I know, I know, I have been bad this year about keeping up to date. Things have just been chaotic around here, but I should have some time either this afternoon or early tomorrow to post. But a quick update:
Last weekend, Friday through Monday was the trip to Scotland by train. Arrived late Friday, then on a bus tour of the Highlands on Saturday and Sunday, then in Edinburgh on Sunday night (with a ghost tour) and then the castle on Monday before an afternoon train home.
Tuesday was back to classes, but I went out to dinner to Jamie's Italian, a restaurant owned here in Oxford by the English chef Jamie Oliver (aka the Naked Chef...and no he is not naked).
Wednesday was off to Stratford for Shakespeare's Hamlet, starring Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard from Star Trek, Dr. Xavier from the Xmen movies) and David Tennant (the new Dr Who) and it was quite good.
Yesterday was the last day of classes and much grading. Today is finals in Civ 2 and more grading. Tonight is the final dinner with the students. Tomorrow lots of people are off and about for the day, but I am staying in Oxford to get some souvenir shopping done and some touristy stuff.
Sunday morning its off to the airport and home on Sunday evening.
Until a more complete post, with pictures I finally uploaded to my hard drive on my laptop, that should bring you up to date.
Matt
Friday, August 1, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
A Brief Update, Friday 7/25
Only a little more than a week to go. A week from Sunday we will be flying home and its quite amazing how quickly time has passed this summer. It seems to have passed by so much faster than last summer and with too little time to really get everything done that people want to do. However, we are off to Scotland and the great city of Edinburgh today. We are taking the train this year instead of flying like we did last year, so it is going to be a 7 hour long ride. We should be into Edinburgh Waverly Station around 8:30 or so tonight.
Last year I was looking forward to leading my first trip. From the blog last year and from student's reactions, it was one of the best trips of the whole summer for the 12 people who went (including myself). We spent the entire weekend in and around Edinburgh, though the Locurcio's did take a day trip out of the city on Sunday. This year, we arrive late, then head out tomorrow morning for a driving tour of the Highlands, overnight at Loch Ness (or near there), then more driving on Sunday before arriving back in Edinburgh on Sunday night, then taking the train home on Monday afternoon, arriving in Oxford around 11 on Monday night. The only real time we have in Edinburgh is tonight (after everything closes) and Monday morning before the train travel. Frankly I don't think its enough time to see anything besides the Castle and perhaps the Royal Mile, but I am not in charge of this year's program.
However, I did take a my History of Science students (plus 2 other students) to London yesterday for a late afternoon field trip. We left by coach (the Oxford Tube) and drove to London around 1 pm, arriving eventually at the Science Museum around 3:15. It was quite warm yesterday so the Underground was a zoo and massively crowded with delays and breakdowns. However, we did spend the afternoon in the museum. I led a brief tour around to the highlights of the museum, then let the students go explore on their own, primarly because my History of Science students had to find some sort of exhibits to talk about for their final paper due next week. After that, we left the Museum around 5:45 and headed out for a group picture.
The Tube was packed with congestion, so at one point we just got out and walked to where we were going to have dinner. Holborn to Chancery Lane, through the Inns of Court (where we saw a graduation ceremony for new barristers taking place) to Fleet St, then down Fleet St to a restaurant I have not failed to eat in during any of my trips to London. I managed to keep a tradition alive once again.
Everyone was starving when we left the museum and we were discussing dinner. I know some of them are kinda hurting for cash, but I offered up a great little restaurant, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Historic, a haunt of both Dr. Johnson and Dickens, rebuilt in 1667 after the great fire, the students jumped on the chance to get some dinner in such a local. The food is not too expensive (nothing more than 10 pounds on the menu) and everyone enjoyed the locale and the food. It was a great meal and after 2 hours or so, we headed back to the Tube and then the bus to Oxford. We got back around 11:15. It was a long afternoon and evening, but it was a lot of fun for one and all involved. So far, many of them said it was the best experience they have had other than their trip to Ireland.
I'll take that as a great compliment.
Well I need to get my morning started. Early class today because of the trip to Scotland.
I will write more and finally post a bunch of pictures on Tuesday.
Matt
Last year I was looking forward to leading my first trip. From the blog last year and from student's reactions, it was one of the best trips of the whole summer for the 12 people who went (including myself). We spent the entire weekend in and around Edinburgh, though the Locurcio's did take a day trip out of the city on Sunday. This year, we arrive late, then head out tomorrow morning for a driving tour of the Highlands, overnight at Loch Ness (or near there), then more driving on Sunday before arriving back in Edinburgh on Sunday night, then taking the train home on Monday afternoon, arriving in Oxford around 11 on Monday night. The only real time we have in Edinburgh is tonight (after everything closes) and Monday morning before the train travel. Frankly I don't think its enough time to see anything besides the Castle and perhaps the Royal Mile, but I am not in charge of this year's program.
However, I did take a my History of Science students (plus 2 other students) to London yesterday for a late afternoon field trip. We left by coach (the Oxford Tube) and drove to London around 1 pm, arriving eventually at the Science Museum around 3:15. It was quite warm yesterday so the Underground was a zoo and massively crowded with delays and breakdowns. However, we did spend the afternoon in the museum. I led a brief tour around to the highlights of the museum, then let the students go explore on their own, primarly because my History of Science students had to find some sort of exhibits to talk about for their final paper due next week. After that, we left the Museum around 5:45 and headed out for a group picture.
The Tube was packed with congestion, so at one point we just got out and walked to where we were going to have dinner. Holborn to Chancery Lane, through the Inns of Court (where we saw a graduation ceremony for new barristers taking place) to Fleet St, then down Fleet St to a restaurant I have not failed to eat in during any of my trips to London. I managed to keep a tradition alive once again.
Everyone was starving when we left the museum and we were discussing dinner. I know some of them are kinda hurting for cash, but I offered up a great little restaurant, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Historic, a haunt of both Dr. Johnson and Dickens, rebuilt in 1667 after the great fire, the students jumped on the chance to get some dinner in such a local. The food is not too expensive (nothing more than 10 pounds on the menu) and everyone enjoyed the locale and the food. It was a great meal and after 2 hours or so, we headed back to the Tube and then the bus to Oxford. We got back around 11:15. It was a long afternoon and evening, but it was a lot of fun for one and all involved. So far, many of them said it was the best experience they have had other than their trip to Ireland.
I'll take that as a great compliment.
Well I need to get my morning started. Early class today because of the trip to Scotland.
I will write more and finally post a bunch of pictures on Tuesday.
Matt
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Big Round Up
Well it is Wednesday morning, early and a brutally short week is ahead of me. So much to do with organizing and getting ready for the next part of my grand adventure. All I know is I have to do laundry early tomorrow morning because I won't have a chance to do it Friday morning before I leave for Scotland and I don't have any time other than tomorrow morning. So reset the alarm clock for being up before the students (probably 7 am will do) and then get laundry going first thing.
So what does the rest of the week look like? Tonight is dinner at Jesus College, though not in the normal hall, but elsewhere on campus. I am not sure why exactly, but I am guessing it has something to do with the Nebraska students arriving (there are more than 100 of them this year). It is okay, but I do admit the food in college has been a little variable this year. The first night's impromptu meal wasn't bad, the big welcome dinner was better, the second week's wasn't so good, the third came back strong and was quite good, so who knows what tonight's meal will offer. Thursday afternoon I have a small impromptu field trip to London for my History of Science students to go see the Science Museum in London. We are leaving about 1 pm on Thursday and probably will be back around 9 pm or 10. We will try to hit the Science Museum so that they can have enough time to find exhibits to discuss for their final project. It should work out. Friday it is off to Scotland on an afternoon train ride. Like last year, I am not bringing my laptop so no updates until Monday evening when I get back. That will be the last week of the semester which is equally busy, including off to see a play in Stratford. I can't believe we only have about 10 days left here.
So what has been going on? Well other than the usual drama starting to build after 33 students have been together for 3 weeks, its been quieter than last year for the most part. Knock on wood. No real drama with people threatening others or not bathing. Just interpersonal drama that all college students have. Oh and the smoke detectors going off a couple more times and fewer late night entries to rooms since I instituted the "pay as you unlock" plan.
So what have we been up to?
Paris mostly. Thursday last week was spent as a normal college day, with a bit of pre-trip running around to supermarkets etc. Friday morning it was up quite early, 6 am, to get on the bus to Dover and the Euro Tunnel. We had to come back after going about 5 miles up the road for one of the students who called and had missed the coach, but after that it was pretty smooth sailing. We arrived with less traffic than expected, so we had about an hour lay over at the Euro Tunnel complex, then on the train and 30 minutes later--France. Then a 3.5-4.0 hour drive to Paris. Due to the later train and the driver having to make his mandatory 45 minute stop after 6 hours of driving, we arrived in Paris a bit later than last year, around 4 o'clock CET. Some of the people went off to dinner, but about 18 students and myself, plus General Locurcio and his wife, Ingrid, all headed out to dinner about 6 pm. We stopped in a small restaurant around the corner and down the street from the hotel. It was a great meal, and I tried the house special, which was mussels and fries. Add in two beers and free desert (Ralph and Ingrid bought dessert for all the students) and it was a wonderful night out. By that point it was getting late, around 8:30 or so (though it would still be light for a while) and I headed back to the hotel. However, once I got back to the hotel, I was dragged out by a couple students to give an impromptu tour of Paris. So we got on the metro, went to the Arc de Triomphe, walked down the Champs Elysee (where most of the shops were open to either 10 or 11) and then to the Place de la Concorde. By this point it was dark and close to 10:30. We had walked more than 2 miles, so we made a slow turn back to the hotel along the opposite bank of the Seine, in time to see the Eiffel Tower light up at 11 pm with their light show. The tower is blue this year due to the French president also being the EU president for the next few months, which is an odd and eerily beautiful sight. However, by 11:30 it was time to return to the hotel and bed.
The hotel was the Mercure Sufferen, about 3 blocks from the Eiffel Tower and next door to the Hilton Paris. The rooms were a little on the smaller side, but more comfortable than last year's too hot room. The a/c seemed to work well enough and remarkably this was the first trip in which I wasn't sick in Paris, ever. Oh, I might be fighting a cold, but I seem to be doing alright now. Some of the students though are getting sick and one girl is fighting a very nasty cold. The one down side, okay two, were the closet for the separate toilet, which really was a closet in size and somewhat claustrophobic. The other was the daily cost of internet access, which was 20 Euros a day. I had to have it for all three days as I am working against a deadline for a project, so internet access was a business expensive. I usually worked about 2 hours a night, so I could justify it, but that was about 35 dollars a day! You know, I bitch in the us when it is 10-15 dollars a day at some hotels, but $35+ is a lot. C'est la vie.
Saturday morning was bright an early for the Louvre. We broke into two groups and had a good tour guide take us to see the highlights of the museum over a 90 minute tour. He also didn't put up with any crap from the group, keeping them together and interested. I have to say that despite being a bit pushy, he was informative and the students largely kept their attention focused on him. Oh they might have other comments, but compared to the guide from last year, he was open and warm. After that, groups began to break up for the day. I went with a small group of people on another walking tour to see the other side of the river before heading to Notre Dame. But at that point, I was getting complaints of starvation and fainting...okay, they were hungry. I could go through the day without eating that much, but they needed food. So we went to the Latin Quarter and got lunch from a souvlaki/gyro pita stand (there were a few, but this was the only one with a line). It was cheap and filling, probably the best meal in Paris that did both. What was we all got? A small batard of French bread, filled with tatziki, lettuce, tomato, shaved chicken and topped with frites. Sounds fattening but it was remarkably light and filling. I intended to go back again, but didn't.
Then we went back to Notre Dame, but the line was too long and everyone was hungry. So...back to the Metro and back to the hotel for a nap. This turned into a mini tour of the metro because the main route back was being serviced by buses and I wasn't quite sure how the bus system worked. So we hoped on the metro and took a series of three routes to bypass the closed section and reach our hotel. It was a bit longer, but we were back by 3. I needed a rest as well as my feet were hurting at this point. Then a large group assembled at 6 pm and headed out again with myself and the Locurcio's to the Rue Cler, a pedestrian street filled with shops, restaurants and food sellers. We ate at a small restaurant the nearly 17 of us this time, and I had duck this time which was pretty good. Then a slow walk back to the hotel around 9, and upstairs to do some work. Then I wanted to go out and take some pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night, but I ran into a bunch of students and we chatted/then griped and complained, until about 11:30. It was a bit cold, but I played big brother and they felt better afterwards. There wasn't much I could do to make things better, but be sympathetic.
Sunday morning was off to Giverney (Monet's house) then a wild ride through the countryside to Chartres to visit the cathedral. We were taking a short cut to get to Chartres with Ralph Locurcio navigating for the driver down a lot small back roads. It was fun and interesting, though one or two of the students were getting motion sick as we drove this twisting back roads. But it actually saved us about half an hour. However, it was by 3 at this point, and everyone was hungry. Ralph, Ingrid and I (later joined by two students) went off to a restaurant recommended by one of the locals, the Serpentine. It was a 19th century tea room that also served meals. Here it was that I had a true French experience. Ralph and one of the students, Jesse, ordered steak and frites, a traditional French meal, Ingrid had pasta, and Keir had pasta with smoked salmon. After talking to Ralph, who speaks French a bit better than I do, but we both read and understand French at the same level, I decided to try one of the house specials, Andouillette des Troyes. We both figured it was a type of sausage made with a natural casing. Heck, I have had andouille in Lousianna and it is good. Let's just say I managed to eat half of what arrived on my plate, while Ralph, who has a cast iron stomach couldn't even eat part of it and Jesse chewed and chewed and spit it out. I am not sure he liked me.
It wasn't so much the taste, it was the smell. If you don't believe me, type in the name of the sausage online and read the reviews. The sausage, which was grilled and covered in a light mustard sauce (which did nothing to cover up the smell, but frankly, it was okay to taste) is grilled pig's intestine filled with chopped and folded pig intestine and stomach. One of the kind reviews said it smelt like a "rotting pissoir". I have to agree and since smell is a big part of taste, I am proud that I managed to eaten half of it. I pushed the rest to one side, Ralph shared a small piece of steak with me, Keir gave me her smoked salmon which she didn't like, and desert more than made up for it. The waitress, and apparently a lot of other Frenchmen, loved the sausage that smelt horrible, and with your google search, there are fan appreciation clubs for it.
God the smell was bad enough, but when it also caused a bit of gas and you had to "taste" it over again, it wasn't very nice.
Then after lunch it was a brief jaunt into the cathedral itself, but honestly, while it is beautiful, it was Sunday afternoon and mass was going on. I felt more than a little awkward wandering the halls. I was glad that lunch took as long as it did and we headed back to Paris about 5:15. Then Heather took the group on one of the Seine River cruises before calling it a night. I wasn't hungry, so Ralph, Ingrid and I went for drinks in the hotel bar. It was tres expensive, with 3 drinks costing 24 Euros. Not something we would do on a regular basis.
Monday morning was a quick pack, get stuff on the bus and see more of Paris. They wanted to see the smaller version of the Statue of Liberty that is in the movie, National Treasure 2. So we walked there, then took the metro. I took the group to the Army Museum afterwards. I originally wanted to go Cluny Museum of medieval art, but the students were "Meh", so we went to the army museum. Four guys and one girl, and they all had a good time. I acted as tour guide after having an initial scare when two of my credit cards didn't work. Turns out it was the stupid machine the people were using at the museum not my cards since they have worked since then. We went and saw Napoleon's Tomb as well, but by the time we finished it was after 1. The students wanted lunch and decided that since the Rue Cler was nearby, they would eat there. I dropped them off and headed back to the hotel, since I had a 2 o'clock late check out. I had to get my room key reactivated, but got my computer and passport from my room. Then it was downstairs to wait with Ralph and Ingrid, and a number of students who eventually arrived. A brief jaunt off to the supermarket for food for the trip (which frankly, I never really ate) and then on the bus at 4:15.
I sat up front for much of the journey and talked to the coach driver, Ray. He and I had briefly talked about his tours of World War One battlefields, but we talked about all sorts of things on the way home, and shared an interest in discussing old episodes of the British car show, Top Gear. Anyway, it was back to the Channel where we got a train 30 minutes earlier than normal, and then back to Oxford where we arrived slightly after 11:15 BST. Then it was unpack, deal with some minor crises along with one student claiming he had money stolen while he was gone. He had left 20 pounds out and next to his towels and the scouts had come in and cleaned while we were gone. All I could do was shake my head and offer some sympathy, but privately, if you leave money next to towels, who is to say what exactly happened to it.
Yesterday, Tuesday, was something we almost forgot about, but was a tour of Bodelian Library. It was something I had never done before and I found it fascinating, but a few of the students said it was a "library". We did have a few screws ups never show up despite their entrance being prepaid, but about 27-28 people did show up for the two groups. Then it was back to my flat to get ready for class. Last night was a quiet night in my room grading papers, making a couple phone calls, including to the university to deal with computer issues that have to wait until I return.
Ah well, like is exciting, isn't it. I think I have filled in most everything. Today is back to a normal schedule for classes, then dinner in the hall. The students are going to a concert afterwards but I have some work I need to finish. It might also be a good time to do some laundry, but we shall see.
I will post pictures later on today.
So what does the rest of the week look like? Tonight is dinner at Jesus College, though not in the normal hall, but elsewhere on campus. I am not sure why exactly, but I am guessing it has something to do with the Nebraska students arriving (there are more than 100 of them this year). It is okay, but I do admit the food in college has been a little variable this year. The first night's impromptu meal wasn't bad, the big welcome dinner was better, the second week's wasn't so good, the third came back strong and was quite good, so who knows what tonight's meal will offer. Thursday afternoon I have a small impromptu field trip to London for my History of Science students to go see the Science Museum in London. We are leaving about 1 pm on Thursday and probably will be back around 9 pm or 10. We will try to hit the Science Museum so that they can have enough time to find exhibits to discuss for their final project. It should work out. Friday it is off to Scotland on an afternoon train ride. Like last year, I am not bringing my laptop so no updates until Monday evening when I get back. That will be the last week of the semester which is equally busy, including off to see a play in Stratford. I can't believe we only have about 10 days left here.
So what has been going on? Well other than the usual drama starting to build after 33 students have been together for 3 weeks, its been quieter than last year for the most part. Knock on wood. No real drama with people threatening others or not bathing. Just interpersonal drama that all college students have. Oh and the smoke detectors going off a couple more times and fewer late night entries to rooms since I instituted the "pay as you unlock" plan.
So what have we been up to?
Paris mostly. Thursday last week was spent as a normal college day, with a bit of pre-trip running around to supermarkets etc. Friday morning it was up quite early, 6 am, to get on the bus to Dover and the Euro Tunnel. We had to come back after going about 5 miles up the road for one of the students who called and had missed the coach, but after that it was pretty smooth sailing. We arrived with less traffic than expected, so we had about an hour lay over at the Euro Tunnel complex, then on the train and 30 minutes later--France. Then a 3.5-4.0 hour drive to Paris. Due to the later train and the driver having to make his mandatory 45 minute stop after 6 hours of driving, we arrived in Paris a bit later than last year, around 4 o'clock CET. Some of the people went off to dinner, but about 18 students and myself, plus General Locurcio and his wife, Ingrid, all headed out to dinner about 6 pm. We stopped in a small restaurant around the corner and down the street from the hotel. It was a great meal, and I tried the house special, which was mussels and fries. Add in two beers and free desert (Ralph and Ingrid bought dessert for all the students) and it was a wonderful night out. By that point it was getting late, around 8:30 or so (though it would still be light for a while) and I headed back to the hotel. However, once I got back to the hotel, I was dragged out by a couple students to give an impromptu tour of Paris. So we got on the metro, went to the Arc de Triomphe, walked down the Champs Elysee (where most of the shops were open to either 10 or 11) and then to the Place de la Concorde. By this point it was dark and close to 10:30. We had walked more than 2 miles, so we made a slow turn back to the hotel along the opposite bank of the Seine, in time to see the Eiffel Tower light up at 11 pm with their light show. The tower is blue this year due to the French president also being the EU president for the next few months, which is an odd and eerily beautiful sight. However, by 11:30 it was time to return to the hotel and bed.
The hotel was the Mercure Sufferen, about 3 blocks from the Eiffel Tower and next door to the Hilton Paris. The rooms were a little on the smaller side, but more comfortable than last year's too hot room. The a/c seemed to work well enough and remarkably this was the first trip in which I wasn't sick in Paris, ever. Oh, I might be fighting a cold, but I seem to be doing alright now. Some of the students though are getting sick and one girl is fighting a very nasty cold. The one down side, okay two, were the closet for the separate toilet, which really was a closet in size and somewhat claustrophobic. The other was the daily cost of internet access, which was 20 Euros a day. I had to have it for all three days as I am working against a deadline for a project, so internet access was a business expensive. I usually worked about 2 hours a night, so I could justify it, but that was about 35 dollars a day! You know, I bitch in the us when it is 10-15 dollars a day at some hotels, but $35+ is a lot. C'est la vie.
Saturday morning was bright an early for the Louvre. We broke into two groups and had a good tour guide take us to see the highlights of the museum over a 90 minute tour. He also didn't put up with any crap from the group, keeping them together and interested. I have to say that despite being a bit pushy, he was informative and the students largely kept their attention focused on him. Oh they might have other comments, but compared to the guide from last year, he was open and warm. After that, groups began to break up for the day. I went with a small group of people on another walking tour to see the other side of the river before heading to Notre Dame. But at that point, I was getting complaints of starvation and fainting...okay, they were hungry. I could go through the day without eating that much, but they needed food. So we went to the Latin Quarter and got lunch from a souvlaki/gyro pita stand (there were a few, but this was the only one with a line). It was cheap and filling, probably the best meal in Paris that did both. What was we all got? A small batard of French bread, filled with tatziki, lettuce, tomato, shaved chicken and topped with frites. Sounds fattening but it was remarkably light and filling. I intended to go back again, but didn't.
Then we went back to Notre Dame, but the line was too long and everyone was hungry. So...back to the Metro and back to the hotel for a nap. This turned into a mini tour of the metro because the main route back was being serviced by buses and I wasn't quite sure how the bus system worked. So we hoped on the metro and took a series of three routes to bypass the closed section and reach our hotel. It was a bit longer, but we were back by 3. I needed a rest as well as my feet were hurting at this point. Then a large group assembled at 6 pm and headed out again with myself and the Locurcio's to the Rue Cler, a pedestrian street filled with shops, restaurants and food sellers. We ate at a small restaurant the nearly 17 of us this time, and I had duck this time which was pretty good. Then a slow walk back to the hotel around 9, and upstairs to do some work. Then I wanted to go out and take some pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night, but I ran into a bunch of students and we chatted/then griped and complained, until about 11:30. It was a bit cold, but I played big brother and they felt better afterwards. There wasn't much I could do to make things better, but be sympathetic.
Sunday morning was off to Giverney (Monet's house) then a wild ride through the countryside to Chartres to visit the cathedral. We were taking a short cut to get to Chartres with Ralph Locurcio navigating for the driver down a lot small back roads. It was fun and interesting, though one or two of the students were getting motion sick as we drove this twisting back roads. But it actually saved us about half an hour. However, it was by 3 at this point, and everyone was hungry. Ralph, Ingrid and I (later joined by two students) went off to a restaurant recommended by one of the locals, the Serpentine. It was a 19th century tea room that also served meals. Here it was that I had a true French experience. Ralph and one of the students, Jesse, ordered steak and frites, a traditional French meal, Ingrid had pasta, and Keir had pasta with smoked salmon. After talking to Ralph, who speaks French a bit better than I do, but we both read and understand French at the same level, I decided to try one of the house specials, Andouillette des Troyes. We both figured it was a type of sausage made with a natural casing. Heck, I have had andouille in Lousianna and it is good. Let's just say I managed to eat half of what arrived on my plate, while Ralph, who has a cast iron stomach couldn't even eat part of it and Jesse chewed and chewed and spit it out. I am not sure he liked me.
It wasn't so much the taste, it was the smell. If you don't believe me, type in the name of the sausage online and read the reviews. The sausage, which was grilled and covered in a light mustard sauce (which did nothing to cover up the smell, but frankly, it was okay to taste) is grilled pig's intestine filled with chopped and folded pig intestine and stomach. One of the kind reviews said it smelt like a "rotting pissoir". I have to agree and since smell is a big part of taste, I am proud that I managed to eaten half of it. I pushed the rest to one side, Ralph shared a small piece of steak with me, Keir gave me her smoked salmon which she didn't like, and desert more than made up for it. The waitress, and apparently a lot of other Frenchmen, loved the sausage that smelt horrible, and with your google search, there are fan appreciation clubs for it.
God the smell was bad enough, but when it also caused a bit of gas and you had to "taste" it over again, it wasn't very nice.
Then after lunch it was a brief jaunt into the cathedral itself, but honestly, while it is beautiful, it was Sunday afternoon and mass was going on. I felt more than a little awkward wandering the halls. I was glad that lunch took as long as it did and we headed back to Paris about 5:15. Then Heather took the group on one of the Seine River cruises before calling it a night. I wasn't hungry, so Ralph, Ingrid and I went for drinks in the hotel bar. It was tres expensive, with 3 drinks costing 24 Euros. Not something we would do on a regular basis.
Monday morning was a quick pack, get stuff on the bus and see more of Paris. They wanted to see the smaller version of the Statue of Liberty that is in the movie, National Treasure 2. So we walked there, then took the metro. I took the group to the Army Museum afterwards. I originally wanted to go Cluny Museum of medieval art, but the students were "Meh", so we went to the army museum. Four guys and one girl, and they all had a good time. I acted as tour guide after having an initial scare when two of my credit cards didn't work. Turns out it was the stupid machine the people were using at the museum not my cards since they have worked since then. We went and saw Napoleon's Tomb as well, but by the time we finished it was after 1. The students wanted lunch and decided that since the Rue Cler was nearby, they would eat there. I dropped them off and headed back to the hotel, since I had a 2 o'clock late check out. I had to get my room key reactivated, but got my computer and passport from my room. Then it was downstairs to wait with Ralph and Ingrid, and a number of students who eventually arrived. A brief jaunt off to the supermarket for food for the trip (which frankly, I never really ate) and then on the bus at 4:15.
I sat up front for much of the journey and talked to the coach driver, Ray. He and I had briefly talked about his tours of World War One battlefields, but we talked about all sorts of things on the way home, and shared an interest in discussing old episodes of the British car show, Top Gear. Anyway, it was back to the Channel where we got a train 30 minutes earlier than normal, and then back to Oxford where we arrived slightly after 11:15 BST. Then it was unpack, deal with some minor crises along with one student claiming he had money stolen while he was gone. He had left 20 pounds out and next to his towels and the scouts had come in and cleaned while we were gone. All I could do was shake my head and offer some sympathy, but privately, if you leave money next to towels, who is to say what exactly happened to it.
Yesterday, Tuesday, was something we almost forgot about, but was a tour of Bodelian Library. It was something I had never done before and I found it fascinating, but a few of the students said it was a "library". We did have a few screws ups never show up despite their entrance being prepaid, but about 27-28 people did show up for the two groups. Then it was back to my flat to get ready for class. Last night was a quiet night in my room grading papers, making a couple phone calls, including to the university to deal with computer issues that have to wait until I return.
Ah well, like is exciting, isn't it. I think I have filled in most everything. Today is back to a normal schedule for classes, then dinner in the hall. The students are going to a concert afterwards but I have some work I need to finish. It might also be a good time to do some laundry, but we shall see.
I will post pictures later on today.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Back from Paris
I am back from Paris and I know I am a bit behind with these blogs, but I will post tomorrow morning a giant update of the Paris trip and everything else.
Matt
Matt
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday, July 16th
Okay, there hasn't been a lot going on of late. Monday through today have pretty much been classes, grading papers and midterms, and more classes. Monday I did manage to get a haircut here in Oxford, but that is something I will try to have happen next year. It was 12.50 for the haircut, 7.50 for the beard and mustache trim and 3.00 tip. Make that all in pounds and double it, and its about $46 US. Hell, in Melbourne I have been going to the same barber for the last 10 years (remember I moved here in 1998!) and I haven't paid more than 20 dollars for the same thing, with tip included. Okay, at Xmas time I might leave a bigger tip, but that's about it. Just another case of sticker shock.
The one hassle has been the students and their locking themselves out of their apartments or bedrooms within the flats. I have so far been woken or asked to open doors (I have a master key) 16 times since we moved into the flats on Friday. The record was 7 times on Monday. Heather suggested I start charging 3 gbp to do so, and I said in class that I would start charging 2 and 5 pounds if it was after midnight. What do you all think?
I am trying to arrange for a field trip for my 7 History of Science students to head to London to go to the Science Museum so they can do some work for their final projects. However, I would need to leave at 1pm to make it work and that means taking four students from one class (and one from another) that are before my History of Science class at 3:15. If we leave at 1, we would make to London by 2:30 and hopefully make it to the Science Museum by 3, giving us about 2 hours before it closed. Not much time, but because the bus takes so long to get there (and the train is so expensive) its the only way it can be done.
The weather so far this week has been nice, in the low to mid 70s, though a front is coming through to cool things off once more. It will be in the mid to upper 60s for much of the weekend, and unlike in Paris, it will remain around the same temperature rather than be in the 80s as it was last year.
I will try to write more, but other than chores and limiting some money expenditures, its not been much different from what I would do in Florida when I am not teaching.
The one hassle has been the students and their locking themselves out of their apartments or bedrooms within the flats. I have so far been woken or asked to open doors (I have a master key) 16 times since we moved into the flats on Friday. The record was 7 times on Monday. Heather suggested I start charging 3 gbp to do so, and I said in class that I would start charging 2 and 5 pounds if it was after midnight. What do you all think?
I am trying to arrange for a field trip for my 7 History of Science students to head to London to go to the Science Museum so they can do some work for their final projects. However, I would need to leave at 1pm to make it work and that means taking four students from one class (and one from another) that are before my History of Science class at 3:15. If we leave at 1, we would make to London by 2:30 and hopefully make it to the Science Museum by 3, giving us about 2 hours before it closed. Not much time, but because the bus takes so long to get there (and the train is so expensive) its the only way it can be done.
The weather so far this week has been nice, in the low to mid 70s, though a front is coming through to cool things off once more. It will be in the mid to upper 60s for much of the weekend, and unlike in Paris, it will remain around the same temperature rather than be in the 80s as it was last year.
I will try to write more, but other than chores and limiting some money expenditures, its not been much different from what I would do in Florida when I am not teaching.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Warwick Castle Part 3
Part of the 17th century drawing room in the main part of the palace. This area was being remodeled and restored to try and present the castle when it was once again lived in after 1604.
Another part of the main drawing room, this time dating from the later 1680s. It is a companion image to the one above.
A street leading to Warwick Cathedral. It's called Castle Street and its one of the medieval streets still in existence in the city.
This was originally a market in the city of Warwick dating from the 15th century. Today it is used by the city government.
A Tudor (16th century) original structure on the streets leading to the castle.
English Civil War era cavalry armor. If you notice the dimple in the front, it has been shot and there proven to be "bullet proof." In reality all it meant was that it had survived a single pistol shot and probably was not truly bullet proof.
One of the only three sets of children's armor in all of Europe.
Part of the 16th century great hall. This is where the Earl and Countess of Warwick would have hosted parties and receptions in the 1600s.
From Madame Tussaud's original display at Warwick Castle, the wives of Henry VIII. His first two wives, Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn are furthers away from the king in the center.
More of the wives, but from the opposite side to get the last three in the picture.
Warwick Castle, pt 2
When Madame Tussaud's took over the running of Warwick Castle in 1978, they made a series of changes. In the 1990s, one of the things they did was to recreate a party weekend in the 1890s when Daisy, the Countess of Warwick was a well known society figure. Using the famous wax work figures, they recreated a day in the life of the household during this important event. Here are few of the pictures from the exhibit. It was crowded, but I took my time and tried to get good pictures despite the crowds. If you want more, send me an email.
The main reception hall. In the front is the Countess of Warwick who has returned from riding while the main are in the drawing room waiting for dinner. The figure on the far right is the young Winston Churchill.
Entering in the upstairs parlor, a hired singer and an Italian pianist are entering guests of the countess before dinner.
The countess herself getting ready to head down to dinner and the dancing that would follow.
The gentleman's chamber. On the right is Prince Edward, the future King Edward VII who is attending the party. The man on the left is a make guest.
Here is the Earl of Warwick preparing for dinner in his bedroom.
The main reception hall. In the front is the Countess of Warwick who has returned from riding while the main are in the drawing room waiting for dinner. The figure on the far right is the young Winston Churchill.
Entering in the upstairs parlor, a hired singer and an Italian pianist are entering guests of the countess before dinner.
The countess herself getting ready to head down to dinner and the dancing that would follow.
The gentleman's chamber. On the right is Prince Edward, the future King Edward VII who is attending the party. The man on the left is a make guest.
Here is the Earl of Warwick preparing for dinner in his bedroom.
Warwick Castle, pt 1
The largest trebuchet in Europe, this is a monster device that we arrived to see do a test firing. It was pretty impressive. This is it before it is loaded.
The trebuchet armed and ready to fire. The wheels had visiting students in them trudging about to pull down the arm and raise the counterweight. It took about 20 minutes of trudging by four teams of students to achieve this.
The trebuchet just after it has fired. I tried to catch them firing the test boulder, but my camera was just not fast enough.
The oldest part of the castle is this 11th century motte and bailey. The castle wall atop is 13th century, but the hill itself was built from spoil from the old moat around the castle in 1086 under orders of William the Conqueror to protect a crossing on the River Avon.
Looking up the motte and bailey from the bottom. Its pretty steep, but you can climb up to the top and walk along the wall if you wish.
A door on a lower path leading to the castle. It is interesting and partially hidden, which is what made it cool. I wish I knew what was on the other side.
On the way into the castle. An archer does exhibitions outside in this recreated 15th century military encampment.
More of the main entrance to the castle. Much of what we see was recreated by one of the owners in 1604 after the castle had lain in ruins for several decades.
An entrance to a wonderful exhibit on the castle during the year 1471 when the Richard Nevill,e the 16th Earl of Warwick, known as the "Warwick the Kingmaker," was killed. Previously, he had helped overthrow the English king Henry VI and put King Edward IV on the throne of England during the War of the Roses. See...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Neville%2C_16th_Earl_of_Warwick
if you want a brief overview of his life.
Looking up at the main part of the interior of the castle.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge.
A group photo of most of the students and Andrew, Heather and Ben Cudmore. General Lucurcio and I are taking the pictures. It was sunny this year, unlike the rainy time we had last year.
See, even I get pictures taken of me on my own camera. Don't you love that expression? I am probably telling some story about the stones and their history. Or just asking, "Come on, take the darn pictures already. What's the hang up?" I think the former is more likely though...
More Stonehenge. One of the girls thought they were arranged by dinosaurs. She had not been listening to me. Or she was easily swayed by one of the other students pulling her leg. The later in this case is more likely true. Names withheld to protect the naive.
One of the many Neolithic burial mounds that surround Stonehenge. You can see two more among the trees in the distance.
Pictures from the Roman Baths
A picture of the Roman Baths taken from above. The baths were used from 43 AD or so, but abandoned in the early 19th century when the city fell out of favor and other spa towns became more popular. The waters aren't cleaned and there are lead plates lining the bottom of the pool. Despite signs everywhere not to drink the water or touch it, we saw one kid drink a handful and an old man put his hands in it.
Part of the underground source of the water, a hot springs more than 20 feet beneath the current street level of Bath.
Part of a reconstructed Roman bathing chamber, though the stonework is original, the walls are not.
Two of my students, Alex and Aaron, standing with two Roman slave bath attendants at the museum. Both were offered jobs, though they refused. I wonder why?
Part of the original Roman temple complex to Minerva Sulis, the goddess of the sacred springs. These are the ruins of the temple that would have led through the doorway on the left to the baths themselves.
Pictures from the Town of Bath
Sally Lunn's house is the oldest house in Bath. The foundations are quite old, Roman some think, though the current house dates from the 15th century. Supposedly she made Sally Lunn Buns, a type of very large and doughy roll. A specialty supposedly, but if you ask me, its just a big roll!
Sign from outside the house.
Just an interesting pub sign from Bath.
An archway behind the Roman Baths. The archway dates from the remodeling of the baths as a Georgian spa town in the 18th century.
My friend Tim complained that my pictures never have people in them. They are just empty of life. Well Tim, here you are. A very crowded day in Bath looking up the main shopping street filled with tourists and a few locals.
Looking over the walls of the Roman Bath towards Bath Cathedral, called the Window of the West due to its massive amount of clear glass windows. A beautiful cathedral with an intricate fan roof. It survived Henry VIII's dissolution of Catholic churches and monasteries to remain one of the few Catholic churches in England not destroyed. Though it is Anglican today, it is still a fine example of a late Gothic structure.
Just an example of a small 18th century square with surrounding homes and shops in Bath.
Pigs like these are everywhere in Bath. They are on display throughout the city until October when they will be auctioned off for charity. Each pig is adopted by some group or another and decorated. I didn't get a picture of the jockey pig, but if I can get one from one of the students, I will post it here. According to an early medieval legend, an ancient prince became a leper. Forced to the countryside by his father, he became a swineherd. The pigs contracted leprosy as well but when they drank from the sacred spring that feeds the Roman baths, they were cured. When the prince bathed in the waters, he was cured. The prince went on to become king and pigs were a sacred animal during his reign. Thus the pigs everywhere in Bath.
Blenheim Palace Pictures
This is the front of Blenheim Palace, built for the first Duke of Marlborough in 1704. Winston Churchill was born here, though he never lived here. There is an extensive Winston Churchill memorial and display of his life in the house, including his Honorary US Citizen passport. The 11th Duke and his wife still live in the palace on the east wing (that is the left side of the palace.)
The gardens at the side of the palace. The grounds stretch for nearly 6 miles in each direction except for the town of Woodstock which is just a mile away from the house. It is still a crown estate on perpetual loan to the duke and his family as long as they provided a small "rent" to the crown each year in October.
This is looking towards the house from the sheep meadow half way down the hill from the monument. In the distance are a line of coaches, including ours, so you can see how far away I have walked already.
This is roughly halfway towards the monument, ie about the same position as from the last pictures, except I am walking up a side road. The side road actually only allowed me to cross over about a 1/4 mile past the monument. I couldn't just climb the fence anywhere because it is electrified. I didn't do the hike last year and I was the only person to do it this year. I must be insane.
Another shot from beyond the coaches showing the monument in the distance. It doesn't look that far from this picture, but let me tell you, its uphill and a workout. It's also a potential minefield.
This is the text on the Blenheim Memorial. Hard to read, but I wanted to prove that I actually made it all the way out to the memorial.
These little lambs were my constant companions. I think I saw over three hundred of them during my walk. They all ran away whenever I got close.
This is just a small sample of the "minefield" I had to cross through the fields and then back to the coach. Remarkably my walking shoes cleaned up very quickly with little fuss or muss. I wouldn't recommend doing this walk in sandals or open toed shoes.
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