Remember, Remember the 5th of November...
Anyone like Bonfires? How about carnivals that blast 1950's rock n' roll?How about 15 minutes of fireworks from 100 feet away? How about ALL THIS IN ONE PLACE?
Oxford has a traditional "Guy Fawkes Day" celebration where we all head out of town a little ways to a massive park and pay for a wonderful night of entertainment! It was great! We started out around 6pm, walking en masse with tons and tons of people from the city center. We had a decent group of about 13 Stanford kiddies, which was cool. When we got to the park, we shuffled onto the swath of muddy grass (maybe the only grass in England that you are allowed to walk on) and sloshed our way to the glittering lights of a Carnival in the distance. When we got to the glow of all the rides, it seriously felt like a time warp. The rides were pretty crappy and wouldn't pass American safety tests, and they looked like they were constructed in the 1940's. One ride in particular blasted rock n' roll tunes from the 50's and made us feel we should be wearing pearls and holding hands with our male escorts for the evening. Some of the group hadn't eaten dinner, so we got in line to see what kind of food one eats at an english carnival--and, it turns out, it's about the same crap as America. Except Cotton Candy is called Candy Floss!! Tastes and looks exactly the same.
About 40 mintues later, after we had wandered away from the carnival area, we stood huddled in a bunch, waiting for the fireworks to start. As our eyes adjusted to the dark, we realized we were standing about 50 feet from a MASSIVE pile of wood, about 40 feet wide and 20 feet high. 'Impressive,' I thought. 'Can't wait to see that thing catch on fire....' some boy whispered.
Finally, the fireworks began, and they were marvelous! So many fireworks, so close above our heads! Big ones, loud ones, ones that looked like little sperm that shreiked in a very scary way (no joke)...the works... It was odd being so FREEEZING on a day of fireworks, since we're used to the 4th of July.
Almost immediately after the display was over, we saw figures in the distance carrying long torches, headed towards the mountain of wood. "This aughta be good...." And it was great. We were pretty far away from the fire, but once it got started, the heat was intense. We had pushed ourselves up against the rail to be as close as possible, and I think it was hot enough to melt chocolate in my hand. I like. Is nice. Best part was when the effigy of Guy Fawkes caught on fire. Pretty sweet.
So that's how the English celebrate Guy Fawkes Day...or whatever. It was festive. Well done brits, well done.
Oxford has a traditional "Guy Fawkes Day" celebration where we all head out of town a little ways to a massive park and pay for a wonderful night of entertainment! It was great! We started out around 6pm, walking en masse with tons and tons of people from the city center. We had a decent group of about 13 Stanford kiddies, which was cool. When we got to the park, we shuffled onto the swath of muddy grass (maybe the only grass in England that you are allowed to walk on) and sloshed our way to the glittering lights of a Carnival in the distance. When we got to the glow of all the rides, it seriously felt like a time warp. The rides were pretty crappy and wouldn't pass American safety tests, and they looked like they were constructed in the 1940's. One ride in particular blasted rock n' roll tunes from the 50's and made us feel we should be wearing pearls and holding hands with our male escorts for the evening. Some of the group hadn't eaten dinner, so we got in line to see what kind of food one eats at an english carnival--and, it turns out, it's about the same crap as America. Except Cotton Candy is called Candy Floss!! Tastes and looks exactly the same.
About 40 mintues later, after we had wandered away from the carnival area, we stood huddled in a bunch, waiting for the fireworks to start. As our eyes adjusted to the dark, we realized we were standing about 50 feet from a MASSIVE pile of wood, about 40 feet wide and 20 feet high. 'Impressive,' I thought. 'Can't wait to see that thing catch on fire....' some boy whispered.
Finally, the fireworks began, and they were marvelous! So many fireworks, so close above our heads! Big ones, loud ones, ones that looked like little sperm that shreiked in a very scary way (no joke)...the works... It was odd being so FREEEZING on a day of fireworks, since we're used to the 4th of July.
Almost immediately after the display was over, we saw figures in the distance carrying long torches, headed towards the mountain of wood. "This aughta be good...." And it was great. We were pretty far away from the fire, but once it got started, the heat was intense. We had pushed ourselves up against the rail to be as close as possible, and I think it was hot enough to melt chocolate in my hand. I like. Is nice. Best part was when the effigy of Guy Fawkes caught on fire. Pretty sweet.
So that's how the English celebrate Guy Fawkes Day...or whatever. It was festive. Well done brits, well done.
posted by Jess at 12:42 PM
5 Comments:
Hi Jess, Sounds like a huge wkend!! Way to pack it in!! I can't remember if Guy Fawkes is a good guy or a bad guy, but I do remember that the bon fires celebrate the way the attempted invasion of the bad guys during one of the World Wars was relayed to the British Army before radios/cell phones. A whole string of bon fires were set, one by one, along the southern coast, each within eye shot of one another.
Perhaps one of these wkends you can get to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock (very near Oxford)- Winston Churchill's birthplace & the residence of the Duke of Marlborough. Fabulous grounds (including a miniature train), beautiful art work, & a history related to the Vanderbilt family. And talk about architectural features!!
Have a good wk. Look forward to your next adventure.
Hey Jess, the photos are great! You've participated in a 400 year old event. There is a good synopsis of the history and origin of the celebration here http://www.bonefire.org/guy/gunpowder.php.
I suspect the Gunpowder Revolt is well known in Britain. Americans may have caught the reference in 'V for Vendeta'. Either way, fireworks, food and bon fires are universal attracters. Nice to hear the Stanford house went in half masse.
The sun is shining at the moment in Redmond -- a rare occurance this time of year. Mom, Pico and I are off to a long walk without umbrellas, terminating with an exotic cup of coffee and a Sunday paper. Hope the same or similar was true for you this morning.
Love,
Dad
Hola, Jessiquita--
Wow! It sounds like you are having a wonderful time experiencing everything British, including the rides with the 50's theme. I loved the comment about the dated rides...outside the U.S. everything sort of "lags".
Fall is definitely here, a little crisp on my way to school/work this morning. What are your plans for Thanksgiving, sweetie? Do they do anything special for the American contingent?
Love and miss your sweet face...
Maria
Hi Jess,
The fire was awsome. I hope you were not to close. I worry about those things.
Your experience sounds so awsome.
I am glad you are taking life by its horns. You go girl.
love,
Auntie B
Hi, Jessica,
Another adventure! They are never
ending and I am so happy that you are "drinking in" so much of the
English culture and holidays.
Keep up your good study work and
all the explorations and fun.
Love you,
XOXO
Meme
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