hull in my head

As I move on to Hull I’m met with mixed feelings. I am excited for what lies ahead, seeing my home, beginning school, meeting my hall, and everything else that lies in wait, but I have really loved London and I don’t feel ready yet to leave it behind. Granted my love is still in the premature, infatuation stage, where I only see her good and not her flaws. But still, as the title suggests, I am smitten with Britain.

I feel literary that I was made for this place. Before I arrived many people told me “I looked English” to which my typical response was “Thank you?” I always thought it was my bad teeth and dry humor, but now I know what they mean. With every guy I see I love his clothes, his hair. It all looks like things I would wear, or in some instances DO wear. And the women are all even more stylish, but unique at the same time. Everyone is from somewhere else, and everyone speaks English with a different accent. Actually so much so that my own American accent actually goes unnoticed. It’s only after I tell someone where I am from that they pause and say “Oh, you’re American.” It’s actually a bit disappointing. Due to vain and curious reasons I semi-relished the idea of having an accent, but no one notices. It’s fascinating however to hear so many native tongues. Being new at it however I often don’t even know what language a person is speaking. “You’re from Egypt? Oh, …. I would have guessed Greece. Curses!”

I love people and think they make any place but if you are not likeminded with me in that regard then surly my fair London will win you over with the sheer number of things to do. The possibilities are infinite. You could live here a year and not see everything. The following however are highlights of my favorites from this journey.

At or very near to the top of the list was the Globe Theater. Sounds touristy I know, but it was so exciting to see the facility itself, and then to see a play there! I watched The Merchant of Venice and loved every second of it! Wonderfully acted, great traditional live music, funny as Hades, and I got to watch top notch Shakespeare in it’s proper home for only £5! The cheap area was great, even though you have to stand the whole time. But being there, rather than in the seats, gets the actors to interact more with you. A few people were thrown up upon by one of the actors, I very nearly got hit with a half eaten chicken bone, and through out the play actors will run in and out of the crowd. It’s such a great way to spend a night. (Unless of course you’re one of the ones who gets thrown up upon…) Plus the staff there is all eccentric and great. As handed the doorwoman my ticket I said, “Hi, I’m a peasant.” The older woman patted my head reassuringly and said, “There there, you’re a good boy. Just don’t take pictures or I’ll have to boot you.”

Then there is the British Museum. Not having been to too many other Museums I can’t say this for certain, but in my narrow opinion this is the greatest Museum in the world. It is MASSIVE, probably take you over a week just to see everything. They such have so many jaw dropping pieces. Granted they are pirates, stealing the treasures of the world and putting them on display. But who doesn’t like pirates? Especially when they are so good at what they do? And ESPICIALLY when they don’t charge you a penny to enjoy it? As a witness you can book a Meander Tour which is a bible based tour of particularly interesting artifacts like the Nabonidus Chronicle. It is so incredible to read an account from the scriptures and then connect it to what you are looking at with your own two eyes. Even more impressive is looking at some of THE SAME sculptures or relief’s that famous bible figures would have seen every single day. It just makes everything so real. The Tate Modern is also really impressive and very often I found myself wishing I could take pictures of the exhibits. So many interesting and varied approaches to art, you leave feeling ready to create your own.

I also had the chance to tour London Bethel. Not to belittle New York or anything but having just come from there I can honestly say that the branch in London was so much nicer to me. Everyone was very full of conversation and laughter, the location was beautiful, and they gave me Lamb and mint sauce for lunch! How could I not love them just a little bit more?

I also really enjoyed just the whimsical things I did. For example I was walking down the street when I saw a group of street cleaners protesting for higher pay. So I grabbed a sign and joined in chanting: “Fight the power! FIGHT the POWER!” I’m not exactly sure what THEY were chanting initially… it was in a different language. But after time they began to join in with my chanting. After a bit more time a journalist came along to take our picture and interview the ringleader of it all. I asked him to take one of all of us with my camera as well. Good times…. I wonder if I made the paper?

Besides that I did many of the things that you “just have to do while in London” but I did them all by foot, and didn’t stay at any of them for very long. I figure that I’ll get my chance to do all that when my family come and visit. At this point I’m actually looking for any good excuse to come back down to London so if anyone knows anyone who have plans to go to a show (such as Beirut next month) in London, have a party, get tea, etc, please pass along my information so I can try to weasel myself into being invited. After all, if I liked it this much alone how much more so would I with good company!

Yes, my love has much to offer. Great transportation (only got really lost once), great television (I’m watching an amazingly well produced documentary on Bernardo Provenzano currently), great food, great clothing (in Leicester Square alone you can find French Connection, Ben Sherman, H&M, Urban Outfitters, and a dozen other stores I fancy. All on the same block!), and the people; varied, beautiful, funny, and helpful. I heart London.

But will I love Hull? They are currently showing a dating show where a girl from Hull is trying to get matched up. The verdict: contrary to the tee-shirt, it IS actually sometimes dull in Hull… oh, and a good man is hard to find. It’s actually a really funny program. But I’ve liked all the people on it. Somehow I think I’ll be just fine.