Navigation and Exploration: Getting my Bearings in Preston

I would like to begin this post with some questions I was asked and comments people made that made me raise an eyebrow:

"Whereabouts in America are you from?"
"Oh, Canada you say? You must be French."
"I heard it gets as cold as minus 20 over there."
"Canada? I thought I could tell you had an accent."
"All I know about Canada is that Justin Bieber is from there."
"So does Canada use Euros or what?"

And that's just from one day. I expect I will be able to compile an extensive list by the time the semester is over. It baffles me how little people know about Canada. Considering we are the second largest country in the world, we seem to be a well-kept secret. Of course, I shouldn't judge people for not knowing things. I asked a couple questions that probably sounded silly to some people. For example:

"What's barm?"
"How many pence in a pound?"
"What am I supposed to do with this sauce?"
"Is there ever snow on the ground here?"
"Why is it still so dark outside? Is it always this dark in the morning?"

Maybe the Brits are secretly making lists of all the silly things I say too.

Overall, I would say today was a very successful day. This morning feels like it happened weeks ago. It's not that lots of significant events happen today, but rather my mindset has shifted as I've gone along.

This morning my circadian alarm clock rang at 5 AM. I tried to fall back asleep without much success, so I went down to breakfast at 7 thinking, "Jet lag, I have conquered you." Breakfast at this hotel is all-you-can-eat and super delicious.

I then ventured outside, with a plan in mind to head north-westish up Corporation Street and find my school. I'm sure I looked like such a tourist, staring around wide-eyed at everything. I couldn't help it though. Preston looks and feels completely different from Regina. There is an interesting juxtaposition of old and new here: cobbled sidewalks, mossy brick buildings, city squares and Narnia lamp posts, alongside geometric shapes, modern angular architecture, and vivid colours. I immediately felt the effects of information overload: my brain started to fog up, like I couldn't focus on anything. My body was awake, but my brain just wanted to sleep. I couldn't even bring myself to take photos. Also I didn't dress nearly warm enough (lack of snow does not equal warm apparently). But I was on a mission, so I kept going. I reached the campus within about 10 minutes and found my residence building. It's quite adorable. I'll take pictures once I move in.

Then I walked sort of eastish, I think. I should say at this point that I have little to no sense of direction. I found the city square and wandered through a big mall. The city is full of very helpful signs pointing out notable locations. I followed the one that said "Tourist Information" and procured a small map at the tourist shop. This would have been useful had I been able to find street signs. I was still confused. Luckily, almost by accident I stumbled across B&M Bargains, a dollar-store-type place that the hotel receptionist had recommended I visit to find bedding for my dorm. I bought some cheap blankets and headed back to the hotel.

Once I returned, I decided I needed to dress warmer and choose some specific locations to visit now that I had an idea of the city. I ventured out once again, this time heading south of the hotel. This is when I realized the street signs are right on the buildings. Duh. Once I figured that out, I had a much easier time. I felt energized and clear headed, and no longer confused. I headed to a cute little cafe called Brucciani. I had hot beef on a barm (translate: bun) for my afternoon tea (translate: lunch). Further down the street I found a bank and made myself an appointment to make a sterling pound bank account, which will be very easy to do.

Then I headed back to the city square, where I visited the Harris Museum and Art Gallery (below).

The photo doesn't quite capture how immense this building is. It's giant. And very Greek looking. It was built in 1893, making it one hundred years older than me.

Harris Museum and Art Gallery entrance, very pretty

Inside the building, looking up to the ceiling.  If you look closely you might be able to see the spot where the Fouceault pendulum is attached.

Some selected items of interest (keep an eye on Facebook for more to come in the next day or so):

Ancient Coins

These skulls are over 1000 years old!

Fouceault Pendulum 

The Fouceault pendulum is really cool. I'm not gifted in the sciences in any way, but I'll do my best at explaining it. The pendulum is attached to the ceiling (see 3rd photo) in such a way that it can move freely (I think it's a ball and socket type deal, if that makes sense). Someone sets the pendulum in motion so that it swings back and forth in a completely straight line from one side of that thing that looks like a bow to the other. But because of the way the pendulum is freely attached, it continually swings on the exact same plane in relation to the sun, while the earth rotates every so slightly. So as you can kind of see in the photo, the pendulum is no longer swinging through the middle but rather along the top of the left side of the bow and the bottom of the right side. In other words, the pendulum is evidence of the earth's rotation. It forces you to realized how much you have actually moved since the pendulum started swinging. Which is kind of dizzying to think about. If my explanation didn't make any sense, I recommend looking it up.

I spent a couple hours in the museum, listening to my iPod, practicing using my camera, and wandering around aimlessly. As my brain seemed to have reached its capacity for new information earlier that day, I don't think I took much in. I enjoyed it though.

I headed back to the hotel after that, finding it with no difficulty. I had planned on doing some more sightseeing, but it started to rain. Oh yeah, and I fell asleep for three hours. Turns out I didn't actually conquer my jet lag. It could have been worse though.

I woke up and made my way over to the hotel restaurant. I had beef, ale and mushroom pie for tea (translate: supper). Then I Skyped some very important people, and now here I am. Even though I didn't actually do a whole lot today, I feel like my experiences trying to navigate the city on my own really stretched me. I feel like I've grown up a lot since this morning, if that's even possible. 

But, I must be getting to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day: moving day. I need all the energy I can get.

xx from Preston,

Anna