Classes are rolling along and going well, but lot's to do!
Other than that, this past weekend was Claire's Birthday so on Friday we met up at a local pub to celebrate. I made her a really funny card, which I wish I would have taken a picture of. We had a few drinks, had some laughs, and laughed at people dancing.
We ran into George, one of the sons I am living with, and we had a bit of a dance off.
We ran into George, one of the sons I am living with, and we had a bit of a dance off.
On Saturday I went to Stonehenge and Bath with my British Life & Culture class. It was an early day, but I got to nap on the bus ride there. Stonehenge was first on the agenda. Truthfully there isn't much to do once you gaze upon it, though it is amazing to see it in front of you after reading and learning about it so many times.
I think that the wow factor is inhibited because you are not able to get very close to the structure. There is an outer perimeter roped off, and you get to view it as you walk around. It was quite chilly that morning so we were excited to get some hot cocoa to help warm up. I also tried my first pasty, and it was quite good. Claire got herself a sausage roll, which also was yummy.
I think that the wow factor is inhibited because you are not able to get very close to the structure. There is an outer perimeter roped off, and you get to view it as you walk around. It was quite chilly that morning so we were excited to get some hot cocoa to help warm up. I also tried my first pasty, and it was quite good. Claire got herself a sausage roll, which also was yummy.
After we finished at Stonehenge, we had a 1.5 hr drive to Bath. Bath is in the south west of England and a gorgeous city. We got a walking tour of the highlights, and then visited the Roman baths. This is probably my favorite city so far, it was just so lovely and had great shopping! The architecture was amazing, especially the work done by John Wood and his son.
At the Roman Baths I was in awe of the layout, and the way that they summoned the hot water from the hot spring. Over a million liters rise out of the spring at temperatures above 100 degrees F. The water still runs, and you can feel and see the heat radiating from the "pipes" and baths. You are also able to test the water, it is loaded with minerals. It basically tasted like well water, but with even more iron.
At the Roman Baths I was in awe of the layout, and the way that they summoned the hot water from the hot spring. Over a million liters rise out of the spring at temperatures above 100 degrees F. The water still runs, and you can feel and see the heat radiating from the "pipes" and baths. You are also able to test the water, it is loaded with minerals. It basically tasted like well water, but with even more iron.
Another 2.5 hours later, we were finally back in Kingston. Claire, Greg, Joe, and I went out to eat at Wagamama's for Claire's birthday dinner, and it was delicious as always. After such a long day I basically fell into bed as soon as I got home and fell asleep.
A week of class and studio work flies by...
And now today I went into London to visit Tate Modern. It was really great, and there are so many works to see. A new exhibition just opened in the Turbine Hall, it is an installation by artist Ai Weiwei. It is called "Sunflower Seeds". The floor of the room is almost fully covered by what looks to be millions of sunflower seed shells. What they actually are though, are porcelain pieces molded and painted to look like sunflower seed husks. Each of the "seeds" are hand painted. A video plays in the next room, which explains the process that the artist went through. The video makes it that more intriguing and amazing. I recommend taking a look!
(http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/unileverseries2010/room3.shtm)
After the museum, I stopped by an art bookshop across the street where I browsed for a bit. They had a lot of old gallery booklets along with tons of books of British and International Artists' work. I then decided to just follow the Thames down by the South Bank and wander.
There are a lot of great restaurants and bars along there, and can't wait to go back with some mates. There were also little shops and galleries. I stopped by a book sale that was out on the walkway and picked up a book on Salvador Dali and a book full of Dick Tracy comics. On my way back I went into a shop and found a book that retells all of the literature classics in 'tweets', it was hilariously ridiculous. The shop also had some really funny greeting cards...
There are a lot of great restaurants and bars along there, and can't wait to go back with some mates. There were also little shops and galleries. I stopped by a book sale that was out on the walkway and picked up a book on Salvador Dali and a book full of Dick Tracy comics. On my way back I went into a shop and found a book that retells all of the literature classics in 'tweets', it was hilariously ridiculous. The shop also had some really funny greeting cards...
It was an amazing yet very long day.
“Interpretation is the revenge of the intellect upon art. Even more. It is the revenge of the intellect upon the world. To interpret is to impoverish, to deplete the world -- in order to set up a shadow world of ''meanings.''
Arrivederci!
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