The Sterling Renaissance Festival aka The Best Day Ever

Here ye! Here ye!

Last weekend (two weekends ago?) I went to the Sterling Renaissance Festival and had the greatest time! I went with three of the Summer Youth Tour actors, and it happened to be one of their birthdays!

The entrance to the fair.

Garden Noms. *chuckles*

 

Enjoying some "Peasant Bread". Delicious!

The group I went with knew one of the characters, and we were able to catch his shows as well as see some on our own. We saw a "Dunk Trial" where they actually dunked the actors into a pond! Apparently it is home to a few snapping turtles and snakes- yuck! Then we went to a jousting match. Our guy lost- womp womp. Then we listened to some beautiful madrigals, and then sat in on an Irish storyteller who tell dirty tales. It was hilarious to see one older woman turn around every time he said something dirty! Though to be honest I did blush every now and then. Then we went to a 30-minute cut of The Tempest. Thirty. Minutes.

Watching a jousting tournament.

Listening to some lovely madrigals. 

G-d Save the Queen!

Entertainer during the parade

A flamboyant Spaniard

The last show we saw was a mud-pit fight. Three guys told a story while throwing each other in mud. We sat in the front row, and though my friends got some mud on them, I managed to remain clean!

Posing with the Queen and a Spanish Princess!

That's a man on stilts in a tree costume!

At the end of the day!

The fair ends the day with the actors singing pub songs of the time. It was the perfect ending, and you can really tell that everyone there loves what they're doing.

All in all, it was a great day!

-B

And for your entertainment.... (ignore my disgustingness and direct your attention to the three guys in the back) 

A turkey leg! #I'mGross

SUP!

Today I learned how to SUP! No, it's not a throwback to the "WAZZUP??!!" It stands for Stand-Up Paddleboarding, and it was oddly easy.

I went with my co-worker to the Finger Lakes Paddleboard, which is right on Owasco Lake, the one where the Playhouse is located. We were in a different part of the lake, it was more of a "passageway" from one part of the lake to another, though it was very close to the theater.

Surprisingly, Stand-Up Paddleboarding isn't that hard. You start sitting on your knees, then work your way up to standing. That was the scariest part- standing up. It's a delicate shifting of you weight, but once you've found your balance it's pretty much smooth sailing (pun intended) from there. There also weren't any waves or anything that would rock the board, so we lucked out.

It was calming and fun, something I'd like to do in the morning as the sun is coming up, it was so relaxing- once I got the hang of it that is.

Our teacher took these cool photos of us on the boards...

We didn't even fall in!

A beaver in the lake!

-B

Oops, I haven't updated in a while (even after I said I would)!

MGR has a company scavenger hunt that goes on all summer, so here are some of the things I've been checking off the list...

Getting a drink at Parker's Bar- 5 pts.

Picture with the first electric chair (which happens to be at a bar...)- 10 pts

Wearing an MGR Shirt- 10 pts

I need a total of 200 points, and I've already got 170. Only 30 more to go!

-B

Adventures in Auburn

Welcome Back!

It's been over a year since my last update, and since then I've returned from London. But, I'm in a new part of the world again! Well... really it's just a new part of the country...

I now find myself in Auburn, NY. Home to the William H. Seward House, the Harriet Tubman House, the first "talkie" camera- the first camera that was able to have sound as well as moving pictures- and the first electric chair, that is now located at a bar. Auburn never ceases to amaze...

Since my last update, I've graduated from college and have started a new chapter in "the real world." I was fortunate to find a job with a summer stock theatre company until the end of August. I've been in Auburn for about four or five weeks now, and I figured, since I'm off on a new adventure- albeit it's not as geographically distant or culturally diverse as London was- why not start blogging again?

So, here goes...

-B

Two Football Games and St. Paddy's Day

Two Wednesdays ago (3/14), I went to a Chelsea vs Napoli game with Kelly.  It was so much fun!  I won the tickets at a Chabad event a few weeks ago, and though I had to skip class to go (sorry parents!), it was so worth it!

We started by buying some Chelsea souvenirs: a scarf for Kelly and a scarf and sweatshirt for me.  Then, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Pizza Express.  We missed the kick off, but neither of us was too concerned with seeing it.

I guess since I'm not a big sports person, I didn't realize just how serious they take it here.  We got to our seats late, and everyone was already seated and paying very close attention (we were in a no standing zone, and here in London fans aren't allowed to take their drinks back to their seats).  I thought I was annoying the gentleman next me, 1) because I was American and a girl who didn't really know the sport, and 2) because I felt like I kept poking him with the flag that everyone had at their seats.  But, at the end of the game, which we won, he grabbed me in for a big hug, and then pulled Kelly in, too!

It was a confusing game, since they went into overtime, by about 90 minutes, and we didn't know what was going on.  So, we just assumed that soccer here was played in three, 90 minute sections.  Nope.

Then we went to a pub and chatted.  It was a night to remember!

Kelly and me in our new Chelsea scarves

Then, on that Saturday, a bunch of us went to a Fulham game.  This was also St Paddy's Day, so there was lots of 'fun' to be had!  I found a recipe online that included rum, Bailey's, and maraschino cherry syrup/juice.  Supposedly it tastes like a chocolate covered cherry.  I wasn't able to the cherry stuff, but, since it was St. Paddy's Day, I got the Bailey's.  Ahh the red hair is bringing out the Irish in me.

So we all left for the game in different groups.  I missed kick off and the end.  I really just wasn't into this game.  I guess I'm officially a Chelsea fan!

-B

The Zaritsky's and Gina came to London!

Last week (right after spring break) my parents and sister came to visit!

On Sunday (the 4th)  We went out for dinner, then Mom, Dad and I went on the Jack the Ripper tour.  I never knew that these murders were so gruesome.  How can someone be so cruel, so indifferent?  Then we went for fish and chips and dessert, and let me say that it was some damn good dessert!

On Monday, we toured the Tower of London, which was pretty cool.  We got to see some armor, but most importantly, the crown jewels!  Very cool!

The exterior of the Tower of London

Armor in the Tower of London.

Pam and I posing outside the Tower of London.  ROAR!

We saw a show that night, We Will Rock You.  Dad loved it, and the vocals really were strong and fantastic.  The plot.  Not so much.

Tuesday was their last day :( and since the three of them went to Stonehenge and Bath, we met up for dinner at The Queen's Arms, the pub that is not even a block from my flat.  It was a lovely evening and I was sad to see them go!

Pam, Dad, Mom, and I at The Queen's Arms.

However, I was very grateful for the Girl Scout Cookies, Taskykakes, and various gifts that they brought!

Then, on Wednesday Gina F. came to visit!  She was staying in a hotel with her friend Jess, but we got to see each other a lot.  We met up that night for drinks, then on Thursday for dinner (I saw A Comedy of Errors with class, and Gina got tickets for We Will Rock You).  Her reaction to the show was pretty similar to mine.

I wanted to show Gina and Jess the bar/club that we usually go to, Arch Angel, but Jess unfortunately didn't have her ID with her.  Oh well, we still got to pre-game together!

Gina and me

On Saturday, we met up, with Jess, and Crazy For You.  I love those old time musicals!  And my oh my the dance numbers were awesome!  I got tired just watching them!

Gina left the next day, but I was so happy that she was able to visit!

-B

Last day in Barcelona (Spring Break Day 7)

After a week's worth of traveling, it was time to head home.

But not before checking out the Picasso Museum!  We found the museum in the middle of a bunch of winding, almost like back alley, type streets.  I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't take pictures, and that they weren't featuring any of his most famous pieces.  I guess they are displayed elsewhere in the world.  Though it was cool to see his lesser-known works and sketches, which were just as interesting.

After that, we searched for some paella!  Paella is a traditional Spanish dish consisting of rice, seafood, and spices.  We found a place that had a deal: an individual appetizer, paella, desert, and sangria, all for about 11 euros!  It was a steal.  And it was delicious!

The yummy paella!

On our way to the Picasso Museum, we passed a jewelry store that had some interesting pieces.  After eatting, Kelly, who bought a ring from there earlier in the day, and I went back and I bought a pair of earrings, which I can't stop wearing.

Then we headed to the airport, and headed back to London.

-B

The hot chocolate from the breakfast place we went to everyday.
This was more like a pudding than a drink!