So today I wake up to rock bands and singers and loudspeakers coming through my flat window. I live next to Sheffield's Botanical Gardens, and I knew something was coming from there. I had read in the Sheffield Telegraph about the upcoming Arts in the Park, but didn't clue in that it was today for some reason. After a quick breakfast, I packed my camera, computer, water bottle, and notebook and headed up my street instead of down. If I haven't complained about it yet, I will now. Sheffield is built on "seven hills." Fortunately, my mile and half walk into Sheffield Hallam is fairly level (and I'm now understanding the bus routes a little better), but most of the time I'm walking up and down hills to get where I'm going. Scratch that, most of the time I'm walking uphill both ways.
So I get to the top of the hill (not far, really) and see what I understand the locals to call "Teddy." This is King Edward VII School. I will be contacting them for some observations (which I've learned I need to call them "sit ins" because observation strikes a chord of "evaluation", which is SOOOO true, even in America.) Heck, maybe I'll just ask for a tour! I will be glad when my approval to get into these schools as a visitor gets back to me, which could be another week or so.
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| Do you think students at Teddy are more excited than our students to learn because they go to school in such a fascinating, old, gloriously English (okay, "Roman") structure? Ha. Yeah, I don't either. |
So, walking on...down Clarkehouse Road, I also run across Sheffield High School, established in 1878. Is this the school for you?
I finally made it to the Botanical Gardens where the Arts in the Park was happening. Here are a few pictures:
There were local/area artists set up inside painting, drawing, and chatting with people. I spoke with at least four, and got some great tips on local things to see and pubs to visit. Including the "crooked spire", Bolsover Castle, and the Thursday morning market in Chestershire, about a 20-minute train ride away. My "to do" list keeps growing.
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| This artist took a picture of what she's drawing because she couldn't bring physically bring in the flowers, but she wanted specifically to draw them because her daughter-in-law sent them to her. I love people. |
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| My lunch, from a local farmer. Roasted pork sandwich with stuffing (think Thanksgiving,) and apple sauce. |
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| I never stopped to read the signs for this area, but I was drawn to it over and over again. That's because it's their "North American Prairie Land" tribute. Which, as they put it, is now covered in corn. So true. But this area did remind me of our gardens in southern Mo. |
Okay...it's taken me an hour just to upload what few pics I have and now it's closing time at Starbucks. I'm headed out to meet my Fulbright buddy, Steve, who gave me these options for the night: eat at a new restaurant, see a movie, or stay in and wash my hair (me only, which I need to do, but I'll opt for dinner.) Enjoy...I'll try to post another tomorrow.
8 comments:
Oh, so many wonderful things!!! Casey, I check your blog constantly (as in multiple times a day) to see what new amazing things you’ve seen and experienced. Loving every bit of the updates. I am in awe of how dignified the school looks—I love that you will be doing sit-ins there! (By the way, I have to observe in classrooms fairly frequently and I love the idea of calling them “sit-ins” instead because my purpose is certainly not to evaluate the teachers… in fact, that’s my non-purpose :)) The woman painting the flowers her daughter-in-law sent melts my heart… and makes me feel like a subpar daughter-in-law! And the picture of the North American Prairie Land tribute is exactly what I imagine a home in a British village to look like but the flowers in my mind are purple. Thanks for sharing!!! Wish I was there to soak it all in!
I will find you some purple flowers!! Eventually. I will get better at posting on e I get the Internet. Although its everywhere, just like home, I feel silly always setting up shop with my big computer, and I hate typing on my phone/iPad, which I've already run out of Internet on twice. Thanks for reading!!!! :-) Hope you are well, Batman in his crocs was adorable! A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. xo
Everything looks really amazing. It's funny that you found a little slice of home so far away :)
What's worse, is that it's literally right at the end of my block. The closest coffee shop to me that has wifi. So much for avoiding American things. They still don't have brewed coffee though.
So glad you finally posted the multi named post! I've been looking and looking and actually found your post because I opened Skype to send you a message. I was also trying to calculate the time there to see if I dare try to ring you (trying my best to sound British!). I enjoy reading about your adventures and remember, I'm living vicariously through you!! Love u!
I, also, am checking your blog constantly for the latest update. I love getting the details of your new life, and the pictures are great! I'm glad you are getting settled into your new home. Anxious to see what events are filling up your weekends! Wanda
To your comment about the old, Roman school, my thought was that in America we'd probably tear it down because it's old and we'd want to make sure something was more modern. It looks absolutely amazing!
Well, a BIG difference is that we build things that are not built I last. We don't build thinking about centuries or sustainability, we build to be able to tear down.
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