Bethany in the UK

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Update from Denmark

Hi friends and family,

Just a quick message to say that I have arrived in Denmark! I will be spending the weekend with my friends Anine and Mette, who I met a couple years ago in Australia.

I'm realizing now that my Blog title has totally excluded this part my adventures, so you will have to pardon my mistake. It should be 'Bethany in Europe!' ... but in any case, I am still abroad, but this leg of the trip is quite different in nature & I am so excited for it! I will be sure to update you when I arrive back home.

Also, you will have to fogive me. I was well into my journey when I realized that I forgot to put all the postcards in the mail! They are all written, stamped, and addressed... but since it is UK postage, I might have to wait a few more days... and then race them home! ;o) my apologies!

xo, Bethany

King Lear in the Globe Theater

Last night did not disappoint! We first had class for an hour and then we went out as one large group to dinner at Pizza Express, which has become a favorite for most. Their name does not do them justice, as they have delicious food, artsy decor, and an affordable menu. I had the Canneloni again, a new favorite of mine, as a finale to the trip!

We then set off for the Globe Theater which was harder to get to than we imagined, so we were running a little late. We were literally jogging around the building and restaurants along the Thames river in our skirts asking for direction all along the way. I was worried we would not be allowed into the theater, but it wasn't difficult at all to get in and find our seats. I was in such a rush to get in, that it struck me really funny when I got to my seat and looked around me at Shakespeare's Globe Theater! It was magnificent and I felt like I was transported in time, except for the occasional airplane flying overhead in the distance, which I found amusing. It was difficult to follow the play, however, because I'm not great at Shakespeare and I have not read King Lear. I wish I had thought to read it before coming, but I will put it on a to-do list for my summer at home. In spite of not being able to understand, I still loved it immensly. The second half was much easier to follow, and there was a few gory parts that managed to make me close my eyes briefly even though I knew it was only an act. Usually the movies can make things realistic, but these actors did a pretty good job right in front of my eyes. I was so grateful we had seats, as standing through the three hour performance would have been difficult. One lady did manage to faint, but she came back to the play a bit later. All in all, I loved it and soaked up the experience with delight. I feel like I've painted this vibrant memory in my head to treasure because the pictures don't do it justice. The one at the top captures it best, but the lighting made it difficult to get right.

That ended our night and trip, consequently, so we said a few heartfelt goodbyes and hugged before heading out the door. I made a quick pit-stop at the loos and went to find Amanda to walk back. I spotted Jess and Karen talking with two individuals and I thought perhaps they were meeting a few actors. Being curious, I peeked my head around and who should I see.. Professor Keeler!!! I kind of shrieked and gave him a quick hug and he still looked stunned by running into so many of his students. I was able to meet his wife and swap stories from our different travels. Small world, eh?! I was pleasantly surprised by that, but we parted ways as it was getting late and headed for the Tube. Amanda and I walked over the millenium bridge and past St. Pauls in order to get there. It was a chilly walk, but London and the Thames river were beautifully lit up by all the buildings; it was worth it!

Here I am in the London coffee, updating you before I head to the airport to Denmark. Mette just called on skype and we talked for a few minutes, which has me even more excited! Isn't technology great?!

I have treasured my experiences, but I am eagerly anticipating what lies ahead... Denmark! Virginia! Pennsylvania! and Georgia! .. and then moving into my lovely little house on Water St. back in the 'burg! I do love the summer =)

with Joy,
Bethany

Inside the Globe Theater

Pictures from the walk to the tube station along the Thames river with Amanda

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Roald Dahl Museum & Spamalot

Experiences dating from Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - first 1/2 of Wed

Forgive me for not updating directly after Tuesday, but it was a very full day and I crashed into my bed at the end of it, knowing I would have a bit of free time this afternoon to write.

We began yesterday around 9:30, finding our way on the tube to yet another train station. Depending on where you are headed, there are different stations in London you would leave from. We were headed for Great Missenden, to visit the Roald Dahl museum and visit the site where he lived. As it turns out, Roald hated museums, so this one, you might imagine, was a bit different. Our guide escorted us first to the loos, but along the way we passed a door that smelled of chocolate!.. (Roald Dahl is the author/inventor of the famous Willie Wonka). Our guide than took us to a room upstairs for a lecture presentation about Roald Dahl. I thought it was fabulous! We learned of his antics as a boy, and how was also nicknamed “boy,” being the brother to four girls. We also learned of his time as a fighter pilot and the crash that ended his military career. The incident also began a new path for Roald, as he authored an article for a newspaper, mostly as a propaganda piece. I also really enjoyed hearing stories about him as a father. When you read his literature, you see some of his fatherly personality in certain characters.

After the lecture, we toured around the museum a bit which was full of interesting artifacts and activities for the visitors. The aim of the museum is to inspire the kids to read and write themselves, to participate in the art and in the museum. For instance, the kids can write book ideas, create words, drawings, or make recommendations for books (which are sometimes placed by the corresponding book in the gift shop.) There was also a replica of his “hut,” which he used as a quiet place to do his work in. There were several odd things in that room, which just added to the peculiar, yet charming man he seemed to be

The museum is located in the village that he grew up in, so we were given a walking tour of the town and some of the significant landmarks to Dahl’s work. This was easily my favorite part of the day! First, we strolled down the block to a library where our guide read us a selection from Matilda. Next, we walked to the Red Pump Garage, which was inspirational to the Filling Station in Danny Champion of the World. The Crown House was the basis for the orphanage featured in the BFG. Once we were finished on that block of town, we turned down a road and walked up a hill where a castle-like church began to emerge from behind the trees. This was the church where Roald Dahl worshipped and was later buried in 1990. His gravesite was the most interesting and precious one I have ever seen! Nearby the grave, there is a tree, surrounded by a circular bench with his children’s names on each seat. This bench is situated on a circular concrete slab with the engraving around it from his book The Giraffe, and the Pelly, and Me, “We have tears in our eyes as we wave our goodbyes, We so loved being with you, we three. So please now and then come and see us again, the Giraffe and the Pelly and me.” Not far from this special tree, there were also stone-footprints, resembling the BFG, that you could follow from there to the grave. I thought it was a very special way of honoring Roald Dahl and I was so glad to have shared in it. After this stop, we walked a good bit to get to the “Gipsy House,” which is where Roald Dahl’s family lived. Along the way, we passed under a bridge, learning that Roald Dahl used to take his kids there at night to tell them scary stories. Once we got there, it was hard to see because of all the plants and shrubbery. There was a little footpath in front of their property that was full of life with plants. We walked down that way a bit, peaking through the overgrowth of bushes to catch a glimpse of the house and gipsy caravan in his yard. It was pretty amazing to see where he had lived, but I have been continually impressed at the everyday inspirations these famous authors used. It’s the theme I’m running with for my paper too!

After the museum, we hopped back on a train to London and had class for a good chunk of our day, discussing family themes from some of our required literature. Later, a group of about 8 of us went out to grab a bit to eat before going to see Spamalot. For those of you who are monty python fans, it is very similar to that, but in a musical format. Personally, it would not have been my first choice, as I would much rather have seen Les Miserables or Phantom of the Opera. This particular play was full of comedy, but half of the comedy I didn’t really appreciate. The singer/actors were incredibly talented, but a lot of the humor was crude or relied heavily on stereotypes. I think the funniest parts were how they parodied theater and musicals the entire way through and I do like the bit with the knight who keeps receiving terrible injuries, proclaiming ‘it’s only a flesh wound!’ and keeps on fighting without any arms, etc. Anyway, I found myself in the company of a few who shared my opinions, but most everyone in our group and the audience loved it. Personal preferences, I suppose..

It was late by the time we got back, so as I mentioned before,.. crashing into bed was about all that I could manage. This morning, we traveled to Richmond to visit a famous little bookstore called The Lion and Unicorn bookshop, which has been around since 1977 and founded by Roald Dahl. A gentleman spoke to us for awhile about some modern children’s literature that was popular and then we were free to roam around the store. Amber and I came back to the hotel first, stopping along the way for a brief lunch, toothpaste, etc. Both of us were eager to begin an afternoon to ourselves. I’m enjoying my downtime this afternoon, but it is speeding by. We are having class again at 4 o’clock and then having a large group dinner at Pizza Express, which many of us have quickly become fond of! Then we are off to the Globe Theater to watch King Lear.

Tomorrow, I leave for Denmark later in the day. I will be sure to update once or twice about Denmark, but I might save that blogging for when I get home to the states at the top of next week. I’m meeting two Danish friends, Anine and Mette, who were I was very close with during my stay in Australia. I’m thrilled to visit them in Denmark, as they have shared many stories about their family and country with me. I have not seen them in two years, so it should be a fun weekend! We will be staying at Mette’s home in Arhus.

Hope everyone is doing well!

With Joy,

Bethany

The Library from Matilda