It's been three years since I've been here. I thought maybe that this time would be different. This time Jeron (my brother) and Kegan (best friend) are not here with me. This time I'm here not just to enjoy England but to work, to complete another semester of college. I thought maybe the combination of these things would deplete the overwhelming excitement that I was expecting to feel the moment my shoes hit English soil...it didn't. And a touch over two weeks later I'm still every bit as much in love with England as I've ever been. It's incredible. It's amazing, it's full of history, everywhere I go, everything place I stand holds the memory of a deep and moving past. I've seen the Crown Jewels, I stood where Lady Jane Grey was imprisoned, where she watched her husband die and where she herself fell before the executioners' axe. I've seen Sir Walter Raleighs' grave, I've walked the steps built by William the Conqueror, I've walked the halls of Henry VIII and his numerous wives. We have names and dates and sometimes even faces in our history books but it's not till you walk where they walked, stand where they faced the decisions that altered history that you begin to feel what they felt. I don't believe in any sort of earthly future for those that have passed over but it's almost as if their emotions be so strong that the stones around them are permanently scarred. I cannot describe the emotions that I felt as I stood before the sword of Henry V, or the childs' armour of boy king, Henry VI. It's terrifying and awe-inspiring simultaneously. It's beyond comprehension.
In the more academic aspect, we are taken and shown these places of monumental historical value then we return and read of them, discuss them, write and test about them. It's really quite amazing how much simpler things are to recall when you can think, "Now where was in that Anne Boleyn lived? Oh yes, I was there, Hampton Court Palace". It's too cool. :) We have some really fantastic teachers, the British Studies professors being, of course, British; and the rest (which for me is only one) being American. I've been blessed with amazing professors all around for which I'm terribly grateful. My only American teacher is both for my International Cinema class and my Shakespeare class. She teaches in the states and is married to a Frenchman who lives in London...makes for quite a fascinating lady. ;) We'll be visiting the home of Shakespeare later in the semester and seeing Hamlet performed in one of the nearby theatres. Yes, it boggles the mind.
Most unexpectedly, the food is gorgeous! The average college meal plan fare is blown out of the water by our kitchen. I was worried initially that they'd attempt to cater to American tastes but Heaven forbid. It's fish and chips, Shepards' Pie, Pudding and custard. They throw in the occasional pizza and "Mexican Night" for those poor souls suffering from culture shock but over all I've been very pleased. The rooms are charming, not large but large enough to be comfortable. I was also placed with a student near my age which has been a total God send. Think I would've lost my mind with one of these partying teenagers. O.o
The house. Gracious the 'house'. How to describe living in a mansion 'castle' in the middle of the English countryside? I dare not attempt it, I can only say see the photo album! It's gorgeous, it's lovely and every time I walk the halls to a class whether it be in the servants' quarters below or the Long Gallery stateroom above I am awestruck by the beauty and architecture of a bygone age. These walls by which I am surrounded speak of love, joy, fear and pain every bit as much as does the Tower of London. I'm dumbstruck continuously.
I'll end with an anecdote that rather sums up my permanent state of mind: I was walking through Henry VIIs' palace and turned to enter the chapel from the Queens' balcony. The place is gorgeous beyond description and my mouth quite literally fell open. It was just incredible. The guards on either side of the door laughed at me and said, "You're gobsmacked already!" To which I replied, "Oh, I've been gobsmacked for days, trust me!" haha Tis truth.
The ever gobsmacked,
B.J. Tucker
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Photo Album Link(s) -
Life At Harlaxton 2013
Life at Harlaxton 2013 Sub Folder #1 - Weekend Trip to London
Life at Harlaxton 2013 Sub Folder #2 - Weekend Trip to London
