Adventured to the Globe yesterday (Day Two) to get out, explore and buy a ticket. Took the tube for the first time - the tube route map is slightly less confusing than the bus route map - and it was both whelming and easy. You see all these people dashing about these vast hallways and tunnels and there's always this clanking sound about and everything is bright and shadowy and at first you have the urge to be confused but then you just - follow the signs. I think signs will be a big help around here. And I think the only thing about the tube I won't quite get used to is the escalators - they're so high you can't see the tops or bottoms sometimes and they're in these slanted tunnels so even though you're standing and vertical it feels like you're horizontal, very, very vertiginous. I'm going to find out today if all the train line "colors" on the map are what the hand-rails are painted on the trains (i.e., District "green" line has green hand-rails).
Signs and my A to Zed map helped me to the Globe, but at a certain point it was mostly the signs. It was an interesting walk, very windy and beautiful but I think someone tried to lift my wallet - I had this sense that someone was right behind me and I cocked my head about and this guy who was right behind me jumped back a few feet and then skirted quickly ahead of me, never making eye contact - so I will be very careful next time, meaning tomorrow. (**Later note: not having actually been pickpocketed, I thought the experience kind of neat.) The Globe from outside, at least from where I entered, didn't at all resemble the pictures and designs I'm familiar with - I think where I was was an exterior mostly for ticket sales and the gift shop. After buying a ticket for tomorrow's performance of Lear and a reminder to myself that I'm on a budget I headed up to the gift shop. Generally, I was unimpressed - not disappointed, just unimpressed. Most things being sold were gimmicky and those that weren't were pricey. About a 1/4 of the stuff was not necessarily Shakespeare specific, but rather vaguely Renaissance. I found the things I was drawn to were the DVDs of Shakespeare films (some of which aren't in my collection) and the CDs of Globe performance music (I might buy one of these later). I finally bought a wooden dagger and sheath for 4.50£ and I'm very happy with it; I like props I can play act with.
Looking forward to seeing Lear tomorrow (Friday) - as a groundling! - and meeting with Prof. McDonald later today (Thursday).
Do feel a touch disconnected, which may just be jetlag, who knows? I do hope I can make friends with some of the folks that are staying here at Lee Abbey, though every time I've tried to strike up a chat the other person seems to shut themselves off, almost embarrassed like. I'll figure it out, I hope. I don't like anonymity, I've decided.
Internet access very slow, shower stalls tiny, food tasty (had something like bacon yesterday morning with breakfast - it looked a little like bacon anyway but tasted almost like a really salty pork chop).
A photo journey to the Globe, from Lee Abbey:
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5 comments:
Let me preface this by saying I won't be commenting on every post, I promise.
In regards to making friends, be patient. Last time I was in Spain it took me 2 months to make Spanish friends. I've never been to England, but I did have a friend who went there and found it difficult to make friends as quickly as you might in the states. I found that Spaniards are less likely to make friends with foreigners because they've grown up in the same place and have had the same friends their entire lives. Nevertheless, it is possible to make friends, great friends, in any of these places. It just might be nice to know that you might have stumbled on cultural experience that you weren't expecting.
Thank you Anna! Yes, patience is helping. There seem to be unique rituals of introduction (I'm observing them) plus people just by seeing my face often are being more friendly, got several hellos with smiles today! And one of the desk workers has started even conversing with me . . .
Dollar to Pound exchange is about 2 to 1 and no extra or withdrawal fee is charged it seems if I use my card at a Barclay's ATM - only problem I had was my card almost being shut off by my bank because one hand didn't talk to the other about my trip notification.
Thanks again for the advice! Cheers.
Love your Blog, glad that you got there and are having fun! :)
Not sure if my last posting went through, glad you are having fun! And hope the plane ride was ok
Thanks, Sis! Glad you like the blog/ journal. I write about the flight I think on the 25 June entry (entries were a day behind for a bit). Be well, enjoy your summer and stay in touch!
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