London, cont.

So, after spending a couple more days in London, my attitude has changed somewhat toward the city. No, I still would not enjoy living here, but it has its nice parts. For instance, not much in the U.S. can rival the following view (from left to right, standing in front of Westminster Abbey): Big Ben, Westminster Abbey Baptistery, Westminster façade, Parliament Tower. Even with the cool architecture, it’s still hard for me to get past the noise. Everyone is busy in the hustle and bustle, and there’s no time to stop and enjoy the world outside (perhaps the rain has something to do with that?).

I realized that in the last post, I failed to talk about our group, which certainly merits at least a paragraph as a brief introduction. We are comprised of fourteen students, led by Dr. Jeanne Neumann, the Chair of the Classics Department at Davidson College, who prefers to be addressed as “My queen,” or “My goddess.”  There is a fairly even split between junior and sophomores, classics majors and non-classics majors (they have been forgiven of this). Of the fourteen students, we have only three girls (who are much braver than we give them credit for). We hail from all over the country, including two Texans, three Vermonters, and a Wisconsinite (is this the proper form???).

We have all come into the trip with a wide range of exposure to the Classics, but this have already proven to be an advantage. Just the other day, we read a couple of articles concerning the debate over the Parthenon Marbles. In short, Greece has demanded Britain return the pediment and frieze marbles that were taken by Lord Elgin in the middle of the 19^th century from the Parthenon and are currently displayed in the British Museum (this gave me goosebumps when I saw these…really, I was almost shaking). There are lots of issues wrapped up in the arguments to return or keep the marbles, issues like cultural/intellectual property, economics, preservation of the marbles, and many more. We had a discussion late last night about the articles and the debate in general (the debate by the way took place in the lobby of the fourth floor of the hostel, see picture to come soon). Everyone was able to contribute from a different angle. Those who were familiar with issues surrounding marble preservation could contribute there, while someone else more familiar with economics could provide information of the economic impact, etc. All around, it was one of the best discussions I have ever had. It was free intellectual discussion, not bound by the threat of an impending grade, but set loose upon the rolling waves of each argument. It affirmed for me how unique of a group we have, and gave me a vision of how exciting this time will be all together.

Another episode that I believe stands as a testament to the cohesion of our group also explain why my feet are threatening to go on strike even as I write this. At 1800 (that’s 6:00 PM for the ignorant Americans out there) a group of us went to dinner, and then walked all the way down to the Big Ben/Tower of London/Westminster area. From there we trekked to Buckingham palace, and then back to the hostel. We did not get back until 2300 (11:00 PM). At every point, we turned and looked to each other, someone suggested going back, and we all vociferously opted to continue on. For FIVE hours we just walked, talked, and saw just about every different part of London (I exaggerate, but it seemed like it). Between dodging taxis and chatting with the police about British Parliamentary procedure, it was the most enjoyable time of just walking and talking. In many ways, I feel as if we have all known each other much longer than a couple years at the most.

As promised I will post more pictures than I have so far, because you probably want to see some of the places I’m mentioning. Also, if you know me well, you know that I will ramble, even when typing apparently. So to save your poor souls from being subjugated to that, I will keep myself from rambling by giving y’all pretty pictures. They are coming. Don’t worry.

Cold, dreary London our first stop will be...

What up fam! So here’s my first post from oversees. I apologize if it gets incoherent at points, I’m working on over 24 hrs without sleep at this moment, attempting to get my body adjusted to the time change. The flight itself was thankfully uneventful (except for the crying, no, screaming child in my row as we descended into London). Ok, quick story from the flight; you Harry Potter fans out there will appreciate this. It made me strangely jubilant when I heard the women next to me say to her husband (in the most delightful accent) “Neville…” The rest is not important. If you don’t understand why that would make me happy, go watch Harry Potter. If you still don’t get it, well I can’t help you then.

Moving on. London is…well…grey, cold, busy. Pretty much not my favorite place at first glance. There is very little green in the middle of the city, which is great for my allergies, but otherwise makes me sad. I miss trees. Let me say that again. I MISS TREES!!!!! God’s creation is so much more beautiful, peaceful, and alive than concrete. And oddly enough, even when we did see green in a little public park or square, it seemed a much duller, less lively green. It just seemed too artificial, neatly cropped among all the grey. But I rant. I’m giving London a second chance tomorrow, when I’ve had some sleep. I think the forecast is for rain…

The hostel we’re staying at for the next five days is quite entertaining. Lots of bright colors, mostly blue and various shades of green, it strikes me as the type of place that most ADD Gen-Yers would find enjoyable; there’s a lot going on. It is very clean, but has a metallic smell, as most of the furnishings have some kind of metallic frame, and much of the floor is metal. As mentioned, there are lots of bright colors on the walls, in addition to lighting that has an industrial feel. Overall, very comfortable.

We have certainly hit the ground running. My neck is already strained from bending over my book/Kindle. Spent much of my sleepless flight reading, and have used the last four hours at the hostel catching up on assignment as well. Not a good sign that I’m already behind…oh well, I guess I better get used to it. I remind myself that I’m in Europe, and that makes it all better!

As for my personal studies, I have completed a plan for all who are interested to read through the book of Acts throughout the semester. God has really impressed the need for continued intimacy with Him, but also for the need for community. To this end, I think this particular book has much to teach about living in community, something obviously important this semester. It also has great historical significance, in that we will be visiting some of the sites where the early Christians planted churches, and that’s just plain cool. In addition to this, I will be making the opportunity available on free days to gather and listen to a sermon by a pastor from Charlotte and respond in discussion. My hope is that many of my classmates will join me in this. It is my goal to create an authentic environment to talk about issues beyond the mundane trip details, in order to foster a bond among the group that is stronger than that of mere classmates. This type of discussion will never be limited to a certain group based on opinion or beliefs, but will simply be a forum for people to trust one another and be vulnerable. Such vulnerability, I believer, will be vital for each of us to get as much as possible out of this experience. Personally, I think God has much to teach me, and I gladly appreciate prayer that He would specifically reveal areas I must grow in, and then that He would put me in situations that require such growth. Finally, that I would take advantage of those situation and joyfully grow.

Tomorrow the plan is to hit up the British Museum. It would be an understatement to say I’m excited. Later this week we’ll be doing research in the great Library here in London, see the National gallery and Tate gallery of art, the Globe theater, among other things I am forgetting now.  I’ll keep y’all posted at the end of the week, when I will have more than enough to write about. Y’all be good!

Phil

P.S. I posted some picture just from walking around London...more will some once we start moving around and seeing more cool stuff! Don't worry, I'll get people too...

An Adventure

Soon we will be gone on an adventure,

Traversing Mare Nostrum, no further.

Four months, five countries we will soon observe,

Unless from the proposed path we should swerve.

Cold, dreary London will our first stop be,

Then to Egypt the pyramids to see.

A ferry sends us to the Cretan isle,

Before we join Greek tragoi for a while.

We then receive a week’s reprieve, a break.

No readings, tests, journals, to ease all ache.

Parents will arrive, a week in Roma,

I will guide them through the Urbs Aeterna.

Once reconvened, to Turkey we will go,

Trekking up the coast, a fast-paced tempo

Will take us to Istanbul in no time,

Ere Italy we reach, full of sunshine.

To sun-soaked Hesperia we ride last,

Locus of sunset in the ancient past.

Like Aeneas, we will have traveled far,

With any luck, no Dido us will mar.

To Firenze we will go in due course,

As we study results of Roman force.

Temples, roads, cities, civilization,

Aged works, of Roman rule a bastion.

Before the Ides of May, we end, weary,

A band of travelers, warm and healthy.

Many wondrous sites seen, many books read,

What will I remember? The friendships bred.