On to happier subjects –
earlier today I took my morning exercise along Great Stour Way, which is a
scenic path that captures the beauty of the countryside. I left at 7:30am and came back an hour
later. It was a wonderful start to my
day. I wish I had taken my camera! It was absolutely beautiful. The path follows a river that is teeming with
wildlife; I saw many different types of birds, fish, some cattle, and a few
rodents. As I ventured down the path, I pictured
myself as Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Kinda
silly, I know, but the breathtaking view reminded me of Lizzie’s walk to
Netherfield to visit her sister (at least, that is what I imagine the view to
look like). The English countryside is so peaceful and serene. I was fortunate enough to see it at sunrise,
when the sun comes lightly upon the land, and the trees seem to soar into the
distant horizon. The shadows are hardly shadows at all, but more like vapors
that melt into the sunlight. Dew drops
highlight intricate spider webs woven into the country fences. When the sunlight first touches the river, it
glistens and glows like a shimmery piece of fabric. Okay, I’m getting carried away…
This is how I felt this morning... except I wasn't trying to read and walk at the same time. And I wasn't in a dress.
I felt lonely without
Riley, my dog who always accompanies me on walks back home. So many people have dogs here, but they are
usually mutts and they are rarely on leashes.
The residents of Canterbury leash their children more than they leash their
dogs, I’m completely serious. I’m still
getting used to it.
While I’m on the
subject, I should talk about the way I’ve been pronouncing “Canterbury” or the
way everyone in the U.S. pronounces “Canterbury.” A few of my British friends have corrected me
on this so I’m trying to be more conscious of the way I say it.
Americans: CAN-er-bear-ee
Brits: CAHNT-bur-eh
Somehow, the second
syllable disappears when the British say “Canterbury.” I can’t explain why, but it just sounds right when they say it. I suppose our pronunciation of the word is
offensive because we’re changing the way it’s traditionally spoken.
Speaking of offensive,
yesterday a group of us Americans were coming back from class together. We were walking through the subway and
apparently we were walking too slowly because some British chick went past us
and muttered “F-ing Americans! Go back
to f-ing America!” (Just to clarify, she
said the actual swear word, but I don’t want to write that out here)
Yiiikes.
Anyway, I have nothing
else to report. Today is going to be
pretty chill. I have to make an Aldi run
with a few of my friends, then get ready for the International Students’ party
tonight at Chill, a local nightclub. Tomorrow,
the weekend begins! I couldn’t be more
excited to travel to London and then Wales!
Oh, and I finally bought
a blow dryer. Finally. Best investment of this trip so far. Hopefully it lasts longer than my coffee
maker. :(
R.I.P. Wilkinson’s Coffee Maker – We never made a
cup of coffee with you, but it was nice to know that you had a reusable
filter. You will be missed for the caffeine
you never produced.
Caffeine-deprived but
still alive,
– K
BRITISH WORDS OF THE DAY:
barmy - mad, insane, or crazy. It's your call.
cheeky - saucy or sassy
