Today I want to share my article on my stay in Newcastle last summer. Fantastic time.
Just to read, scan. Enjoy.
Carrying coals to Newcastle?
After having discovered the south of England (I had been twice there), I wanted to explore the North. What I had known about this region was that people have different, incomprehensible accent, it’s colder and near Scotland, hence hilly and most historic places I had learnt about were just in Northumbria. What I was told about the city of Newcastle is that it had been a former industrial town. Anyway, it was my dreamed-of destination and regardless of all opinions I wanted to go to Newcastle. And what I experienced there was unforgettable and highly beneficial for my English!
But let’s start from the beginning. Me and my friend Magdalena, with who I came to Newcastle, having reached Charlotte House we’ve been swiftly warmly welcomed by a girl living there.
‘Hi! You must be my new flatmates – just yesterday three people from my flat left so we’re waiting for the new mates!’
And, indeed, it turned out that my friend was accommodated in Luna’s flat. Living in such international house (:D) was fantastic. Not only did we practice English all the time (what we didn’t actually even noticed, it was natural!), we had some exciting, thought-provoking or just funny chats. I value the most the ones in which two cultures were confronted. I still recall conversations with Joo from South Korea - from the country where life differs from what we have in Poland - we talked really long about e.g school, food, nightlife or army, comparing the life in Europe and Asia.
Regarding the classes, there were about 10 people in my group (every week it changed) and we had many possibilities to speak, we worked in pairs or groups, did grammar and lexical exercises. Our teacher Jennifer prepared really enjoyable, both entertaining and educating activities. I absolutely loved the lesson when we played something like a role playing game based on the ‘Lost’ series. Divided into groups we had to choose the pieces of equipment we needed and then decide what to do as castaways. We were informed by Jennifer about what was going on on the island and were given points for the right reactions. There was nothing like a competition to boost the motivation level – I can’t remember any other situation in which I was negotiating so zealously like then! J
I encountered and befriended people from all over the world. We had parties in our flats or somewhere in the city, went to cinema or pub, went on trips organized by the social programme staff or visited the country on my own.
Newcastle is situated in an area that is very rich in places to go. If you want to experience the English history yourself, there’s no other place to go. A walk along Hadrian’s Wall takes you for a trip to the ancient times (put comfortable clothes and trekking shoes on!). Bamburgh. Alnwick (the Harry Potter one!) teleport you to a medieval, Norman era. In Edinburgh or York you sense a mixture of époques. Each place is remarkable, truly worth visiting! However, if you don’t want to travel around, Newcastle itself is a lovely place to stay. Seriously, I LOVE the city – beautiful buildings in Grainger Town, the castle, 7 bridges and the quayside, the China Town and dozens of small cafes and pubs with live Irish folk music. Oh, and thank you Les for the variety of anecdotes about Newcastle’s life – you’re a great guide! J
I could write about my stay in Newcastle for a long time. Although it was only a two-week stay, which was way too short, it was so abundant in new experiences, acquaintances and information that I still remember it well. I have travelled a lot and been in many countries, but this trip was exceptional. Is it just because of my love for English language and British culture? Was it because I tried a grown-up life? Or because the lovely, open, helpful and talkative people (even those met on the street) have different, incomprehensible Geordie accent I absolutely loved, it’s colder and every sun ray causes a smile, it’s near Scotland, so Edinburgh and many, many other breath-taking places are nearby?
Historic Newcastle remains in the quoted idiom. But to make it more accurate... If coals is something Newcastle’s full of, I hope no one minds that I have taken a bit of it to home. I have taken some of the zest for living, an inspiration for my passion, a knowledge about whole world. The coals still give of the sparks of reminiscences and warm up my days. It seems to be sustainable, the very long living one, but nevertheless... Newcastle, for sure I’ll come to you for more fuel soon! J
