On Thursday, the 25th of October, the Bucknell in London group had the special privledge of visiting the Natural History Museum. Seemingly unrelated to economics and physics, this fieldtrip was still very worthwhile in my opinion. I am fascinated by everything science, so needless to say I was like a kid in a candy shop going around and exploring all that the Natural History Museum had to offer.
While we were required to visit Darwin's statue near the cafe and the Lasting Impressions, Marine Invertebrates and Primates exhibitions, I explored many more such as the Dinosaur, the Mammal and the Evolution exhibitions. While most of them were very interesting and stimulating, I must say that the Dinosaur exhibition was by far my favorite. I'm not a dinosaur expert nor am I very passionate about these creatures, but the design and the plethora of information within this exhibit enraptured and delighted me. It was amazing to see actual fossils and bones of these prehistoric animals; they don't seem that big on paper but when there is a 10 foot tall by 5 foot wide femur bone next to you, one can realize their actual enormous size. I also found the dinosaur to human comparisons helpful to gauge their size. The lifesize model of the "teenage" T-Rex was amazing; it was so lifelike that I actually saw little children being comforted by their parents with the soothing words, "it's not real sweetheart don't worry." The Dinosaur exhibiton must be a lot of people's favorites or in the least be one of the most popular exhibitions as a huge line had been formed (with ropes and everything) by the time I was done touring it.
Among the other exhibitions I toured, I found the one on Evolution to be fascinating. I have long been a student of the theory of evolution so the exhibition on the topic was a welcome refresher and greatly appreciated. I enjoyed viewing the comparisons of the skulls of the ancestors to the Homo sapiens species and also was intrigued by their history and location.
Being an Animal Behavior major and mainly dealing with and interested in mammals, I was particularly taken by the Mammal Exhibition. It was amazing to look up to the ceiling and see the model of the blue whale span the entire length of it. I also enjoyed the design of this exhibition as it grouped mammals according to similarity and placed them in such a way that depicted their natural habitats and tendencies.
The Lasting Impressions exhibition was fabulous as well in its own respects. I am very intrigued by fossils and love to learn about the creation of and vast history of the formation of the Earth, so this exhibition fit the bill just perfectly. I also find it fascinating to learn how to calculate the age of something, such as the age of a whale by its teeth and the age of a Bezoar goat by its horns. This exhibition had really neat contents and was very intellectually stimulating.
I must say that I found the Marine Invertebrates exhibition to be rather boring and non-stimulating. It was basically just a hollow room with two glass cases containing replicas of or preserved invertebrates. It may be my general dislike of marine invertebrates that made me enjoy this exhibition the least, but I just found it to be not to par with the other exhibitions within the museum.
With all of the exhibitons I toured, I still would greatly enjoy going back to the Natural History Museum to tour new exhibitions as well as revisit the ones I went to on Thursday. I learned an incredible amount of information and had a great time doing so.
Monday, 29 October 2007
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Reflection on Fall Break
After visiting four countries in nine days, I've composed a little list about the things I've learned while being away. This list is a reflection about my wonderful fall break and serves as a nostalgic remembrance about my time in Paris (France), Geneva, Interlaken (Switzerland), Milan, Venice (Italy), and Vienna (Austria).
23 Things I've Learned From Fall Break:
1. Wine, bread and cheese taste a trillion times better when sitting next to the Eiffel Tower.
2. Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, it can actually serve as a clock. Every hour on the hour it lights up and seems as if it is sparkling. I have a video of it if you want proof for yourself.
3. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is probably one of the most amazing views in the world.
4. An Eiffel Tower shaped lolly-pop tastes like a candy apple and is absolutely delicious but rather hard to eat.
5. Although fascinating in its own respects, the Mona Lisa is actually quite small and next to impossible to get a good picture of due to the massive crowd of people gathered around it.
6. It's probably not the best idea to run your hand along a priceless mosaic inside the Louvre. Fortunately for me I didn't get kicked out but I did get a "Don't do that!!" from one of the thousands of guards and a "What were you thinking??" from Steph.
7. Crepes filled with nutella and any flavor of gelato are two of the most delectable desserts on this planet. I would advise eating 2 or 3 of each a day.
8. Versailles has probably the biggest palace I've ever seen or will see in my life.
9. Geneva has a 140 meter tall water fountain (Jet d'eau). That's really freaking tall.
10. Although it doesn't sparkle like the Eiffel Tower, the Flower Clock of Geneva is beautiful in its own respect and, along with the Jet d'eau, serves as a symbol of Geneva.
11. The Swiss speak French in Geneva and German in Interlaken. One country, two languages. Something doesn't match up here to me. Shouldn't there be a national Swiss language? It would make sense to me. But hey, who am I to tell the Swiss what to do?
12. If you ever get the chance to visit Interlaken, you'll most likely end up wanting to buy a little cottage and retire there. You'll understand what I'm talking about if you go there and/or see my pictures.
13. It's a dangerous combination when nine people have a room to themselves in a hostel. Hilarious things are bound to happen, especially when you have five crazy guys along with you. You most likely won't get any sleep either, by the way.
14. Milan really wasn't all that great. I don't know if we were way outside of the inner city or what but it was quite boring and unattractive. I would have preferred to stay in Interlaken for another day and bask in its beauty and take advantage of its wide selection of outdoor activities.
15. Despite its beauty, Venice is a rather smelly city.
16. Venice is probably one of the most confusing cities to navigate around in the entire world.
17. When booking a hostel room online, be prepared to stay in a totally different room than what was displayed on their website.
18. Never wear a skirt if you're planning to visit a Catholic Church. Old ladies will scorn you and the priest will give you his most disapproving face and shake his finger at you. Once filled with shame and humiliation, it's best to just get out of the church as fast as you can.
19. No matter what country you're in, pigeons are still the most vile and annoying creatures in the world. They are particularly obnoxious in Venice, especially when people decide to gather a huge group of them by feeding them bread and then jump right into the middle of the pigeon crowd, sending the pigeons every which direction and most likely centimeters away from your head.
20. Even though a night train seems like a good, efficient idea, I definitely would recommend spending a few extra Euros to reserve a bed. I had to learn the hard way that a second class seat just doesn't cut it for seven hours, especially when you're seated in a tiny room crammed with five other people.
21. Vienna is actually a beautiful city with lots to do. I must say I was pleasantly surprised.
22. Language can be the biggest barrier between people. Therefore, it's not a good idea to try to find your way back to your hostel by yourself relying on German roadsigns, and it's also not the best idea to have a taxi driver who can only speak Arabic and German take you to the Vienna International Airport.
23. If you ever get the chance to see four different countries in less than two weeks, let alone live in one for four months, you are a truly blessed person.
I hope that you've enjoyed this list, and I also hope that it sparked a little list of your own about your time away from London.
23 Things I've Learned From Fall Break:
1. Wine, bread and cheese taste a trillion times better when sitting next to the Eiffel Tower.
2. Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, it can actually serve as a clock. Every hour on the hour it lights up and seems as if it is sparkling. I have a video of it if you want proof for yourself.
3. The view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is probably one of the most amazing views in the world.
4. An Eiffel Tower shaped lolly-pop tastes like a candy apple and is absolutely delicious but rather hard to eat.
5. Although fascinating in its own respects, the Mona Lisa is actually quite small and next to impossible to get a good picture of due to the massive crowd of people gathered around it.
6. It's probably not the best idea to run your hand along a priceless mosaic inside the Louvre. Fortunately for me I didn't get kicked out but I did get a "Don't do that!!" from one of the thousands of guards and a "What were you thinking??" from Steph.
7. Crepes filled with nutella and any flavor of gelato are two of the most delectable desserts on this planet. I would advise eating 2 or 3 of each a day.
8. Versailles has probably the biggest palace I've ever seen or will see in my life.
9. Geneva has a 140 meter tall water fountain (Jet d'eau). That's really freaking tall.
10. Although it doesn't sparkle like the Eiffel Tower, the Flower Clock of Geneva is beautiful in its own respect and, along with the Jet d'eau, serves as a symbol of Geneva.
11. The Swiss speak French in Geneva and German in Interlaken. One country, two languages. Something doesn't match up here to me. Shouldn't there be a national Swiss language? It would make sense to me. But hey, who am I to tell the Swiss what to do?
12. If you ever get the chance to visit Interlaken, you'll most likely end up wanting to buy a little cottage and retire there. You'll understand what I'm talking about if you go there and/or see my pictures.
13. It's a dangerous combination when nine people have a room to themselves in a hostel. Hilarious things are bound to happen, especially when you have five crazy guys along with you. You most likely won't get any sleep either, by the way.
14. Milan really wasn't all that great. I don't know if we were way outside of the inner city or what but it was quite boring and unattractive. I would have preferred to stay in Interlaken for another day and bask in its beauty and take advantage of its wide selection of outdoor activities.
15. Despite its beauty, Venice is a rather smelly city.
16. Venice is probably one of the most confusing cities to navigate around in the entire world.
17. When booking a hostel room online, be prepared to stay in a totally different room than what was displayed on their website.
18. Never wear a skirt if you're planning to visit a Catholic Church. Old ladies will scorn you and the priest will give you his most disapproving face and shake his finger at you. Once filled with shame and humiliation, it's best to just get out of the church as fast as you can.
19. No matter what country you're in, pigeons are still the most vile and annoying creatures in the world. They are particularly obnoxious in Venice, especially when people decide to gather a huge group of them by feeding them bread and then jump right into the middle of the pigeon crowd, sending the pigeons every which direction and most likely centimeters away from your head.
20. Even though a night train seems like a good, efficient idea, I definitely would recommend spending a few extra Euros to reserve a bed. I had to learn the hard way that a second class seat just doesn't cut it for seven hours, especially when you're seated in a tiny room crammed with five other people.
21. Vienna is actually a beautiful city with lots to do. I must say I was pleasantly surprised.
22. Language can be the biggest barrier between people. Therefore, it's not a good idea to try to find your way back to your hostel by yourself relying on German roadsigns, and it's also not the best idea to have a taxi driver who can only speak Arabic and German take you to the Vienna International Airport.
23. If you ever get the chance to see four different countries in less than two weeks, let alone live in one for four months, you are a truly blessed person.
I hope that you've enjoyed this list, and I also hope that it sparked a little list of your own about your time away from London.
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
Gearing Up!
After our two days from hell (two midterms on Monday and a paper draft due Tuesday), I finally have something to look forward to.
Tomorrow begins our 10 day fall break and I absolutely cannot wait.
We will begin in Paris, spend two days there, and then head to Geneva, Interlaken, Milan, Venice and then Vienna. The rest of the group I'm traveling with will then go to Prague, but I must head back to London after Vienna to meet my sister who will be visiting me until the 16th! Life couldn't get much better right now.
The coldest place we will be (or at least I will be) is Vienna, where the highs are around 60. Other than that, the weather will range from 65-75! The mild weather will definitely be a welcome change from the chilly weather we've been having here in London as well as the dreadfully cold weather we experienced in Scotland. It actually wasn't all that bad in Scotland but I am definitely a baby when it comes to cold weather. With this being said, I'm quite pleased with the weather forecast for our fall break.
As I've never been to any of the places we're visiting, I'm very anxious to see how every place will be and what they will look like. I'm sure Paris will be spectacular, with the Eiffel Tower and Versailles, but I have to admit I don't really know much about any of the other places we will be visiting. I've heard Geneva isn't that special and that Interlaken, Milan and Venice are beautiful, but I've actually not heard much of anything at all about Vienna. Either way, I'm sure it will be beautiful in it's own respect.
Although it will be a lot of traveling, I couldn't have asked for a better fall break itinerary. I'll get to tour four countries and have undoubtedly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm sure I'll take tons of pictures and make many memories. With all of our hostel reservations confirmed and our Eurorail passes activated, all I have to do now is pack! Until next time--cheers.
Tomorrow begins our 10 day fall break and I absolutely cannot wait.
We will begin in Paris, spend two days there, and then head to Geneva, Interlaken, Milan, Venice and then Vienna. The rest of the group I'm traveling with will then go to Prague, but I must head back to London after Vienna to meet my sister who will be visiting me until the 16th! Life couldn't get much better right now.
The coldest place we will be (or at least I will be) is Vienna, where the highs are around 60. Other than that, the weather will range from 65-75! The mild weather will definitely be a welcome change from the chilly weather we've been having here in London as well as the dreadfully cold weather we experienced in Scotland. It actually wasn't all that bad in Scotland but I am definitely a baby when it comes to cold weather. With this being said, I'm quite pleased with the weather forecast for our fall break.
As I've never been to any of the places we're visiting, I'm very anxious to see how every place will be and what they will look like. I'm sure Paris will be spectacular, with the Eiffel Tower and Versailles, but I have to admit I don't really know much about any of the other places we will be visiting. I've heard Geneva isn't that special and that Interlaken, Milan and Venice are beautiful, but I've actually not heard much of anything at all about Vienna. Either way, I'm sure it will be beautiful in it's own respect.
Although it will be a lot of traveling, I couldn't have asked for a better fall break itinerary. I'll get to tour four countries and have undoubtedly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm sure I'll take tons of pictures and make many memories. With all of our hostel reservations confirmed and our Eurorail passes activated, all I have to do now is pack! Until next time--cheers.
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