to the National Theatre, which is on the South Bank in London. The National Theatre presents many modern and classic dramas, as well as experimental theatre in the green open space in front of the theatre. We are touring the theatre this Friday, July 6. Our excursion today was to purchase the texts for our class. What we read is designed around what is currently playing in London while we are here. I am rather excited. We are reading Democracy by Michael Frayn, The Doctor's Dillemma by Bernard Shaw, South Downs by David Hare, The Browning Version by Terence Rattigan, and Richard III by Shakespeare (even though it is not modern). We also chose two other plays individually to compare to the required works. I chose Top Girls by Caryl Churchill and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, whom I love.
While I was there, my group learned of a free circus performance in the outdoor theatre showing later that day at 6:30 PM.I decided to attend. The show was Take Your Seats by Circus Space. In fact, it was a performance by Circus Space graduates of 2012- graduating with a BA Honors Degree in Circus...yes, you can actually run away, join the circus, and get your degree. Try that one with parents.
However, Take Your Seats was not clowns in a car, lions, or any of the "wow" factor of the usual circus. These were highly trained athletes and artists, the only terms to describe these graduates. Their intricate acts of flying, trapeze, balance, and coordination highlighted their extreme finesse and dedication. They are doing what they love, and I admire and support them for it. The show was directed by James Roberts, and the National Theatre described it as "a sardonic look into the intense world of the modern debating chamber". This piece of theatre was full of drama and message, an experimental look into the urban condition, into consumerism, and the work force. It asked the questions "what drives us" and "why". It was performed with little equipment, special effects, or set. It was stripped and raw. The performers wore variations of workwear and demonstrated a sense of monotony and frustration. While only lasting thirty minutes, it stayed on my mind for the rest of the night, as the questions raised ran through my mind.
Love,
Melissa
Off We Go...
June 26-27, 2012
For my trip to London, I decide to fly by myself for a number of reasons. At first, I thought I would arrive in Europe a week ahead to go and visit distant relatives. However, with so much already going on, I decided it would be easier on me and my parents for me to go at the regular time. Alas, my flight was already booked.
I have flown before (Canada and Haiti); the actual flight did not worry me. However, I had always flown with a group and never alone and never with my parents. The whole packing, TSA restrictions, and all that made me pretty nervous, as did terminals, departures, layovers, and the rest. I was sure I would do something wrong at some point. Murphy's law.
I like to challenge myself though. I like to know that I can do anything I put my mind to independently. And I was successful! I did not miss a plane or go to a wrong terminal or arrive late or experience bad turbulence. Smooth sailing...well, flying that is. Now I am certain I can do it, and flying alone cannot hinder me in any future travels!
I have flown before (Canada and Haiti); the actual flight did not worry me. However, I had always flown with a group and never alone and never with my parents. The whole packing, TSA restrictions, and all that made me pretty nervous, as did terminals, departures, layovers, and the rest. I was sure I would do something wrong at some point. Murphy's law.
I like to challenge myself though. I like to know that I can do anything I put my mind to independently. And I was successful! I did not miss a plane or go to a wrong terminal or arrive late or experience bad turbulence. Smooth sailing...well, flying that is. Now I am certain I can do it, and flying alone cannot hinder me in any future travels!
After I joined my study group from Meredith at the airport, we took a coach bus to campus where we had two hours to settle into our rooms and relax for a brief moment. Then we regrouped to learn how to use the Underground to get to the stop where we could board the Big Bus Tour. The Underground was immediately easy for me to understand. It is so similar to Montreal's Metro. I wish the bus tour had been the next day. I was extremely tired at that point. From the bus, I saw the memorial pictured here. As it says "they had no choice", which summarizes how I felt about the bus tour. I am sure it was great, but I found the guide's voice monotonous and soon found my eyes heavy and head bobbing.
The parts of the tour I was able to keep my eyes open for were interesting- the sights at least (once again, boring guide). It was a really good way to see a lot of London. I think it would be a good investment if you were short on time. I do not feel that I gained that much from it though. Maybe if it had been the next day. However, we did transfer to the river tour at one stop, and I was able to stay awake through that thanks to a very funny but informative tour guide. Going to get groceries was an experience. I went to Tesco's to get a few basic supplies for the week. I have thought about what brands the UK might not have but did not realize how far ranging that was. Growing up in the US you learn what brands to trust- it is semi-indoctrination. Then you go somewhere totally new. Something as simple as groceries ask you to blindly trust. And that was actually somewhat hard. I bought milk, water, and supplies for PB&J's. Maybe next time I will branch out.
Love,
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