je te deteste, pomme de terre! Or, Newcastle Perambulations

Perambulations...yeah I am in England. 

Anyway, last weekend I went to Newcastle, which generally generates the reaction of "huh. Why?" Also, don't bring coal there apparently. It's silly.

The reason for Newcastle (yes...the reason for Newcastle. Like, the reason for its existence) is that I have to complete a big senior research project next year, and I thought since I was in England maybe I could get a head start on the research bit. After looking around last semester, I found out that Newcastle University has some really cool archives of children's literature, which is tentatively what I will be looking into for senior research. I requested some material from the archives ahead of time, using an online thingy (technology, amirite?), and so when I showed up (which of course meant actually finding the library, a challenge in itself) I just showed them my ID and they gave me all of this cool old stuff to look at! I spent a fascinating two hours looking at 18th and 19th century literature, some of which I had assumed was for children, like Aesop's Fables, but turned out to be really intense and complex, and some of which was definitely for little girls and boys, and absolutely adorable. My favorite was a two volume compilation of all of the 'facts' and stories about Robin Hood, published in 1785. I mean come on! Robin Hood! Like...really? It was awesome. Robin Hood! Did I mention Robin Hood? I wanted to take it with me and keep it forever. Unfortunately that probably would be frowned upon. Since then, I have been thinking that a potential senior research project could involve lots and lots of Robin Hood.

Overall, I learned that Newcastle is a pretty awesome place. The hostel that Maddi, Hannah C and I stayed in was really nice. It was my first time staying in a hostel, and I was really impressed by how clean and bright it all was.  I just hope all of my hostel experiences are that cheery. I had a lot of fun wandering around Newcastle by myself on Friday while Maddi and Hannah were in York. There was a cool castle thing (I think its a requirement in England. "cool castle thing?" "check!"), an old monastery thing, and a really enjoyable (and free) art gallery thing. I was personally amused by the castle's unfinished staircase, begun in the 17th century (or so), and then just never completed. It is literally 17 steps and then a wall. I thought it was really funny. Then I thought it was very Tevye-esk. There was a farmer's market also, and this really cool indoor marketplace, where the three of us bought a big bag of assorted British candy before heading home. The city itself had a great, young, student-y atmosphere, and I could definitely understand why people like it so much, despite the dismal weather.

The most exciting thing on my mind right now is that on Thursday, I am going to see the Civil Wars! FOR FREE! Of course, it's in London, so I had to pay for a train ticket, but that was really cheap, and no more than what I would have paid ordinarily for a concert ticket. I can't wait! I would like to thank Anna for introducing me to this marvelous duo.

The reason for the French in the blog title is that I realized that both Hannah and Maddi speak French, and I demanded while we were on the train that they teach me all of French immediately. We started out with the important things, which for me were "I'm lost, help me please," and "exit." Then we got progressively sillier, as Maddi and Hannah thought it was very important that I know the words for cheese, cake, and the difference between apples and potatoes, and between bus stations and wars. We collapsed into fits of uncontrollable giggles when I started constructing sentences out of the few words they had taught me. For example, "I hate you, potato," "where is the war," and "I don't have speaking French" which was supposed to be "I don't speak French." Also I kept saying that I was an American boy, which really was not what I wanted to get across. Altogether, I am terrible at French, but I can now tell people (badly) that I don't speak French, that I'm lost, and I can ask for directions (to the library or the bus...or the war). Downside: I won't be able to understand any directions that they try to give me, unless they only use the words left and right.

Fun fact for the day: In England, trousers are pants, and pants are underwear. Do not ask British people about their pants, or talk at length about your own.