A Dazzling Place I Never Knew

This week was a day trip to the coast. It was about time this landlocked Midwestern got to see the ocean again. Straightway, in my first days here, I was told Canterbury isn’t too far off from the coast (half hour bus ride come to find out), but I was able to figure this out fairly quickly myself by the amount of seagulls. I can paint you a picture: trade these birds for some critters, and it’s like campus back home where you can practically step on a squirrel! Catch my drift? The bus took the scenic route from Canterbury into town and, low and behold, we passed the notorious White Cliffs of Dover. We came in on an overcast morning, but after a few hours those cliffs were shining and something to see! When am I ever going to see White Cliffs again? Oh, that’s right, this weekend when I go across the English Channel to France! But other than that, really, when am I ever going to see White Cliffs?

THEE White Cliffs of DOVER

I love the English’s sense of time (and when I say love it is a love/hate relationship). If the world all ran by their internal clocks, we could do no wrong - and mom - you would never be late anywhere! We were told to get to the library Augustine House at 8:45 sharp! The bus would by leaving us behind as it pulled out at 9:00. Well, bet you could guess it, we didn’t leave until after 9:30. I don’t know why I bother to get anywhere early (besides that day I missed class - that is my one time exception!) because now every time we’re given a time I know when an English University says one time they really mean 15-30 minutes later…

Sunlight peaking over the Fortress

That last slight sidetrack is completely relevant only because once in Dover, all of us on the bus actually had to sit inside for over 15 minutes! I seriously had ants in my pants (I might still be 8 in that regard). I was so ready to see a castle I was bouncing off the walls and literally plastering myself to the bus windows like one of those flies you smush driving down the interstate… What? I wanted a better castle view? When we FINALLY got off the bus, we began our trek up to the castle. Did you know they place castles on a hill? Yeah, total common sense knowledge until you have to hike up to it. The glimpses of the city and the outer walls were unforgettable. There really is no comparison, especially when you’re coming from the farmlands of little Iowa where though we have an abundance of character we definitely are lacking in castles. After this experience and my many exposures to Disney movies, I think it is safe to say: I like castles.

Dover Castle in full splendor, I mean you're
missing the walls around the place but this the keep.

After a snack of hot chocolate and cappuccino cake, because storming a castle uses up some serious energy, my group went up to the overlook with our guide to hear about the WWII history here. Even though the castle was used centuries earlier by English royalty and first built by the Normans, it is most famous for its guardianship of the Dover Port and the English Channel and the Dunkirk evacuations planned by Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay. His operation was to evacuate British and allied soldiers after Hitler’s power spread to the edges of France. Did you know that although the city of Dover and many other English towns were affected by WWII destruction and bombings that they say Hitler left the Dover Castle untouched because he wanted to stand from its towers and look out at his European Empire? That gives me chills.

Taking in the view of the city

I was able to go into some of the Secret Wartime tunnels like a communication post to monitor the English Channel and the Underground Hospital as well as climb an overlook tower for the views. The castle was by far the best. I kind of lost myself in the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment Museum, so I had to rush through the parts where the English Heritage staff set up recreations of what the castle may have looked like during Henry II’s reign. The recreations were fairly silly, but I did like the multi-leveled spiral staircase. It proved to be the best workout I’ve had since I ran to catch my flight in Canada! Once at the top, the views of Dover were spectacular. It will be days later, and I’ll still be waiting for the wonder to fade.

In other news, I still have yet to try the tea.

Take You Wonder by Wonder

Roman wall reconstruction & Norman
hill in a sunset filled evening
view of the Canterbury cityscape.

Whoops. I waited awhile, didn’t I? Good news, I moved out of the loud party flat (house) of freshers (freshmen) on Hamill Terrace and across the street into a smaller but cleaner flat at Rigby Court with only four housemates instead of six. Whew, what a breath of fresh air! Literally because the rubbish (trash) actually goes out and food doesn’t stay all over the counter for 4+ days, but also in the sense that it is a much better atmosphere and a relief to actually be able to fall asleep before 4:00 in the morning. I have cupboard space and fridge space, so I’ve been eating better this week! Can’t say I’ve branched out further than Ramen noodles, pasta and marinara sauce, jacket potatoes (those would be baked potatoes, you Americans!), an assortment of wraps, raisin bran cereal (a beloved daily staple!), and fresh fruit. Sounds good to me! No doubt, my family still worries about my potential development of malnutrition with my lack of cooking motivation. Notice: motivation, not skills. Don’t worry! I’m fine!

At the Bridge House right off the
Tower Bridge, lunch was a dish of
Tubulo Pasta in Creamy Pesto
Sauce & Parmesan. Yum!

Last Sunday, I went to Canterbury’s Vineyard Church. After an online Kent churches Google search, I trekked out a 40 minute walk and a couple moments of “I think I’m lost…” to get to the warehouse/church building in the middle of Cow’s Lane. No joke that is the street name in the directions. There was moving worship, funny speakers John & Eleanor Mumford who I can to find out were vital to the growth of Vineyard churches in the UK (their sons would be none other than of the Mumford & Sons), and with no shortage of friendly people I was invited to someone’s house for lunch. I feel like that was a pretty traditional English meal. It was here that I was introduced to many pleasant people who I mostly forget the names of and Brie cheese no complaints there. I went to a small Vineyard group this Thursday that was refreshing as well! It has been way too long since I’ve been in a regular bible study or small group. I foresee good things, more than likely more to come on this later!



Canterbury Cathedral Courtyard



Anyways, I received the rest of my class schedule this week. You have to be really adamant and a go-getter to get anyone to do anything for you here. Already, I am able to see a change in England’s laid-back and lax organizational system. I don’t know if that’s a European tendency, or just my interpretation as an American that comes from a very fast-paced and deadline-driven culture? It went from once you get here you’ll receive your schedule, to you should get it Wednesday, to wait until Thursday, to look for it online on Friday, to check your email over-the-weekend, to me barging into my academic advisor’s office the Monday morning of classes. Success! I am taking Contemporary Literature: Holocaust, Creative Writing, British Literature, and Modern Britain. My schedule comes out to be four classes over M-Tues-W. Yes, a four day weekend!

Wanna hear what I managed to do on Wednesday? Of course, you do! I got myself early onto campus in order to print my first assignment abroad and every single computer lab they showed me on my campus tour was full of classes! Urgggg! I finally gave up on the printing and headed to class late only to find my British Lit class was nowhere to be found. In the empty room that they left was a woman who told me another room number they went to for the day only that room was empty as well! I ran around campus for over an hour going up and down hallways, in and out buildings, and searching for my academic advisor for some advice on steps of action only to sit myself in as secluded area as possible to cry a moment or two. Yep, I did. Occasionally, I’m emotional and this week in particular.



I have an eye for detail - it's one of

the perks of my spidey sense.



I did find my lecturer (they don’t call them professors here) after class let out, and it turns out missing a seminar on Chaucer is no big deal. My lecturer was much more upset at the lack of organization for the college’s classroom booking than at me, which I am more than okay with! Tears for nothing - but it isn’t too hard to get worked up over nothing in week 2 of 12 abroad, just saying.



Inside view of the
Canterbury Cathedral's Chapel

I absolutely have loved my time spent wandering Canterbury taking photographs. I walk everywhere. The blisters on my feet can testify to my mileage! In my adventures, there haven’t been any English knight s spotted around here, but I promise to keep a look out. There was one chap (guy) that almost took my head off near the bus station with a football (soccer ball, Americans, come on keep up) that said, “Sorry love!” I don’t think I will ever tire of the men in this country who constantly refer to you as “Love” or “Dah-ling” It is ah-mazing, and there is no way humanly possible to overuse it. I mean the head employee at the security office always says: “Just stop by Dah-ling if you have any more questions or concerns, alrighty?” Although his niceness may have something to do with the fact that there were drug parties in my first flat and no one did anything about it right away (oh, you read right), I like to think it’s the British being too darn sweet!


Big Ben next to the Houses of
Parliament & the London Eye



I went on some London adventures yesterday. I managed to ride on a high-speed railway from Canterbury to London. I navigated my way underground London in the Tube system. I saw London Bridge, the Tower Bridge and actually went up into the Towers for a tour, and the Millennium Bridge. It was the day of the bridges! I took many pictures of the cityscapes including: an English pub for lunch, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Thames riverfronts, and a city park of monuments. I made it to Westminster Abbey, but it was closing for the day so I’m saving the inside tour for next time! Last but not least, I went to London’s Natural History Museum. It wasn’t on my original to-do-list, but it was free admission and it was actually pretty brilliant (my English substitute for fantastic – watch for it). I soon was obsessed with the Dinosaur exhibit, which with my movie quote background seems not too hard too do. All in all, these have been successful days in within the cities!

Thanks for sticking around to read my book!

I Can Show You the World

I have been in Canterbury since Sunday, so I am going on my 5th day here. It was a long journey, too! My travel time consisted of flights from Cedar Rapids to Chicago to Toronto and then to my final destination London (LHR). My last flight was delayed by an hour (a blessing in disguise) because I power-walked and at times ran to make it to my last connecting flight after having to go through Canadian customs, twice! I actually didn't get into London until around an hour after my original arrival time, but the driver and the rest of the international crew waited for me after all. After a scenic, traffic, and power nap-filled drive, I find myself back in Canterbury since my last brief visit 6 or so years ago.



Welcome to my humble abode.



Surprisingly, I would have to say my room and accomodations are about grade C. It is not exactly my bedroom back home or even the dorm rooms back at school, but I guess if I wanted that I would be back home, right? It is basically an apartment building (actually called a flat) in that there are three levels that include 2.5 baths, a kitchen, and a dining room/living room. I have 5 other housemates: three guys who include two English natives and a Romanian and then two girls one Canadian (Eh!) and one fellow Mount Mercy student all coming out to include: James, Josh, Maris, Anne, and Jenna.

Overlook of my street known
as Parham Road Student Village. 

I am unpacked and settled and made several trips back and forth to the grocery store already! The local ASDA is the UK version of a Wal-Mart yet even though it says open 24 hours let me just tell you from personal experience that it actually isn't! I am on the right sleep schedule already but have only really been eating snacks or two meals a day. Sunday was arrival and unpacking. Monday was orientation and losing my way on these curved sidewalks to the library Augustine House. Tuesday was induction with the academic advisor. Wednesday was two of my classes and an international tutorial. Thursday has proven to be my lounge day. I have been researching trips and places in Canterbury and throughout. Tomorrow is an actual trip touring Canterbury and the city sites. Yay!

I will leave you with my funny story I wrote in my travel journal Monday morning:

So, this morning I wake up to my 6:30 a.m. alarm. I thought the earlier the better today since I slept a bit after my flight. Well, the alarm rang and got shut off because let's face it I obviously am not feeling this UK time change. I still hadn't gotten out of bed and now it's 7:51 a.m., or so it says...


A tiny room in my world equals
organized chaos.


After showering and the works, it is still pitch dark outside. My alarm says it is soon to be 10:00 a.m. 10:00 in the morning? No way! I scramble around the house, exploring each floor for a wall clock somewhere but with no such luck. Finally, I lightly tap on my next door neighbor Jenna's door, and she opens it looking at me like I am slightly psychotic. "Do you know what time it is?" I say. "I don't think my alarm clock is working right?" "Yeah," she says, "I've been wondering what you're doing? It isn't even 5:00 a.m. yet." Go figure.

I admit. I was pretty confused when it was still dark but supposedly morning, so I back-tracked on how exactly I managed this one. It turns out my voltage converter (after a look at the fine print) says: for use of heating appliances such as blow dryers and straighteners. Oh, I guess that doesn't include alarm clocks? It seems my alarm clock was on hyper speed basically doubling every hour. So now I need to get another converter or two, ones that actually work with my other appliances. Sadly, after all this I still didn't know what time it was.