Breaking down walls... and visiting old ones (Hadrian's Wall)!

Once again, I was lucky enough to visit a part of history which completely changed my perspective. On Saturday, a group of us visited the one of the most significant landmarks and attractions of Northern England, Hadrian's wall. It was once the eighty mile border and frontier of the Roman Empire, constructed in 122 AD. While only part of the wall still stands, it is incredible how it remains in the same place it was built so many years ago. While everything has changed in history, the wall remains. So many people in the past visited the wall and been a part of its history, and even more people will visit in the future. Simply focusing on how small we are in relation to the rest of time was a humbling experience in the best possible way. The wall itself was beautiful, despite what it represented regarding the segregation of humanity. The countryside was absolutely beautiful, and everything felt surreal. What a surprise, right? I've definitely never felt that way here before. 

 

 

 

15 Things I would NEVER say while visiting York for the day

1. Well, this looks nothing like Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. Why do people even draw the comparison?

 

2. Why would I make a ridiculous comment about how I've been to New York, but never Old York before? I would never do that.

 

3. There's a street fair going on? I want NO part in that at all.

 

4. I am definitely not getting fish and chips at the pub we eat in. I hate fish and chips!

 

5. I wasn't really disappointed when the crazy cat lady store was closed and we could only peer inside.

 

6. I have no urge whatsoever to look inside every store I pass by.

 

7. All the people here are so unfriendly.

 

8. York cathedral is not that impressive. I wouldn't be able to stare at it for hours and cry because it is so beautiful.

 

9. It would be absolutely absurd if we frolicked and rolled around in colorful leaves acting like we've never seen autumn before. How old are we, five?

 

 

10. The York Chocolate story tour was terrible. We got way too much chocolate and it was not the best thing ever at all.

 

11. I think we definitely blended in. We didn't look like tourists taking pictures every minute- no one would ever suspect that!

 

12. No, I don't want to stop for afternoon tea at all. Why would you even suggest that?

 

13. Wish it was raining and not decent weather for England!

 

14. I rarely smiled or laughed.

15. I never want to come back. I didn't have a wonder-filled day. 

 

 

 

 

How to Look Like an American Tourist in Newcastle

I like to pretend that I blend in with the locals and the rest of the student population.  I mean, I've been here for nearly a month. I'm basically English now, right?  I even left my uggs, leggings, north face and American football apparel back at home! However, once I open my mouth or do something ridiculously American my secret is revealed. So if you ever need advice on how to look like an American tourist in Newcastle, I'm the person to ask. Here are some of the things in the past that blew my cover. Follow these guidelines, and you will be set!

• Look the wrong way when you cross the street. Despite most crosswalks even having signs that say "Look right" or "Look left", I still manage to get it wrong. This is just something I will never get used to.

 

• When you see a car with an empty passenger's seat (front left side), look concerned because you think no one is driving the car. Or maybe it's a ghost driver, which is even more concerning in my opinion.

 

• When someone asks you "Are you alright?", look confused and/or flustered. But don't worry, it's just a greeting! Unfortunately you don't realize that at first. You think it must look like something's wrong with you. Then eventually, you just stumble and say "Um yeah", appearing slightly rude in the process.
  

 

• Drink a significant amount of coffee instead of tea.

 

• Talk about how much you love Thanksgiving and football. But football isn't football, it's hand egg, silly!

 

• Ask what a Sunday Carvery is.

 

• Say the word arugula instead of rocket leaves, eggplant instead of aubergine or cilantro instead of coriander and prepare to be laughed at by your flatmates.

 

• Say roommates instead of flatmates, freshmen instead of freshers, and college instead of university.

 

• Perpetually mix up the meanings of crisps, chips and fries. Fries are thin chips! And crisps are American chips. Confused yet? 

 

• Don't ever mention your pants in public. You WILL embarrass yourself. They are TROUSERS. Okay? Okay.

 

• Wait, you're not allowed to hail cabs here?

 

• Why do you need a license for a television? You have Sky and not Optimum?

 

• Act surprised and grateful when you aren't carded to get into any place that may happen to sell alcohol. I'm almost twenty.

 

• Talk about how much you love Cider because it is a delicacy.

 

• Say that it is 50 degrees. You are using Fahrenheit. Confused looks ensue.

 

• Try to pay for something with your Bank of America card without a chip (not to be confused with the food). Be prepared to write your signature to match the signature on the back of your card.

 

• Talk about how you wake up each day so grateful that you're here. Rant to the point of being obnoxious about how you can't believe you're in England and how it seems like an amazing dream. Never get used to how beautiful it is here.

 

That One Time I Went to Hogwarts

Words cannot express my excitement or how amazing this day was, so this post will be primarily pictures. Yesterday we went to Alnwick Castle (about 40 minutes from Newcastle), which is where many of the outdoor scenes of Harry Potter were filmed! This is what I saw:

 

Oh hey there, Hogwarts.

 

 

 

 

            Walking in the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

 

     This is where the flying lesson took place in Sorcerer's Stone!  Neville fell off his broom here!

                                                               
                                        Absolutely surreal.

                                   
             The Forbidden Forest! And the path to Hagrid's house!

I think the pictures say it all. This was such an amazing day!