I was so lucky to join Simon's group for a one day trip to Worcester, Stratford-upon -Avon and Warwickshire. He is a English professor at BIAD, whom I got introduced by one of my friends Haris at the BIAD campus. That was my first day at BIAD. I was also accompanied by few Chinese friends and professors to this trip.
Today 11th September early dawn at 7:00, I had to back pack and run to the Hair of the Dog, a small pub inside the North campus of BIAD, to join Simon's group for the trip. The day started with a cappuccino in hand and a lovely morning walk. I really enjoyed that moment. We all were walking on the high streets of Worcester City. Initially we were having a glance of window displays and medieval pubs on the high street. I could see some old monasteries turned in to coffee pubs and inns. Though I have seen them in movies like ' The Librarian 3, curse of the judas chalice", I could imagine a different picture of the place in my mind, but I really do want to miss the images of these place in my digital album, so was busy in taking pictures while walking down the streets of the city.
Finally could hear the church bell ring and we all started to walk towards the Cathedral. Worcester Cathedral is one of the biggest cathedrals in UK. There were so many like in the past which were destroyed by the rulers of the past. We had to wait for the doors to open and then we started our journey inside the walls of this massive building. I could see very antique pieces like giant bells, story lined glass paintings of the christ and the building itself. I was feeling very strange between these walls. All I could imagine was people in the past walking in these doors and I could see some kind of meeting happening inside one of the large rooms of the cathedral which was to the left to the entrance. As we moved on, the architecture of the building changed. I have never seen such a huge cathedral before. This place was telling me something. I could sense a feeling of loneliness and fear. All I could imagine was wars between good and evil. Besides the dead people's bodies were buried inside these walls, which made me to think of a dead coming alive from his grave and people dressed up and black and white for some gathering. My imagination was running wild and wanted to come out of that.
Finally we reached a garden spot inside the cathedral. We could spot some sacred herbs in the place and it was very lovely to get the blaze of the sun within these bushes. The journey inside these strange walls came to an end and all of us were ready to walk to the next world not knowing what is going to come.
Luckily, we entered a world that is so beautiful and fun. This is 'The Lygon Arms-A Golden Village'. Everything in this place is gold. All I could see is colorful flowers, golden buildings and happy garden party. People were busy shopping, cuddling their pets and having chit chats. While I was walking on the pathway I was passed by some ladies dressed up in elegant style having their girl talks. This is a kind of a place where every British wants to live in while at their old age. So beautiful the place is, as expensive is the lifestyle. There were attractive shop windows, antique collections and beautiful interiors. Everything is made of wood which appeals very modern. I will say people have a very good sense of style in this place. Every detail is impeccable and gels with ambience of the place.
The place reminds me of the life style that existed in 60's, 80's and 90's. I could see some retro fashion and some flower girls here. Everything is so bright and colorful with joy and fun. By the time I finish thinking about the flower girls I met , We landed in front of a historical monument. The building was of Tudor architecture.
We found that we have walked in to the house of Lucy family, Charlecote, Warwickshire. This is now a museum where all the paintings, statues of Tudor times were exhibited. We were given a demonstration on Tudor's costume as well. This place is not just about Tudor's, this is all about the family tradition and the life of Tudor's itself. We can find even Indian and Arabic treasures preserved here. There is a beautiful water fall behind the house, which is breath taking. All I could imagine is the change in time while looking at the house. Time is mystery and nobody knows how the phases of mankind will change. Today's lifestyle is very easy and convenient, but people have toiled themselves in the past for pride and status. Massive and heavy equipments to easy and handy tools, thats what I thought when i saw the back yard and kitchen of the Lucy family house.
Finally it was time to move out with some wandering thoughts on Time and visited the most celebrated place of film makers and dramatist, "Stratford-Upon-Avon". The birth place of stage drama and love.
We first walked in to a Holy Trinity Church at the city. This is a place where the great William Shakespeare was buried along with his wife. This is cathedral is not like the one I saw in Worcester. This was smaller than the former one, but felt some spiritual feelings. I found this place sacred and holy. While walking out of the church, I was talking to Simon on the presence of god, people's belief and anti-christ people. As we were talking, I could see the roads turning to mud ways and carts running across. I want to think that I am walking along the foot step of this great personality, Shakespeare. I was thinking about the movie ' Shakespeare in Love' and was posing so many questions to Simon about Shakespeare.As we were walking towards the house of Shakespeare, I saw a beautiful princess longing and staring at something in a busy market place. I guess, she is waiting for the love of Shakespeare. I was picturing his house to be small located within mud roads and was unhappy to see the reformed one because it was not the one i saw in my imagination. All of us were busy taking picture of the place and finished our journey with wild thoughts and feeling.
Finally, at the end of the day, I was happy meeting different characters and people and slept thinking about the day.
