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!

Lost in London

So I'm a bit lost here in England, but in a completely good way. Everything is foreign, new and exciting... more so than I expected! I step outside and initially feel as if I could be home. Then I enter a crosswalk (or zebra crossing as Brits call it) and realize that everyone is driving on the left side of the street and they talk differently. Then I am pulled back into this reality that seems like a dream. A pretty amazing dream.

 

After spending a couple days on Newcastle's campus for international orientation, our Loyola program took a weekend trip to London. I have wanted to travel to London since I was young, and heard so much about it through others' experiences there. It was interesting to see how the trip would compare to what I always imagined it would be like. Once again reality exceeded expectations. I really hope this trend continues!

On the first day after everyone dropped their belongings in the hostel, we took the Tube for a night tour of the city. I wasn't exactly sure which sights were included on the tour. So when we walked up the stairs from the tube, my breath was taken away when I looked right up at Big Ben. I have seen pictures of the famous landmark, and all of a sudden it was right in front of me. As corny as it sounds, it took my breath away. It was one of those nights when I felt so happy that I felt a little sad too.  It's a strange paradox to say the least. I think it was the notion that I could never experience London like this for the first time again with such wonder. I reminded myself to take in every moment, and enjoy it all as it comes.

The tour was so beautiful at night, but I wanted to see the city during the day again. So we went back to see all the touristy attractions which included Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Camden which were all equally amazing.

 

 

 

 

I have to say the best experience of all that weekend was going on the London Eye with two of my friends. The wait was long, but the view was completely worth it. Once again, I felt like I was in a dream. Seeing the cityscape from such a tall height reminded me of my view while skydiving. Everything looks so small, and not as intimidating anymore. Simultaneously, it was beautiful and breathtaking. Words can't really describe it even though I could go on forever about how great it was.

 

Although I absolutely loved London, I was happy to get back to Newcastle. London can be a little overwhelming, and I love the community atmosphere that Newcastle gives off, if that makes sense. Although it is a city, it feels more personal and close-knit than London.

So after a week or two of vacationing, orientation and Fresher's week, I finally am starting classes after five months off. I hope my brain still works. Even though I will have work now, I'm pretty sure I will continue to love it here. Wish me luck!

 

           

I'm Loving Geordieland!

First of all, may I say that Newcastle is absolutely amazing. I couldn't imagine it to be this beautiful in my wildest dreams. No exaggeration. Secondly, I had no idea that I would come across such a language barrier! Although the majority of students studying at Newcastle are from different cities in England, the locals (Geordies) can be quite difficult to understand for out-of-towners! During international orientation, we were handed a translation sheet to help us better understand the people we would be spending a good deal of time with for the next few months. A personal favorite of my friend's and mine is "Shy bairns get nowt", which literally translates to shy children don't get anything. Naturally, it became our little motto for our study abroad experience. I listed a few more terms below that I found interesting and amusing. I'm trying to become fluent in Geordie, but I'm not sure it's going too well. But I have to at least try! Remember, shy bairns get nowt!

Aa divvent knaa: I don't know

 

Aalreet?: How are things

 

Bairn: Child

 

Caad: Cold

 

Canny: Nice, pleasant, good or quite

 

Doon the Toon: In town

 

Geet: Great, large

 

Hadaway: Go away/I don't believe you

 

Shy bairns get nowt!: Shy children don't get anything; be assertive

 

Tra: Goodbye

Ten. More. Days.

Not that anyone is counting. Actually, I am counting. I have been counting this entire summer. I remember saying to myself way back when, only 80 more days... and now we're entering single digit territory! I don't even feel nervous. Is that normal? Who knows... I am just so excited and eager to get to Newcastle for the semester and settle in. The anticipation is really the worst!
 
So what am I doing during my last days in the states? Packing, packing and more packing.

 Maybe I'm trying to avoid being nervous about leaving the country for three months by only worrying about the clothes that I'm going to bring. But seriously how do I fit three months into one suitcase?! My biggest issue right now is trying to figure out which coats and shoes to bring. I don't want to leave any of them behind because I know I will have separation anxiety! Then I remember to tell myself, they're just clothes and they won't be upset if I leave them behind. They don't have feelings....or do they? Nah, just kidding. If my biggest worry right now is packing coats and shoes, then I am a pretty lucky person.

 When I look at the pile of sweaters, shirts, and jeans sprawled overwhelmingly across half of my bedroom floor, I think of the memories that will be made in them, and the potential that these next few months hold. The future is a completely blank canvas and I can't wait to splash it with vibrant colors (extremely corny, but I had to). 

 So I could be worried about my classes, finding my way around the university and town, and making new friends, but I'm not. I'm just throwing clothes around my room because that seems much more productive to me. Everything will work out! And I'll be in England so it will be awesome no matter what. Oh they don't use the word awesome do they? Okay, it will be BRILLIANT.