England by Hiram

Today, after a few relaxing days in Stratford-upon-Avon, we arrived in London. Being a massive city and tourist attraction, it is definitely a change of pace from the past few days. In Stratford-upon-Avon, I felt comfortable walking the streets, but here, I catch myself hurrying my steps and paying more attention to staying with the eh group than to the sights themselves. There is so much to see and I already feel as through I am missing them, and it is not even our full first day here! Maybe I am just over-reacting. It is very possible. I am known to do that. I am going to keep an open mind regarding London. Who knows? Maybe I will end up loving it like I did with Stratford (even though I loved it since we stepped off the bus). Maybe London is an acquired taste. I just have to give it a chance. Maybe I will end up finding it magical and never want to return to the USA. Besides, I am sitting in the basement on the concrete floor while writing this as my laundry swirls round and round...

On our second day at Wilderhope Manor, we had nothing to do so we did a whole lot of nothing. The weather was perfect: the sun peaked in between rolling clouds, the wind fluttered but didn’t bite. The grass was moist with dew and washed the mud off of our boots, and the fields of rapeseed (bright yellow crops that yield oil) continued for miles upon miles like golden patches on a giant green quilt. Today the As You Like It group (Abbie, Mark, Savannah, and Dana) performed their play with a bunch of stations that each revealed themes of the play, but with fun twists. They really made you think about what the characters were going through and how they were feeling. Our first station was a dating profile and we got to draw and write about AYLI characters. Second was tug-of-war, in which the rope immediately snapped in half on poor Jessica who must be stronger than she thinks! Finally, we played a version of Ghosts in the Graveyard in which we had partners to protect. Lisa and I were par...

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. I hear the alarm underneath my pillow go off and try my best to rouse myself and get out of bed. I am on the top bunk of three bunks crammed into a room with the two other male students on the trip. We are situated on the top floor of the hostel (or the tower, as I affectionately have named it) and I realize that my peers and I must tidy up our room in order to leave. I look below me and see that my friends Patrick and Sam have already gotten a head start on me and are tidying up their sheets and suitcases in preparation for leaving the hostel. This is our first hostel transfer and as I peer over the edge of my bed, I see that I must get moving in order to make it out in time by 10:00am. I check the time: 8:30am. I have time. “Anyone showering?” “Nah man it's all you.” “Sweet thanks,” I holler and clamber into the simple shower. I turn on the electric heater and don’t quite find that sweet spot of hot and cold so I slowly cook as I bathe. I change and...

Blog originally from the 21st: Today we visited Chester. The town is very conscious of its historical role, from Roman times to Medieval. Many pubs are called “Ye Olde” something. The Roman walls surrounding Chester are truly amazing. Despite their simplicity and obvious signs of aging, they are a direct link to ancient times that is striking in a way some of the more recent structures are not. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time at the King's Head, and I enjoyed the historical reference to Charles I, the king who was beheaded because he wasn’t Protestant enough to please Parliament. But the ancient walls, their edges rounded with time, covered by expanses of ivy and draped with delicate pink flowers, are striking in a more visceral way. Trying to imagine the people who laid the foundations and spread the mortar, the guards who patrolled the towers every day, the people who looked up the stones from within their shelter, is almost impossible. The walls simultaneously exude a s...

Greetings from Wales! We are on our way back to Chester after a long day. We had lots of laughs, good drinks, and climbed the tallest mountain we could find. Unfortunately, we have had rather bad luck with travel plans, but we finally made it to our hostel in Chester. Everyone was so relieved to finally set down their luggage and have a good meal. Later, we will have a more updated blog post written by our students. Once we have reliable wifi and more energy! Until then, Jess

Greetings from Cleveland Hopkins Airport! We all made it through security and to our gate. Some of us have stayed put in our seats. Others have bought food, filled water bottles, and used the restroom. Our flight to JFK has probably been delayed until 6:00 PM, so we might miss our planned flight to London. If we do, they will find us another flight. We’re figuring out what to do as we wait. Some of us are preparing for the group projects we’re presenting across the pond. Others are buying food or occupying themselves. At least we don’t need to travel three days between Stratford-upon-Avon and London like Shakespeare did. They didn't have cars, cell phones, tablets, or any other electronics. Our travels options are much more numerous than his were. We will be ok. Here’s hoping the rest of our adventure goes smoother. -Jen

Plane Etiguette We are less than a week out from our departure date! All of our students are very excited to embark on this new adventure. While speaking with students during our last class session, I had one student say this is her first time flying. That's crazy to think when many of us fly multiple times a year. That being said, here are some tips for plane etiquette to make your flying time a little more comfortable! Plane Etiguette 101 Packing Essentials Packing has been a huge concern for many of our students. Trying to determine what is important can be difficult. Traveling for 3 weeks is just enough time to miss some of your everyday conveniences, but not long enough to justify packing your blow-dryer (please leave those home--your hair will thank you). Below are some good lists of travel necessities (give or take some items): Eagle Creek packing list Smarter Travel check-list Interactive packing list Make sure you use your best judgment when packing. ...

This blog will contain posts and images from Hiram College's study abroad trip to England! Here, students will create posts detailing their experiences traveling abroad while studying William Shakespeare and his plays. Stay tuned for lots of photos and some entertaining tales from our trip following the Bard!