Where Saint Mary Woolnoth kept the hours

Unreal City,
Under the brown fog of a winter dawn,
A crowd flowed over London Bridge, so many,
I had not thought death had undone so many.
Sighs, short and infreuent, were exhaled,
And each man fixed his eyes before his feet.
Flowed up the hill and down King William Street,
To where Saint Mary Woolnoth kept the hours,
With a dead sound on the final stroke of nine.
-TS Eliot, The Waste Land

This morning I got up early and took the tube down to the London Bridge station and flowed with the commuters over the London bridge, and up the hill and down King William Street, in order that I might here the bells of Saint Mary Woolnoth. I was rather upset to find out that the bells no longer ring at 9 am. I'll never be able to find out if the really sound dead on the final stroke of nine now. I can believe that they did though. The start of the work day can be rather deadening.

time to play a little catch up

last wednesday we took our first fieldtrip, and we went to Canterbury, Rye and Beachy Head. It was incredible! It was so nice to get out of the city to the slower pace of the country. Canterbury, as you may know is known for the Canterbury Cathedral, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is also known for Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The story in which several pilgrims chronicle their pilgrimage to Canterbury to see the Tomb of Sir Thomas A Beckett. The cathedral is quite beautiful. I love the Gothic Architecture.

After Canterbury we got back in the coach and traveled to Rye, a beautiful little english town. There isn't really much to see there as such, but it was a beautiful little place, I think I could live there. One interesting thing about Rye is that it is a port town, but over the years the sea has receeded and it is now two miles away from the town. rye is a landlocked port. the below picture is the parish church at rye.

After Rye we went to Beachy Head, which is along the coast, and is the home to the highest part of the White Cliffs. We got there just around sunset and it was spectacular. I only wish that I could capture the beauty on film better.

Overall it was a splendid trip, I can't wait for the next one.

The Importance of Being Earnest

Is quite a good play. I did thoroughly enjoy it. We went on opening night, that was cool, though our section wasn't full by any means so that was kind of nice. today I went to the Tate Modern, it was very exciting. London so far has been great. going to see another play was really a lot of fun. I hope to do more of that.

Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon England's mountain green
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon these Clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
among these Dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of Burning Gold
Bring me my Arrows of Desire
Bring me my Spear: oh clouds unfold
Bring me my Chariot of Fire!

I will not Cease from Mental Fight
Nor Shall my Sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green & pleasant Land

-William Blake 1809

Here

well the first few days have been a blast. i've been walking, walking, walking and you guesed it more walking. i've seen so much of london though and that is quite amazing. really. In a day or two I'll get a couple pictures up here so you can see them all. quite exciting really. Les Miserables is an AMAZING play. it sums up life so well in so many respects. words don't even describe it. but now it is time for bed.

Sunset

We had a beautiful sunset tonight, my new camera captured it pretty well, I'm impressed.