Goodbye America, Hello England!

 

My experience in England has finally begun. As I stepped on the plane and found my seat, I was hit by a mixture of feelings. I knew I would miss home, friends and family, but what was ahead had me jittery with excitement. I sat next to a very nice English gentleman, named Richard. When the captain first spoke, I had no clue what he was saying. Let me tell you, we may speak the same language, but understanding accent can be quite difficult! The flight was smooth and over a cup of tea, we descended over England. When I looked down, I could see green fields everywhere, spotted with sheep. It was especially funny to see highways going the wrong directions! We had to walk out across the tarmac, because our plane wasn’t connecting to the tunnel. I stepped out of the plane, took my first breath of crisp English air, and marched down the stairs. I had no clue where to go.

 

 

 

When I finally found the two other students in the crowd, we walked for what seemed like miles to customs. They let us through easily and we soon found ourselves excitedly saying high to Denise and Sandy, the RD’s of the program. The coach ride back to Cheltenham was smooth and quite funny. Every little bit, I’d jump a bit because it seemed we were turning the wrong direction! We dropped our things in our room, popped in for a shower and were immediately whisked off to orientation were we discussed tons of topics over tea and biscuits. Over here, Denise and Sandy affectionately call us their ‘Yankee-doodles’.

 

I’m fairly convinced that I’m attending Hogwarts. The campus is almost 200 years old and the buildings look like they are from fairy tales. I can’t believe I’ll be spending my time there each day. I think my favorite building is the chapel. With pews that face in towards the main aisle and a tremendously high ceiling, it’s just beautiful. We are also allowed to play the piano at the front anytime. I’ve also joined the University of Gloustershire Choir and will be performing with them in London, on Remembrance Day, University Graduation, and a Christmas Carol Candlelight service.

Last weekend, we took a group trip to Cornwall, where we visited the Lanhydrock House (a typical ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ Victorian Estate). Our hotel in Perranporth was on a hill overlooking the beach. The Ponsmere Hotel is a classic English Family Lodging with a stellar location. The cliffs along the beach were huge and riddled with passageways and caves. It was fun to climb up to ledges and sit looking out! Later we swam in the water. It was freezing but so worth it. People gave us strange looks at our joy of being at the English seaside. Almost everywhere you look there are dogs - everyone seems to have one. Saturday we travelled to St. Ives where I had my very first Cornish Pasty. It was pretty good! We walked along the shoreline where the water was unrealistically blue and ate Clotted Cream Vanilla Ice Cream. Sunday was spent touring the Eden project. It is a huge Sustainability project which houses two large botanical gardens - one rainforest and one Mediterranean. All of the food they sell in their café is grown there and they college water to reuse as well. I definitely recommend a visit here if in question! 

 

 

Classes started this past Monday. Already, two of them were cancelled which was pretty funny. I have one class each day of the week and various activities in the evening. Studies are quite independent here, with 20% in class and 80% on your own. My tutors are wonderful, and I think learning here will be different and unique. I know I'll definitely learn lots and be stretched to think in new and different ways.

 

I've visited Gloucester twice and both times spent a few hours wandering through the Cathedral. Today we took a guided tour of both the tower and the crypt. They give tours of the library about every two weeks and so we are going to reserve a spot on that tour as well. The only place you can't get a tour is the Organ Chamber Balcony. However, we were told that if we contacted the Organist individually, they may work something out. The goal is to get everywhere we possibly can in the Cathedral. The building is probably the most stunning and inspiring architecture I've seen in my life. I can't even begin to describe the intricate detail and archways. It was built in 1048, and if you take the crypt tour, you can walk and sit on the original foundation. If only stones could talk...

 

The first day we visited, we got quite lucky as the organist was rehearsing his music for the Choral Evensong for about and hour and a half before hand. The sound was absolutely amazing. It resonated through the building and you could feel the 32' pipes in the floor. When we came back for the Choral Evensong later, the youth choir in combination with the organ was breathtaking. The sound floated through the hall and the last note slowly disappeared. At the moment, there is a sculpture exhibit, so I will not be getting a photography permit until after the exhibit is taken down.

 

Tomorrow morning, we are going back for the early church service. I'm quite excited for that.

 

I’ll post again soon!

Cheers!

Beth

 

P.S. Stay posted...I will be doing my own sort of 'People of England' type blogging! More to come soon!