Rule #7

During our pre-departure orientation in Newark, those of us who were participating in the COE Europe 2009 tour talked about our expectations: academic development, the trip, and living with our fellow travelers. We agreed that we would abide by the following group rules: #1. go with an open mind; #2. be attentive; #3. communicate our needs; #4. respect each other; #5. respect our common space; #6. look out for each other ; and most of all, #7. no complaining.

Of course, not that I am complaining ... Of all times for England to have a heatwave, it had to be while we are here. 30 degrees celcius (90 degrees farenheit) feels much less oppressive when: buildings are air conditioned; there is no humidity; when one is not wearing long slacks; and, one does not walk for several neighborhoods during the heat of the day.



But you didn't hear it from me ...

Just Do It

Today's topic was international development. But what exactly does this mean to today's college student? Does it mean that one party (country, non-governmental organization, or person) works to reduce the poverty of another; to build capacity so that they have meaningful choices later on; or to improve the quality of life? Yes, to all of the above.

We heard Abigail's and A.B.'s experiences during their year abroad. One went to Peru to teach English and to build green eco-latrines; the other went to Spain and used their English language skills by working at a youth hostel. What they had in common was that both were open to stretching themselves - leaving the comfort of what they knew to experience the unknown with people very different than they. This may sound a bit scary, especially when one is most likely several time zones away from home and gone for a long time. But thats not what they talked about. They said that the biggest benefit was interacting with others, sharing what they had and learning from the local community. They stressed that we all have alot to give and encouraged us to 'just do it'.

Hard At Work

Everyone in the COE group eventually ends up in the computer lab, whether it be after class, after city tours but mostly before they close for the night (at 11 pm!!). Here are a few, hard at work, preparing for the independent travel module to Amsterdam and Antwerp; or researching for their final presentation; or maybe even FaceBooking ...

Castles in the Sand

The warm Irish sea breeze beckons us as we get off the 44 minute train-ride. 10 minutes through flower-box lined streets leading to the beach, Brian stops for an ice cream cone. The cone lady with no front teeth asks for his reaction to Michael Jackson's passing. His reponse, "A sad ending to an even sadder life." Interestingly, England is still reeling from the news -- four days later. Its true. They usually go in threes. This time, it was Farrah Fawcett (age 62), Ed McMahan (age 86) and Michael (age 50). Upon reflection, our afternoon at the classic beach town of Southport brings Jimi Hendrix' song to mind ... "And so castles made of sand, slips into the sea, eventually."

Footpower

With backpacks for a one night's stay, 19 students, 1 student intern, 2 US counselors tried as best we could to keep up with our fast-walking Scouser-talking group leader. We saw the historical, political, cultural and the every day at the turn of every corner. From protests against the Iranian elections, Hare Krishna parades of people dancing in the streets, impromptu (thanks to Twitter) and illegal memorials of the recently departed Michael Jackson, to those enjoying an easy Sunday morning.London easily holds more than the touristy snap shots of BigBen, Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

London is a global city - seemed like out of every ten people we passed, seven spoke something other than English. London is also super efficient with its busses, tubes and ferries transporting the masses from this way to there.Note to self: This holds true, until there is a delay. Then, watch out, near pandemonium! Photo above is of people waiting on delayed trains in London due to Wimbledon 2009 in Wembely.

Another Place

18 minutes north of Liverpool on the Mersey Rail train, takes us to another place -- Crosby Beach.Coming and going were easy, except for a 25 minute hiccup (needing to wait 25 minutes for the next train to come, when we should have hopped on a bus). Both options would have taken us to the exact same place, just a few blocks from our residence hall. Lesson: next time, read the train schedule!!

Here are a few pix from "Another Place", where we joined 100 cast-iron life-size figures of artist, Antony Gormley. Into the ocean and the horizon, each of them look out. Blue water fades into distant landscapes against the blue sky. When we arrived around 3:30 pm, only the tops of the heads could be seen. By the time we walked down the promenade, the tides rolled back and revealed the figures seen above. According to Gromely, the work is seen as a poetic response to the individual and universal sentiments associated with emigration - sadness at leaving, but the hope of a new future in another place.

Ferry Cross the Mersey

Liverpool Pierhead

Images of Liverpool's Waterfront

36 Hours in Liverpool ...

OK, so I am kinda cheating by looking up "36 hours in ... " Liverpool and this is what I find out. Liverpool is 800 years old and last year it was the 2008 European Capital of Culture! I can tell you that the redbrick city definitely is full of culture! A town with pubs on every corner and mid-block with really cute names such as the Pig and Whistle, Fly in the Bread, Head of Steam, The Farmers Arms says alot about a people. I highly recommend stepping into shops with names such as "Hairy Records" where one can find old vinyls and where top chefs offer amazingly tastey fare at "Everyman Bistro" (which is really really good, by the way).

Real Cost of Trendy

Today we visited an area that been experiencing gentrification for about 20 years. Along the majestic Princes Avenue of the Toxteth area of Liverpool, people whose beautifully built homes over 100 years ago that once created thriving neighborhoods and buildings of merchants catering to the Black and minority ethnic communities are encouraged to sell their aging infrastructure in order to create new and trendy areas that will bring in new money, new resources and ultimately new people. Those who choose not to sell have been systematically forced out by removing community development centers and other institutions that instill, encourage and nurture responsibility for the good of all.

We've been asked to think about the price of new and trendy. To do this, one must factor in social cost too.

The Ugly and the Beautiful

The Ugly: We learned that although Liverpool entered the slave trade last after Bristol, London, and others in England, it became the richest, premier, first city of the TransAtlantic Slave Trade industry. It still has the money and buildings to prove it. The addiction for sugar quickly turned into cotton, tobacco and other natural goods from the Americas. Back and forth: Humans shipped west, raw materials shipped east, and finished products shipped back west. Liverpoolian (Liverpudlians, Lerpoolians, Liverpolitans, or Scousers) merchants raked in millions of pounds per trip.

The Beautiful: One of the amazingly good things that resulted from the trade exchanges: The mix of people from all over the world, African, Chinese, Irish, Caribbean have created a beautiful city. Different histories, shared experiences emerged with a new energy, a new way of expressing themselves. From its music scene to its graffiti art, Liverpool holds more than I had imagined.

Penny Lane

After dinner this evening, I went for a walk in search of the Beatles' Penny Lane as our residence hall is only a few streets away. Three of us found it after about 20 minutes. Actually, it not really that long. Its narrow with row houses off of one side and a nice green space on the other. What makes Penny Lane special is that there is a pub at the very top of the road where the original blokes would meet at night and create some amazing music. As we walked down the street, three Irish grade school teachers, just coming back from a soccer (football) match offered to take our pix next to the Penny Lane sign. As two joined us, the third took our pic only to be stopped by a person driving by offering to get out of their car to take all of our pix; making the lyrics come right to life:
....In penny lane there is a barber showing photographs, Of every head he's had the pleasure to know, And all the people that come and go, Stop and say hello.

AfricaOye

On Sunday afternoon (June 21) , I listened to great sounds of music from Africa in Sefton Park just a few blocks from our residence hall. AfricaOye is the biggest live free African Music Festival in the UK. http://www.africaoye.com/

The sky was grey, and the temperature was cool. But that did nothing to stop everyone from having a wonderful afternoon in the park. They told me the reason for the popularity was because it is world music. Liverpool is an entry point for new groups first coming into the country; and subsequently, its well known for its amazing music culture.

Everyone was happy, dancing and jamming.

Sleep Walking, Literally

We arrived into Manchester at 8 am this morning. The flight was a good one. With free on-demand movies, 40 to choose from, and over 150 albums to listen to, I had a difficult time falling asleep (actually slept 40 minutes of our 6 hour flight). When we got out of customs and immigration, Paul Adams was waiting for us with 3 nice mini-vans to carry our group and our even larger collection of luggage to our study abroad home. After a short 45 minute ride to Liverpool, we checked into our accomodations -- Salsibury Hall of the Carnatic Halls. We take an entire floor. Each of us has a nice room with a small sink. Shortly afterwards, Paul and Vik took us for a walk to Liverpool Center. What a sight to see 19 students and 2 leaders ... walking in single file at times, all trying to stay awake, to take in the wonderful sights ... This is a dream come true!

Lounging at the Newarker

One by one this years participants arrive into the lobby of the Newark Hilton Airport hotel. Although some of us experienced delays in our flights, and others of us had lagging luggage we are all excited about the trip ahead of us. Each of asks the other what they are looking forward to. In a few hours, we will no longer be lounging but launching into our new adventure!

My To Do List ... 15 hours and counting

Attend Rotary Social - check

Get meds -

Buy converter and adapter -

Buy alarm clock -

Hold mail - check

Pack gifts - check

Print outs - check

Cut hair - check

Cut grass

Apply turf builder

Set automatic temperature in the house

Call credit card company about trip - check

Get international PIN access

Copy passport and drivers license - check

Bring health documents - check

Get travel insurance information - check

Find out shuttle schedules - check

3 Weeks with 1 Carry-on Luggage

In less than 24 hours, I will begin the pre-departure orientation activities. Even though I love to travel and almost all of what that entails, I am not so great at the packing part. Seems like I either wait until the last minute to wash clothes and then stay up late for them to dry; or, I pack a few days ahead, only to find myself adding things, removing items and wondering if I have everything I need.

Seems like this trip, that question is partly answered for me. Everything needed will be squeezed into one carry-on luggage!

Still, I KNOW they have stores over there but it just seems more comforting to lug it all with me from the beginning. I'm thinking that will change once I have to LITERALLY lug it all with me.