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

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

The Filling Station from Danny Champion of the World

The Orphanage from the BFG

Interactive Replicate of Roald Dahl's writing hut

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, where Dahl is buried

Gravesite

Bridge that he told his children scary stories underneath

Me at the house Roald Dahl lived in; the 'Gipsy House.'
The Gipsy House

The public footpath just in front of Dahl's property

Bath, Stonehenge, and Winchester

Today was pouring rain, only it didn’t let up. My flimsy umbrella has probably met its end after today’s winds and rain sent it popping inside out more times than I bothered to count. In spite of it though, we did manage to visit some pretty amazing sites, and travel by a coach bus, which is much nicer, you might imagine, than the various train systems.

Our first stop of the day was Bath, but we didn’t arrive there until half past eleven. There was a good chunk of time eaten up getting all the coach tours ready to go and then also traveling about two hours. Once there, we piled out into the miserable weather and maneuvered to the door, our umbrellas held sideways. We were going to visit the ancient Roman baths, which were largely in tact and still fueled by the hot spring that emitted steam when it hit the cold air. The tour itself was highly touristic (if that’s a word) and we walked around looking at the exhibits and information with these cheesy 10-inch phones to our ears. Each station was corresponded by a number, where you listened to some information about what you were looking at. I was most impressed by the displays that reconstructed digitally how it the carvings and structures used to look.

A group of us stopped a sandwich shop for lunch, which proved to be pretty difficult as everyone was looking for a place to eat inside at approximately the same time. Lindsey and I ended up eating across the street where we could find a table and then ordered hot chocolates to justify us staying in there and keeping warm.

Once we were back on the bus, it took us about an hour to get to Stonehenge. That was pretty awesome to see in person, though I must admit I thought it would be a bit bigger, either wider or taller. The wind and rain were so bitter at this point though, we just snapped some pictures before splashing our way back to the coach bus.

The last stop we made was in Winchester, particularly the Winchester cathedral. There was a problem with taking a tour, so most of us forwent going inside because it was pricey for the brief amount of time we had. Instead, I took pictures of the outside and around the building, before walking back to the bus. We town was cute and we strolled into a few shops as time permitted. Once back on the bus, we drove again until we hit London. Most of us got on the tube and went straight back to the hotel, but Brittany and I stopped at the Tesco grocery store to grab a bite. I decided that after such a long, blustery day (filled with coughing fits, I might add, but a growing strength in my voice) it would be best to spend the evening relaxing at the hotel.

While the Roman baths and Stonehenge weren’t the draw for me on this trip, they were certainly a great experience that I will remember.

After I post this, I will settle into my bed and hopefully manage to finish Danny, Champion of the World, by Roald Dahl. For tomorrow, we are headed to the Roald Dahl museum!

Hope this finds you well. A few more days until Denmark!!.. and one week until I’m home!!

With Joy,

Bethany

Brighton and Emily Gravett!

Today we were permitted to sleep in a bit and meet up around ten. Of course, I slept for every last possible second and scrambled to get ready to go. I managed to escape with everything I needed and stepped out into the rainy, London day. My straight hair was instantly a mess but my Emily Gravett books were safely folded up inside of a towel in my backpack (I’m a bit of a nerd). My throat was still chocked up and I sound a bit like a squeaky frog, but I’m not in too much pain or feeling really ill. I did break down and buy some cough syrup today, so hopefully I will be cured soon!Once we stepped off the train in Brighton the weather had turned and it was beautiful!

We ended up dragging our umbrellas, scarves, and coats around all day, but it’s a fair price to pay for beautiful weather! The fair weather may have made me partial, but the city was adorable. There were several busy streets for shopping and eating that didn't have any traffic on them, other than pedestrians. I went to a place called Darcy’s café with Amber and Amanda which had white umbrellas out front, teapots displayed in the windows, and menus written in chalk on blackboards. We ordered a meal and crème tea which was, of course delicious. I realized later that the two hadn't picked it for it's food, but rather the name, as they are both English majors and huge Jane Austen fans! You must get sick of hearing me talk about food on this blog, so I’ll move on to something more exciting… Emily Gravett!

We met up after lunch at the gardens of the Royal Pavillion. We spotted a gorgeous bride and party just outside of the building as they were getting ready to go in, which was kind of fun to see. It wasn’t long before a woman approached us looking for Joann; our group is kind of hard to miss! We then strolled across and found a spot on the grass to sit around and talk. We asked her all kinds of questions about her work, her favorites, how she came into the profession, etc. It was so fun to talk to her and she is very modest about it all. Since she is still pretty new on the stage (3 years ago was her first published book), I think her global popularity still surprises her a bit. We eventually got around to book signing and picture taking, but not before she shared with us the two books she is currently working on, Spells and Dogs, both which were very creative and fun. It was probably one of the highlights of my trip so far! She was very approachable and great to talk with. For those that might not know much about Emily Gravett, she is a wonderful children's book author and illustator. I own four of her books (all signed now!), Monkey and Me, Meercat Mail, Odd Egg, and Little Mouse's Big book of Fears. My favorites are the last two, which are new and only out in England at the moment. To check out her work, she has a lovely website and she comes highly recommended by me! http://www.emilygravett.com/

Afterwards, I went with Ellie, Laura, Sarah, and Peggy to the seaside and then walked around on the pier and into some shops. Something I thought was quite odd is that there were little stones everywhere instead of sand. Laura and Sarah got there shoes all wet when they went down to touch the water. It was a beautiful afternoon to spend at the seaside and then we hopped on a train back to London, where Laura and Sarah aired out their shoes. =)

We went to Picadilly and found a great place to eat before heading back to the hotel and crashing. Tomorrow is a big day, as we are taking a coach tour. It’s nearly a 12 hour day, but I can’t wait because that means we don’t have to use public transportation! Maybe I won’t be too exhausted to tell you about it tomorrow!.. but I make no promises. ;o)

With love from this side of the ocean,

Bethany

A day in Oxford

Today we had a late start around 10 am and caught a train to Oxford. We literally caught a train, minutes before it was about to leave the station. We were somewhere in the middle of confirming that it was the train when we were rushed onto it, soon discovering that it was very full! I ended up standing for most of the hour-long ride, but Ellie and I would get seats when they were available, only to realize soon after that they were reserved for someone else. It could have been much worse though… we could have had all our luggage too, like before!!

Once arrived, we hopped onto a double-decker bus tour of Oxford. We listened to head-sets of information, but I must say I prefer the in-person format of London and Edinburgh. No broken windows, crazy drivers, or police today… although our bus did clog up the road at one point, which provoked several horns behind us. The trip around town was a blur, and I’m not sure I’ve correctly sorted my photos. I think my favorite part of the tour was spotting the occasional student walking or biking to class in their dress robes, which is a very formal and traditional dress for a student. In sum, I did learn about how Oxford works and got a good perspective of the quaint, picturesque, old city that it is. Basically, Oxford is the University and there are several colleges that are under that umbrella, all taking the same exams. After the tour, we broke for lunch and stopped at a shop where a few girls purchased Oxford t-shirts.

Next we visited one of the Oxford colleges; we went to Christ Church. We had a private tour of the grounds, as this was significant to our trip in a few ways. It was the setting of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, as he was a student there. Our tour guide showed and told us about the things and people around Christ Church that inspired the book. Take note of the little green door out of the garden in my pictures! Remind you of anything?? The location was also used during the filming of the first two Harry Potters, as well as the Golden Compass. The dining room is the largest of the different colleges and was the inspiration for the H.P. movie dining room scenes. There were three regular tables and one high table where the dean and other faculty sit. The dining room also had many significances to Alice in Wonderland; the white rabbit was based on Alice’s father, the dean of the college, and he would always exit the High table through a door that led to a spiral stair case (see picture!)... the inspiration for the rabbit hole in the book. Another odd fact is that Christ Church is 5 minutes behind the rest of the town because the heads of the college didn’t want to adjust with the rest of the town. So, perhaps that’s why the rabbit is always late! ;o) To say the least, the tour was really interesting and our tour guide, Stuart, was wonderful. Most of my pictures are from that tour, but I’ve included a few from the bus tour around town.

We walked to the train station and hopped on a train to Paddington Station in London, but we accidentally didn’t catch the express, so it took us twice as long. Fortunately, we had seats this time, so it wasn’t too big of a deal. We went back to Covent Gardens and had some delicious Italian food. I’m back at the hotel trying to rest up and maybe gain some of my voice back. It is very strained and my throat is awful sore. I’m trying to drink and eat things to help it ebb naturally, but to no avail as of yet.

Hope you are all having a lovely Memorial Day weekend!

With Joy,

Bethany