Shocking truth: the
Globe Theatre as it currently stands is not actually the original Globe, nor is
it on the site of the original Globe. I
had no idea that the Globe was completely burned down to the ground. Guess I need to brush up on my British
history. In June 1613, a fire triggered by
a cannon shot (which was used as a special effect in one of the productions) burned
the entire theatre to the ground. Thankfully,
everyone escaped and no one was hurt too terribly. Because the entire theatre was made of wood,
it burned down in just an hour! Talk
about a fire hazard. Anyway, I’m done
with my history lesson.
My camera has been
acting funny and I can’t seem to upload pictures onto my laptop. So here are some pictures that I've stolen
from friends.
I would love to see a
play at the Globe. Unfortunately, their
season doesn't start until the spring. I
was fascinated to hear our guide talk about the playhouse in such detail. The theatre was a lively place full of drunk,
loud, and wild people. I remember
learning about the Globe in high school, but being there in person really
helped me to imagine the smelly and rowdy groundlings crowding together near
the stage and the wealthy people of the town sitting in their box seats,
looking down disdainfully at the groundlings.
Our guide told us about the interactions between the audience and the
players. If a certain actor was
performing poorly, the audience let him know of their disapproval by throwing
things at him, calling him names, or talking over him. Likewise, if an audience member was being
particularly rowdy, an actor would direct his lines towards this person to
regain this person’s attention. Today at
the Globe, the actors try to recreate the same atmosphere and encourage audience
interaction. In fact, the audience
seating is always lit up, like a stage, so the actors can see everyone’s
faces. This is how it would have been in
the seventeenth century. Sometimes the
actors perform with an all-male cast, as women were not allowed on stage in
Shakespeare’s time. Our guide assured us
that, in order to make things fair, the Globe will sometimes use an all-female
cast for certain plays. ;)
After our tour of the
Globe, we had some free time for lunch.
I have been packing my lunch from home to save money. Never in my life have I eaten so many
PB&J sandwiches. Not even in
elementary school. The things I do in
the name of frugality…
The Tower of London was
our second and final stop for the day. I
must be really ignorant because I thought that the Tower of London was
literally just one tower. Wrong. It’s basically a town inside of these
fortified walls. Among other things, the
crown jewels and the royal armour collection are kept there. We saw the torture chamber as well. The rack, the scavenger’s daughter, and the manacles
were kept in a creepy little basement room in one of the towers. Also, we were able to see some pretty cool
carvings from the prisoners that were kept in the towers.
Our guide was HILARIOUS
View of the Tower of London from the street
Where the Crown Jewels are kept!
View of Tower Bridge from inside the Tower (NOT THE SAME AS LONDON BRIDGE)
The weekend held
nothing particularly exciting or special.
I spent a lot of my time writing another essay and hanging up posters around
campus for our American Thanksgiving celebration. I cannot believe that I have been here for
over two months! Somehow time has
slipped away from me. And I still feel
like I am living someone else’s life.
Going home will be a bigger transition than I previously thought. How do I go from a place so rich with
history, so full of inspiration, so packed with memories… back to my dull little
life in Illinois? Not to mention leaving
my friends! :(
(The following is the
part you should skip if you’re not particularly fond of contemplative and
overly-pensive wordiness)
I remember the advice
someone gave me before leaving to go on this trip. I was still really nervous about going so far
from home, and this person told me, “Home will always be the same. Even after
you come back. Your family will still be
there for you when you come back. And so
will your friends. This is why you need
to go.” She didn't say any more, and I
understood she meant a great deal more than that. I don’t think she necessarily meant that home
will never change in the physical
sense, but at the time I couldn't possibly understand what she meant by
it. Now I think I finally get it. It’s not something I can adequately explain. Through this experience, I have learned to
let go of my anxiousness and be spontaneous.
I have learned to push the boundaries of my faith. And I have learned the difference between loneliness
and solitude. Quite frankly, I can
always go home. I am fortunate enough to
have the kind of family that will always be waiting for me and loving on me, no
matter where life takes me. Maybe it has
to do with the fact that “home” is no longer a physical place for me, but a
state of mind. After living abroad, the
whole “home is where the heart is” has this earth-shattering truth to it. I've never really subscribed to it before,
but now I am completely convinced.
(Faint of heart may
resume reading now)
Anyway, next weekend we
are headed to the Victoria and Albert Museum. I've no idea what there is to see there, but it should be interesting
and free – two adjectives that I’m quite fond of. This week I've been hard at work on another
essay. I love that I have so much free
time to write and rewrite and edit and analyze the crap out of my essays in
true English major fashion. That’s all
going to change when I get back to NCC… le sigh. Well, if you've read this far, wow. You either have a lot of time on your hands
or you are super dedicated. Either way,
I’m flattered.
Have a lovely day!
– K
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